Continue Learning to Continue Leading

“The best leaders are insatiable learners,” according to author and Fast Company co-founder Bill Taylor. He explains “the challenge for leaders is not to out-hustle, out-muscle, or out-maneuver the competition. It is to out-think the competition in ways big and small, to develop a unique point of view about the future and get there before anyone else does.” 

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Sage Advice for Dealing with Management Turnover

Senior and middle managers leave organizations for many reasons: poor performance, management or board conflicts, retirement, health issues, new opportunities, etc.  The euphoria or disappointment felt by employees soon gives way to uncertainty and anxiety regarding the manager’s replacement if s/he is brought in from another organization. Change can be scary, especially given the unknown 

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From Slip-Up to Shared Learning

“I’m never wrong. I thought I was once, but I was mistaken.”  – Lucy Van Pelt  We all make mistakes and, hopefully, we all learn from them. Here are some non-threatening and productive ways to institutionalize learning from our mistakes in the workplace. Mistake of the Month – At staff meetings, have employees share stories of 

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What Employees Say About What Matters in the Workplace

For insight on employee engagement, check out the 2014 Employees’ Choice Awards of the Best Places to Work recently announced by Glassdoor. These awards “are determined using feedback employees have shared on Glassdoor throughout the past year. Employees complete an anonymous company review survey that captures their overall job and company satisfaction, along with sentiment toward career opportunities, compensation & benefits, 

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A Facilitator’s Top Three Tips for Strategic Marketing Planning

I recently shared why it’s important to commit time for strategic marketing planning.  Based on my combined experience as a marketer and planning facilitator, here are my top three tips for developing a successful planning session. 1. Be Mission-focused. The basis for your strategic marketing plan is rooted in your organization’s mission. If your marketing 

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No Time for a Strategic Marketing Plan? Think Again!

It’s a common lament among many marketers today – their work is more reactive than proactive. While they acknowledge the need for formal marketing planning, they’re overwhelmed and pressed for time dealing with customers, co-workers, information overload and other work demands. So they wrestle with whatever marketing projections and data are needed to compile an annual 

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My Favorite Facilitation Tools

As promised in my last post: in honor of the International Facilitation Week being observed this week, here are some of the facilitator tools I use most often. For asking the right questions: One of my favorite resources is Questions that Work: A Resource for Facililtators by Dorothy Strachan. This book is not only loaded with important questions, 

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When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a Facilitator

Trust me, I never said that to my parents and teachers. But that’s what’s happened as my career evolved, and I’ve spent most of my 25 years with Quality Service Marketing developing and refining my skills as a facilitator. What is facilitation? “It’s a powerful way of working that gives everyone a chance to be an active part of 

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Celebrate National Customer Service Week: “United Through Service”

Customers. Every business needs them. Every business loves them … or tries to love them. Let’s be honest, from the customer’s perspective, some companies aren’t as customer-focused as they purport to be. In recognition of all employees who strive to provide positive customer experiences, we honor National Customer Service Week. And I see it applying to 

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