Posted by Eric Hubbs on Fri, Aug 28, 2009 @ 01:49 PM
By Amy Kardel, COO of Clever Ducks, Professional IT Services Company- A Collaboration Partner
Blackberries have been used by corporate exec
utives for years, and have become known as a gold standard in business communications.
Why, you ask? They provide a simplistic, easy-to-use method for managing your contacts, your calendar, your e-mail, and pretty much any other part of your life. They allow you to surf the internet, as well as keep track of important ideas that pop up as you go about your day. They free up your cluttered head and allow more time for creative thinking. They release stress and worry as you are kept abreast on what is going on in your company at all times.
Without a solid understanding of how to use it, a Blackberry can be
quite time consuming. In this Download, "Becoming a Blackberry Expert: Tips and Tricks," you will learn shortcuts and features that will cut down the time you spend on your Blackberry, but not on the benefits you derive from it. In fact, the benefits will soar - and so will your productivity.
Owners, make sure you share this presentation with your managers, and managers make sure you share this presentation with your owners. We guarantee you'll learn plenty of new tips and tricks, and you'll be an expert in no time!
A few tips to look forward to:
- Multitasking on your Blackberry
- The easy fix for almost any Blackberry problem
- E-mail and calendar HOT keys - huge time savers
Download Blackberry Tips and Tricks PDF Now!
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Posted by Michael Gunther on Fri, Aug 21, 2009 @ 11:36 AM
By Michael Gunther
As originally published in The Tolosa Press 
I speak with business owners all the time that are challenged with building their teams. They have hired employees who are not performing at the level the owner expects them to be performing at. In fact, just this week I had two clients state "Do I really want employees?"
Building an effective team at work takes consistent effort, focus and leadership. I think some business owners underestimate what it takes to develop a strong, knowledgeable employee base. Greg Hind, a local serial entrepreneur, once told me that "if your business goals or dreams involve employees then you as a leader need to figure out how to manage and lead effectively - and it will not always be easy."
I have always valued this advice and have repeated his statement many times to business owners. So, what are some strategies you can implement to build a strong team?
First, evaluate your own management and leaderships skills. What are the areas that you may need to develop or improve? Ask your employees to provide ideas on how they would like to be managed and have them rate your management skills. Now, many owners may be fearful of what they hear but the only way to improve is to hear the good, bad and ugly. (Just as you would expect your employees to)
Second, hold yourself accountable to making some specific changes in your skills and approach. Be consistent as well - change takes time.
Let's now focus on various steps to achieving higher performance from your team. Cleary define your expectations to your employees - not just their roles and responsibilities but what other type of behavior or attitudes do you expect to transpire at the work place. Such as being on time, being solution focused, keeping their commitments, etc.
If they are not meeting these expectations then you must communicate to them your concern or disappointment about not meeting these expectations as they are happening - not days, weeks or months later. I ask the same business owners complaining about poor performance of their employees if they have clearly communicated their concerns in a constructive, solution focused manner. Most say ‘no' ... hmmm...
Employees don't do what is required of them often because of three key criteria: Communication, Commitment and Competency. I have already addressed communication so if they are committed and willing to do the task but not doing it properly then it might be a competency or training issue. If you know they know how to do the task but are choosing not to, it then becomes a commitment issue - they may not understand why the task has to be done or are simply choosing not to perform the task because of lack of accountability from the leader.
Lastly, I would suggest putting the responsibility of creating change on the employee - ask them what they are going to do to rectify their behavior. Get specific actions steps and measurements. Be sure to follow up to measure the completion of the recommended behavior or performance changes.
Bottom Line
Managing high performance employees takes time, effort and measurement. But if you are not getting the outcomes you want from your team, first take a look in the mirror and be honest with your own skills and approaches. It is interesting the business owners I know that have changed their focus on developing their skills all of a sudden have employees that are meeting their expectations...hmmm...
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Posted by Michael Gunther on Mon, Aug 17, 2009 @ 01:13 PM
What do you think? I know we work with many small businesses that are still struggling to grow their businesses and stabilize their revenue. With all the media and economists saying the recession has ended, I am wondering what other small business owners and consultants think. On the front line it sure appears to be continuing its hold on the small business community.
Please share your comments below.
Posted by Eric Hubbs on Fri, Aug 07, 2009 @ 11:41 AM
By Michael Gunther, Business Consultant and President of Collaboration Business Growth Specialists
As originally published in The Coast News 
What I mean to say is don't start a business without the proper foundation in place - a solid understanding of what it takes to build a business that is profitable, sustainable, and that fulfills your personal goals.
For every business that is shutting its doors today, I see two entrepreneurs ready to start something new. From my experience, most people start businesses because they believe they can deliver a product or service better, cheaper, or faster than others; they believe they have a unique idea or product that is sure to transform an industry; or they believe they will earn more and work less than they do now. The one thing I am truly amazed at is how many people feel ready to start a business yet have done little research and have a minimal understanding of how to actually build a business that supports their financial needs and meets their personal goals.
If you're thinking of starting a business, here are a few ways to build an understanding of what it will take and to determine if it's the right move for you.
- Understand your financials. Business is about generating enough revenue after expenses to afford the lifestyle you want. Yet, most people who start businesses do not know if they can make enough to support themselves, much less run a business. You should evaluate all potential expenses, including operating the business, paying yourself, saving for retirement, and buying health insurance. This will help you determine if the money and time you need to invest into this business will provide a Return on Investment (ROI) that is preferable to working for someone else.
- Be realistic. Building your business will take longer than you think and will be harder than you imagine. Many potential business owners are so caught up in their enthusiasm that they are unrealistic about their financial projections and capital requirements. Be conservative with your projections and have a CPA or Banker review them. If you do not have a CPA or Banker, make finding them your first order of business as they will be invaluable in providing you with financial advice and assessments. Begin the process with your eyes and mind wide open, rather than with rose colored glasses.
- Talk to other business owners. I encourage you to hold informational interviews with 5 current business owners and 5 previous business owners who have closed their doors. Ask questions to help you understand their experiences. What aspects of running a business did they not anticipate? Are their earnings what they expected them to be? What are some of their biggest challenges? Their biggest mistakes? Use their feedback to discover if you are truly ready to take the leap and start your business.
The Bottom Line
Don't start a business that becomes a statistic - one that closes its doors due to a lack in understanding what it takes be profitable, sustainable, and fulfilling. With proper planning, you can obtain a realistic understanding of all that is required of a business owner, and enjoy the subsequent excitement and rewards.
Do you want an outside opinion on weather or not your business concept is ready to move forward into a
profitable, sustainable new venture? Click here to schedule a free business consultation with one of our experienced business consultants. Available to anyone in the U.S.