Do you want to know why communication in the workplace sucks? Recently I was conducting leadership development training with a group of front line managers. We were working on setting achievable goals. Time after time, we recognized the lack of effective communication as a key obstacle to achieving goals. Over the last year, while conducting [...]
So, what is help networking? There was a saying when I was learning sales, always be closing. The way I was taught the ABC’s of selling didn’t make sense to me. When I was always closing, I wasn’t listening, learning, and helping clients solve problems. I made a lot of sales, because I was overbearing [...]
But, what if the customer isn't right? Since 1909 when Harry Gordon Selfridge first uttered the words, "The customer is always right," businesspeople have followed his doctrine. But what if the customer isn't right? You're working with a customer. You've done your homework, and you understand what they hope to achieve. You've asked a hundred [...]
The time for identifying workplace bullies is now. Over the last few years, bullying in our schools has received the attention it deserves; children have been bullied to the point of taking their lives. Something needed to be done. Initiatives to identify, educate, and reform bullies in our schools have made an impact. But bullying [...]
Why would you need 7 steps to problem solving? A decision needs to be made. It's your call. What do you do? Throw a dart, spin a wheel, or ask the magic eight ball? Should you consult a Ouija board, or use structured techniques to analyze and plan solutions? It's a leader's responsibility to direct [...]
Every company I know wants to cultivate repeat business, but few consider how to achieve this. Everyone loses clients, budgets are cut, companies change directions, and some companies don't survive. But have you ever lost an account you could've and should've continued to service? Has a customer ever needed new work you could've done, but they [...]
Are you in a leadership role? Do you know when to let go? I'm a control freak, and it seems both my adult daughters are, as well. Huh, I wonder where they got that? I remember an awards banquet I coordinated several years ago. I had the evening planned to the last detail. Every activity [...]
Do you have an idea of some of the 7 activities leaders avoid? In a previous blog, What Makes a Leader Attractive? I outlined a few characteristics of successful leaders. But what makes someone unattractive as a leader? What should people in leadership avoid? Regardless of your position, title, or role, if people don't want to follow [...]
How to prepare for a networking event isn't one size fits all. I have one networking event, two meetings with networking opportunities, and a virtual conference all scheduled. Sound familiar? If so, are you ready to get the most out of your networking opportunities? If you hesitated one millisecond with your answer—you might not be [...]
What are the ingredients to a successful sales managers recipe? Is it hitting targeted sales quotas, building a roster, developing relationships with clients? Yes, it is, it’s all of the above and more, but what activities help successful sales managers reach these goals? As I’ve said more than once, you cannot do a goal you [...]
