Why Work Sucks and How to Fix it: A Book We All Need

Recently I saw two different websites (Tim Ferris and Verasage) both extolling the virtues of the new book, “Why Work Sucks and How to Fix it,” and after reading the first chapter, I think everyone in business needs to check this out.
The short and sweet premise is that the workforce around the nation, especially the […]

More planning tips for business owners

In addition to valuing your business and thinking about an exit strategy, here are some additional planning tips for privately-held companies:
Engage all your employees. Don’t leave anyone out of the planning process because in a smaller organization you run the risk of alienating some people. Although you may not think it’s appropriate to include everyone […]

The Makings of a Winning Team

Do you running a business or manage a department that exemplifies the traits of a winning team? Below is a list of traits that you can evaluate your team against.

A WINNING TEAM…

Works to serve and keep customers happy

Gives more than is expected

Remains flexible and adapts to change

Respects its members

Continually […]

Eight Ways to Ruin Any Strategic Planning Meeting

The phrase strategic planning provokes reactions anywhere from sheer exuberance to ducking for cover. In many organizations, strategic planning has a bad reputation because it’s so easy to step
  into one of the many planning pitfalls. To start with, holding effective meetings is tough. Add to that a topic that requires a lot of brainpower […]

The Face of an Unhappy Company

The sad truth is that unhappy companies all look alike:

A belief that employees are dangerous and lazy. If you treat people as if they’re worthless long enough, eventually they’ll either believe you (and behave accordingly) or they’ll spend all their energy trying to build a paper case that you’re wrong. Either way, your customers (and […]

Do Your Employees Understand Your Strategy?

Only 10 percent of employees understand their organization’s strategy and how their efforts connect to the strategy. And if that isn’t bad enough, only 40 percent of managers have a clear understanding of their organization’s strategy. These disappointing statistics were reported in a study by Watson Wyatt Worldwide.
So how can you help your employees understand […]

How EDS Got its Groove Back

How EDS Got its Groove Back (2001), appearing in FastCompany reviews how important corporate culture and the embracing of that culture by the employees is to the profitability of a company. The article chronicles how EDS, the information technology services company founded by Ross Perot was floundering before 1999. New business bookings were lagging. Clients […]