Emily had been a diligent employee, known for her attention to detail and creativity. When her boss seemed to be singling out her work, it felt flattering; he praised her ideas in meetings and asked for her input on important projects. However, the praise soon turned into subtle criticism. “Did you really think that approach would work?” he would ask,
When In Doubt, Do Without
JoAnn maintains that the best advice her grandmother gave her was “When in doubt, do without.” It rings in her ears when she shops, when she ponders taking a vacation on a credit card and most recently when a friend suggested getting a tattoo. The advice has saved JoAnn thousands of dollars and taught her self-discipline. Clearly, neither JoAnn nor her
Adapt or Get Left Behind
John Nese’s business was going broke. His family-owned grocery store was being eaten alive by grocery chains. So when a woman called looking for a unique mint soda, he saw an opportunity. Today John’s store, Galco’s Soda Pop Stop, sells every imaginable soda from around the world. Business is good. John Nese was willing to adapt, here are other examples: Slack was initially
Make People Talk About You
The purchasing manager’s office wall was peppered with quotes on colored postcards. There were quotes about quality, pricing and appreciation. He enthusiastically explained that a supplier sends a quote-card every month as a thank you for doing business with them. He enjoys sharing them. What is it about you, your company or your product/service that would elicit such a positive
Do You Polish Bricks?
After all the planning, research, and saving Darcy has accomplished her life-long dream, she owns a coffee shop in a small town. In order to share the entrepreneurial experience with young people who might one day open their own business, she contacted high school counselors for potential employees. At last, the staff was hired and trained, the coffee was ready
The Mess Makers and the Fixers
There are two kinds of people in the world – the mess-makers and the mess-fixers. Mess makers come in all shapes and sizes; their intentions may or may not be good. Some know they are manipulative, but others are merely trying to control their world. A young parent demands the grandparents care for the baby regardless of their own plans.
Saying Goodbye Might be a Good Thing
In a recent Raven Roundtable a member shared, “A long-term employee just quit.” A chorus of sympathetic groans rose from around the table. Good employees are hard to find and losing a valued, long-term staff member can be hard. However, conversation around the table pointed out several possible advantages. Employees who quit aren’t always the high performers. This is the
Multiplication by Subtraction
It could happen to you. A crucial member of your staff leaves. Now what? A Roundtable member was faced with that dilemma. Replacing the employee would have been the logical choice; it would have filled out the team and made customers feel better. It would have been business as usual. But this member had read the book Multiplication by Subtraction by Shannon
The Devil is in the Details and the Fine Print
How often do you come across an ad that seems too good to be true? The saying “the devil is in the details or the fine print” cautions us to be wary. When you open a bank account, log onto a website, sign up for a “free” app or a new cell phone, you agree to terms spelled out in the fine
Do You Pick Up Pennies
Walking across a parking lot last week I spied a penny on the ground. I picked it up. Picking coins up off the ground has been a long-standing habit for me. Money is money, whether it’s a penny, a quarter, or a dollar. Not everyone feels the same. Friends with me have said everything from “A penny is not worth the