Means to an End
Once a decision is made to take action, it’s crucial to consider how to approach the work. There are often multiple means to an end, but they are not all created equal. The methods chosen will greatly influence the lasting value that is created, or not. Three crucial questions will help a leader and team […]
Decision to Act
A decision to act is completely different than a need to react. While both may result in action, the motivations and long-term results are likely to be very different. All of the resources and training in the world are for naught until and unless they are put to work. Leaders study them and selectively apply […]
Urgent, Necessary and Never
How’s it going with your New Year’s Resolution(s)? Did you make one or more for 2016? If you did, is that aspiration still active in your life, or have you already relegated it to the dustbin of best intentions? If you are still struggling to “make the time” to work on it, and since we […]
The Hard Way
Building lasting client relationships depends heavily on how they start out. Otherwise, you’re forced to do things “The Hard Way”. This doesn’t mean that a business relationship that begins out of sync can’t be corrected, because sometimes it can. But why handicap yourself at the outset? Much better is to spend the time making sure […]
Plan “B”
What will you do when your first choice doesn’t work out? Do you have a Plan “B” ready for action? For the hard-charging, “I want what I want!”, sort of person this may seem unnecessary or even a distraction. For the more thoughtful, “What are my options here?”, sort of person this concept may already […]
Zero Discussion
That’s what happens when a leader and service delivery team know exactly what to do. “Zero Discussion” is required; their response becomes instinctive and driven by commitment to the cause. Oddly enough, you don’t get to this point without tons of robust communication. That provides the foundation, along with constant reinforcement of the team’s mission […]
Create Something!
Ideas are wonderful things. They come about in all sorts of ways and take many forms; sometimes they emerge from reflection, other times through problem-solving, yet others from divine inspiration, or even seemingly “out of the blue”! How they come about doesn’t determine their value. The ultimate value of an idea only develops when you […]
The Whole Nine Yards
When you’ve given all you’ve got, when there is nothing left, you’ve given “the whole nine yards”. It turns out that this expression has many supposed origins and, surprisingly, many folks are inclined to argue vehemently about which is the “correct one”. Google this phrase and you’ll see what I mean! Whatever the source, however, […]
Guesswork?
If you’re a contestant in a game show, guesswork might be acceptable. After all, part of the objective of the TV producers is to prey upon surprise, disappointment and occasionally exuberance. Since the outcome is simply a matter of chance, who can possibly be responsible for what happens? When it comes to the world of […]
Best Fit
In our constant quest to hire people, find new customers and acquire business capital to support growth, it can be tempting and expedient to choose what first appears. If you opt instead for finding the best fit, and achieving the success that follows, it’s worth adhering to a process that enables you to get it […]