Category Archives: LEADERSHIP – ALWAYS!
TRIPLE III TIME: Evolution of YOUR Brand
Today I believe it is more important than at any time in the past to consistently consider the: Evolution of YOUR Brand in the marketplace!
Now first don’t misunderstand the main point of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message. If you have a solid recognizable Brand… product… service… name… don’t take any remarketing steps to drastically change “what-got-you-there!” However, in so many business and organization situations, changes in what you represent or sell have occurred but no new promo action has been taken to give creditability/awareness to the quiet Evolution of YOUR Brand.
Think about it.
Have you initiated a new set of service opportunities… but have done little to highlight their value to our new AI times? Has your store expanded it’s line-up of more battery-driven equipment thereby allowing more “transportability” of their use? Do people (customers) really know that home visits… home delivery… home techno-service sessions can be a regular part of an agency’s/company’s progressive make-up?
In order to remain “SPECIAL” to the customers you currently service and the potential customers you would like to draw in… here are a few thoughts to improve the Evolution of YOUR Brand.
- Look at all components of your Brand promotion. Ads, flyers, radio commercials, social media posts… whatever and assess them for up-to-date (non-outdated) information.
- Review the Brand promotion efforts of your competition. Does their information seem more “cool”, modern than yours?
- Ask YOUR customers/clients their opinions on YOUR Branding efforts! Will they say: “It’s the same old stuff info”… or will their comments indicate: “I didn’t know you can help in this area or that must be brand new service!”
- Don’t allow yourself to become too comfortable with regard to the “like-ability” of your Brand.
The Evolution of YOUR Brand should/must be a regular part of your weekly planning activities. People really do care more about “where are you going”… instead of “where have you been”… with regard to Brand, products and services! Prioritize the Evolution of YOUR Brand everyday… EVERYDAY and progressive/positive results will follow.
TRIPLE III TIME: Everyday Is A Classroom
Guess what? This week I have already begun basically “prepping” for my American Government & Politics class this fall! And as we think about all of the daily events, quotes, policies and wars being debated across the nation and world… I totally realized that I really don’t’ have to do a whole lot of in depth research! However in an unusual kind of way… I started thinking about my style of teaching and what would I say is my teaching philosophy today… and what could I change to be better in the future?
Well my answer to this question creatively generated this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message: Everyday Is A Classroom!
What do I mean?
First think about the two-way learning that occurs when you go to a hardware store to get “stuff” to help you build something. The customer service rep is the teacher about what products you need and how to proceed. You are first the student getting necessary information… but you are also teaching the customer service rep about the uniqueness of the special table you are constructing.
Everyday Is A Classroom
Next think about working/volunteering in a human service capacity. Every time a different person comes through the door… their situation/problems are totally different and you are the listening student. But then again the roles become reversed as you instruct the person on self-sufficiency and steps to improve their personal issues.
Everyday Is A Classroom
Finally, think about children. Do you stop talking and apply the best listening skills you have to clearly hear THEIR concerns/ideas/simplicity views? Do you allow yourself to absorb their non-inhibited points-of-view and appreciate the fact that they feel safe to talk with you? And then as you take on the teaching job…do you help them understand that they/we have so much to learn growing up? Do you explain that YOU still like to keep on learning from them and others?
Everyday Is A Classroom
Bottomline: I don’t know if I have a simple teaching philosophy I could easily explain… except that I follow an: Everyday Is A Classroom two-way learning style. I believe it keeps me engaged and aware. And it helps me tell each class: “No one is going to cheat us out of having a good time.”
TRIPLE III TIME: “So…You Got A Promotion?!”
One professional development area we have not discussed is the personnel evolution situation that occurs when someone in a company/organization gets a promotion. Most generally during these change times… the individual getting the promotion is standardly given very reasonable instructions and higher-level guidance on position expectations and day-to-day responsibilities. However, as a consultant I have observed many times that the person who is moving up the operational staff ladder is “assumed” to know a whole lot more about their new role than they really do. Whether the assumptions are generated by their current/past experiences with the entity or their resume credentials… the assumed knowledge about what to do… when… and where… is never as complete as it should be.
Therefore if you or someone you know falls under the: “So… You Got A Promotion?!” situation… here is a special TRIPLE III TIME TOP 10 list of suggestions to help you/them progressively evolve
- Don’t forget why you first applied for a job with the company/organization.
2. Develop and utilize a strong communication style with all in your employment network.
3. Always remember to treat co-workers/customers the way you would like to be treated.
4. Don’t expect those you supervise to know YOUR priorities… share them regularly.
5. Also don’t assume you know your supervisors’ priorities… always ask.
6. Try to have an “open-door” policy for co-workers to drop-in… but with time limits.
7. Don’t pretend you know “what’s going on” in the community… on the manufacturing floor… in the classroom… or in the store retail area… SHOW UP and be aware.
8. Be a constant asset in terms of encouraging progressive change and innovation.
9. However, share your NEW operational concepts…gradually.
10. Finally, don’t make promises you can’t keep or accept new duties that you are NOT trained for… honesty matters.
There are probably more professional growth ideas I could share…but these TOP 10 are a good start.
TRIPLE III TIME: Worlds-of-Work Trends
Everyone that knows me even a little bit knows that JOBS and all factors related to them are forever part of my professional make-up. So it is not surprising that from time-to-time… someone asks my thoughts about: Worlds-of-Work Trends!
Well, first typically I indicate that I am NOT a researcher on the topic of jobs… and most of my clues on trends comes from observations and conversations. Next, I indicate that never has the “speed-of-change” impacted the worlds-of-work more than at our current times. And lastly, I try to point out that (although very obvious for some time) globalization of all jobs has made trend determination a very tough task. Do these responses appear to be dodging the questions… yes. But given the fact that most individuals still want my opinion and perception on Worlds-of-Work Trends… I am ultimately “cornered” for an answer or two!
So here are a few Trends thoughts that I have shared:
- There is currently an unusual balance between job availability and job seekers. “Job jumping” by individuals is not as prevalent and increased knowledge about candidates via techno-services… seems to make personnel selections more effective for employers.
- Upgrading of current employees appears to be at a slow pace. Why? I believe that due to fast technological transitions… employers are more hesitant to invest in any type of new training.
- “What can you do for my company? (i.e. job competency)” seems to carry greater employer interest impact than what degree(s) or credentials you hold.
- In-person versus virtual training battles continue via one’s personal opinion on the PROS and CONS of each. Tradition versus economics versus hands-on experience versus 24/7 availability versus performance effectiveness… are regular debate issues.
- Finally the desire for “customized” learning continues to grow. Product and service diversity and specialization are what keeps certain industries in business. Will enough new era trainers be available?
I would have to believe that these 5 trends really display a lot of common sense and state-of-the-times observations. How accurate are they and would other professionals agree with me? Only time will tell!
TRIPLE III TIME: “BETTER-WAY” Compromising
One of the toughest leadership challenges is knowing when and specifically how to address situations that call for compromise. Many times as a leader of a company or organization you assume the responsibility to make changes in policy, products, services, employment of co-workers and/or introducing anything new into the entity. Right? But what happens when someone you respect and go to for support… indicates that YOU are not an easy person to compromise with…rather most times your style is: “Let’s Go My Way… or You Can Find The Highway!”
So with these thoughts in mind… do some personal sole-searching and think about your adaption to or resistance to COMPROMISE??
Well good or bad… right or wrong… during my professional career I followed a “BETTER-WAY” Compromising practice. What does this really mean? In practice, my position regarding change and/or new ventures with co-workers/partnership personnel… was that if you have a “BETTER-WAY” concept or methodology than the one “on-the-table”… then compromises could take place. So if someone came to me and said they have a better plan/idea to go forward with… and here it is… we would discuss the option and decide if it would be a better growth opportunity than what I had in mind. COMPROMISE??
As the leader, everyone was aware of my “BETTER-WAY” Compromising practice and understood that my ideas and suggestions came from a wider view of where the Agency was… where it could be and thereby respected my positions on progress. However, in the longer term… my group also accepted that many of their cooperative compromises may occur during implementation times as the decision actions began to occur. So in a unique way “BETTER-WAY” Compromising became our own version of continuous improvement.
Therefore the suggestion via this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message is to have your own “BETTER-WAY” Compromising policy as a guide for you and for your group. Therefore, no one gets an automatic “NO” for their ideas or suggestions but understands that they must first show a BETTER-WAY to improve an initiative…and then show professional patience for it’s acceptance and support.
TRIPLE III TIME: “Don’t Make Boundaries”
When asked about how he motivated his employees to deliver consistent superior services to clients… Bill Smith of Smith, Bucklin & Associates shared the following message:
“I try to emphasize the philosophy that the more we give in this life, the more we receive. We may not be seeking that when we give, but that’s what happens. And that’s the real basis for customer service. If you don’t have that philosophy, a list of 10 things you must do to have great customer service isn’t going to mean anything.”
We have had several TRIPLE III TIME “customer service” messages over the years… but Mr. Smith’s statement about the extended value of giving every customer “a little more”… is really the finest guideline to follow!
Think truthfully about how personally you view quality customer service. Do you feel great when you get more time and attention? Do you appreciate your customer service more when you believe the professional helping you better understands your problem or situation? And do you positively share and even promote a company/organizations GREAT customer service to others? These are the outcomes you maybe didn’t think about when you did the right/extra customer service “things”… but as Bill Smith reports… “that’s what happens”!!
This week’s TRIPLE III TIME message: “Don’t Make Boundaries” specifically emphasizes not limiting doing customer service extras. Many times employees view a company operations handbook and take the most limiting practice of what type of customer service is allowed. And if it is not written in the handbook… does that mean “you better not” go beyond the rules… or does it mean doing “extra” is up to YOU!? Bottomline: No two customers will ever be the same. Therefore “Don’t Make Boundaries” that prohibit you from going the extra mile in the area of quality customer service! If you decide to go beyond the traditional boundaries in providing GREAT customer service… your return-on-investment
TRIPLE III TIME: Leaders “Borrow” Ideas Too!
“When we, as leaders, are faced with a problem, we can sometimes feel that it is our job to find a unique solution to it. However, when we open our eyes to other industries and technologies, we might just find that someone has already done the hard work for us, saving us time and potentially giving us a better solution than the one we would have come up with.” (Great TED Talks-Leadership: Harriet Minter)
Coming up with fast, competent solutions to problems/challenges in our ever-growing complex, techno-world… is never going to be an easy task. However, as Harriet Minter points out in her very straight-forward, common sense quote… Leaders “Borrow” Ideas Too!
As a very recent example, I can use my own “borrowing” of a youth entrepreneurship event/leadership concept from another area in Michigan… to construct something similar in the northern region! It has always been a professional priority of mine to somehow grow entrepreneurship ideas with a more youthful population (i.e. 10-18). The business-building learnings and experiences would remain consistent as with adults… but engaging with a more youthful clientele just seemed like a cool/necessary thing to try!
Well guess what?
During the winter months circumstances led me to become introduced to the creator and partners involved in a Youth Entrepreneurship EXPO that is conducted in July each year in Frankenmuth. The event design was very much what I was hoping to replicate and through some very basic follow-up connections… this summer on Saturday, June 20th… the first ever IMAGINE ME Youth Entrepreneurship FEST! will happen in Oscoda, Michigan!!
Bottomline: Growth-minded Leaders “Borrow” Ideas Too! Will both of the youth entrepreneurship events be exactly the same… No. Will both have their own learning personalities… YES! And in the final analysis will everyone gain in expanding entrepreneurship ideas and opportunities to young people in different parts of our State… YOU BET!!
TRIPLE III TIME: “Revisiting” Economic Development
It has been quite some time since I have met and trained with a small group of county-based economic development professionals. In most cases the economic development personnel were effectively blended-in with other organization employees and their individual issues, concerns and/or ideas never were addressed in the best… specialized way. So when asked to join with an economic development staff and do some “EDC exclusive strategic planning”… I did not hesitate to say: “Absolutely!”
Well it did not take too long for me to realize that in many ways this small group wanted to receive some historical and common sense points from me on the role and purposes of an economic development professional. So it was a pleasure to toss out these points:
- A good economic developer must be well versed in life-long learning and must understand that not all learning occurs in a classroom.
- That economic development includes community, business, education and entrepreneurship options and opportunities.
- That economic development often takes the form of “parenting”… which means helping guide a certain area.
- That “comprehensive LISTENING” is a high-value professional skill for development leaders and should be utilized continuously to hear all sides of every issue.
- That older residents view economic developers as someone who takes care of “the home area” (which includes neighborhoods/schools/stores and factories).
- And finally, that economic developers may sometimes need to be a financial “coach” and explain what “progress bills” should be paid first… second… and so on.
The time went by very fast and I closed with this final thought: An economic development person can not pick when it comes to being involved with a progress/growth issue… only when!
Maybe these points might help in other jobs too?!
TRIPLE III TIME: Creating A “Next-Step” COMMUNITY
“Don’t select which seed to plant… instead make sure the “soil” is developmentally ready so any seed can grow!”
I wish I knew the author of this quote. Why…because I sure would like to pick their brain for additional thoughts and insights into its prep and sharing! There are so many progressive points that can be taken from this very “back-to-basics” collection of terms. However, for this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message…we are going to use this quote to focus on Creating A “Next-Step” COMMUNITY!
Many times, the best source of genuine next step creativity comes from your heritage. As a farm boy from rural Michigan, I had the privilege of watching and learning the farm craft from a strong group of growth-minded community members. “No one goes it alone”…would have been a true theme of purpose for the group. And as the introductory quote says: “making sure the soil is developmentally ready” was the common core mission of every farmer in the community. Progress was then achieved and observed through regular crop rotation and diversity allowed no matter what type of seed was planted! So why is this old-time memory important??
Bottomline: Today I believe everyone plays a role in Creating A “Next-Step” COMMUNITY. Whether it is:
- Shopping closer to home
- Helping your community area remain clean
- Speaking proudly of where you live
- Volunteering to help at the school
- Continuing to advance yourself, your family and your workplace
Just like my hometown farm “heroes”… initiating and maintaining a process of regular community next-step progress is really everyone’s job. So don’t allow your area of growth be determined by someone else. Rather… “Don’t select which seed to plant…instead make sure the (YOUR) “soil” (community) is developmentally ready so any seed (Next-Step) can grow!”
TRIPLE III TIME: The Power of Convening
One of the more important leadership actions today is realizing The Power of Convening. Think about it?! Meetings are often the least desired employment activity…no matter the occupation. Whether it is the time required, the travel to and from, the topics to be discussed and/or the personalities in the room (or online), positioning oneself to obtain the greatest value from every meeting situation often gets lost in the importance of properly convening.
The goal of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message is to encourage leaders/managers to take active responsibility for meeting prep and facilitation by embracing The Power of Convening. And just for old times sake…lets use a common sense TOP 10 that may help everyone maximize The Power of Convening.
Here we go:
- Step up and volunteer to host the meeting… (location… location… location!)
- Exercise the convening opportunity to think about who to best be in the room.
- Avoid the potential of having a “stacked deck” of participants who would control the meeting.
- Be the author of the agenda.
- Identify an independent note/record keeper.
- Stress the time limitations in every communication.
- Highlight priorities for the group… not individuals.
- As convener… take responsibility for timing future meetings/addressing future topics.
- Manage the clock… start on time and end on time.
- Share the convener role… ONLY if it makes progress sense.
The Power of Convening is not a professional role to take lightly. It is excellent when people trust, respect and appreciate someone who excels in this area of responsibility.
So are you ready to be a good… GREAT Convener?!
Inspiring Innovations, Inc. 