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…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
How to Quickly Solve Problems
Asking a series of the right questions to the right people is the quickest way I know of to uncover hidden problems that prevent companies from realizing their potential; and just as quickly moving any business in a more positive direction! Many of you know that my business mission is to help owners build legacy…
Three Little League Principles That Apply to Effective Leadership
Last Saturday, the Winston-Salem Dash baseball team won their Silver Bracket Championship game. This group of 8- and 9-year-old boys have the makings of being champions, both on and off the field. Below are three leadership principles that team coaches applied during the entire season which business leaders can bring to their company and build…
Increasing the Culture of Accountability
It is near impossible to bring a culture of accountability into your company if employees are unwilling to be accountable to themselves. If you are investing too much of your time listening to excuses for past failures, then try shifting the focus instead on the next time and see if a future focused mindset doesn’t…
Who is Your Competition
After a seven-year hiatus, I am back coaching a Little League team. It’s a ton of fun spending time on the baseball diamond with my neighbor Bram, who recruited me to assist coaching his son Beckett’s team of 8 and 9-year-old boys. His s/o and my friend Jessica (pictured) shows up to watch the team…