Jun 08 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:04 — 3.7MB)
Are you smarter than your workers? If you said yes, you’re in trouble. Either your ego is out of control or you need to take a serious look at your workforce. Let’s turn that question around. Are your workers smarter than you? Here are some thoughts on the subject. 1. In most cases …
Jun 01 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:36 — 3.3MB)
Is your strategic plan really a strategic plan? Many of the plans I see are really marketing plans in disguise. Now, before all you marketing whizzes jump me let me say that a marketing plan is important for any business. In fact, it is a critical step to success. But, it must be based on something else; a solid foundation that clearly explains three critical questions.
May 25 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:35 — 4.2MB)
“IMF chief jailed on sexual assault charges.” The headline was splashed across newspapers and websites around the world. If you’re not familiar with the event, the now former head of the International Monetary Fund was arrested in New York City for an alleged sexual assault against a hotel worker. The story became the subject of conversation around the dinner table with friends the other day, as I’m sure it has at many tables around the world. A friend wondered how a person could reach a point where they believed such behavior was acceptable.
May 18 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:29 — 3.2MB)
It jumped out at me from the jumble of other news stories – “Staffers in the White House budget office filed a petition to gain more input into their working conditions.” They wanted to join a union! The story went on to say that the workers were seeking a little more say in …
May 11 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:57 — 3.6MB)
There certainly isn’t anything new about conflict between generations. When I was young they called it the generation gap. In Rhetoric, even Aristotle writes at some length about the problems with youth. But today, this conflict seems to have become even more significant; especially in the workplace. Leadership tends to be very personality …
Mar 09 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:20 — 3.1MB)
As a leader, you have plenty of problems to solve. Though it’s impossible to cover every type of problem you may face (there will always be something new) there are some basic concepts that can be applied to any problem you may encounter. The most important aspect of problem solving is to understand …
Mar 02 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:44 — 2.5MB)
After years of lower level leadership positions, I was anxious for the big time. I could envision myself in the big chair, issuing orders, solving problems, and just generally making the organization, if not the world, a much better place. Nothing would faze me and I would be loved by all. Then one day my opportunity came. This was what I had been waiting for. Bring it on!
Feb 23 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:23 — 3.1MB)
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like the only time I hear about young people is either when they do something in sports, or when they’re in trouble; and sometimes that’s the same kids. For a refreshing change of pace, I took a couple of days last week to judge speaking contests …
Feb 09 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:04 — 3.7MB)
As with all businesses, people find me through several different avenues, and like all businesses should, I try to keep track of them. Of course, one source is internet search engines and I’m always interested in what search terms lead people to my site. Those search terms tell me something other than what …
Feb 01 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:04 — 3.7MB)
What’s your company’s strategy? Is there someone in charge of that? If so, who? There’s often a disconnect between real strategy and what many leaders think is strategy. I’ve seen too many senior leaders who seem to think strategy is something like a marketing plan. To be truly successful, leaders must see strategy for what it is; the overarching plan for success.
