On your team, there are stars, and then there are superstars. Stars are, of course, great at what they do, but superstars add something special to the mix. Superstars are able to say difficult things and raise difficult issues with people without burning or even harming the relationship. Often that relationship is strengthened as a […]
Superstars Can Say Tough Things Read More »
It’s almost inevitable that sometime (or a few times) during your business career, you’re going to get into a toxic situation with another person that saps your energy, depresses you, and distresses you more than you would have thought possible. It might be a conflict with a boss, a partner, a colleague, a customer, a
The Definition of Maturity Read More »
Lots of us confuse problems with bills. Here are some problems that people around me are going through: An acquaintance was diagnosed with M.S. A friend is having serious marriage issues A friend has a child that has very precarious health Here are some bills around me that people are struggling with: An unexpected tax
The Difference Between a Problem and a Bill Read More »
One of the central concepts in Lean Manufacturing is simplicity. This is something that should guide our thinking when creating any new program or really designing anything within the business. I don’t know why it is, but as an organization grows there is a desire to make things more complex. Here’s a good rule of
Simplicity=Focus, Complexity=Chaos Read More »
One very wise client that I deal with once made this insightful comment about sales growth: Top line = vanity Margin = sanity Cash flow = reality The big take-away here is that growth for the sake of growth makes no sense. While it feels exciting to get the big sale, the real issue is,
Top Line Is Vanity Read More »
Many sales evaporate because we make the mistake of selling something that we hope to have in the future. Here’s how this can sound: Next month we are getting in an amazing product that you will love! Next week, this may be on sale! Maybe we could order something in for you! In inventory terms,