Recent mergers in many industries remind me of a point that Gen. Dwight Eisenhower often made, "Generals move the pins on a map," he would say, "but the front-line troops have to get the job done."And the key to the job is leadership, small-unit leadership, leadership of the most basic units or teams of an organization. Without good leadership in front-line units the squad leaders and platoon commanders or their business counterparts, the...more
The greatest occupational high that financial services Marketing Directors experience is bringing a vision to market through a financial product or service innovation. Seeking to experience the same euphoria that great inventors like Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Edison must have felt, they follow their dream of implementing a financial product idea that they believe will generate significant incremental sales. Unfortunately, that dream seldom...more
Do you have an idea for a business? Perhaps the only idea you have is that you NEED an idea so you CAN start a business. Before turning any idea into a business, you must first have an idea how to succeed. For most people, the definition of a successful business is one which is profitable, and a profitable business is built upon ideas that have been properly researched. Here are 10 steps you can take to flush out an idea and turn it into a profitable business: 1) Make a list of the reasons why you want to go into business for yourself. Look at your list critically. Does starting your own business help you realize these things? An excellent book to help you get in touch with your underlying motivations and desires, and create true prosperity from your venture is 'The Science of Getting Rich'. Pick it up free here: http://www.homebiztools.com/science.htm 2) Make a list of the things you like to do with your time. Success can be elusive if you're not truly excited about your business. What are your interests and hobbies? What are you good at? What do other people say you are good at? This list represents broad business models that will give you the greatest joy over time. Decide which...more
Practical Biz Solutions The business success newsletter for business owners, top executives, and commission sales people from Stan MannPlease forward Practical Biz Solutions to appropriate friends.Dear Reader: High Achievers have great strengths. They also have correspondingly great weaknesses. The very leadership style that worked so wonderfully...more
Why do some teams perform well while others struggle? How can you assess how effectively your team is working now, and identify methods for improvement?Research shows that 85% of the reasons that teams of people succeed or struggle has more to do with interpersonal issues, than technical competence. But both are needed for effective teamwork. ...more
If you gather 100 experienced leaders together to share with you their most important secrets for success, you probably wouldn't hear a lot of academic theory or jargon. Instead, this is a good idea of what you'd hear:1) Put ethics first. If you make unethical decisions for short-term gain, you will lose in the end. Let your principles guide you in the many decisions you must make regarding business practices and people. You will regret it if you don't.2) Surround yourself with the best people you can find. If you are able to attract the brightest, most dedicated, most talented people, they will move your organization forward. Leverage their skills, ideas and creativity your people are your greatest asset.3) Show your staff you value them personally. Research shows the personal relationship with a direct manager is the key for retaining your best and your brightest. Don't ever withhold your praise. Tell them why you value them and recognize their contributions. 4) Be trustworthy. Be fair in your dealings with others. Don't show favoritism. Remember you must always walk your talk. Your actions speak louder than your words. Don't ask others to do what you can't or...more
Before you call your next meeting, the FIRST step is to decide if it is really essential. To determine that, ask yourself the following: Is this meeting essential? Can we do without it? Can we accomplish the task without a meeting? Can it wait...more
You wouldn't build your home on anything less than a solid foundation. Similarly, you can't build wealth and financial independence without first having sound foundational principles to build upon.I have found that many people are working on wealth...more
If someone offered to loan you $2100 of your own money at interest rates of up to 222% you'd probably laugh at them and walk away; but, this spring, 1 in 10 Americans will do just that: they'll borrow their own money at interest rates as high as...more
A strong tendency towards a sellers market will continue until the baby boomers finish the cycle of buying and selling real estate, estimated to end in 20 years, according to the Senior Real Estate Association. Baby boomers (born between 1946-1964)...more
There are many simple, infallible ways to earn income, and one of the surest ways is through marketing your business on the internet. When you learn basic internet marketing techniques, you'll wonder why you haven't already jumped on the bandwagon....more
If you're like most people, it's hard to make ends meet with just one income. If you are married, both partners must work, spending countless thousands of dollars on childcare and business clothes. To offset their monetary deficit, many people are...more