Ineffective communication presents the largest obstacle to any successful professional or personal relationship, and it all begins with listening. Not truly listening to others and ineffective communication are often at the heart of dysfunctional businesses, disgruntled team members, unsatisfied clients, failed marriages, disassociation with loved ones, frustration and anger, to name only a few. The […]
My oldest son is a millennial, a member of the generation born in the 1980s and 1990s that’s been labeled entitled, lazy and in need of constant praise. Before you feel sorry for me, though, here are some other facts about my son: he graduated from college debt-free, moved out voluntarily and recently landed his […]
My last column for the Business Times was headlined “It’s all about the numbers.” As I explained, commercial real estate is about the cost of land, construction, income streams, sales projections and business models. Commercial real estate really is all about the numbers — except, of course, when it’s not. When might that be, you […]
What if there was a free marketing tool to promote your business? What if that same tool also provided tips and strategies for assuring high-quality products that distinguish you for excellence in your field? For local retail food establishments, that tool is available in the Mesa County Public Health Partnership for Food Safety. The program […]
There’s a vast difference between being a leader and a boss. A leader influences, collaborates, guides, mentors and supports others to encourage movement in a desired direction. Conversely, a boss lords over others, controlling, domineering and relying on fear and intimidation to get ever more out of the individuals he or she oversees. If you’re […]
In previous centuries, most workers traded manual labor for pay. With the evolution of the industrial age, livelihoods were increasingly made in manufacturing and other machine-enabled jobs. A typical career began in an entry level position, and employees advanced to more complex jobs that came with more responsibilities and income. Workers tended to remain with […]
What do these three things have in common: the Doobie Brothers classic rock song “Long Train Running,” Paul Harvey’s memorable radio stories and good stand-up comedy? They all masterfully incorporate the pregnant pause — a moment of suspenseful silence before delivering something great. One could argue that without the intentional pause, what follows wouldn’t seem […]
Every company has team members who hold positions critical to daily operations. While these individuals might fill important roles, they also could contribute to a negative work environment. They might not fully support company philosophies, objectives and goals. In fact, they actually could hinder the progress of the organization with their bad attitudes, gossip and […]
When it comes to investing, there are many schools of thought about the most profitable approaches. Depending on your level of financial expertise, you might want to take a more independent approach. Alternatively, you might prefer the assurance of having a professional manage your portfolio. No matter what type of investor you are, it’s important […]
It used to be only Hollywood celebrities who attributed their fabulously fit bodies to personal trainers. Not anymore. People of all income brackets, ages and fitness levels hire personal trainers to help them meet their goals. While a healthy lifestyle has become a top priority for many people, they sometimes lack the direction and guidance […]