Introducing new working habits and training procedures into the workplace takes a little longer than the traditional thinking about habits suggests. Since 1960, when Dr. Maxwell Maltz suggested in his book "Psycho-Cybernetics" that it take 21 days for people to trade one old habit for a new one, many training programs have been set up on the assumption that within three … [Read more...]
How to Build and Save Face the Japanese Way
Spending several years as the sole foreigner in a rural town high in the Japanese Alps taught me more than words can express, giving me the ability to view life through a different lens. I learned the real meaning of gender inequality, the importance of cultivating your own food, and how to live and think more communally. But the biggest lesson I learned was about face, a … [Read more...]
What Reading “The 5 Love Languages” Taught Me About Leading A Team
"The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman is an excellent book about love and relationships, but little did I know what it would teach me about leading a team of employees. Initially, when I read the book, I read it to find out about my communication style in relationships, but it taught me a tremendous amount about my communication style in my business, too. There is a lot to … [Read more...]
Find Reliable Business Feedback by Avoiding Nay Sayers and the Yes Group
When you are starting or growing a business, you typically can’t do it all alone---even in the early stages where the first steps might be proof of concept and customer validation, which are fancy ways of saying you're finding out if your idea is as great as you think it is and getting an idea of the demand for your idea in the market. This may mean conducting a survey or … [Read more...]
Are You Ready for a Walking Meeting?
A 2014 study at Stanford School of education is changing the way some corporations are conducting their meetings. Instead of assembling the department heads around a board room table, they are distributing agendas for meetings coupled with invitations to meet in certain outdoor areas to have walking meetings. The walking meeting may be trendy now, but it is not a new … [Read more...]
Top 5 Ways to Effectively Manage a Public Relations Crisis
Many of us are fascinated by the characters in television programs tasked with solving a crisis or protecting a reputation. Think Olivia Pope from “Scandal” or Eli Gold from “The Good Wife.” Some do it well; others, not so much. In real life, you want a crisis manager who can handle a sticky situation. Here are the top 5 tips for managing a public relations crisis … [Read more...]
Surviving Virtual Interviews with the 5 Ps
Virtualization of the workplace has taken over our work lives. Interviews, meetings, appraisal discussions, conferences, training programs---everything has become global and virtual thanks to technology. It’s amazing how two or more people can connect over the web, regardless of their locations and time zones. Having conducted 500+ virtual interviews using web cams over the … [Read more...]
Golf is the Ultimate Business Tool: Here’s Why
Golf is more than just a sport. The power of the dimpled ball has the ability to open doors, create connections, and close many deals. It can also be a one-way street to a road full of success. Here are the seven top reasons that golf will forever be the ultimate business tool: 1. Face-to-Face Connections Golf is a platform for business. The golf course can be the perfect … [Read more...]
5 Tips to Prevent Your Website from Falling into a Black Hole of Mediocrity
Not everyone likes writing. Not everyone’s good at writing. But that doesn’t stop gazillions of companies from getting their employees to write their web content, to… er, save money. Often you end up with a hot mess of confused messaging, disjointed copy, and a tone of voice split seven ways to Sunday. And nobody, but no one sticks around when they’re baffled by blah-filled … [Read more...]
Married to Sales – A 10-Step Sales Process
This isn't a piece about how to land your next client. The truth of the matter is, I don't know what you should do to land your next client. I can tell you what I've done, but that may not work for you. I can tell you about a sales process that works, and it just so happens to look a lot like my marriage. It's not perfect, but it works. Surely, you’ve developed a significant … [Read more...]