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March 12, 2013
Learn to Use Delegation as a Tool to Develop & Engage Employees
8 Essential Steps to Develop Others Through Effective Delegation
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
You’re good at what you do, but you may be doing too much by hanging on to work that you shouldn’t be doing. No matter what your job title is, there are people around you who could take on some of your tasks. Delegating some of your work to them will benefit you, them, and your company.
This isn’t about offloading work that you don’t like or feel is too big a burden. Thinking of delegating in that...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Communication Skills on March 12, 2013
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February 26, 2013
Be More Candid in Your Professional Conversations
Learn what to avoid & how to best prepare for candid discussions.
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
In any given work week, there is at least one conversation you’d rather not have. One conversation that you know won’t go well, where people will express emotions that make you uncomfortable. One conversation where you may hold back because you don’t trust your own emotions or reactions. One conversation that can overshadow the whole day, week or workplace. Why not dodge these uncomfortable conversations altogether?...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Communication Skills on February 26, 2013
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February 26, 2013
Career Mentors Can Provide Valuable Business Skills Training
Tips for Choosing a Career Mentor
Having a career mentor who can guide you in your field and recommend the skills and training necessary to help you succeed, is an invaluable career resource to help you prepare for future advancement. Your career mentor is a person who acts as your counselor, trainer and guide toward your desired career goal.
When Choosing a Career Mentor Consider the Following Tips:
Look for a person whom you not only feel comfortable opening up to, but also has a great deal of experience in the field or...Continue reading
By Lisa WoodsPosted in Professional Development on February 26, 2013
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February 11, 2013
How to Manage Team Conflict: 4 Types of Conflict All Managers Must Address
Management’s objective is not to resolve conflict, it is to overcome it.
Conflict is an uncomfortable aspect of any relationship, especially when it exists among members of your team. As a manager, you have the responsibility to not only address the issues as they come up, but also to establish a culture that prevents them from occurring in the first place. Doing this requires an emotional awareness of relationships among team members, between you and your employees, and your employees and other departments. Your ability to manage conflict successfully is...Continue reading
By Lisa WoodsPosted in Management on February 11, 2013
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February 1, 2013
Complacency in the Workplace: Overcome Bad Attitudes With Accountable Leadership
4 Reasons Why Complacency Exists & What Management Can Do to Annihilate It
Those annoying words are like scratches on a chalkboard. “This is the way we always do it.” Can you image living life with that attitude? You would never grow, improve or try new things…what a boring life! In business, boring companies don’t grow their revenue, they don’t make continuous improvements to their products, processes, or services, and they are certainly NOT innovators. So how do you lead an organization that has an attitude problem, without...Continue reading
By Lisa WoodsPosted in Leadership & Teambuilding on February 1, 2013
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January 2, 2013
7 Tips for Communicating with Clarity
These simple steps can make a big difference in your effectiveness.
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
Misunderstandings in the workplace cause productivity losses, hurt feelings, and unnecessary conflict. Communicating with clarity can prevent misunderstandings and keep things running smoothly and peaceably. Ensuring clarity in communication is the responsibility of each individual, particularly since our performance is so frequently appraised based on our ability to effectively communicate.
Here are Seven Tips for Improving the...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Communication Skills on January 2, 2013
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December 16, 2012
Why Is It So Difficult to Implement Change?
Follow These Steps to Become a Change Leader
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
As humans, we prefer a state called homeostasis. It’s the state in which a person’s relationship to the environment is stable. It’s in our very nature to strive for stability and resist change. Physically, we are wired for regulation that keeps our systems operating in a way that is stable and unchanging. Emotionally, we may cling to what or who is familiar.
You may have heard or read before that the top...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Communication Skills on December 16, 2012
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December 3, 2012
Lacking Good Mentorship? Is the Problem You, Your Boss or Your Employee?
Understand the problem and improve business results.
There is no written rule that Managers or Leaders are good mentors. Mentorship is an added perk that is shared between two people if the stars align...meaning, it takes a knowledgeable Mentor and a willing Mentee to make the relationship work. Just because there is a working relationship does not mean the ‘knowledge’ or the ‘willingness’ exist…there needs to be the right balance.
So how do you find this balance? Is the problem you, your boss or your...Continue reading
By Lisa WoodsPosted in Management on December 3, 2012
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November 19, 2012
Time To Meet Your New Employees?
Get to know Individuals, not just the team.
By Emilie Shoop, Creator and Leader of Shoop Training & Consulting
Now that you have stepped into your management role, you will want to meet the team. Most new managers have a kickoff, a pow-wow, or some sort of celebration to start the momentum of the new era under their leadership. This is a great start, especially if there either have been, or will be, a lot of other changes. If someone retired and you took over, a lot of fanfare might not really be called...Continue reading
By Emilie ShoopPosted in Management on November 19, 2012
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November 18, 2012
You Only Get One Chance to Make a First Impression
Learn to focus your efforts on opening doors for productive customer relationships.
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
Before any sale can be made, a relationship must be opened. And if multiple sales are to be made to the same customer, that relationship must be maintained and maximized through continually opening new opportunities and, sometimes, new relationships that will enhance the buyer/seller partnership.
Many sellers focus too much of their time and attention to closing sales. By doing so, they lose alignment with the buyer’s...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Sales & Business Development on November 18, 2012
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