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Post-Recession Hiring: 4 Laws to Keep One Man’s Trash from Becoming Another Man’s… Trash

Trash Man

There's an old saying that "One man's trash is another man's treasure."  True or not, there's an even wiser saying that "A good recession is a terrible thing to waste!" Consider all the companies you know who have issued "layoffs" over the past several years.  Think through the stories you've heard at dinner parties or around barbeques about how the poorest performers were cut first - the "C" player slough that most employees were amazed still had a job.  Next came marginal contributors, the "B" players … [Read more...]

Can Anyone Innovate? How to Build an Innovator

An Innovative Mind

Since when is everyone an innovator?  Not just every company, but every employee? Yes, I fully realize that there are different flavors and styles of innovation, some more aggressive than the next.  And I also realize that "innovation" is a term for whichever process you subscribe to by which you will bring about new outcomes, and can  be taught.  These factors do mean there is wide opportunity for a variety of people to participate in creating progress through innovation. But I do not for a moment … [Read more...]

Getting Engaged – Three Simple Cures for Employee Engagement

Take simple steps to promote employee engagement.

When Doug Fabick became the 4th generation owner of Fenton, MO-based Fabick CAT, a Caterpillar Tractor dealership, his father left him with one key piece of advice, “Build your team.” According to a Gallup Organization case study, heeding these words netted Doug a 600% return on investment. Research by Gallup shows that most companies are anything but a team. On average, only about 20% of employees are actively engaged, producing 90% of the real progress. Another 60% are disengaged – they may … [Read more...]

The Difference Between Business Plans and Strategic Plans

Get off the starting line with a great strategic plan.

Question: What’s the difference between a business plan and strategic planning? Answer: To some, there’s no difference, and both play a critical role.  But to me, it’s a difference in focus between planning  and action and strategic plans are the better choice when the goal is to get out of the starting gate and win the race. A full, formal business plan is great if you’re a start-up at square one, you’re going for funding or it’s a contractual mandate, or you’re at a major turning … [Read more...]

Billions in New Business Opportunities for Small Business

IBM Supplier Connection

What do you get when you add six of America's leading corporations together in an alliance to open their supply chains to small business?  As much as $150 Billion in new business opportunities for American small business, that's what. In a press release on 9/14/2010, IBM announced that a six company alliance lead by IBM will launch an initiative known as "Supplier Connection" in the first quarter of 2011, opening the doors of these companies combined $150 Billion supply chain needs to American small … [Read more...]

Your Salmon Story: Plan for Continuous Process Improvement

Costco's story of Process Improvement

Salmon and Costco can serve up a good reminder of how good organizations can become great: By planning for and executing on continuous quality improvement. This morning I had the pleasure to hear Mr. John Matthews, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Risk Management for Costco, speak to the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club.  John's message featured the Costco Salmon Story. Quite simply, in the 15 years since 1995, Costco has improved the quality of the salmon sold in its stores no less than five times … [Read more...]

Strategic Planning in a Challenging Year

Focused Strategic Planning

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of being the facilitator for Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington (ABC) at their annual Leadership Planning Conference in Blaine, WA, overlooking both the Pacific Ocean and the border of Washington state and British Columbia, Canada. It was a spectacular location, complete with incredible wildlife like the eagle in the picture above. But it also focused the spotlight on the importance of a rigorous, regular strategic planning process for any serious … [Read more...]

Strategic Action – From Horror to High-Performance

Action plans make strategic plans come allive. Learn how.

If management consultants made horror films, most would somehow feature the theme of strategic planning gone lame.  Let me pitch an example flick and see if you’ll greenlight me. After years of neglect, Acme Widgetry finally does it – they “get serious” and build a strategic plan.  It is a good plan full of good information and well-intentioned statements about priorities and what is important.  At great expense, the plan is copied, bound, and distributed to key personnel who each … [Read more...]

How to Position for Preference Through Events

Aim for Preference and clients will flock to YOU.

Picture yourself standing at the top of a large pyramid.  This pyramid represents your business.  Maybe it has your logo on it, maybe you’ve decorated it, or maybe you’re a minimalist and it looks like a line drawing – it’s up to you.  The important part is there you are, at the top, directing and overseeing that which you have created: your own enterprise.  But it can get lonely at the top so let’s add some people. Now picture people milling around the base of the pyramid, as well … [Read more...]

The Leadership Rabbit Hole

Lacking accountability and performance? Maybe you're in the Leadership Rabbit Hole.

Recently, I had the dubious honor to work with a senior executive who just doesn’t get it. Rodney was V.P. of Marketing for a leading manufacturer of networking technology.  (Or so we’ll say – substitute the leader, politician, or other important person of your choice.)  As such, it is Rodney’s job to create demand for his company’s products.  And yet after months of effort, demand had actually decreased, Rodney’s team became alienated, and the company’s performance suffered as a result of his … [Read more...]