Re-engineering the Labor Process
All labor is not created equal. There is a vast difference between working hard and working effectively. Because it is easy to continue doing things the way they’ve always been done, employees often times get caught in the trap of not working effectively. When this happens, it is your job to help get them out…
Observation From the Boeing Classic Golf Tournament
Yesterday marked the final round of the Boeing Classic, where Brandt Jobe miraculously rallied from a 7 stroke deficit to win the golf tournament by a convincing margin . Experiencing this tournament is my highlight week during the month of August; because it is conveniently hosted at our home course and people watching fascinates me…
I Have an Idea
If… “because that’s the way we’ve always done things” are the eight most dangerous words in the business language, then the complete opposite sounds something like, “I have an idea.” The former speaks to a culture of stagnation and eventual decline while the latter opens the door for innovation and future growth. Inside your company,…
Building a Brand Worth Having
Clarity and consistency of message are two important elements of building a brand worth having. When it comes to your company brand, what are customers saying, are they consistently saying it and do you like what they say? Not knowing the answers to these questions is bad for the health of your business. Let’s break…
Two Takeaways From National Speakers Association Influence 2019
A change in attitude and behavior is required in order to create personal or business transformation. Transform was the theme at last week’s National Speakers Association (NSA) Influence 2019 conference and I’ll bet that a very high percentage of attendees walked away with changing attitudes that will likely lead to changing behaviors. To illustrate, what…
Identifying Your HIGHEST Return on Investment
More often than not in business, the highest returns come from investing in human capital. That means investing in YOU and your team of employees. The process of transformational growth requires a combination of shift in mindset along with the inspiration, tools and process to analogously produce alchemy; or transform lead into gold. This week,…
Hall of Fame
Yesterday, Edgar Martinez was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. In a career that lasted 17 seasons, Edgar had a .312 lifetime batting average, two batting titles, and seven All-Star Game appearances. Most impressive in my opinion, since 1987 when Edgar collected his first Major League hit on September 14,…
Build Community into Your Business Model
Last Saturday, Carrie and I attended the 2nd Annual DirtFish SummerFest event in Snoqualmie, WA. In addition to helicopter rides over Snoqualmie Falls, Mt. Si and the Snoqualmie Valley, (provided by Atomic Helicopters), thrill rides around the race track (provided by the professional driving instructors at DirtFish,) there were food trucks, a mechanical bull ride,…
Leveraging Opportunities and Solving Problems Require Effective Listening
Wouldn’t it be awesome if once per month, you received a thank-you card of appreciation (or an extremely positive online review) from a client? To consistently receive feedback that your employees provide a highly valued experience and deliver a high value outcome is testament to your company’s brand and the long-term health of your business. …
How to Increase Trust and Reduce Employee Turnover
Earning and maintaining a high level of trust is a cornerstone in any relationship driven business. When trust level is low, clients and employees will leave your company. Speaking of which, what is the trust score at your company and how can it be improved upon? Looking inward, are your actions as a leader additive…