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. …
In March, we went online
With each passing day, more and more universities, organizations and businesses are moving their operations online. This massive test of our business continuity plans, processes and procedures (while challenging today), will be of great value in months to come. We will learn what works, what doesn’t and what could be improved. We will also learn what could and should be …
Coronavirus, sales and business ethics
Be honorable, honest and ethical in all that you do for your reputation will carry and extend well beyond any single sale or transaction. Your integrity, leadership and trust need to be your calling card.
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. …
Why I don’t make counteroffers
While I am not against counteroffers per se, I believe that if you wait to make one you have potentially missed an opportunity to retain that employee. At that point, in my experience, they are “gone.” Their mind had left and their body is soon to follow. Instead, focus on being actively engaged in the work your team does and …
Why you should have due dates
While not everything can or should have a due date, most deliverables should and here’s why. You should agree on what needs to be done, by whom and when in order to be able to plan and take action with any and all subsequent events, projects and decisions. While I am a fan of providing people flexibility and empowering them …
Send the elevator back down
Find time to invest in helping those who can do nothing for you at this time. Be a resource, a mentor to those who are coming up behind you in your industry, your education or your market. Think about all of those who have helped you become a woman or a man you are today and make sure you help …
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.
Staying in your “swim lanes”
In order for us to continue to grow, learn, improve and advance, we need to be mindful of our areas for potential improvement. For me, one of them is certainly not overextending myself and entering “swim lanes” of others. While I will always continue to ask questions and provide ideas and suggestions, it is important to let things go when …
Focus on your customers, not your competition
While there is no embarrassment in learning from those who are better than you or further along on a particular journey, one should not spend their time, effort, energy and resources on their competition, but should rather get as close as possible to their customers. Answers to all of your troubles, problems and tribulations lie within your customers. Ask them …