To maintain market share in a tough (but hopefully improving) economy, companies are becoming more creative in defining the scope of their potential service offerings to customers. Offerings not typically seen as a company’s niche in the past are now being considered as innovative ways to expand their customer base. The unfortunate side effect for some companies is that they find themselves “chasing shiny objects” which may take resources and energy away from existing priorities.
Oldies, But Goodies
Author: btj-admin, Date: 1/26/2012Regularly we post What We Are Reading and share that with our clients and colleagues (our most recent one was posted on 12-13-11). It occurred to us that while we constantly strive to have the latest and greatest leadership and business books and periodicals on our bookshelves (or our electronic readers), some of the books we refer to regularly are several years old; and, they have stood the test of time. Their concepts and principles are solid; their theories and practices transcend industries, economic conditions, and decades. While a few things may have changed, a few companies may have come and gone, the core principles have remained.
A Story…And a Leadership Lesson
Author: Diane Hamilton, Date: 2/22/2011Leadership lessons are all around us…if we observe, listen and learn. Sometimes we learn from successes; sometimes missteps teach us the most.
The Story
My friend (a mid-level manager) was talking with his boss (the organization’s General Manager) about some accomplishments in his department. My friend was pleased with results from the previous month and he talked about how he praised his staff (giving credit for) the wins. The GM then “coached” my friend (his manager) by saying, “Haven’t I taught you anything. As the boss you get to keep the credit and place the blame.”
Play to Your Team’s Strengths
Author: Paul Dillenburg, Date: 9/7/2010Not long ago, I re-read an article written by Jim Collins, author of Good to Great (and other thought provoking books). In the article, Jim paid homage to one of his mentors, Peter Drucker. Peter, of course, has had a huge influence on the world of business and the subject of leadership. One point Jim highlighted was that Peter Drucker always felt results came from building on a strength versus putting all your energy into shoring up a weakness. As I thought about this point, I began to think about how managers often spend an inordinate amount of time on their weakest team members. Think of all the energy that goes into feedback, coaching, corrective actions, performance reviews, and performance plans. Are you focusing on your team’s “weaknesses”? You yourself may be in charge of a team member that can’t seem to “keep up” to the standards you have set. How much of your time is spent with this individual in any given week or month? How much of your “face time” with team members is spent with your poor performers? Is all the time you are spending making your team better? Is it making your poor performer better?
Work/Life Balance… Work Hard, Play Hard
Author: Diane Hamilton, Date: 8/3/2010Work/life balance is something many of us struggle with. Late nights at the office. Evening work once the family goes to bed. Or, weekend work just to keep up. I profess to regularly having “work/life balance” as a goal on my development plan.
Since I have always enjoyed work, I don’t mind working long hours; I truly believe that if you are passionate about what you do, work can be part of your life’s mission. That being said, I think it is important to make sure that there is plenty of time for family, play, volunteering, and just plain relaxation. I was reminded of how to do this when I attended a conference recently and heard Dr. Jim Goodnight speak on the issue of work/life balance.
