With every interaction and transaction, a business gives its customers a positive, neutral or negative feeling. The last two have no place in a thriving company, while the first is a necessary component to happiness and success. In all likelihood, you can recall some experiences as a consumer that left you with a positive, if […]
If you’re like most people, you’ve worked for a variety of business owners and managers throughout your lifetime. Some of them likely stand out in your mind as individuals you enjoyed working for, while others created an unpleasant work environment. It’s also likely that you have a clear preference for the type of person you […]
In a previous column, I shared several negative side effects associated with bringing personal baggage to work. I described how even long-term top performers can stumble and fall when they’re unable to effectively manage their personal issues in the workplace. I also elaborated on the domino effect these uncontrolled issues can have on the workplace […]
Some people believe there is a very distinctive barrier between our personal and professional lives which keeps the two separate. However, when you really step back and take an honest and discerning look at your own experiences and those of others you have worked with, this is clearly not the case. In fact, it is […]
When customers like, or better yet love, your business, they are going to give you their patronage and will happily share their glowing recommendations with others. Business owners who want to create enterprises that will survive challenging times and thrive in the easy times, should consistently endeavor to create raving fans of their customers. The […]
As we get ready to enter 2025, let’s consider the importance of life/work harmony. Yes, I said life/work harmony. Life before work, because without your life there is no business and harmony, because this is actually what is meant by the word “balance” in this case. Life and work are a balancing act with the […]
Personality conflicts hurt businesses by contributing to a decline in trust, communication, collaboration, teamwork and morale. In turn, efficiency, productivity, culture, team-member satisfaction, retention, business growth and bottom-line profits are all negatively impacted. The degree to which team members do not communicate effectively and collaborate is one of the greatest obstacles to business success. The […]
It’s what you don’t know that really limits your ability to hire, place, manage and develop team members successfully. A very real challenge business owners face in building a solid team is a lack of credible, unbiased information. When considering the future growth of your business, having clear, unbiased and accurate information that positions you […]
What were the reasons you started your business? If you’re like most entrepreneurs, your intention was to create a situation where you have greater control over your destiny. Perhaps you wanted to build something meaningful that could be sold for a profit or passed down to your children. You may have also sought more freedom, […]
If you want to be truly successful, your focus must be on growing your company through attracting and retaining customers. The result will be a business that is increasingly successful. Think about a time when you received poor customer service—one that left you feeling uncared for, unsatisfied, and unhappy. Left with a bad taste in […]