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.

Ok, so it's been a month or two since my last post.
These days, I write & write & then I write some more; never enough.

Don't get me wrong I'm a decent writer. But I don't like writing that much and my creative writing comes when I least expect it. If the idea makes sense, I post it on Facebook, on Twitter or on this Blog, where ever the mood strikes me.

If I'm tired of writing, many are probably tired of reading. That's why Reality TV has become so popular- it the perfect mindset for being mindless.

But you know me, I like interacting, listening and talking.
And now, I have no worries about a Blog Post for awhile :)

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.

This is Why I Use Facebook!

Over the last six month, two former "acquaintances", both fellow UConn classmates have sought me out.

In one instance, the woman was a good friend and I've really enjoyed "catching up" regarding our respective family and business successes.

The other situation was more nebulous. I didn't recognize the name or the picture associated with the invite. But then she said and I quote, " I remember crying to you that I was going to fail cost accounting with James -- right was that his name -- and I ended up really "getting it" after you explained it to me! I think I have a picture of you from graduation -- I'll have to post it if I can find it!"

Thanks Jean for making my day and helping me to remember my mentoring skills 25 years ago went a long way towards helping others. And Thank You, Facebook!

New Years Resolutions for the Job Seeker

New World I will recognize that finding a job in 2010 job search has no correlation to my past job searches.
In Control I will make no excuses and put no blame on others.
Always Selling I will put on my sales hat, no matter how much that intimidates me.
Contacts are Key I will push myself to practice my communication everyday through aggressive networking and public groups (Toastmasters anyone?)
Beyond My Comfort Zone I will meet people outside of my comfort zone and field of expertise to enhance my contacts and spur my creativity.
No Presumptions I will recognize that it only takes one job to end my job search, but I won't stop "hunting" until the deal is sealed.
Obstacles not Opportunities I won't cry about my age, my confidence, my looks, my resume, my background - but seek to turn any potential employer objection into an attractive retort.
The Golden Touch I will get my resume and my cover letter buttoned up so that when I look at them fresh each day, I like, no love how I present my Brand.
Always Networking I will recognize that I need to continuously promote myself in order to land the new job.

This is a Great Time to be an Employee

Employees have a steady paycheck, benefits and most important, real and tangible opportunity. Now is the time to embrace your situation and truly make a difference.

1)...Forget, for now, Those Dreams of Your Own Business - Hey, if you are an Entrepreneur with an incredible idea… maybe. But if you want to be a consultant or open a small business, now is not the time! Competition is fierce and the market is lean, demanding and thankless.
2)...Recognize the Pain of Those in Job Transition - Finding a new job is more stressful and time consuming than you possibly imagine. And there are no signs of immediate change.
3)...Appreciate Your Compensation – There is tremendous downward pressure on salaries as Companies seek to align compensation expense with deteriorating revenues and margins. Your current salary is likely at or above “market value”.
4)...Make Yourself a Better Manager- Demand is high for Middle Managers who balance functional responsibilities in combination with organizational strategies. Make a strong statement that you “get it” through both your words and actions and seek guidance from internal mentors to escalate your performance and visibility.
5)...Listen and Learn – Do the extra little things to excel in every business communication. Companies value those who overcome performance barriers and impact customers, vendors and other employees in a highly collaborative manner.

While your job may not be perfect, be very thankful you have one and make every effort to heighten both your attitude and performance. Your level of satisfaction will increase and rewards will come your way. Don’t worry, for now, about when, right now the reward is “You Are Employed”.

The Day is Coming for Democrats and Republicans to Step Aside

In one of the next three elections (13 years), a prominent independent candidate will win the US Presidency (think Ross Perot in more troubling times). We clearly need a break from the politics of politics and there is major work to do in making all areas of government efficient, responsive and financially stable.

I marvel at the numbers of business colleagues who agree with me about the solutions- but no politician seems willing to take on the core issues that are not about winning friends, but about good government. I yearn for a visionary, a really important leader to break the hypocrisy so we can all be confident and proud we that we together as a Country are moving forward in the right, fiscally responsible directions focused on long-term benefit.

Is This The Calm Before The Storm?

Fascinating divergence of perspective between politicians, media types and financial planners who stand to gain the most by believing the recession is over vs. those most effected by today's economic challenges... entrepreneurs, employees and sales professionals who see only minor progress.

I'm witnessing a sense of "calm" from decision makers recently vs. the panic and total lack of clarity prior. No matter what the definition of recession is (didn't the experts not see it as a recession until 6 months after it began?), the majority of us will only feel better once unemployed colleagues and friends are working and small business revenues accelerate rather than deteriorate... in spite of what the stock market is telling us.