When Did Unresponsive Become Acceptable?

Sure- I understand. We are overwhelmed by too many emails, a multitude of priorities and unending inventory of thoughts running through our mind. So we have to respond to the fire of the moment which, in hindsight, is often not that important.

There are those who are wonderfully responsive business professionals. They follow up, respond to your phone calls, needs and communications. But for an ever growing number, lack of responsiveness is becoming acceptable and that in my book, is unacceptable. Responsiveness reflects a professional who is under control, buttoned up, has a sense of their priorities and will get back to you in due time. It is not up to the initiator to follow up, follow up again and only after two or three hits hear the reply: sorry I was busy, how can I help you? or worse, what do you want?.

Respond. Communicate. Set Expectations in the Communication Upfront. Demand Responsivess from Your Subordinates.

Responsiveness enhances respect and allows for you to be much more organized, much less overwhelmed and earn kudos from your peers, subordinates and superiors. Can some gifted business professionals overcome a lack of responsiveness? Absolutely. But they are a select few, the majority of us, must impress people with not only our skillsets, but also our sense of responsiveness, consistently to all who need us.

Your Actions Dictate Your Success (and Maturity)

“Dad I really don’t feel like doing this right now”, my 16 year old son recently said as he put his wash in the machine. A light bulb went off in my head and I replied...

“That is the difference between an adult and a child. The adult overcomes this challenge ("I don't feel like doing this") most of the time. The child only is able to do it some of the time.”

This concept can also apply to a motivated, responsive business professional as opposed to the individual who struggles.

And I will say, I find business to be a lot easier than parenting!

Age and Sex Discrimination... Really?

I continue to be fascinated by people in the 40's (or 50's or 60's for that matter) who blame their job search predicament or career woes on their age and their sex, things they have no control over. Sadly, many career counselors and professional groups often promulgate these theories rather than challenge them.

The bottom line is every human being is their own unique personal brand. If they believe they are too old to compete against people who are less mature, less managerially savvy and have a brighter upside, then they are. If they believe they are being hindered from growth in their workplace as a result of the "old boys club" which holds them down, then they will be.

Our mind, energy, confidence and motivation should only get better as we enrich our knowledge base through diversified people interactions and an attitude of positive change for ourselves and those around us, every day.

I'm 48 and still working towards my business prime. Now if you want to talk about my tennis game, that's a different story.

What the Top CLO of 2010 Says about "Learning"

As quoted from Qualcomm CLO, Tamar Elkeles-2010 CLO of the Year, Tamar Elkeles designated by CLO Magazine in the September 2010 issue

"Three key learnings stand out: 1.) Hire great people, 2.) Utilize Vendors as Partners or Adjunct Staff and 3.) Learn from your Colleagues

2.) Utilize Vendors as Partners or Adjunct Staff- I have built several partnerships with local and global vendors over the years. These trainers, consultants and professors have become invaluable for me and my organization. I can’t hire all of them as employees- now would all of them want to be hired on- but they act as they are part of my team. We have the same goals, focus and commitment. Enabling true partnerships with trusted vendors allows me to have a larger staff of talented individuals who can impact my organization. Use their industry research, obtain good data, and ask vendors to help you learn about what their clients are doing. Vendors offer a wealth of knowledge and can enhance your capabilities. My learning organization’s effectiveness is a result of the highly collaborative partnerships we have with our vendors."

A "Cool Place" to Discuss Business

I recently completed a 10 Minutes to Change initiative for a client who asked - "Do I want to meet the participants for their 60-75 minute session in the Conference Room or the Meeting Room?" Their Meeting Room is simply an office furnished with a couple of pictures, whiteboard, telephone, four comfortable leather chairs and a coffee table.

I am so glad I chose the Meeting Room which made for a relaxed setting and highly productive forum for the conversations at hand. The room has terrific application for interviews, brainstorming sessions and manager/employee communications.

So take a look at a vacant office on your premises and consider the possibilities of transforming this into your Company's "The Meeting Room"- you'll be glad you did!

Time Lost or Perspective Gained?

This week, I made the decision to take time away from work and watch my son’s 4:00 tennis matches. A total of 6 hours lost. Or were they really?

On Thursday, I talked to a client with older children who happens to be one of the best family men I know. He reminded me... my son’s tennis matches are fleeting.

So that afternoon, I attended a match I hadn't planned on seeing, 30 minutes away.

I’m thinking now that my other 44 hours were more productive. And I loved seeing those matches!

Afternoon Siesta -A Means to Better Productivity?

I'm not a guy who goes crazy over sleep. I find it to be a means to an end- I go to sleep to energize my body and mind for the day ahead. But something strange happened recently and I wonder if I might be onto something.

I recall the great Dale Carnegie wrote about the importance of shuteye in the middle of the workday. I've never really acted on this idea, until last Friday... I stopped at home to grab lunch, laid on my favorite couch and sleep just overtook me; I was out for 45 minutes.

Friday afternoon at the office become better than normal. I had no afternoon fatigue. I progressed with a couple of key marketing initiatives with great zest and creativity - I actually had a tough time pulling myself away from work.

Now this is only a one time thing, but it left me pondering; if I close my eyes for 15-30 minutes after lunch when time permits, will my afternoon energy, production and creativity be vastly impacted? I'll tell you one thing, the next time I see someone sleeping "on the job", I'll think twice before rushing to judgement.

New Year Resolutions for the Business Professional

You may be dragging this Friday after a full work week following the chaos of YE festivities. So I offer you...

Resolutions for the Gainfully Employed Business Professional

Appreciate Your Employer- I will not talk bad about my employer, in these trying times I know how lucky I am to have a job.

Revisit your Interpersonal Skills- I will read Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People and apply it to everyone I touch in my organization every day.

Lessen Sensitivity- I will become less sensitive to others' perspectives, seeking to learn rather than be bogged down by bothersome scenarios.

Embrace My Managerial Role- I will recognize a large part of my work performance is embedded to those who work with me and will invest ongoing time in training, mentoring and developing my subordinates skills.

Listen to Enhance Others Perception of You- I will strive to talk less and listen more.
Organize and Prioritize- I will detail my goals for the year, the quarter, the month and the week and challenge and rewrite them at the start of each new period.