Did you know there is a “second” set of Ten Commandments? They offer very sound advice! The following is reprinted from Harvey Mackay, author and Chairman of Mackay Envelope Corporation. We all know about the original Ten Commandments, but have you ever heard of the Second Ten Commandments? I don’t remember who sent them to me [...]
(This is part two of a two part post on How to Outthink and Outperform Your Competitors) Here are the 5 steps that are required to create a comprehensive and practical plan for your business: 1.Identify your vision and clarify your values Research shows that vision-driven leaders and their companies significantly outperform their competitors. Your [...]
In today’s mile-a-minute, e-connected, global, frenetic, here-today-gone-tomorrow world of commerce, it is no surprise that many of us don’t take enough time to think – and I mean really think, in a deep and focused way – about our business. We’ve become reactionary experts, essentially sucker-punched by our clients, by our competitors, by 24×7 connectedness, and by the pundits who espouse turn-on-a-dime flexibility as the panacea for 21st century business success.
In a recent article entitled “Economic Downturn Gives Owners Time to Work on Value Drivers,” my good friend Eric Donner, Managing Member of Regal Wealth Advisors reviews how important value drivers are to maximize a business’ selling price. He goes on to point out that it is the work of the owner – not employees [...]
To understand why we resist change, it is useful to acknowledge that humans are creatures of habit, and that habits are learned behaviors with predictable outcomes. By creating change, we force those involved – including ourselves – to confront the unknown and “unlearn” things that we previously accepted as producing desirable results. Even if the [...]
Like death and taxes, change in business is at once inevitable and difficult to comprehend. It also happens to be necessary if your aim is to create a sustainable, competitive enterprise. Ignore this imperative at your own peril, as history has taught us over and over again. Once great firms like AT&T, Polaroid, and A&P [...]
(Today’s post is part two of a two part series on Office Politics) Three Phases of Political Competence Political competence is a three-phase process. To bring people to your side, you must follow a systematic sequence. Otherwise, you may spend too much time talking with people who don’t need to be convinced of your idea’s [...]
(This is part 1 of a 2 part post on Office Politics, please stay tuned for part 2 on the Three Phases of Political Competence) Political savvy is a vital competence for any executive, but it’s not taught in leadership or grad school courses. In fact, the term “office politics” has received a bad rap. [...]
(This is part two of a two-part post on Leadership. Please see last week’s post for part one) Ask yourself how you’re doing and what you should be doing differently—and be sure to answer truthfully. As simple as this may sound, many people are shocked by their answers to basic management and leadership questions. Last [...]
(This is part one of a two-part Leadership Checklist post…please stay tuned for next weeks post) No matter how successful and talented you are, you’ve made mistakes and have acquired some bad habits. Some are old; others have seemingly popped up overnight. Behaviors that may have worked well for you in the past can render [...]
Leaders are remembered for their best and worst judgment calls, especially when the stakes are high, information is limited and the correct call is far from obvious. In the face of ambiguity, uncertainty and conflicting demands, the quality of a leader’s judgment and decision making determines the entire organization’s fate. That’s why leadership [...]
Most companies I know spend a large portion of their budgets on driving new business through the front door. Far fewer spend even a fraction as much in a directed effort to avoid having those precious customers walk out the back door. The prevailing assumption is that by providing pretty good service and having [...]
“Our deeds follow us, and what we have been makes us what we are.” – John Dykes Although accountability has various definitions, it is typically used to describe personal responsibility for getting something done. Accountability is an essential element of focused accomplishment and, therefore, of the business world. Successful organizations build systems that encourage accountability [...]
(How to Get Your Organization to Run Smoothly Without You) Ahh, Summer. Summer means barbecues, swimming, baseball games, camping, road trips, and lazy days in the sun. That’s what summer is all about, isn’t it? Well, for some, that’s just wishful thinking. Many business owners are so tied to their companies that they can’t step [...]
People build relationships and decide who to buy from based upon trust. Patricia Aburdene, author of Megatrends 2010 said: “Transcendent values like trust and integrity literally translate into revenue, profits and prosperity.” If you are searching for a surefire way to anger and alienate your prospects and customers, simply violate their trust and you have [...]
“Warning! Dates in calendar are closer than they appear.” Now wouldn’t that be a handy reminder on the welcome screen of your PDA or in your date book? Time is not given to us; rather, it is only made available to us. As a non-renewable resource, time is – quite literally – here today and [...]
As a private pilot and an aviation enthusiast, I have the opportunity to attend all sorts of seminars related to improving my skills and staying safe in the skies. Several weeks ago, I attended a session sponsored by the Air Safety Foundation (ASF – an organization with a very worthy mission) that was entitled “The [...]
Focus. It’s one of the things we need to be more successful in business – right? Although I agree in general terms, it is also instructive to consider what you are focused on. Let me cut right to the chase: I believe that most business leaders and sales professionals tend to focus on the wrong [...]
“You don’t get something for nothing You don’t get freedom for free You won’t get wise With the sleep still in your eyes No matter what your dreams might be” - Neil Peart, Rush When I was a child, one of my father’s favorite sayings was “If it seems too good to be true, then it [...]
