5 Workplace Conversation MistakesAre you doing workplace conversations all wrong? How leaders talk to employees, and how employees talk to each other, has a lot to do with the success of your organization. Watch out for these five red flags.
Vision Boarding: An Important Tool to Achieve Your Goals in 2021A vision board can help you reach your goals for 2021 - but not if you make it and put it away in a closet, never to be seen again. Here's how to make a vision board that will be in your face every day, helping you actually achieve your goals.
10 Words and Phrases to Remove from Your Leadership LexiconNothing can be accomplished well without excellent communication. Avoiding these ten words and phrases can help you communicate better and be a better leader.
7 Zoom Presentation Tips to Make You Look and Sound More ProfessionalConducting meetings and presentations by Zoom conference has quickly become the normal way of doing business. Use these seven Zoom presentation tips to help you sound and look more professional.
How to Be a Better Leader in Challenging TimesLeadership can be difficult even in the best of times, but during challenging times, the stress and pressure can cause you to fall apart. Here are tips and strategies for being your best self and a better leader.
Where to Find Online Training CoursesWhere do you find good quality internet-based training courses? Here are ten popular platforms that cover a variety of subjects plus six specialty training sites.
Rebooting Your Community: Things to Consider as We ReopenSmall businesses are as important to vibrant communities, as the communities are to small business. Here are steps leaders can take to reboot communities and their small businesses after the pandemic.
Five Reasons to Cancel That MeetingAuthor Michael K. Levine reveals the secret to knowing when to hold and when to cancel a meeting, based on the principles of Leadership for Agility — rigor, alignment, and efficiency. He shares the five key factors that determine if a meeting is worth it, or a waste of everyone’s time and energy.
8 Ways to Improve and Grow Your Business in 2020Looking to grow your business in the coming year? These eight business improvement ideas will help you get more customers, be more productive, and increase your profits.
3 Tips for Persuading Decision MakersWhen you need to get a message across or persuade someone of your point of view, it's important to remember who you are communicating with. These tips will help you customize your persuasive approach to your audience.
How a Simple “Thank You” Can Make You a Better LeaderSaying "thank you" can go a long way towards garnering respect from coworkers, loyalty from employees, and repeat business from customers.
5 Simple Steps to Sell Your Requests More SuccessfullyYou use sales skills every single day - not just to sell your business's products or services, but whenever you ask people to do something. You use them to get your employees to work harder, to get buy-in on your latest initiative, and even to get your kids to do their homework. Here are five steps to selling your everyday requests more successfully.
Three Types of Stories Every Leader Should MasterPeople tend to respond to stories more strongly than other ways of conveying information. Here are three different types of stories that every leader should master.
8 Ways You're Apologizing WrongIt's never easy to apologize, but it's sometimes necessary. Don't add insult to injury by making these mistakes when delivering an apology.
3 Words That Will Boost Your Persuasive PowerWhen you need to ask someone to do something - whether it's to make a purchase, change the way something is done, or even donate to your kid's school fundraiser - there are three little words you can use that will make your request much more persuasive.
How to Improve Your Self-TalkSelf-talk is our internal dialog -- the words we say to ourselves. These words reflect and create our emotional-physiological states. We can feel confident or nervous, motivated or discouraged, often depending on what we tell ourselves.
How to be a Team Leader Through Individual InfluenceCountless experts on leadership have emphasized that in order to lead, you have to put yourself last. While there is some truth in that, it is also true that to be a good leader, you have to be your best self, which means focusing at least some of your energy on yourself.
Create Greater Success with Effective Goal SettingWhether your big dream is to start your own business, earn more money in your job, or simply have more time to spend with your family, it all starts out with setting a goal. You can improve the odds that you'll achieve your goals by following these steps.
5 Scary Actions that Haunt Your ReputationIs there someone at work you avoid just because they are so difficult to communicate with? Be sure you aren't making these mistakes that cause YOU to be the one people avoid.
3 Tips to Unleash the Creative Entrepreneurs in Your CommunityWant to spur economic growth in your business region? One key is to support and nuture creative digital entrepreneurs in your community. Here's why.
Avoid These Types of Handshakes That Will Hurt Your InfluenceIs your handshake putting people off? Here are eight types of handshakes that damage credibility and hurt your influence with others.
Five Actions to Take When You Hear, “I Don’t Trust You”Do your colleagues and employees think you're trustworthy? And if they don't, how do you go about building trust? Here are five things you can do.
Think Like a Nonprofit to Help Your Business GrowCorporate social responsibility (CSR) isn't just for big businesses and nonprofits. Small businesses need to be value-driven and give back to the community too. Here's why.
Break Through Digital Distractions to Make a Real ConnectionTired of competing with cell phones and computers for the attention of the people you're trying to talk to? Here are eight tips to break through digital distractions.
Servant Leadership in ActionServant leadership focuses on serving the needs of others first. In this article, three industry leaders answer questions about servant leadership. The experts are three of 44 contributors to Servant Leadership in Action, by Ken Blanchard (editor), a collection of essays from some of today’s top servant leadership authorities and practitioners.
How to Use Disagreements to Build Stronger TeamsWhat do you do when your team just can't agree on the best way to move forward? Surprisingly, disagreements aren't all bad. Here's how you can use them to your advantage to build stronger teams.
8 Ways to Be an Exceptional ListenerGood listening skills are important for growing your business relationships, but most people spend more time talking than listening. Here are eight ways to develop the skills that will make you an exceptional listener.
Are You Guilty of These Business Writing Mistakes?Whether you're sending an email, writing a report, or working on your marketing materials, using too much business jargon can get in the way of communication and cost you sales. Here's advice on making your business writing clear and engaging.
Why You Need to Stop Talking to Start LeadingLeaders sometimes spend more time trying to convince others of their viewpoint than asking good questions and listening to the answers. Here are four simple steps you can take to improve the way you communicate.
5 Steps to Create a Super Bowl Winning TeamWhat makes a winning team? In sports and business, it takes both good leadership and the interaction between team members. Here's how the highest performing teams work.
5 Ways to Stay Positive About Your BusinessStarting a business - or just keeping one running for that matter - takes a lot of energy. If the people you come into contact with all think you're crazy or doomed for failure, it's bound to take a toll on you. Here are five things you can do to combat that negativity.
The Importance of Asking QuestionsTalking with people you don't know can be awkward and uncomfortable for both parties, but as a business person or consultant, you need to do it well. Here's how you can use questions to break the ice and develop relationships with people you've just met.
How to Create a Great Company Culture in Your Small BusinessThe one thing your competition can't steal or copy is your company culture. Make your small business' employees feel appreciated and valued by creating a great company culture using these tips from Piyush Patel, author of Lead Your Tribe, Love Your Work.
Why People Interrupt and How to Manage ItWhy do people interrupt you when you're speaking? What can you do about the interruptions? Here's practical advice for minimizing interruptions and using them to your benefit.
How to Be More Confident During PresentationsIf you're losing sleep worrying about how well you'll deliver your next presentation, you're not alone. Try some of these simple strategies to help you build confidence and credibility with your audiences.
Talking Tips for Your Company’s Holiday PartyBeyond the decorations, appetizers and festive outfits, the biggest part of your company holiday party is conversing with everyone from your coworkers to the higher-ups. What you say can affect more than just how the party goes - it can affect your future. Here are four important tips to remember when making small talk at the company party.
4 Ways to Immediately Change Behaviors and Be More InfluentialWant to be a better leader? Want to be able to influence more people? Here are four things you need to do.
3 Questions That Can Make You a Better LeaderAre your employees happy with their jobs? If they aren't, you could be the one to blame - at least in part. Take a look at the quality of your own leadership by asking yourself these three questions.
7 Leadership Tips That Make People Feel Great and Achieve Incredible ResultsDo you inspire your team or discourage them? Your leadership style—whether positive or negative—matters more than you realize. Use these seven tips to develop grit, overcome adversity, and lead your team with real positivity.
3 Skills That Will Make You Automation ProofAutomation is set to begin replacing many jobs in the near future. Here are three skills you should begin honing now to automation proof your career or business.
How to Beat Jet LagJet lag can make a business trip miserable or ruin a chunk of your vacation. Here are remedies that work best for combating jet lag so you can enjoy your trip.
Why You Shouldn't Act on AssumptionsIf you want to avoid misunderstandings, confusion, and hurt feelings, you're better off not making assumptions. Here are a few examples of how easy assumptions are to make and how to avoid them.
How to Increase Your ProductivityThe trick to getting things done isn't working more hours, it's being more productive in the hours you already work. Use these strategies to boost your productivity so you can enjoy your time off.
The Secret to Getting Things DoneThe secret to getting through your to-do list, as well as accomplishing those less than pleasant tasks in your business, can be found in this one adage.
3 Ways to Hold Your Audience's AttentionWant to keep your audience's attention beyond the first few minutes of your speech or presentation? These three suggestions can help you keep them engaged all the way to the end.
7 Steps to Company SuccessWorking on your business goals? All too often resolutions don't pan out, but it doesn't have to be that way. Follow these seven steps to succeed in reaching your goals for the New Year.
6 Steps to Making Better DecisionsBeing able to make better decisions is important for your business to succeed. Being able to make them quickly is important as well. These six steps can help you make better decisions.
How to Turn Weaknesses into StrengthsDon't limit your business' offerings to only tasks that are within your comfort zone. If you stretch yourself a little, you might find you've opened up a whole new market and revenue stream.
6 Simple Ways to Build Your ConfidenceConfidence is vital in business. Henry Ford said it best, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t - you’re right.” This article explains 6 simple tips to boost your confidence and help you achieve your goals.
8 Ways to Stop ProcrastinatingProcrastination robs you of time and money, but most people still struggle with it. Here are 8 things you can do to make it easier to stop procrastinating.
5 Smart Time Management Tips for Small Business OwnersTime management is critical for small business owners. You will get more done in less time when you implement these 5 time-saving strategies.
Time Management Tips for the Self-EmployedHaving to wear all the hats in your business can be overwhelming. From apps that can help you get organized and work more efficiently to time-saving hacks, these tips can help you manage your time better.
Captivate Tough Audiences with Activist Dick Gregory’s Speaking FormulaWant to know how to capture your audience's attention? Here are 5 strategies you can learn from comedian and political activist Dick Gregory.
New Year's Resolutions AlternativeNew Year's resolutions are often lofty and hard to achieve, setting you up for failure before February rolls around. But meeting your goals is possible if you take it one step at a time.
What are your employees spending time on while they're at work? And are they doing any work for you after business hours? Read the result of this study.
Nearly everyone makes at least a couple of resolutions for themselves at the beginning of the year, and your business can benefit from them too. Here are three resolutions that can help your business be more successful.
Multitasking makes you feel like you're getting lots done, but are you really? Here are seven tips to help you stop the multitasking madness and embrace single-tasking to become more productive and less stressed out.
The message you deliver to your audience isn't just dependent upon what you say while you're on stage. What you say and do before and after your speech is equally important.
Want your business to succeed? The first step is to decide what your business goals are and work from there. Here's why goals are so important.
Helping employees under you reach their potential is an important part of your job as a manager. The best way to do that is by mentoring them. In this excerpt from 9 Powerful Practices of Really Great Mentors, learn about the basics of mentoring.
What you wear says more about you than you might realize. Are the outfits you wear to work sending unwanted messages?
Are you unhappy with your life the way it is? Do you want a better future but aren't sure how to make it happen? These five tips will help you begin creating that future right now.
Dreading your next business meeting already? If you want to make meetings more efficient, more enjoyable, and perhaps even less lengthy, follow these 12 tips.
Small business owners often find that family commitments, holiday shopping and the demands of their business combine to make the holiday season very stressful. You can relieve some of that stress by putting these tips to work.
Laughter is the best medicine, as the saying goes, and it's also a key ingredient in running a successful business. Here are eleven ways having a sense of humor can help you be more successful at business.
Do you hesitate before making business decisions? Sometimes it's important to be able to decide quickly. Here are eight steps that can help you become more decisive in your decision making.
Interruptions cost you and your employees valuable time and productivity. Here's how to get back all that lost time and end interruptions for good.
When you run your own business, your work can quickly take over your life. Here are tips for keeping your work and life balanced, so you can have time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Has your job taken over your life? Do you feel like you never actually clock out? Here are three suggestions for getting your life back.
Delivering bad news isn’t pleasant, but at times it’s necessary. Here is a simple formula to help you conduct life’s difficult conversations.
Have you lost sight of your original business goals? Are you so busy running your business that you don't have time to keep it moving in the direction you planned? Here are some questions you should ask yourself to make sure you stay on track to achieving your goals.
Setbacks and disappointments are inevitable in business. It's how you respond to them that makes a difference in how much they impact you. Here are five things you can do to see immediate improvement in how you deal with setbacks.
Smartphones are incredible productivity tools when they aren't being overused, but the soft ding of alerts from social media, emails and game updates can keep you from concentrating on the real world going on around you. Here are five things you can do to overcome smartphone obsession.
Do you feel like a fake even though you're a successful business person? Afraid others will learn your secret? If you answered yes, you are suffering from impostor syndrome. Here are ten tips for overcoming it.
Whether you manage employees, sell to customers, or just need to get your kids to do their homework, being able to get people to change their minds is a valuable skill. Here's how you can influence people without manipulating them.
Good communication skills are the key to success in everything you do. Follow these 7 steps to develop communication skills that'll help you get ahead.
Want to make your business writing more effective? Here are ten phrases to avoid in your letters and e-mails.
When your customers trust you, they will buy more from you and refer their friends and associates to you. Here's how you can get people to trust you by using the right body language.
Is your word choice distracting people from the message you're trying to deliver? Here are three words that business people love to use but often misuse.
Does it seem like no matter what you do, there's always something or someone who takes up a lot more of your time than you had planned? Maybe you've fallen victim to one of these 11 time management lies.
When you've got your own business, it's hard to clock out at the end of the day because there are just too many things that need to be done. However, to be more productive, you don't have to work even more hours than you already are. Use these 5 techniques to work smarter and improve your productivity.
The holiday season can be a stressful time of year for many people, and that can lead to poor decisions. Here are five things to remember before you say or do something you'll regret at the company holiday party or family gathering.
Stressed out? Feeling like you can't take it anymore? Don't let it ruin your life. Use these 10 tips to beat stress.
Procrastination robs you of your productivity and hurts your credibility. Stop putting off those unpleasant tasks and get them out of the way with these 10 tips for pushing past procrastination.
To get ahead, you need to be able to speak confidently when you're put on the spot. Here are seven steps to follow so you keep your composure and respond well when you're under pressure.
Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In has received both high praise and disapproval from women. Whether you agree with everything she writes or not, the core lesson that women should lean in and become leaders in the workplace is solid advice. But, in their rise to the top, women should also make an effort to lean back to help other women.
No matter how much you spend on marketing, or how great your customer service is, if your productivity is suffering, so will your bottom line. Here are five things you can do to help yourself stay focused and productive.
Whether your idea of success is to be able to vacation whenever you like or to simply support your family, there are three basic things you can do to make sure your business is able to meet your goals.
Businesses that are brand new and businesses that have been established for years all go through the same lifecycle. Knowing and recognizing the five stages of that lifecycle can help you run your business successfully, no matter which stage you're in.
Don't let yourself become a victim of office politics. Learn the tell-tale signs and what to do about them in this excerpt from Savvy: Dealing with People, Power, and Politics at Work.
You know how important good first impressions are, but it's all too easy to blow it. Follow these 12 tips to make a good first impression.
Are you busy all day but never seem to get ahead? Solve the problem by using these time management tips to focus your work and be more successful.
Worried about making a good first impression in business interactions? Here are seven bad habits that could undermine your credibility.
A big project can quickly become overwhelming without proper planning. Here's why breaking it down into smaller tasks can save time and money.
Change - it's constantly happening to us but rarely does anyone look forward to it. These five steps can help you master change.
Cell phones are a nearly indispensable business tool. But are you offending your customers and those around you with bad habits? Here are five cell phone etiquette rules you'll want to follow.
When you face a major project in your business, getting started can be the hardest part. Discover the four steps that will get you moving.
The only way to get more time in your day is to work faster or work smarter. Most of us are already working as fast as we can without sacrificing quality. These tips for eliminating time-wasting habits can help you work smarter.
The challenges of running a business can take a toll on the strongest of individuals. That’s why it helps to have someone in your corner who cares about you and makes sure you get the important things done.
Business and life are full of big and small negotiations. Whether you're trying to get a client's buy-in on an advertising campaign or trying to land a new client for your law firm, your ego could kill the deal. This excerpt from How to Win Any Argument shows you why.
Whether it’s a speech or a webinar, technical presentations need the breath of life to capture an audience’s attention and motivate them to action. Don’t be that boring guy that you made fun of at the last conference. Follow these six steps for your technical presentation strategy and have them cheering instead of snoozing.
Whether you realize it or not, speaking has a lot in common with football. Here are four things winning football teams and good speakers have in common.
When you make a bad decision, you can waste valuable time beating yourself up. Find out how to get over mistakes quickly so you can move on and regain your momentum.
Getting your audience to participate in your presentation will make your message more readily received and more memorable. Here are three DON'TS and seven DO'S for getting your audience involved.
If you don’t take time to give genuine praise and positive feedback to the people who work with you, you’re missing out on a golden opportunity to strengthen your relationship with them. There are three reasons why leaders often overlook this important activity.
It's not what you think. It seems innocent, but it will rob you of time, productivity, and ultimately profit... but only if you let it.
Running your own business can easily take over your life. But if you have no time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, just what are you working for? Here are seven time management tips for small business owners that will let you work less without putting your business at risk.
Do you have a hard time remembering people's names? Forgetting names can be embarrassing. Here are a few simple tips to help you remember people's names.
You may not be a cheerleader by nature, and that’s okay when you’re in a situation where another person is discouraged. There’s a much better approach for encouraging others that works like magic.
Knowing your personal strengths and talents can help you decide where to focus your efforts and when to hire outside help. There are lots of online assessments you can take to figure this out, but one of the best ways to discover your strengths is to ask those who know you best.
Complicated problems may seem like they have no solution. The author of the new book, "The Five Percent: Finding Solutions to Seemingly Impossible Conflicts" explains in this excerpt how we're likely to react when faced with a complex problem.
Next time you're giving a speech or presentation, don't worry about reciting what you've prepared word for word. Instead, use the knowledge you have about your topic to speak to your audience with passion and authority.
In your role as a leader, you have blind spots about how your behavior impacts others. Even though it’s hard to ask for feedback, you’ll learn things you could not discover any other way.
If there's one thing politicians have mastered, it is defending things they've said and done. Here are seven things you can learn from them about defensive communication.
When you want to change your behavior, it’s like trying to build a superhighway out of a dirt road. You can do it. Just know that breaking bad habits is a construction project in your brain that takes time.
The economic downturn has made it more difficult than ever to achieve prosperity - or has it? According to the authors of the new book Prosper: Create the Life You Really Want, prosperity is still attainable, but you might need to adjust how you define it. Here are six practices for redefining what prosperity means to you.
If you want to engage your audience on a new level, try asking them powerful questions that really get them thinking about your topic.
The way to winning your audience's heart is by treating them respectfully. If you want to demonstrate respect for your audience, focus on these four key areas.
With each speech you give, you have the chance to make small improvements that can make a big difference in how well your presentation is received. Here are four steps to help you identify those opportunities for improvement.
If you run a small business, multitasking is second nature to you. But even though you try to use your time efficiently, there still aren't enough hours in the day. Get back lost time and be more productive with these ten tips.
Are you having trouble getting your message across to your employees? Here's what you need to know to communicate with your employees in a way that helps them improve their performance.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was, undoubtedly, one of the most superb speakers of his day. Here's a look at what made his speeches so memorable and how you can use him as a role model in your own public speaking endeavors.
When you make a mistake or cause problems for someone else, you may be tempted to minimize the impact and avoid admitting you’re wrong. Find out why apologizing quickly is a far better approach.
Are your speeches a bit dry? Having trouble connecting with your audiences? Maybe it's because you're trying too hard. Here are six ways you can lighten up so your speeches and presentations are more appealing and enjoyable.
The audience plays a big part in a speaker's success or failure at an event. If you're going to see someone speak or give a presentation, follow these ten tips to help your speaker out, and to be sure you get the most out of it, too.
PowerPoint can be an excellent tool for keeping your presentation interesting, but it can't replace the good old standby of handouts. Here's why you should continue using handouts and a surprising tip about the best time to distribute them to your audience.
You might think that incorporating some of the styles and habits of your favorite speakers into your own speeches will improve your presentation. Unfortunately, the opposite is probably true. Here are three pitfalls of imitation in public speaking.
One thing that the best public speakers have in common is that they keep their speeches and presentations simple. Rather than trying to impress their audience, great speakers put their efforts into delivering a clear, compelling message.
When you're preparing the checklist for the speech you're giving, you'll naturally include the big items. There are also several seemingly minor things that will make a big impact on how your message is received, and you shouldn't overlook any of them.
When you've been asked to speak in front of a large group, it's bound to give your ego a boost. And though speaking invitations do show the confidence others have in you, you'll fare much better with your audience if you check your ego backstage. Here's some advice on how to be a confident speaker without being cocky.
When you deliver a presentation, does your audience believe what you're saying? Follow these tips to build your credibility and deliver your message with authority.
Whether you're standing in front of an audience for the very first time or have been giving public speeches for years, stage fright is something you'll have to deal with. Read what several professional speakers say about managing stage fright.
Whether you're posting to your company's blog or giving a speech in front of thousands, using the wrong word can make you look foolish and harm your credibility. Watch out for these three frequently misused words.
Speaking at a civic club meeting puts you face-to-face with businesspeople that you might otherwise never have the chance to meet. Next time you're invited to give a talk at one of these community groups, consider these five steps to make your appearance a success.
One of the pitfalls of being an entrepreneur is trying to run the business entirely on your own. While only you may be able to get the job done to your standards of perfection, you will eventually burn out if you keep trying to do it all yourself. Here's how you can save yourself from becoming a martyr-preneur.
Variety is the spice of life, as the saying goes, and it is also what keeps your presentations and speeches interesting to your audience. These suggestions can help you add variety to your public speaking engagements.
Don’t let the author of the next bad report in your company be you. Learn five simple rules to increase the impact of your business reports on the job, become better at business writing, and transition to writing for business success.
Having a low turnout for a speaking event can be disappointing. You might even feel like it's a waste of your time to give your full presentation. Here's why you should put your best effort into even the smallest audiences.
In today's working environment, where customers and employees are demanding more, instilling the use of soft skills in your team members is something you simply can't survive without.
Would you like your business to be more prosperous? Would you also like a more harmonious work environment that both invigorates and supports you and the people you work with? If you answered yes, then consider the use of Feng Shui in your business.
What would you expect to be more important in the business world: your knowledge of an important topic or your people skills? A recent survey suggests that it's how you interact with others that has the biggest impact on your success.
Ever noticed how some entrepreneurs get way more done than others without working themselves to the bone? If you ever want to be able to have more time for things you enjoy, working smarter is critical. Here are five things you can start doing right now to become more productive without working longer hours.
It's easy to get stuck in a negative mindset during tough times. But focusing on the bad doesn't help bring about things that are good. Here's why you should seek to keep a positive outlook in spite of your current circumstances.
This year, as the economy is beginning to recover, is your small business poised for growth? If you're not sure, take this quiz. It has seven questions that'll help you prepare your business to grow.
If you're going to survive this season of turmoil, you must innovate your way out of it. Here are some tips that can have your whole company lighting up the economic darkness with one bright idea after another.
Has your business slowed because of the economy? If so, you’ve got two options. Keep doing what you’ve always done and hope it turns around on its own…Or, do something different. These three tips can help you get your business growing even in today's economy.
People take on roles for different reasons. Sometimes it's because it's what is expected of you. Other times it's because you think it will help you get ahead. If you're playing a role that doesn't suit your natural talents, you could be undermining your own success.
Having too much to do in not enough time can leave you feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Rather than tackling the mountain, it becomes easier to avoid it altogether, but that only makes the problem worse. Here's what you can do to get yourself unstuck.
Before you start the New Year, make a quick analysis of your current business condition so that you can make the appropriate adjustments. Here are 10 questions you can ask now so you'll know what direction your business should take going forward.
Making decisions for your business can lead to unintended consequences and frustration. Here's how you can walk through the process to make the best decisions possible.
A great new idea is like striking gold for any leader and team. It can be collected, examined, enriched, and sold. But the process of finding the gold can be difficult even for the best of leaders and managers.
Do you like your job? Is it fulfilling? Or is it just a paycheck? In this excerpt from Luck by Design by Richard Goldman, find out how changing your beliefs can give you a totally new outlook.
During uncertain times it's natural to be afraid. But making business decisions out of fear can be the very thing that dooms your business. Use these six steps to become a fearless small business owner.
What makes a company stand out among the rest? What makes it the place you'd really like to work or do business? Jim Champy, author of the new book OUTSMART!, outlines five things that all companies aspiring to greatness have in common.
Innovation is key to the success of both large companies and small. In this excerpt from The Game Changer by A.G. Lafley and Ram Charan, find out how innovation has helped companies like P&G develop new markets and stay ahead of the competition.
Are you trying to learn from the rainmakers in your company? Or from gurus outside your company? The stories they tell about how they achieved their successes can provide valuable insights, but usually leave out a lot of pertinent facts. Here's why you need to get the story behind the story.
There are "tried-and-true" sales techniques that are so simplistic that it seems they cannot be really effective. Many times, we try to re-evaluate, improve upon, and complicate them.Find out why we try to make things harder than they really are.
We are all born with the potential for greatness. Yet most people realize less than 10% percent of their potential, while a few become legends in their own rights. What separates the average from the great?
Body language is undeniably your most potent form of communication. Here are tips for using body language to get your message across.
Leaders don't go to work each day waiting on five o'clock. They are both passionate and caring about their jobs and truly enjoy what they do for a living. But such dedication comes at a price. Find out what it is in this excerpt from The Taboos of Leadership.
In today’s world of high stress and limitless choices, the pressure to give in and say Yes grows greater every day, producing overload and overwork, expanding e-mail and eroding ethics. Never has No been more needed. Find out how to say no to demands in this excerpt from The Power of a Positive No by William Ury.
Your workday is full of distractions, eating away at your productivity and time. Some are obvious, like email and the telephone, but others you probably don't even think of as being distractions. Find out what they are and what you can do about them.
You can have the best looking suit, a great smile, and a smooth and flawless presentation, but one small mistake can kill your credibility. Here are 20 things you should watch for when trying to make a good first impression.
When you're leading an organization you often have to make tough business decisions decisions that affect egos and livelihoods. Take a look at how one of those situations would be handled by a strong leader in this article from Ram Charan, author of Know-How.
Most of the time we do a pretty good job when choosing what to do. But the human mind is prone to certain errors in judgment. Read this article from the author of The Go Point to find out what they are and how you can avoid them.
PowerPoint and other visuals are tools to supplement your presentation. Many presenters, however, hide behind their visuals as a way to avoid interacting with the audience. Here are some ways your visuals can enhance your presentations, rather than put your audience to sleep.
Many times in your life you will make requests of others: to join a group, committee or team, to perform a task or to assist with a project. Often the key to getting to "Yes" involves how you make your request. Here are ten tips on how to make "the ask."
How much time do you waste every week searching for things on your desk? Here are 5 simple tips to help you get your desk uncluttered once and for all.
Despite the best team-building efforts, many organizations are still operating on low power when it comes to producing desired results. They've invested time and dollars in events that supposedly help team members bond and function coherently, yet results are short term at best. Here are three things that get in the way of building strong teams along with suggested solutions.
Preparation for your presentation is just as important as delivering the presentation itself. One thing you can do to prepare yourself is to learn about your audience and venue in advance. Use these three pointers to get to know your audience better.
In today's competitive business world, being "good" isn't good enough. To really succeed, you have to be great. But where do you start? Use these top seven principles to transform your business from mediocre to great.
Did you know that within seconds of meeting someone for the first time, your appearance, body language, and non-verbal communication will create a lasting first impression, and that person will assume to know everything about you? Learn how to make a great first impression in this article from a human resources expect and image consultant.
Do you have a hard time remembering people's names? Does it embarrass you and make you avoid people? It's a common problem, but also costly if it prevents you from approaching a business contact. Here are some of the reasons why we forget people's names and tips on how to remember them.
Leadership is about getting things done and helping people reach their potential. Unfortunately, many organizations do a pitiful job helping people reach their potential. One reason for this is old-fashioned, out-dated leadership concepts. Here are five leadership myths that could be holding your company back.
Getting things done sounds so simple, doesn't it? After all, don't we all do things every day? Then why is it that there is such a high failure rate when it comes to project execution?
How do you inspire people to work harder, reach higher, and achieve more? How do you get them to support you and go above and beyond in everything they do? How do you get them to care? Find out in this article from the authors of the new book, Revved!
If you're like most people you are probably working harder and longer than you used to. As a result, finding balance in today's fast-paced world is more difficult than ever before. Yet, a healthy balance has also never been more important. Here are a few strategies that can help.
Think your presentation needs to be perfect? Think again. Trying to be perfect will ruin your presentation.
Business meetings are often considered to be one of the least productive business activities. But effective meetings can have a very positive impact on your bottom line. Use these tips to make your next business meeting a success.
We make assumptions when we don't fully understand a situation. It is a natural reaction to immediately fill in any missing information by making up our own story. The problem with this is that most of the time our story is incorrect which causes all kinds of complications.
The expression on your face when you are interacting with others has as much of an impact as what you are saying - if not more. With that in mind, do you know what unspoken message your face is giving others?
Faced with a big challenge? Not sure where to start? In this excerpt from How to Get Anyone to Do Anything, learn techniques to simplify problem-solving.
Remembering a customer's name can improve your sales, but that is one of the most common difficulties salespeople have. Here are six simple things you can do to help you remember names.
Do you think most everyone is out to get you? Do you treat simple questions as accusations? Do you feel all that matters is being right? Don't let defensiveness ruin your career or relationships. Here are some tips to help you get it under control.
Is your business or career going ok? See what others have done to achieve more in their businesses and careers.
People talk to you everyday-sometimes effectively, often times not. Use these three strategies to be sure your message gets heard.
Holding emotions in check and reacting professionally under fire are not always easy. So what do you do to keep your cool when the customer is chewing you out?
SOHO business owners often have to travel alone. Play it safe while you're on the road. Heed these travel safety tips!
Is there something stopping you from reaching your business goals? Is there a problem you face that appears insurmountable? Here's a strategy that could help you deal with your problems and move ahead.
What differentiates a great trade show exhibit from a so-so one? The booth staff! So how do you transform your staff members into a strong team? Just remember your ABC's.
Is the time spent in meetings causing you to be late in turning out your work? Are you going in at night and on weekends to make up for time spent at meetings? Find out why most meetings fall short, and heed these 7 tips for successful meetings.
Why do some people succeed, while others fail to reach their goals? Here's one business owner's observations about what successful people do that others don't.
Good luck isn't something that just happens to you; it’s up to you to create the conditions to bring yourself good luck. Learn the five principles that the creators of good luck have in common.
When you attend a conference related to your area of expertise, you will get opportunities to communicate with nationally known leaders of your profession. Here are 10 ways to get the most out of the conference.
Much as we’d like it otherwise, women are still facing obstacles that men are not. Yes, we’ve made progress, but there’s a lot more to be done before we can drop the phrase “special challenges”. Read about women's challenges here.
Are all these meetings really a good use of time for you and your colleagues? Not necessarily, according to Marcia Conner, author of the new book Learn More Now. Before you plan your next meeting, find out how different learning styles impact the group dynamic, and the meeting's final outcome.
Negotiating is the game of life. Every day, in countless ways, we communicate with others-boss or broker, landlord or customer, spouse or child-in attempts to influence their behavior. In this new book, Herb Cohen draws on several decades of unrivaled practical experience as he teaches you that negotiation is not a do-or-die gambit to bend others to your will-but a high-minded game to master, to enjoy, and to win. Read an excerpt here.
From identifying the problem to implementing the solution, this simple five-step process can help you identify creative solutions to your most difficult problems.
Are your projects high on frustration and low on fulfillment? How you think your projects should work may be the source of your misery. Consider these common myths, then start to debunk them on your projects.
What can you do to keep a project from becoming a beastly experience for you and your team? What does it really take to make a project a resounding success? David Schmaltz reveals the answers in his new book The Blind Men and the Elephant: Mastering Project Work.
Intuition is an incredible resource and gift that we have been given to help us live our best life. Unfortunately, not many people know what it is or how to use it. Here are five ways to get in touch with your intuition.
Becoming a manager for the first time can be an unnerving and sometimes stressful experience. Follow these ten steps to ease your transition.
Your personal brand - whether you realize you have one or not - has an effect on your success. Here are 6 personal branding lessons you can learn from the 2016 US presidential candidates.
Whether it's a little slip-up or a big ole foot-in-mouth moment, communication blunders happen to the best of us. What's important, beyond damage control, is that we learn from our mistakes. Even better, we can learn from others' mistakes. Here are 2011's top 10 communication blunders and lessons we can learn from them.
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