Marjorie's Blog

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

How to Lose Clients

I recently had an experience with a company wanting to hire me, and their behavior has forever impacted my decision ever work with them. Here are the events as they occurred:
* Received an unsolicited phone call and they left a voicemail.
* I returned the call in 2 hours leaving a detailed message of my availability.
* Two days elapse and I leave another message.
* Contact calls next day and urgently wants information saying it’s my fault time slipped away. (Color me surprised!)
* Hesitantly, I submit the requested information 24-hours prior to the deadline.
* No further word from potential client to date. She had promised to get back to me in a week.

I know, I know. You’ve already figured out what went wrong. If you want to lose a client, then feel free to: not have timely follow-up, not leave very specific information on voicemails (this helps eliminate placing additional calls), not follow through on agreements.

Put into practice an essential lesson—KEEP YOUR WORD—do what you say you will do! If you are a team leader, then hold your team responsible for exhibiting this behavior.

Until next time...live like you mean it!
Marjorie

Friday, June 13, 2008

Where Is Your Mindset?

"Attitude is everything.” This is a mantra repeated by many corporate cheerleaders - usually with roots in the Human Resources department.  Managers typically struggle in hiring employees with the right mindset for their organization’s culture. It’s so much easier to interview around technical skills and experience.  But, how do you determine the “attitude” of a candidate and if they are a “fit” for your company?

My first recommendation from the employers perspective is for you to seek legal counsel advice on fair hiring practices.  It is your responsibility to protect yourself and the organization, and give equal consideration to all qualified applicants.  There is excellent training available on this topic so be sure and take advantage of it.  However, I’m less concerned about the employers perspecitve.

How do you “show up” in daily interactions?  Is your glass half-full or half-empty?  How do you eliminate the fear, doubt, and worry (The Terrible 3) in order to accomplish all you need to?  Here are some tips that have helped me achieve success:

1.  Be in tune to those things you DESIRE. Why would you spend time on things you don’t enjoy and bring you down?

2.  Determin a GOAL and FOCUS on the end result. Be sure and do any necessary research, if needed.

3.  Picture yourself one year from today and you have not achieved your goal. How would you feel about that?

4.  Surround yourself with trusted accountability partners who are a positive influence. These are the folks you call when the Terrible 3 show up.

5.  Go on a media fast. Eliminate negative outside influences like TV and talk radio.  People are attracted to bad news - don’t allow it into your thoughts.

The thoughts you focus on strongly impact your mindset and, therefore, influence the outcome.  Want a different outcome?  Change your mindset by creating an environment that supports you positively. 

Until next time...life like you mean it!
Marjorie

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

I’m Back - Finding Balance?

I hope you have not been counting how many days it has been since I last blogged.  Frankly, it’s embarrassing!  From your point of view there is no good excuse.  From my point of view the last month has been one of creation.

I’ve created an ebook series on Team Leader Essentials, completed a rough draft for a teambuilding book, launched a new site (http://www.clearthinkformanagers.com), and co-facilitated a workshop to 260 peers at an international conference.  (I will definitely keep you updated as the book goes to press in September.)

My difficulty was in finding the balance between serving current clients, creating new courses, writing a book, and business development.  I thought nothing had “fallen through the cracks” until I looked at the Team Fusion site and the blog button jolted my memory.  How can something that was such a habit have vanished off my radar screen?!  After pondering this for days, I’m still stumped.

A month ago I would’ve been smug about the excellent functioning of my system.  Clearly, I’m wrong.  Was it the system that failed?  Was it me?  So my question to you is:  When you are working by yourself, how do you insure that all tasks for multiple projects are noted and executed by the deadlines?

I won’t even mention that I also “forgot” two birthdays, a vet appointment, and a sailing date.

Until next time...live like you mean it!
Marjorie

Friday, May 09, 2008

How to Take Action

We all have times in our business when the number of projects far exceed the number of working hours. I’ve been an advocate of the Franklin Covey time management system for a good 10 years, and it’s never failed me but I need to do my part in working the system.

The problem occurs when the sheer volume of work is so overwhelming that my mind goes into over-load. The time management system is still there ready for me to meet my deadlines. However, my frame of mind is out of whack and there is no motivation to get back on course.

When you feel yourself so out-of-balance keep in mind these tips:
* Talk it through with someone. Just the act of speaking your concerns is enough to jump-start you into moving. The person with whom you are sharing will be able to give you another perspective—listen to their feedback.

* Evaluate your project deadlines. Look at the goals you set and verify they are still achievable. It’s better to renegotiate a deadline early in the project then wait until the due date.

* Communicate with your team. People need to know what you are doing, how they are doing, and where each project is on a consistent basis. Be willing to give and receive feedback from the team regularly.

Keeping your mind uncluttered by details delegated to the team will give you more freedom in taking action.

Until next time...live like you mean it!
Marjorie

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Try a Scavenger Hunt - You’ll Love It!

It was my privilege to lead a scavenger hunt yesterday for a corporate client in Chicago. Yes, the group had a fun, bonding experience—but do you know the other benefits of investing your time and resources into this kind of activity? Let me share a few:

1. To Build Relationships - helps break down barriers and build camaraderie.
2. To Build Team Skills - increases communication, collaboration, leadership, creativity, problem-solving, decision-making, strategic planning, and conflict management.
3. To Work More Effectively Together - increases productivity: employees work smarter, not harder AND encourages employee retention.

I must admit that these are not my original thoughts. I’m honored to partner with a world-class leader in teambuilding—Critical Pathfinders (http://www.criticalpathfinders.com)

Isn’t it time to take your team to the next level and reward them simultaneously? Call me today at 414-477-6655 for a complimentary assessment of your organization’s needs, and how a scavenger hunt can increase employee satisfaction and retention. You’ll be glad you did.

Until next time...live like you mean it!
Marjorie