If you are a meeting planner, event manager or charged with organizing your company’s annual conference, you likely hire speakers to give keynotes. Their fees can range from a few thousand to six figures, mostly depending on their celebrity or business profile. Since the last recession, speakers have had to fight for every piece of…
DetailsA colleague of mine, Gwen Kinsey, led a crisp, interactive presentation at a recent leadership breakfast event. The topic was about how mission statements engage (or not) your employees. Gwen’s session drove home a point for me and I’d like to share it here. She put us in small groups and handed out two mission…
DetailsIn today’s fast-changing and competitive environment, excellent customer service is not only nice but essential for success. In fact, the only way to differentiate yourself and to become less of a commodity in the marketplace is through outstanding customer service. The strategies for keeping customers for life can be honed down to some basic steps…
DetailsFor the last few years, business owners and fellow bloggers have asked me whether Google+ is “a good investment of my time.” Up until last year, unless you were in the technology, social or dating services business, I’d say, “not very good.” Why? Although they have 100 million plus users, the demographic is: Most likely…
DetailsRemember those first-day of school jitters? You were nervous with anticipation and, as a result, probably slept very little wondering where your classes were and what your new teachers were like (stickler for rules or laid-back and fun)? That’s not even considering all the social issues that arise such as who would be in your…
DetailsIt’s the end of regulation time in a soccer game and the score is tied. It’s time for the shoot out to determine the victor. You are the coach. How should you advise your five shooters, each of whom will get one shot at close range? “I want you all to concentrate on our scoring…
DetailsLife is too short to be little. – Benjamin Disraeli The late Fred Rogers, speaking at his acceptance speech into the Television Hall of Fame, gave a speech that I believe typifies what leadership is truly about. Rogers says, “Fame is a four-letter word: and like tape or zoom or face or pain or love,…
DetailsWe have the power to choose what we do when situations are difficult and connections fray. Knowing that we always have choices gives us the power to take control. Throughout our lives, we’ll mix and mingle with plenty of people- the outraged and the obstinate, the belligerent and the bothersome, the annoying and the agitated,…
DetailsWhen you hurt someone’s feelings at work, it’s too easy to try and smooth it over with an attoboy or platitude. But is that really a relationship booster or just a band aid? Most of my keynote talks are about how to create and maintain strong business relationships. Most discussions focus on customer or teammate…
DetailsWhat leadership competencies do newly minted Millenial employees need to develop, from the get go? And what strengths do they, as a cohort, bring to the workplace? We hear so much “gen Y bashing” these days. We hear the stereotypes: unfocused, texting obsessed, ADHD prone, the world owes me recognition and, BTW, I’m pretty well…
DetailsReality is the leading cause of stress among those in touch with it. – Lily Tomlin According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens, a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activity.…
DetailsIn my keynotes and workshops on “Getting Along with Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere”, one of the questions that ultimately comes up is, “how do I tell someone about a character or behavioral flaw in their personality?” If you work with customers or have co-workers, are a manager, coach, or care about your friends, there will come…
DetailsOptimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. – Helen Keller A story is told of Floyd Collins who in February, 1925, climbed into Sand Cove in search of fortune. Suddenly, his lantern failed. Crawling through the darkness, Collin’s foot hit a seven ton boulder. It fell…
DetailsSurprise is a good thing when followed by the phrase, “Happy birthday!” Otherwise, it’s a negative emotion, and when it happens in a customer-provider relationship, it’s a source of dissatisfaction. Regardless of what you sell or who you serve, your customer’s expectations need to be met for you to succeed (in their eyes). In fact,…
DetailsThey’re either disengaged or under engaged in their work but they very much intend to stay with their current employer for a long time. This is what a new study by Modern Survey revealed. For government workers, 80% were less than engaged but 60% plan to stay. Not like the private sector, you say? Well,…
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