As summer is upon us, I thought it appropriate to take a step back and think about a few tips for the season: Rejuvenation – no matter how busy, it is vital to plan time for rejuvenation. No one can go 24/7 – you'll be more productive after a [...]
While on the phone with my mom the other day, she mentioned the concept of "pay it forward". While thinking of several events of late, I realized it would be interesting to discuss whether this is a fluffy concept or whether it really "works". Several years ago, there was [...]
As I'm preparing to give a speech at the APICS (Association of Operations Management) International Conference in Las Vegas on “Innovation for Supply Chain Success”, it occurred to me that one of the reasons for failure with innovation is due to a fatal flaw in hiring. In my experience [...]
Don't over-plan – even if you don't take off time, it is not practical to think that all of your business colleagues will be working throughout the season. Plan what's reasonable and then prioritize so that you focus on what's most essential. Appreciate – take the time out of [...]
Seeking success secrets for PFP design and implementation? Just ask management expert Lisa Anderson. "In my 20 years of experience as a practitioner, a VP of Operations and a business consultant across multiple industries and globally, I've gained organizational development insights for what works for pay-for-performance systems," says Anderson, [...]
Tax planning – have you thought about whether there is anything you can do proactively while still in 2010? Projects – which projects will make a difference if they are completed in 2010? Can you increase focus? Divert resources from other projects? Take time to consider how to overcome [...]
Although there is a lack of a robust recovery, companies are emerging from the recession. We are in a “new normal” business environment. Gone are the days of easy sales (in essence, what could be easier than answering the phone?). Gone are the days of relatively easy profitability. Instead, [...]
Businesses remain in a quandary. Optimism is up. Sales are lackluster. Unemployment remains high. Customer service expectations continue to rise. Cash remains king. For example, just take today's Wall Street Journal's headlines: The private sector added 217,000 jobs; however, layoff announcements increased for the second month in a row. [...]
There's little more important than building relationships to personal and business success. One of the avenues to achieve this goal is networking. Thus, I thought a few tips might be in order: Integrity - based on my experience and according to a survey of a dozen executives, integrity tops [...]
As high-tech becomes more prominent, high-touch becomes even more vital. Make building relationships and staying in touch a part of your daily routine. Thanks to Jim Cenname, as he gave me the idea to discuss this topic and thanks to Rich Beu for emphasizing its importance in a recent [...]
