Posts Tagged ‘business management’
Move From Productive Foundations to Productive Work
Last week, we explored how productivity starts well before the first task is ticked off your to-do list. It’s a management practice. Today, let’s turn our focus to the crucial steps to make every day genuinely productive. Steps to productivity The steps to productivity are: Goal Setting With Meaning Effective productivity hinges on clear, actionable…
Read MoreAre You Productive or Just Really Good at Looking Busy?
It is September. You can feel the days getting shorter, the end of the year getting closer. Still, there are 4 months left. Let’s make them the most productive yet. Let’s make Productivity our autumn theme. What productivity is Productivity is the measure of how you turn inputs into outputs. Your inputs are time, effort,…
Read MoreRemarkable Communication: Use Consistency For Eye-Opening Clarity
In a recent study, a major retailer wanted to increase sales across all its locations. Researchers split employees into two groups: Group A was promised five percent of any revenue increase each month. Group B was promised biweekly performance reviews. The results? Group A’s sales didn’t budge, while Group B saw a seven percent jump…
Read MoreThe Mystery Of The Missing Productivity: A Hercule Poirot Adventure (The Worksheet)
I love a good mystery book as much as the next person. (Maybe even more) But that is because reading mysteries is my escape from the real world. Here in reality, I don’t want too much mystery. And especially not in business. Business is about clarity Running a business is all about clarity. It is…
Read MoreOnboarding Essentials: Covering the Fundamentals With a Simple Checklist. (The Worksheet)
*Upon request, this month I will give you one worksheet and walk you through how to use it over the following weeks Over the years, I’ve seen a few onboarding errors pop up again and again: What do you know What do all these issues have in common? They’re all about knowledge—either too much, too…
Read MoreFocus Your Hiring To Combine Culture And Capability
*Upon request, this month I will give you one worksheet and walk you through how to use it over the following weeks Two sets of guiding principles: one for the company, one for the role. But how do you make them the same, yet different? They serve different purposes, and describe different things. What are…
Read MoreBalanced Hiring: How To Balance Culture And Competence. (The Worksheet)
*Upon request, this month I will give you one worksheet and walk you through how to use it over the following weeks When it comes to hiring, most people fall into one of three camps: Hiring approach These instincts aren’t wrong—but relying on just one can lead to trouble. Hiring balance The truth is you…
Read MoreStop Micromanaging: Strong Leadership And Letting Your Team Shine. (The Worksheet)
You don’t want to micromanage. But you might be doing it anyway. Do you… If these are regular habits, you may be micromanaging. Holding people back This kind of behavior has many “good” justifications. But all it does is make your employees rely on you for everything. Which strips them of any freedom, autonomy, or…
Read MoreTrust in Action: The Best Antidote to Micromanagement. (The Worksheet)
We can all agree that micromanagement is bad. You don’t think you do it. And if you do, you wish you didn’t. But let’s be honest—it’s tough to let go. Start clarifying your role: what are the projects and decisions you should focus on? What about your team—what key goals and outcomes should each employee…
Read MoreMore Than A Great Catchphrase: Why Company Culture Matters More Than You Think. (The Worksheet)
Now you know why mission statements are important. But what about company culture? Isn’t it just a buzzword used to sound impressive in corporate brochures? Let’s see if there’s more to culture than just PR spin. Culture isn’t real This is what many business owners and leaders feel. Because, after all: Or so you may…
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