Every where you look managers are struggling with sluggish sales, lack of employee accountability, increased costs in doing business and just simply getting worn out based on how hard you have to work today versus a few years ago to get the same results. So what is their answer - change things up - look for a magic wand to spark a recovery to their business.
Well I have news for you. There is no special wand or secret weapon - there is only one consistent means to the end. Straight talk, hard working leaders that create the future leaders. Not managers hiding behind the latest book, or the last speech they heard, but seriously doing what they were hired to do. Make things happen!
There is such a difference between a manager and a leader. Today the difference is even more glaring - either show up and make a difference or play your politics until someone plays harder than you and wins. Make no mistake about it - there is only one way to really win and that is to get into the game and play - not sit on the sidelines and coach in a game where you really don't even understand the rules!
Stop trying to come up with a new "widget." Just get serious about the reality of your business and do it better than everyone else.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
What Means the Most in Business Today?
Understanding what is important to your clients comes down to a simple message - communication! Why is it so hard to build rapport and develop relationships today? Are you kidding? You must know the answer. Everyone hides behind email, social media, the phone, websites and the corporate coward politics that empower no one.
So today look in the mirror. Do you hide behind any of these things? If you do - why? As I set in a meeting in Europe with executives of a non-mentioned firm, I listen to them give each other kudos, pats on the back, and bragging rights about what they have done. I ponder how they can continue to believe a false sense of security. Personal assistants are asked to call clients back, emails are forwarded to interns to handle and hours of meetings are held that seem to go no where.
What is going on here? Why don't we just get down to business? Just when I think that the politics of business went out of style in the 80's - I am faced with more political rhetoric than I can deal with. I just want to scream at the top of my lungs - Stop the madness and get down to business; and business my friends is about clients - without them we have NO business.
So try this idea for one week. Call your clients everyday - new ones, old ones, and current ones. Engage in conversation - it may be tough but give it a try. Spend one week and focus on one thing - client engagement. Sure you will have to spend a few hours dealing with the "drama" of the workplace but see how happier you are when you just talk to clients.
So today look in the mirror. Do you hide behind any of these things? If you do - why? As I set in a meeting in Europe with executives of a non-mentioned firm, I listen to them give each other kudos, pats on the back, and bragging rights about what they have done. I ponder how they can continue to believe a false sense of security. Personal assistants are asked to call clients back, emails are forwarded to interns to handle and hours of meetings are held that seem to go no where.
What is going on here? Why don't we just get down to business? Just when I think that the politics of business went out of style in the 80's - I am faced with more political rhetoric than I can deal with. I just want to scream at the top of my lungs - Stop the madness and get down to business; and business my friends is about clients - without them we have NO business.
So try this idea for one week. Call your clients everyday - new ones, old ones, and current ones. Engage in conversation - it may be tough but give it a try. Spend one week and focus on one thing - client engagement. Sure you will have to spend a few hours dealing with the "drama" of the workplace but see how happier you are when you just talk to clients.
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