As you begin a new job, there are many things to consider and do in your first few months. In addition to researching your new boss, leadership team, organizational reputation, products, services, financials (all of this BEFORE you accept a position of course), I have found the following things to be valuable as well. First, do your best to meet …
COVID-19 lessons from a higher ed CIO
This message is from the end of April, when we couldn’t get haircuts among other things 😉 and it is still true nearly 6 months later. Some of the primary areas of focus for us have been (and will continue to be for a foreseeable future) grouped in five major categories: 1. People 2. Training 3. Communication 4. Partnerships 5. …
Lead your teams forward and don’t panic
As a leader, it is essential to be honest, open and communicate frequently with your teams, your colleagues and your community. Be available to answer questions and concerns, be visible and include people into plans and actions. However, it is essential not to panic, as your actions impact and influence actions, behaviors, thoughts and feelings of others across your community. …
People want respect and flexibility
While motivations change with age and experience and are heavily influenced by our upbringing, environment, character, personality and integrity, two of the areas that remain common for us all are respect and flexibility.
Why you should hire the best people
Hire the best people you can attract and afford. Hire those you can learn from, those who will motivate and inspire you to be better yourself, those who will help you elevate the entire team, together.
Are you growing your team?
Are you growing your team? How deep is your team? Are you a one woman or a man show and is that scalable?
Working with professional sales people
It is a true pleasure when you speak with people who are aware of your challenges and competing priorities, who have deep understanding of your industry and who do not try to pressure you or your team into further engagements via additional calls, meetings or demos. Those true professionals demonstrate the value of their product or a service, share pricing …
Customer experience matters, a lot!
The importance and value of exceptional customer experience should never be overlooked or underestimated. In addition to a quality product or a service, how you interact and treat your customers matters, a lot! In short, remove friction and respect people’s time and resources.
Walk the floor
Get out of your office and experience first-hand what your clients, customers and partners experience every day. Learn and stay up to date with what your team does and look for opportunities to recognize greatness as well as consider better ways forward.
Unknown audience
Get out there and meet new people. I keep saying this as you never know you might meet at these events. One can’t predict who also might be in the attendance and who could be helpful to you in the near future. Also, offer help to others as well as that is how your reputation is built in part. Always …