Sales! For many this is a four-letter s-bomb. Don’t panic. Consider how you feel when the service department calls you to see how your car is acting after a repair or when the dentist calls you to see how you’re feeling after a procedure. Consumer retention is the key to both happy customers and a healthy bottom line in any business. Source: Inc., March 19, 2018. Given … [Read more...]
7 powerful things you should always be able to say about yourself
There are elements within ourselves that can either sabotage our success or lead us to greatness, shares Lolly Daskal. Whatever your role or aspirations in leadership, you should always be able to look at yourself in the mirror and voice these statements as truth, she writes. I am confident. I trust my intuition. I am honest. I am courageous. I am … [Read more...]
A case for washing dishes
Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates both say that handling dinnerware is part of their daily routine. I agree. Here's why you should consider it: More (and better) ideas could flow as you rinse It keeps you humble You remember that helping even in small ways is still helping Source: Inc., November 2017. Small acts of service, such as washing the dishes, remind you that you … [Read more...]
Paralanguage; critical non-verbal communication skills
There is one non-verbal communication type that powerful impact--it's called paralanguage. Paralanguage does not have anything to do with body language. Paralanguage is how you speak: The rate, tone/pitch, and volume/inflection of your speech, and the dreaded use of filler words. Mastering paralanguage allows you to have impact. Its power and benefits are many, and they are … [Read more...]
Lead humbly for best results
Effective leadership requires that you have an ego – just not a very big one. Too often leaders begin to believe their press clippings and develop an overblown sense of self. Effective leadership requires a well- developed sense of humility as demonstrated by New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning during his one-game demotion as a starter. Source: Inc., November 30, … [Read more...]
9 effective leadership reminders make leading easier
Leadership can be difficult, but I am always amazed by the number of people who make it harder than it needs to be by forgetting simple basics. Here are nine things to remember about leadership that will stop you from making it more difficult than it needs to be, and help you become a better leader. Source: Inc., October 2, 2017. As a leader, it is your job to put your … [Read more...]
Richest salespeople share 5 key habits
Whether you sell in a traditional, carry-the-bag mode, a retail setting or a professional services business, there are key habits that most top-earning reps use regardless of industry: They prioritize quality over quantity They only sell to the top If it doesn't make them money, they don't do it They understand the difference between outcomes and to-dos They … [Read more...]
Manage negative feedback
If you’re not getting negative feedback from time to time, you are not pushing your limits. Negative feedback is a fact of life and some negativity is especially personal and biting. So, being able to manage those situations in a respectful and effective manner is important to your overall success. Here is a classic illustration. Source: Inc., June 2017. I've written … [Read more...]
Cut through the BS during interviews
Finding and hiring new team members is not easy. It is important to find candidates that mesh with your current team and that don’t spell team with an “I.” Betsy Mikel discusses givers and takers, plus how to determine if a candidate is one or the other. Source: Inc, January 4, 2017. Givers are often sacrificing themselves, but they make their organizations better," says … [Read more...]
Go home dads. The kids NEED you!
Just being a breadwinner is a rapidly fading role for men with children. The parenting resources for dads are lacking, so most are left guessing how to improve. All the studies show that the influence fathers have in the lives of their children is far greater than what was once commonly believed. The fact is that dads have a greater role in parenting than ever … [Read more...]
Remember names with practice
Remembering names can be a challenge. Some remember faces, but struggle to put names with them. Still others seem to always know the person and name. Nicolas Cole shares his name recall strategy which is basically conscious repetition to affect short term memory. Source: Inc., September 27, 2016. What makes remembering someone's name so hard? Well, it's usually because … [Read more...]
17 meaningless things the worst bosses say
Repeating platitudes, especially as a superior, shows you’re lazy in words and actions. These 17 examples show how not to lean on useless phrases. Source: Inc., September 1, 2016. 5. 'We're experiencing a paradigm shift.' Actually, we're experiencing a change you don't know how to deal with and "paradigm shift" sounds a lot better than "I have no idea what the (heck) is … [Read more...]
World’s most dog-friendly office
A subscriber shared this post. It is fun to see how dogs are included in the office culture and design of this pet toy company. It does beg a question about the company policy for preventative vaccines and products. So, does human resources have separate doggy resources policies? Source: Inc. Humans weren't the only considerations in building out Kurgo's offices. The ample … [Read more...]
Overcome your fear of public speaking
Representatives and veterinary team members are generally comfortable speaking one on one. Speaking before a group however can be a different story. Here are four tips to deal with potential fears. Source: Inc., May 16, 2016. Maybe you need to convince others that an idea makes sense. Maybe you need to show investors how a project or business will generate a return. Maybe … [Read more...]
4 networking mistakes to stop making immediately, if not sooner
The old joke goes, “You can easily tell if a DVM is an introvert or extrovert. The extroverted DVM is the one who looks at YOUR shoes during a discussion.” Natural tendencies make networking difficult for some, whether they’re introverts or extroverts. This article provides sound considerations for networking. Source: Inc, May 4, 2016. In environments where you should be … [Read more...]
Keep office conflicts in control
No work environment is perfect. Author Silvia Lafiar takes on loose lips, blame and annoyances to help manage the inevitable in our workplaces. Source: Inc., March 30, 2016 as featured in AVMA SmartBrief, 4, 2016. The mantra in most work places sounds like a robust cheer of "his fault, her fault, their fault." The article discusses 5 ways for you to help change the … [Read more...]