Front line personnel are tasked with providing a great customer experience – whether it be face-to face, via phone or web chat. An organization’s success at retaining customers is dependent upon the skills of those rendering service. Did you know that it’s important for your front line personnel to be relaxed and confident during their... More »3 Ways To Frustrate Your Front Line
I hear that question a lot. Back in the “good old days,” if any of us were in transition or wanted to explore other job opportunities, we would reach out to our favorite, go-to recruiters with whom we had built a relationship over the years, sit back, and wait for the phone to ring. Fast... More »Why Don’t Headhunters Call Me Anymore?
I recently heard Leo Kottke perform in a striking performance center appropriately named The Egg (I’m linking to a photo of the building for architectural fans…you’re not going to believe this structure). Kottke is a true talent on 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars. But he’s so much more. Wikipedia says he “intersperses humorous and... More »Career Advice from a Guitar Virtuoso
Growing up, I was taught to avoid conflict – girls don’t fight! Later in life, I started arguing when I saw an opportunity to win and avoided confrontation when the odds were against me. But over the years I’ve slowly changed my opinion of conflict. I saw over and over that when things got really... More »Take Advantage of Your Conflicts
This post continues my Letters of the Alphabet Leadership series. You can read the 12 Most Awesome “A” Attributes for Great Leaders to catch up. Meanwhile, let’s check out the Bodacious B Behaviors… 1. Beaming Mother Teresa said that “Peace begins with a smile.” Meet your team with a beaming and sincere smile each morning,... More »12 Most Bodacious B Behaviors of Great Leaders
A leadership expert guides us through three difficult conversations with employees. More »How to Deliver Uncomfortable Employee Feedback
Consulting: A very difficult career in which to be successful. I’ve thought of so many things and lessons learned about what makes a great, successful consultant. Is it always listening to the customer? Is it always telling the customer he or she should do the right thing? Maybe not. I’ve been reflecting lately and looking back... More »What It Takes To Become A Successful Consultant
If you are successful, you have to accept one thing: Haters. The moment you start doing well, you are going to find that there are jealous people who have nothing better to do than spend their time trying to shame you. For whatever reason, there is a percentage of the population that finds joy in... More »How to Deal with Haters
According to a May 2012 survey by Constant Contact, over three-quarters of small businesses agree on their primary goal: attracting new customers. Unfortunately, a more troubling statistic shows that many small business owners are missing out on a vital opportunity. According to a recent eMarketer post, only 32 percent of small business owners think social... More »5 Tips On Finding Your Next Customer
Sales & Operations Planning is a hot topic for wholesale companies. As a concept it’s significantly more powerful than the traditional excel-based forecasting many MKB businesses use to support the supply chain. Here we discuss what it is, and how its sophistication can drive performance beyond that achievable with spreadsheet planning. What is ‘Sales and... More »S&OP: More Than Forecasting (Part 1)
I wear business casual to work every day. I’m talking about hoodies, t-shirts, and jeans. Although this is a bit informal for a proper business setting, those of us in the creative field tend to express ourselves through our projects, and not through our outward communication. We sit in our labs thinking up new ways... More »How To: Communicate With Suits
The course of marketing continuously sheds light on procuring the updated and candid contacts in the market. With all the contacts that are accessible, it is easy to unable to find the objective of their marketing campaign. That can only mean discarded resources such as time and funds. The database that generates sales leads can... More »Targeting The Right Ones—Sales Leads Database
Question: What’s one must-ask interview question for your first few startup hires? Question by: Ashley Will You Make Copies? “At startups, everyone needs to pitch in, including doing the occasional administrative task. By asking prospective hires if they will make copies, you can identify those who have the “do whatever it takes” attitude that will... More »15 Interview Questions to Ask Your Next Hire
The startup scene today is an overcrowded space where companies are constantly vying for talent. But hiring talented people is only the first step in cultivating an innovative and creative environment. Building a workplace where there is a constant exchange of ideas involves finding the right formula for your company and culture. You can’t force... More »6 Ways to Cultivate Creativity in Your Company
Over the years I’ve spent a good amount of time down south, vacationing and visiting family. One of the things that I’ve noticed as we drive or walk around neighborhoods, is how friendly the people are. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE will wave to you and greet you. They are just very cordial down there.... More »The ROI of Friendly
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