Bruce Weinstein shares three benefits of making a habit of hand writing thank you notes and a how-to guide too: Gratitude wows You’ll remain top of mind Monotasking is mindfulness in action Adding the practice of handwritten thank-you notes will take you to next-level success and help you make an even bigger difference in the lives of people you care … [Read more...]
Companies race to own customers’ experiences
Companies are recognizing the importance of delivering an experience that makes them stand out from their competition, writes Shep Hyken. There’s a lot riding on delivering a positive customer experience, he says. The company may define its brand promise, but it is the customer who decides whether or not the company delivered on its promise. Source: Forbes, July 15, 2018. … [Read more...]
Little things = big results
A penny that doubles every day for a month will produce more than $10 million by the end of 30 days. In the same way, the following small changes will produce big results in your career and personal life. Consider these micro habits. Source: Forbes, September 18, 2018. Link. If you want to change your life, you need to start considering the needs and wants of your future … [Read more...]
FDA, Bad bacteria are kicking our butts! (includes videos)
The U.S. Food and Drug’s Administration’s (FDA) recently announced its 2019 Strategic Approach for Combatting AMR, or antibiotic resistance. Scott Gottlieb, FDA commissioner, said bacteria are rapidly developing new ways to evade our current weapons. He called for an all-hands-on-decked approach, citing revelations in the Pew Charitable Trust’s analysis of the antibiotic … [Read more...]
Learn from your mistakes by reacting appropriately
Every business makes mistakes. As a leader, you’ll be responsible or at least accountable for most of them. The best leaders don’t let their bad decisions define them. A simple way you can accomplish this is by not reacting right away to every mistake, but reacting in the right way, whether that means rectifying the issue immediately or learning a valuable lesson and moving … [Read more...]
One simple question can help you break out of your bubble
A significant challenge for many leaders is that the higher they rise, the more insulated they become. In other words, they get trapped in a bubble. Subordinates tend to become overly compliant, telling them what they want to hear. And once candid conversations are now not so candid. By explicitly asking others, “What do you think?” leaders can break free of this … [Read more...]
If you answer YES to these 11 questions, it is time to find a new job
It was refreshing to hear several stories from animal health professionals about their career pathways, decisions and challenges during interactions during AVMA 2018. The career stories highlight was shared by Kristen Peck of Zoetis during The Bridge Club’s first industry ICON live event <link>. To summarize the input from participants, routinely reinventing ourselves is … [Read more...]
Giving feedback is difficult
Why is it so hard to tell our employees (or our spouses and friends, for that matter) that they’re doing something that’s not working and need to change? Most often, we’re worried about the other person’s reaction. What if she gets angry? What if he cries? What if she tells me I’m an idiot? What if he gets super defensive and starts blaming me? Another thing that makes it … [Read more...]
Better be early
I have a magic pill to sell you. It will help you make more money, be happier, look thinner, and have better relationships. It’s a revolutionary new pharmaceutical product called Late-No-More. Just one dose every day will allow you to show up on time, greatly enhancing your life and the lives of those around you. Source: Forbes, August 2, 2015. Link. There’s a reason we set … [Read more...]
Communicate, connect for health’s sake
The number of people who identify as lonely has doubled from 20 percent to 40 percent in the past 30 years. In that same time, the average number of close friends that people identify having has gone from three to one. Having weak social ties is as harmful to health as alcoholism. It’s also equivalent to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Thus, having techniques to effectively … [Read more...]
Value your people so they do their best
Your people need more than a salary and fulfilling work to be their best. They need to know that you see the value in them as individuals and from the results they deliver. These nine suggestions should be an automatic part of your management style. Source: Forbes, November 8, 2017, Link. . . . delivering the tough information – can be a challenge. Nonetheless, it’s one of … [Read more...]
The customer service improvement diet
In a twist on customer service improvement, Micah Solomon offers 10 things to STOP DOING that will improve your customer service. We list three of them below: Do away with unnecessary scripts Declare war on inappropriate language Stop thinking of customers as an interruption Source: Forbes, March 26, 2018. Instead of pointing out what to do to improve customer … [Read more...]
How to tell a coworker their personal habits are disgusting
It’s inevitable. Bad habits creep into workplaces. Liz Ryan addresses a question from a reader whose coworker uses her desk as an extension of the bathroom. Maybe it is time for all of us to double-check our habits. Source: Forbes, March 9, 2018. Speak up, regardless of how socially awkward the situation., Ryan says. She shares 10 things never, ever to do at your … [Read more...]
Opinion – The era of the buyer is underway
Consider this article in the context of telehealth and telemedicine for both B2B and B2C entities in animal health. But, think about B2C telemedicine in the digital context of voice-activated systems on counters in homes instead of a phone on your desk. Once again, I ask veterinary team members to accept sales as the creation of a transaction. Jay Malowney asserts, … [Read more...]
Loyalty is a two-way street
Employers seek loyalty and dedication from their employees. However, they sometimes fail to return their half of the equation. This can leave millennial workers feeling left behind and unsupported. Professional relationships are built on trust and commitment. Working for a boss who supports you is vital to professional and company success. Source: Forbes, December 8, … [Read more...]
Update your LinkedIn pages yearly
William Arruda, cofounder of CareerBlast, advises updating your LinkedIn page annually. December or now, his seven most important recommendations still apply: Update your photo. Revise your summary. Update your current experience entry. Add multimedia. Record accomplishments. Evaluate your groups. Make your contacts current. Source: Forbes, December … [Read more...]
Customer service is the new marketing
People have lost their faith in gimmicky and overstated mass marketing campaigns, shares Micah Solomon. Today, they place more stock in what they experience directly with your company, what their friends experience and what the people they listen to online experience. He says adding emotional transportation to your customer’s experience makes it marketing. Source: Forbes, … [Read more...]
The underdog strategy may make you a winner
Victimhood is a popular excuse these days for being unhappy. It doesn’t have to be this way. Certainly, there are people with greater advantages than you. This simply means you need to work smarter and harder to achieve your version of success and now there is a strategy that will enhance your chances of success. Source: Women@Forbes, February 6 2018. Have the courage to … [Read more...]
7 ways to show customers you care
Members of Forbes Business Development Council share seven strategies for doing a better job of empathizing with customers. Their assertions are good. Still, it is important to avoid the words, “I understand,” as if you know the customers’ feelings. Remaining respectful, acknowledging and aligning with where the customer is in the decision process is critical. Stating what … [Read more...]
5 tips to attract and retain associates
As the unemployment rate goes down, many employers find it hard to attract and retain engaged employees. What worked when unemployment was high is no longer effective. Additionally, this millennial workforce has different values than previous workforce generations. These tips about retention will go a long way to reduce turnover and its associated costs. Source: Forbes … [Read more...]
Get ready for 2018
If you are working, you belong on LinkedIn. It is an absolute must for everyone engaged in the business community. While it can be the link to your next promotion or your next job, I have found it to be a great continuous learning source and an outstanding networking tool. Once there, it is important to keep your profile current and the end of the year is a great time to add … [Read more...]
Content marketing set to change
Just as content marketing seems to come of age, John Ellett challenges marketers to quit developing content marketing strategies and start developing plans that address how content supports marketing strategies. Studies indicate two of marketers’ biggest challenges in addressing changing buyer behaviors are: lack of buyer insights developing content that satisfies … [Read more...]
Move sales conversations from safe to serious
Adam Kipnes shares a process for managing the innumerable contacts in our reach and move them toward becoming clients. The objective is not to sell everyone, rather move them progressively toward becoming a prospect instead of leaving them as a contact or suspect. Source: Forbes, November 5, 2017. The goal of the 4,3,2,1 model is to categorize each contact you have … [Read more...]
Be stronger than yesterday: how to increase productivity
Recognize this? Your mind is commanding you to power through, but your body is slumped over your desk. You notice this behavior is happening every day and it’s becoming clear you’re mentally stuck in a rut wishing the week would just end. Bin Jeong offers a few tricks to break out of your rut and encourage a productive work environment. Source: Forbes, October 18, … [Read more...]
Dealing with snarky comments
Passive-aggressive comments that mask anger lurking beneath the surface constitute snark. It seems like the world is getting snarkier all the time. But that doesn’t mean you must let those jabs drag you down or stress you. Source: Forbes, September 8, 2017. Everyone has the ability to build bigger mental muscles so they can handle tough circumstances and snarky people in a … [Read more...]
Beat the mid-summer slump
Unless you’re on vacation, dragging yourself into the office during the summer can sometimes feel like the last thing you want to do. It’s not just because the weather is perfect and you couldn’t imagine spending the entire day indoors. Sure, the office might be the last place you want to be because your colleagues are gone, and your productivity might feel like it hinges on … [Read more...]
Choose to thrive, not survive
I am consistently amused by the number articles focused on executive level leadership or women in leadership that have application throughout the ranks in an organization. This article is a good example. While written for executive women, it applies to both genders and across the entire spectrum of the organization. Source: Forbes, June 19, 2017. We have introduced … [Read more...]
Industry events can be blessings or curses
There is no shortage of industry events available to every businessperson. In fact, we are bombarded with so many invitations that attending each would leave us no time to execute our responsibilities. So, knowing how to make sure an event is worth your time is important. Source: Forbes, May 23, 2017. If you’re extroverted, the thought of attending an event may energize … [Read more...]
Digital boundaries benefit everyone
Technological advances have improved our access to information, speed to market, competitive intelligence, and enhanced our successes. On the darker side, technology has blurred the lines between our work lives and our personal lives. This often causes us to be busier, but less productive. So, setting digital boundaries can help everyone. Source: Forbes, May 15, 2017. While … [Read more...]
Stay positive. It helps!
Throughout history a litany of hucksters has been paid handsomely to deliver motivational messages that have half-lives measured in hours. Ups and downs are a natural part of life. But, when the downs start to dominate our lives, it negatively affects our performance and more importantly, our health. Here are some practical tips to keep you on an even keel. Best of all, they … [Read more...]