Blog
Article in The Post and Courier Newspaper
I was very honored to be featured on the High Profile page in the Post and Courier issue dated November 7, 2009. It was my testimony of the impact The Citadel had on my life and in turn the lives of others. Lately, the institution has had a few unfavorable articles written and it was refreshing to see the positive side of the school emphasized in the story.
I want to thank all my clients and referral networks for giving me the opportunity to be selected. You can read the story by clicking on the link
For all of you connected in any way with The Citadel you can rest assured that the institution is in very capable hands and is turning out fine young leaders who will shape our world tomorrow. The traditions of the Honor Court, the leadership lab (life in the barracks) and the striving for excellence are being well maintained. The long grey line continues to grow strong, continuing the life cycle beginning with the student/leader maturing into business, professional, the arts and military positions all over the globe.
I wear the ring and am so very proud to say I do.
Taking my Own Advice
A few months ago as I was talking with a client about the challenges we all are facing with this economy. I explained to him that I was taking my own advice and making dramatic changes in my business model.
The driving force for his business as well as all others is meeting and exceeding the customers’ needs. With the impact the recession is having on businesses, the people leading their organizations must adapt to the changing needs of those they serve. Recognizing changing demands and adjusting the business to meet them is the highest priority of any business that wants to not only survive but prosper in these trying times.
The services I offered and the fees charged worked well for many years, but as the economy tightened I needed to respond and respond quickly to my existing and new clients. I reexamined the services that I had been providing and modified my fee structure. Additional services were called for and flexibility with my fees and payment plans were made.
These simple adjustments led to more business opportunities and widened my client base. Being open to change and actually embracing it has enabled me to meet and coach new individuals and impact their businesses.
The result is the launching of my new web site, www.yournextlevel.net , accomplished with the help and support of Ron Small owner of Maxx Marketing, Inc. headquartered in Charleston, SC and Robert Velarde of TWIF, Inc located in Summerville, SC.
New and expanded services include a variety of coaching experiences, Executive Retreats held in Charleston, as well as coaching students, recent graduates and older individuals to find jobs. Free downloads of my book, A Journey with Mac – Rediscovering the Fundamentals of Business., and fifteen minute complimentary telephone coaching sessions are offered to help potential clients get started and begin adapting a more positive attitude. Like Max Factor, the cosmetics icon, once said, “I sell hope.” I, too, want to be able to offer hope and inspiration that all of us need as we plow through this economic downturn.
Correcting an employee should be a positive experience!
The days of management by fear and intimidation have long passed. Management styles have developed to provide encouragement and nurturing for those in the workplace. However, on occasion there is a need to provide corrective feedback to an associate; not “blunt criticism.” The challenge arises as to the proper way to correct the performance without criticizing the individual.
Use a sandwich! Not literally, but think of a sandwich as a concept. First, give the associate some positive feedback, then “sandwich the corrective criticism” in the middle and finish with a motivating comment about how you will work with the individual to improve their performance. The individual should feel as if they have been “fed” encouragement and will respond accordingly.
Would you believe business people spend more time planning a vacation than on their business?
Take this quick survey. When you went on your last vacation did you plan a route? Did you have a GPS or a map? Did you service your car, checking the oil and filling up the gas tank? Did you make reservations and other travel plans? Did you budget your trip?
Now compare these answers to your business. Do you have a business plan? A business plan is the map for planning your future. Without it, anything you do is okay for there is neither plan nor accountability to keep you on course. Your dashboard in your car tells you when to fill up your tank, check your oil or service your engine. The dashboard in your business is your budget. Do you have one? How do you know what your cash flow requirements are? Do you have too much or too little inventory? Are the expenses being managed successfully?
A business plan (okay, map) and a budget (okay, dashboard) are two of the most basic fundamentals of any business. Don’t the dollars from the business pay for the vacation?
Managing time based on your personal biological clock.
What is your best time of the day? When do you accomplish the most and are the most productive? Many individuals are “morning people;” others work best in the evening. Determine your most productive time of the day and use that time to concentrate on your more difficult tasks or the things you procrastinate doing. Easier and routine tasks, or the things you like to do are better suited for your less productive hours. The result is a “better return on your time investment” and an increase in your productivity. Once you are in a habit (it takes twenty eight days to change a habit) of managing your time effectively your attitude improves and work becomes more enjoyable.