A great tip to help you empathise

An interesting point is that if you watch mothers with their babies, they cradle them to the left and in doing so use their right side of the brain. So if you struggle with your emotional intelligence a great tip is when you want to feel and show more emotion look to the left. This is a great way of developing your right brain....so think before you choose your seat in a meeting or in a coaching session.

The importance of your website

79% of US Students said that they formed an opinion of a potential employer from their website.

So if you were to see your website as a window to your employer brand does it sell the values, the story...does it create a compelling reason for a potential candidate to want to work for your company?

How do you offer that as a project they propose how to make the site more attractive...a win win scenario!

Meetings as easy as ABC....

If you struggle with meetings and keeping the structure then here is a format that may help.

This tip is as easy as A,B,C,D which gives you an outline to run a team meeting

A= Achievements. Good way to start and give each individual a chance to shine.

B= Benefits. Good way to link achievements to ensure that they are helping the team, company towards their vision.

C= Concerns. This should be 2-way with both the team member and the team leader expresses any concerns that they have, potential issues, strategy gaps etc

D= Direction. Finish with a look forward to what needs to be achieved before the next meeting.

As easy as A,B,C....or and D!

When you are confused...

Remember when you are confused don't get frustrated, after all it is a positive! If you are confused then you should see it as a chance to learn, a chance to expand your knowledge.

By staying in this positive mindset will mean that you will learn quicker, and then pat yourself on the back at once again facing a potential problem and overcoming it.

This is also important with people in your team. Don't get frustrated if they learn slowly, check how they learn. Do they like you to explain, read how to do it or try/practice? If they are confused then use a different technique....and remind them that this is a positive as well, a chance to learn something new!

A new year, a new start

A new year brings a chance to set yourself some stretching personal targets. Here are some thoughts to help you achieve a life/work balance

N= No one can achieve balance with a high degree of honesty..be honest to yourself about how you need to develop and change.
E= Explore what you need to continue to do, build on your strengths.
W= Write down what you need to stop doing, stop avoiding ...be honest and take action.

Y= You will have development needs so what do you need to START doing?
E= Explore how you can save time by increasing your knowledge on technology. Automate what you can, use technology to do routine tasks.
A= Action is required to achieve life/work balance. What are 3 actions that you will take, and commit to?
R = Review the above each month, update as necessary, celebrate your progress and be honest about what you still need to address.

Happy Holidays

It's a sign of getting old, but is it really a year since I had to make sure my house was this clean!

I want to wish you all a Happy Holiday, blogging will be light but MabelandHarry will still be thinking of you....

A new year resolution for you

Promises are special, they are have great value to people. So one thing to consider for a New Years resolution is this

"Make few promises but keep them all"

Imagine the power of this statement, imagine if every one of us did this.....imagine the impact on your team, family and friends. Successful people live by this, honest when they can't do something, but deliver what they promise - what that brings is trust and respect, 2 values that leaders need in abundance.

Customer Experience - Making Magic Moments

Creating a magic moment for a customer increases loyalty, and provides the WOW factor that differentiates you from the rest of the pack...a little story

Disney...On Main Street a Guest(Customer) asked a cast member(employee) who was cleaning the street where he could get a cup of ice. He was then directed to a street vendor and in the short walk to the vendor the street cleaner radioed the Guests request to the vendor who then, when the guest arrived at the stall remarked "I believe you're looking for a cup of ice" the Guest was stunned.

Simple request, simple solution, simply perfect.......how can you make that "magic moment" for a external or internal customer?

Networking across the levels

One of the best way to build your personal brand and also develop the talent within the organisation, is to spend time with the younger, newer members of the team. Taking them for a coffee, lunch or even just pulling a chair up at their desk will give them such a personal buzz. Do you remember when you were new, when you were at a junior level? The buzz that someone has taken time to get to know you is incredible. As you move up an organisation you can affect that your presence can have a huge motivational factor on those around you.

10 minutes of your time invested in the talent within the junior levels, will pay huge dividends both in your internal PR but also the engagement of your team.

Engaging People In the Company Vision

Words are powerful, incredibly emotive and can be used to really ignite the passion in people. Here are 3 great examples of ho

1. "It's the place people come for refuge - a 3rd place not home not work" Starbucks
2. "It is more than just a resort; it's a means of rediscovering oneself, of inventing an entirely new me" Club Med
3. "The experience enlivens the senses, instills well being and fulfills even the unexpressed wishes and needs of our client" Ritz Carlton

Now look at your vision...does it stoke the same level of emotion, is it too general like surpassing customer expectations, being the best etc? Does it read like words put together at a "facilitated brainstorming session" or does it paint a powerful picture that people can see and engage with?