-
October 9, 2012
Ten Ways to Prepare for a Tough Negotiation
Learn to plan ahead or be at a huge disadvantage.
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
By the time two parties to a negotiation are sitting across the table from each other, the negotiation may already be over. If you didn’t plan ahead, chances are that you’ve walked in to a fait accompli, a done deal, a ship that’s already sailed. If the other party has prepared in these ten ways and you have not, then you’re at an extreme disadvantage. It’s unlikely that you can recover from this inferior...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Sales & Business Development on October 9, 2012
Add to My Toolkit
-
October 7, 2012
Adventures of an Expat: Defining Basic Needs
International Management requires understanding individual logic that may not be your own.
By Debbie Nicol, Managing Director, 'business en motion"
I often reflect on one of my earliest overseas postings, when I moved from my native Australia to Malaysia, a move I now see as simply ‘next door’, yet at the time literally turned my life upside down. I was invited to join an international hotel chain and hence live in the hotel whilst also working in it.
As it really was my first expatriate position, I look back now in awe at the level of curiosity and...Continue reading
By Debbie NicolPosted in International Management on October 7, 2012
Add to My Toolkit
-
October 4, 2012
A Model for Active Listening: Master a Skill That Can Boost Your Career
How well do you process what's being heard?
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
Research by Korn Ferry International reveals that there is one competency that may be more important than any other in the workplace. That competency, active listening, rises to the top of the list because it is a “compensator” for other competencies. As a compensator, active listening can neutralize the negative effects of a gap.
In other words, while an individual is working to master other competencies or when he or she...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Communication Skills on October 4, 2012
Add to My Toolkit
-
October 1, 2012
Six Things Marketing Should Be Doing to Ensure a Positive ROI
Are your marketing dollars being wasted?
There is often a stigma around how marketing dollars are spent. Business leaders don’t always fully understand marketing programs or how all the elements tie together. Other department heads get frustrated when, in their opinion, investment ‘Needs’ are turned down, but Marketing still gets funding for ‘Wants’. Finally, Marketing Professionals rarely feel they have enough funding for the results everyone expects their programs to achieve. So what can be done...Continue reading
By Lisa WoodsPosted in Marketing & Innovation on October 1, 2012
Add to My Toolkit
-
September 27, 2012
A First Time Manager’s Guide to Building Self Confidence
What can you do to build confidence when you don’t have all the answers?
By Emilie Shoop, Creator and Leader of Shoop Training & Consulting
Being a first time manager can be very overwhelming. What should you do? What should you avoid? What systems do you want to put in place? How should you organize everything? What is first? Where is your office? Who is on your team? How do you stay on top of it all?
First of all, take a moment to pat yourself on the back. Becoming a manager for the first time is a great...Continue reading
By Emilie ShoopPosted in New Employee, Promotion on September 27, 2012
Add to My Toolkit
-
September 24, 2012
Successful Project Managers - The ‘Ninjas’ of Influence
What behaviors define successful project managers and the people who sponsor them?
By Ron Montgomery, Management Consultant & Owner, OnPoint, LLC
It’s a common complaint among project managers; “I have the responsibility, but I don’t have the authority.” It’s true that project managers rarely have formal authority, and the lack of such authority makes it difficult to meet project objectives and ensure that issues are resolved in a timely manner. However, successful project managers still manage to get the job done without formal authority. ...Continue reading
By Ron MontgomeryPosted in Project & Process Management on September 24, 2012
Add to My Toolkit
-
September 18, 2012
Four SMART Principles of Project Management
Learn how better planning can improve project efficiency.
By Gina Fedeli, President GCF Consulting, Inc.
In today’s economy, most of us wear more than one hat, and “project manager” may be only one of them. How can you meet all your commitments without burning out?
Be Strategic
First of all, throw out that treadmill and take responsibility for the use of your own time. If you’re being bombarded with changing or conflicting priorities, talk to your manager. Be prepared with details concerning your workload and ask for clarification on...Continue reading
By Gina FedeliPosted in Project & Process Management on September 18, 2012
Add to My Toolkit
-
September 15, 2012
Lost In Translation: Survival Tips for International Managers
When the art of leading in other cultures may be foreign to the leader himself.
By Debbie Nicol, Managing Director, 'business en motion"
‘Lost in Translation’ normally applies to a context of vocabulary and conversation. It strikingly, and sometimes hilariously, results in misunderstandings, undesired outcomes and unintended reactions of shock and horror. Could ‘Lost in Translation’ also apply to international management, the art of leading others in cultures that may be foreign to the leader himself?
Three common areas can have a huge...Continue reading
By Debbie NicolPosted in International Management on September 15, 2012
Add to My Toolkit
-
September 13, 2012
Communication Essentials For Executives and General Managers
Are you an Effective Communicator (Leader)?
Leading others is a great responsibility because your entire organization is waiting to hear what you have to say so they can act in accordance with your direction. Success or failure is based on two basic criteria: The viability of your strategy, and your ability to communicate effectively. Effective Communication means your message must resonate, must be understood, must be continuous, and must fully disseminate through all levels of the organization in order for everyone to take part and...Continue reading
By Lisa WoodsPosted in Leadership & Teambuilding on September 13, 2012
Add to My Toolkit
-
September 11, 2012
You Are the Ultimate in Added Value
How can you (not your company, not your product, but YOU) add value to your customers?
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
In selling, the term “value added” has taken on a life of its own. This term has a variety of meanings and interpretations, which is confusing for buyers and sellers alike. Here are just a few examples of what “value added” has meant in different industries:
We will throw in some extra features or upgrades at no additional cost.
We will wine and dine you, give you some baseball tickets, or invite you...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Sales & Business Development on September 11, 2012
Add to My Toolkit