Friday, March 30, 2012
Life Coaching Tip #699
Accomplishing big goals can appear daunting at first. Whether your goal is to find a new career, get healthier, start a new relationship, improve one you already have, take your business to the next level, strengthen your finances, be happier or anything else, the ominous nature of big goals dissolves when you chunk them down. Moving toward your goals by only 1% a day makes them manageable, and doable. As long as you consistently move toward what you want you will get there sooner, and with more ease than you originally thought.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Article: Do You Have A Team Of Raving Fans?
Perhaps you are familiar with the term “Create raving fans out of your customers.” It is absolutely true that this should be a primary aim of any business. After all, if your customers don’t like you, they most likely will not do business with you and they certainly won’t recommend you to others.
As a professional business development coach and consultant, I would suggest that the key ingredient to creating a raving customer base is to first create raving fans out of your team members. After all, they are the ones who interface with your customers on a daily basis and who deliver customer service. They also control the quality of the products and service you provide. If your team members don’t like you, your business is likely to suffer due to decreased customer satisfaction.
How do you, the business owner, go about creating raving fans out of your team members?
Let’s consider what people want:
People want to feel important. They want to know that they matter. Creating this feeling in your team members is as easy as involving them in the decision making process. Ask for, listen to and really consider their input as you make decisions and implement changes. This does not mean that you will use or take action on everything they suggest, but it does mean that you think enough of them to get their perspective and implement their great ideas.
People want to be liked and accepted. This is a basic human need. You treat the people you like very differently from those you don’t like. When you like someone you take interest in them, you build a relationship and you care about them. Team members who are treated this way have a real sense of loyalty and commitment to the business and the customers it serves.
People want to feel valued and appreciated. Don’t you? When you treat team members like cogs in the wheel of your money machine they are not going to care about you, because they know you don’t care about them. In turn, they aren’t going to care about your customers, which often leads to customer dissatisfaction and the termination of their business with you. Praise your team members openly for a job well done. They aren’t going to be perfect, but if they give their best reward them with some recognition so they know they are valued and appreciated by you.
Consider this: The average person will work 104,000 hours of their waking life. This means that a significant portion of their life will be spent away from their family and close friends. It is important to create a work environment that functions as a second family, because that’s really what it is. In a strong and mutually beneficial family situation individuals are valued, cared for, supported, considered and encouraged. People in these types of family situations thrive, and the same is true of team members in a work environment.
When people are treated this way they return the favor. They are motivated, caring, loyal and willing to go the extra mile for the customer because you, the business owner, do the same for them. This is leadership by example. Turnover is reduced, efficiency and productivity rises, and sales are captured, not lost.
Happy team members create happy customers. Happy customers are repeat customers and a great source of referrals. Under this business model your business will grow its market share and generate higher revenues – you receive a greater ROI.
The bottom line is this: Customer loyalty starts at the top - with you the business owner. Who you are and how you treat people will be the ignition point for customer satisfaction, loyalty and overall business growth. As you begin to involve, value, care for, recognize and support your team members to a greater degree, the quality of your business rises right along with them.
As a professional business development coach and consultant, I would suggest that the key ingredient to creating a raving customer base is to first create raving fans out of your team members. After all, they are the ones who interface with your customers on a daily basis and who deliver customer service. They also control the quality of the products and service you provide. If your team members don’t like you, your business is likely to suffer due to decreased customer satisfaction.
How do you, the business owner, go about creating raving fans out of your team members?
Let’s consider what people want:
People want to feel important. They want to know that they matter. Creating this feeling in your team members is as easy as involving them in the decision making process. Ask for, listen to and really consider their input as you make decisions and implement changes. This does not mean that you will use or take action on everything they suggest, but it does mean that you think enough of them to get their perspective and implement their great ideas.
People want to be liked and accepted. This is a basic human need. You treat the people you like very differently from those you don’t like. When you like someone you take interest in them, you build a relationship and you care about them. Team members who are treated this way have a real sense of loyalty and commitment to the business and the customers it serves.
People want to feel valued and appreciated. Don’t you? When you treat team members like cogs in the wheel of your money machine they are not going to care about you, because they know you don’t care about them. In turn, they aren’t going to care about your customers, which often leads to customer dissatisfaction and the termination of their business with you. Praise your team members openly for a job well done. They aren’t going to be perfect, but if they give their best reward them with some recognition so they know they are valued and appreciated by you.
Consider this: The average person will work 104,000 hours of their waking life. This means that a significant portion of their life will be spent away from their family and close friends. It is important to create a work environment that functions as a second family, because that’s really what it is. In a strong and mutually beneficial family situation individuals are valued, cared for, supported, considered and encouraged. People in these types of family situations thrive, and the same is true of team members in a work environment.
When people are treated this way they return the favor. They are motivated, caring, loyal and willing to go the extra mile for the customer because you, the business owner, do the same for them. This is leadership by example. Turnover is reduced, efficiency and productivity rises, and sales are captured, not lost.
Happy team members create happy customers. Happy customers are repeat customers and a great source of referrals. Under this business model your business will grow its market share and generate higher revenues – you receive a greater ROI.
The bottom line is this: Customer loyalty starts at the top - with you the business owner. Who you are and how you treat people will be the ignition point for customer satisfaction, loyalty and overall business growth. As you begin to involve, value, care for, recognize and support your team members to a greater degree, the quality of your business rises right along with them.
Life Coaching Tip
When you catch yourself having negative thoughts, acting in negative ways or speaking negative words, immediately ask yourself these four questions. Is it constructive - does your negativity contribute to what you really want? Will your negativity create peace, goodwill and better relationships? Would you want others to think, act and speak negatively about you? And most importantly, are your negative thoughts, actions and words creating happiness? If your answer is "no" to any of these four questions, drop your negativity, and move forward in a more empowered and constructive way.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Life Coaching Tip
There are two aspects of life that have the tendency to get in the way of the most important one. When your thoughts are consumed with the regrets, disappointments and pain of the past or with worry, fear and uncertainty about the future, you have only a small amount of time to focus your thoughts on the now. The past is over, and the future is yet to come so what you are left with is this moment and, it is in the now, that your future is being built. Do all you can to bring the vast majority of your focus to your life right now so that you can build the future of your dreams, and create a past that you will feel great about.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Life Coaching Tip
Look at the world and people through the understanding of your heart and not, through the judgments of your mind. We have all faced difficulties, and we are all in this thing called life together. When you are empathetic you can relate to the challenges others are going through, simply because you realize that you have gone through your own. When empathy replaces judgment you become a constructive force in the lives of others.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Life Coaching Tip
When something occurs that causes you to become angry with yourself or another, it is far better to remain quiet and composed for a time - until you can work through it in your own head. You will find that your anger dissipates which, in turn, allows you to respond rather than react, and to work toward a more effective solution.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Life Coaching Tip
Obstacles or disturbances in relationships can easily be overcome with a few key actions. A positive attitude, commitment to a solution, truly listening, effective communication, truth, personal accountability and caring deeply for yourself, and the other person will transform obstacles into opportunities. The trip lines in relationships are all but eliminated, and happiness grows when people treat each other in this way.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Life Coaching Tip
One day, you will look back at your life and you're either going to be at peace with the life you lived, or not. To avoid any serious regrets and the pain and discomfort that come with them, live fully each day. Be true to yourself, play more, express your feelings, take some chances, stay in touch with friends, engage your passions, love deeply, work toward goals and be happy.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Daily Post
Your choice to smile comes from two different mindsets. The first is an authentic expression of happiness or approval. The second is an attempt to convey your approval or happiness when you don't really feel that way. You and those you are with know when a smile is real or fake. When you choose to smile authentically you light up the space you are in and, it feels good. Smile because you mean it, never fake it - be real.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Daily Post
Communication challenges are the number one reason for discord in relationships. Not truly listening, making assumptions, taking things personally, misunderstandings and telling others who they should be or what they should do, are the primary causes of miscommunication. When you make the wise choice to listen absolutely, understand the other person’s perspective and help them discover their own truth, without taking things personally, communication challenges all but disappear and relationships blossom.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Daily Post
Within you, there is a desire to experience fulfilling and happy relationships in this lifetime. Therefore, make wise choices regarding your relationships. Be a person you respect and admire – someone that you would want to spend time with - so that the fulfillment and happiness you desire will be yours.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Daily Post
When you notice yourself taking things too seriously - getting frustrated, disappointed, upset and even angry - smile or laugh instead. Breaking the intensity of the situation in your own mind will put you in a better state to deal with whatever you are facing.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Daily Post
What will your day be like? There is no doubt that things will come into your day unexpectedly. How you deal with these and the other circumstances that make up your day is what matters. You have a choice to let yourself be thrown off track or to take things in stride. Meet your challenges with strength - be grateful, and look for the best in everything that comes your way. The quality of your day lies squarely in your hands. Make it a great one!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Daily Post
Within you there is gentleness, composure, understanding, compassion, dedication, kindness, integrity, and love. These are the source of your strength as a human being. The more you live your life out of these qualities the stronger you will be and, the better and more fulfilling your life will be. Rely on these aspects of yourself as you meet the challenges you face and you will experience a tremendous feeling of contentment and satisfaction with who you are, and the life you are living.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Daily Post
Have you noticed how all the worry in the world never improves a situation and, that very few of the things you worry about actually come true? In fact, worry limits your effectiveness in handling the issues you face. This is due to the extreme focus worrying places on the negative side of the experience, and the paralyzing nature of worry itself. If you find yourself worrying about something, step back from the situation, explore what is causing you to worry and decide what actions you can take. You will find that taking action toward the remediation of the situation you are worrying about is far more effective than worrying alone.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Daily Post
Live fully today! Be grateful for your life, take on the challenges you face with an open mind, let the joy in your heart flow forth to everyone around you, help someone, smile and laugh, and have a positive impact everywhere you go. At the end of this day, reflect and notice how great your day was - how good you feel. Then, do it again tomorrow!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Daily Post
What do you dream about most often? Whether it’s a vacation, a meaningful and fulfilling intimate relationship, a rewarding job, more free time, starting your own business or anything else, its consistent presence in your thoughts is due to the importance of your dream to you. What you want matters. Honor your dreams, and do what is necessary to make them a reality.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Daily Post
If you are not happy, why not? When you find yourself to be unhappy in any given moment, choosing to explore the reasons why will allow you to address the issue and get back to feeling good. It is only when we ignore our unhappiness that it grows. Have a decided heart about the quality of your life, and do all you can to enhance it throughout your day.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Daily Post
Discovering who you really are and what you really want is an empowering realization that will take your life in new and wonderful directions. Be alive, not afraid. Create for yourself a life that is meaningful and rewarding - one that enlivens your spirit, brings peace to your thoughts and joy to your heart.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Daily Post
There is no reason for a person to stand on their own two feet, as long as they can stand on yours. Rather than enabling people to be dependent upon you, help them to become self-accountable by letting them take responsibility for their own life, and then supporting them through the process. Carry your life, and let others carry theirs.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Article: Are You Stretching Your Team's Potential?
Human potential is an expandable resource. However, it becomes static when it doesn’t receive the stimulation it needs to grow and expand, thus the terms, “I’m in a rut” and “I’m stuck”. Reflect on a time when you got out of a rut or got yourself unstuck, and you will see that this happened because you learned or were exposed to something new and took actions that challenged you, expanded your capabilities, and stretched your potential.
Owners, team members and companies get in ruts too. The way out of this stagnant state is through continual and ongoing trainings that increase the potential of everyone on the team. When learning and growth become the cultural norm of any business, the company as a whole is able to stretch its potential. This equates to improved customer satisfaction, steady growth and increased revenue.
Trainings - if done at all - are often sporadic, inconsistent and lack vital follow-up and follow-through. The process of learning new skills, implementing new knowledge and creating new habits that increase efficiency and effectiveness takes time and requires repetition. In other words, for any training to be effective, it must be done regularly and delivered by a competent professional to participants who are willing to learn.
To clearly illustrate this, consider any sports team. Training and practice are the norm, not the exception. The ones that reach the greatest levels of success have the best coaches and trainers and the work they do with the team is consistent and high quality. Their pursuit is one of excellence and everything they do, day-in and day-out, is designed and executed with the sole intention of bringing out the very best in each player, and the team as a whole.
Why would you run your business any other way? The ultimate success of any team or company depends on this highly effective approach of training and coaching. When you research the greatest companies you find a solid business model that includes consistent, ongoing and effective training as a key component in their exceptional success. This fact is often ignored and denied, but it is not a wise choice. After all, when a successful model has been built, all you have to do is follow it and success will be yours.
Powerful and effective trainings infuse your company with new information, strategies and energy. When talented and motivated team members are stimulated through trainings, and their growth and development are supported along the way, they rise to new heights in efficiency and effectiveness. This sustained internal effort will elevate your company, and the return on your investment will be huge.
Quality trainings will also help you identify team members that are not motivated, don’t want to learn and grow, and that are obstacles to the success the company is working to achieve. Once these people are identified further work can be done with them at a 1-on-1 level to help them become a powerful asset. If it is determined that this is not going to happen, then letting these individuals go is the best option. By doing so, you position your company to hire up and bring on potential superstars that will become valuable additions to the team.
In the trainings I do regularly with the companies I coach and consult, people come alive with excitement, motivation, clarity and direction. Those who desire to learn and grow standout: they listen intently, ask questions and reach for even more with open eyes and receptive minds. These same attendees request even more training on the same topics or other ones where they desire to improve. The reality is that most people have a strong desire to learn and, when given the opportunity and their learning is supported in an ongoing and consistent way, they will.
While providing trainings that solely enhance the technical skills of your team are great, it is the trainings that teach your people how to manage their minds as well that are far more effective and long-lived. Remember, people are at the very core of every successful company, and it is the strength of their mindset that allows them to operate at the highest levels. If you truly desire to grow and stretch the potential of yourself and your team, the trainings you offer must be engaging, challenging and empowering to the mind – the very thought process - of those who are in attendance.
Owners, team members and companies get in ruts too. The way out of this stagnant state is through continual and ongoing trainings that increase the potential of everyone on the team. When learning and growth become the cultural norm of any business, the company as a whole is able to stretch its potential. This equates to improved customer satisfaction, steady growth and increased revenue.
Trainings - if done at all - are often sporadic, inconsistent and lack vital follow-up and follow-through. The process of learning new skills, implementing new knowledge and creating new habits that increase efficiency and effectiveness takes time and requires repetition. In other words, for any training to be effective, it must be done regularly and delivered by a competent professional to participants who are willing to learn.
To clearly illustrate this, consider any sports team. Training and practice are the norm, not the exception. The ones that reach the greatest levels of success have the best coaches and trainers and the work they do with the team is consistent and high quality. Their pursuit is one of excellence and everything they do, day-in and day-out, is designed and executed with the sole intention of bringing out the very best in each player, and the team as a whole.
Why would you run your business any other way? The ultimate success of any team or company depends on this highly effective approach of training and coaching. When you research the greatest companies you find a solid business model that includes consistent, ongoing and effective training as a key component in their exceptional success. This fact is often ignored and denied, but it is not a wise choice. After all, when a successful model has been built, all you have to do is follow it and success will be yours.
Powerful and effective trainings infuse your company with new information, strategies and energy. When talented and motivated team members are stimulated through trainings, and their growth and development are supported along the way, they rise to new heights in efficiency and effectiveness. This sustained internal effort will elevate your company, and the return on your investment will be huge.
Quality trainings will also help you identify team members that are not motivated, don’t want to learn and grow, and that are obstacles to the success the company is working to achieve. Once these people are identified further work can be done with them at a 1-on-1 level to help them become a powerful asset. If it is determined that this is not going to happen, then letting these individuals go is the best option. By doing so, you position your company to hire up and bring on potential superstars that will become valuable additions to the team.
In the trainings I do regularly with the companies I coach and consult, people come alive with excitement, motivation, clarity and direction. Those who desire to learn and grow standout: they listen intently, ask questions and reach for even more with open eyes and receptive minds. These same attendees request even more training on the same topics or other ones where they desire to improve. The reality is that most people have a strong desire to learn and, when given the opportunity and their learning is supported in an ongoing and consistent way, they will.
While providing trainings that solely enhance the technical skills of your team are great, it is the trainings that teach your people how to manage their minds as well that are far more effective and long-lived. Remember, people are at the very core of every successful company, and it is the strength of their mindset that allows them to operate at the highest levels. If you truly desire to grow and stretch the potential of yourself and your team, the trainings you offer must be engaging, challenging and empowering to the mind – the very thought process - of those who are in attendance.
Daily Post
Happy Monday everyone! It's great to be back!
If you have ever observed true poverty, acute sickness and disease, a person who's spirit is broken or someone at the end of their life who wants to live but can't, then you have also become deeply aware of just how much you have to be grateful for. External reality is a mirror unto your own reality. Look into it often, as much as you can, so that you will see very clearly the gift of your life and its tremendous value.
If you have ever observed true poverty, acute sickness and disease, a person who's spirit is broken or someone at the end of their life who wants to live but can't, then you have also become deeply aware of just how much you have to be grateful for. External reality is a mirror unto your own reality. Look into it often, as much as you can, so that you will see very clearly the gift of your life and its tremendous value.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)