Does anyone ask the people who do the work? Let’s be clear – I’m not trying to expose the secret of consultants. Seriously though – and this is true for any size company – does anyone actually have a real conversation with the people who day in and day out are actually doing the work? Performing the functions that ultimately deliver the goods to their clients/consumers. Now I’m not speaking about surveys, forms or blanket emails. In fact it’s not even forums filled with hundreds or … [Read more...]
Revenue and Profit and These Three Questions
For a small to medium sized business owner, keeping the revenue continuing to flow in and making a profit are the keys to staying in business. Here are three questions which are topics being discussed at businesses large and small and I’m interested to know how you are handling them. Question #1 – Shrinkage, stealing or taking something and not paying for it. Until recently known as illegal activity. If you have a retail operation you know exactly what this refers to. However, even if … [Read more...]
How High Do You Aim?
Where do you aim in your business? In your personal life? Do you have groups of people that work together formally on teams or informally to get something done? Where do they aim? A few words that I would add to the end – ‘and being satisfied with the results.’ When we aim high and really put in a serious effort, even if we miss the mark, the journey, the effort is a learning experience for one person or a group of people. This creates a hunger to go after another aim high … [Read more...]
Three Ways To Plan For Next Year
There are a number of Wall Street firms and those similar who have embraced a way of doing business where each year a certain percentage of the ‘lowest’ performers in the organization are let go at the end of the year. It’s really not about saving money, as to find new people to hire and then to train them is an expensive operation. It’s more about a not at all subtle motivation for everyone else. It’s a way to stir the pot and bring in new people without adding to headcount. A great … [Read more...]
Let’s Settle This Now!
Let’s settle this now! Or at the very least open up the topic for discussion. For people who have worked in a specific industry for three years or more... Or for the folks who have worked for the same or similar organization for a number of years... How do you feel about the coach or advisor you may work with for your career and your life? 1. Do you feel they must have experience, expertise and a good working knowledge of your specific industry and possibly the company you work … [Read more...]
These Are The Most Important Numbers
You may have heard me speak about knowing your numbers. Or maybe you read where I wrote about the importance of knowing your numbers. Typically this is in reference to your business. If you’re not checking your numbers how do you really know how the business is doing? If you’re not comparing today’s numbers to last week, last month and last year, how do you know if the business is growing as you are trying to do? There are a number of areas to review your employees by. One of the best … [Read more...]
