Dale Carnegie Training Western Connecticut

Tip #375: How Much Is "Internet Surfing" Costing Your Business?

2012-01-24T10:36:00.000-08:00

It is all too common to stroll by an employee's desk and catch him/her browsing the Internet -- obviously, for personal use rather than business-related research. In fact, the American Management Association (AMA) discovered that 68% of businesses lose money and time on employees who are "Internet surfing."

Internet surfing is the use of work-provided internet access for personal enjoyment while maintaining the appearance of being productive. The trouble with Internet surfing, unfortunately, is that it comes in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Worse yet, it is typically carried out on software that businesses rely on, such as e-mail and web browsers.

The Five Most Common Forms Of Internet Surfing Are:

Chat rooms/instant messaging
E-mail correspondence to personal contacts
Online gambling
Online stock trading
Web browsing, primarily to news and sports websites

How Much Is Internet Surfing Costing Your Business?

Of course, not all Internet surfing starts intentionally. Often enough, employees log online to look up something business-related, but, through a series of "wiki moments," they find themselves viewing websites that stopped being work related several clicks ago. However, the bottom line is that Internet surfing is nothing but costly.

Now Read About This Study.

In a study conducted by surfControl, a web-filtering software maker, it was revealed that if 1,000 employees engage in personal web surfing for only one hour a day it would cost that organization up to $35 million a year.

How To Combat Internet Surfing Effectively.

The most obvious way to combat Internet surfing is to monitor Internet usage, but this can be tricky. This is why we suggest including Internet usage policies in your employee handbook. These policies should define which types of websites are considered inappropriate as well as address excessive Internet usage. Furthermore, the consequences for violating these policies should be clearly outlined. Consequences can range from docked pay to having computer privileges restricted.

If you do choose to monitor employee computer usage, be sure to consult with an attorney in order to avoid any legal risks relating to rights to privacy.

Executive Summary: As powerful a tool as the Internet is, especially for businesses, it is also a vehicle for distraction and procrastination. Everyday software, such as e-mail clients and web browsers, provide a temptation for employees to catch up on news or read about their favorite sports heroes.

In order to effectively combat Internet surfing, employers should take preventative measures by writing Internet usage policies into their employee handbooks. And, instead of monitoring the sites employees visit, employers should evaluate how much time employees spend online in order to better address concerns about productivity.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip # 374: The Value Of Sending An Online Survey To Your Customers

2012-01-24T10:28:00.000-08:00

The start of a new year is a time of renewal for many businesses, and one of the best ways to help augment the process is to conduct an online customer satisfaction survey (online surveys are great tools to help you determine what is and is not working for customers.)

What You Don't Provide A Customer May Not Be Obvious To You...Even If You Are The President Of Your Company.

As you look back on 2011, you probably learned a lot about your business, but what may not be obvious are the things that a customer desires, wants or needs from your business. With that said, we suggest conducting a satisfaction survey for current customer and past customer. By implementing a survey, you will learn a lot about what your company is doing right and perhaps what you should be doing.

4 Ways To Conduct A Survey.

There are four main ways to implement a survey:

Face-to-face interviews
Telephone interviews
Written questionnaires (faxed or mailed)
Online surveys

Out of the survey types listed above, online surveys are by far the most cost-effective, and the results can be quickly compiled with online survey tools. No matter what mode you choose, we suggest keeping three factors in mind: the quality of your e-mail or mailing list, the type of survey questions/choices and, of course, the results.

Survey The Right People.

Before you begin developing your survey questions, put yourself in the shoes of your target audience. You will want to ensure that you know the name of the person being surveyed, his/her title, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address. Do not hesitate spending extra time double-checking your database's information.

Ask The Right Questions.

When you are ready to design your survey, ask yourself, what is the objective of this survey? If you are building the survey questions around multiple sections, use a logical break in the sequence of the questions asked. If not, your survey will seem jumbled and confusing. In other words, keep your survey simple and straightforward.

When you are developing the choices for your survey, avoid score-based questions as research has discovered that survey respondents are often too generous with their scores when grading is required. For example, out of a 10-point scale, respondents will typically select 7's, 8's or 9's and rarely ever dip below a 6. Naturally, this results in inaccurate survey data that businesses cannot rely on for evaluation. Because of this, we suggest using:

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree

When asking someone to grade a product, we recommend using a four-step expectation scale, like this:

More useful than we expected
About as useful as we expected
Less useful than we expected
Below our expectations

Take The Results To The Next Level.

After sending out your survey, wait 1 to 2 weeks before collecting your responses. Keep in mind that when it comes to online surveys, a 30% response rate is considered good. Once you have your responses, use the data as a springboard for discussion with customers. Ask them if the results mirror their own sentiments regarding your services, and inform them of any changes you may soon implement.

Executive Summary: Every business should strive for improvement, especially if they hope to succeed in this ever-changing business climate. One of the best ways to start upgrading or changing things for your business is to ask the people who spend the most time using your products or services-- your customers and past customers.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #373: Employee Motivation = Revenue AND Production

2012-01-09T09:06:00.000-08:00

The job of owners, directors or managers is to get things done through their employees. And to make this happen, leaders need to be able to motivate their staff. Nevertheless, for many people, this is easier said than done.

Motivating People Is Poorly Practiced By Many Leaders.

Regardless of all of the research and books on the subject of motivating people in the workforce, employee motivation is not fully understood and often times poorly applied. To truly understand employee motivation, we must understand people (which tends to be the weak link in the process).
Understanding people is a complex process; however, it is a necessary part of effective employee motivation. Once a leader has mastered this skill, effective management and leadership is easily implemented.

On The Job Improvement Is Augmented Through One's Motivation.

No matter what one does for a living, everyone needs to be motivated. Whether you are a cabinetmaker, chef or CEO of a Fortune 100 company, you need to be driven or at least motivated (internally and externally) to do your job.

Not Everyone Has High Self-Motivation.

Self-motivation is a trait that everyone has, but the level of motivation varies from person to person. In order for any business to survive and succeed, it needs to have employees who are highly motivated. While there are scores of options for motivating employees, our research has shown that most people do not know where to start. With that said, we have bulleted a few ideas to get you (or someone you know) started down the right path.

Set High Expectations And/Or Goals
Employ Positive Reinforcement
Treat People, Job Descriptions And Positions Fairly
Meet An Employee's Need(s)
Restructure Roles And Responsibilities
Financial Rewards Based On Job Performance

Employee Motivation = Revenue And Production.

You can improve your staff's motivation quickly (and often times at little or no cost) by following these five steps:

Step 1: Improve Everyone's Work Environment-- Look for simple ways to make it more enjoyable to come to work, like putting on a fresh coat of paint, having clean bathrooms or replacing some worn out carpet. Even a larger or updated company sign can bring new life to the work environment.

Step 2: Make Work More Challenging, Fun And Interesting-- Training workers in new areas and assigning new job tasks can give workers new insights about the business and improve their skill sets. This can build confidence in their ability to perform different job functions and increase worker morale.

Step 3: Give Kudos For A Job Well Done-- Everyone appreciates being noticed when they do something right or go above and beyond their normal responsibilities, especially if the job is monotonous or difficult.

Step 4: Give Money Or Perks For Outstanding Performance-- Make bonuses or perks a motivation for employees to work harder and better at their job. Share their outstanding performance with other employees.

Step 5: Keep An Open Line Of Communication With Everyone-- You need to know if your employees are no longer challenged or have become bored with their job. The only way to become aware of this is when employees are able to communicate their desires to their immediate supervisor. Although no one can accommodate the needs of everyone, you should try your hardest to lend a proactive ear to the needs of your employees.

Executive Summary: There are many factors that motivate people. Surprisingly enough, pay, benefits and working conditions are typically given a low rating. And contrary to popular belief, money is NOT the prime motivator. People want to be respected, acknowledged and rewarded for a job well done.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #372: Five Tips For Improving Your Work Performance

2012-01-03T12:43:00.000-08:00

Everyone is looking for an edge in today's demanding and competitive business world. In order to maintain your work's level of performance, new habits need to be formed and refined. That being said, the main key to improving your work's performance is not to be overwhelmed by setbacks or problems but to control problems and improve how your work gets done.

5 Tips For Improving Your Work Performance Are:

Tip #1: Get Rid Of Clutter (Both On Your Desk And In Your Filing System) -- Many of us have let our workspaces become cluttered with papers and knickknacks. Anything that isn't work related should be filed or trashed (and no, we're not talking about your family's pictures or clocks). If your space is out-of-control, then your work may take on that same chaos.

Tip #2: Set Your Daily Priorities In Order -- Before you start your workday, write down a prioritized list of what needs to be done so that you stay focused. This sounds simple, but many people fail to do this exercise.

Tip #3: Work to Quickly Resolve Problems -- When a problem arises, resolve the problem as quickly as possible. Unresolved problems or obstacles can become a big distraction to your work performance.

Tip #4: Stay Organized -- Learn to stay organized; one of the best ways to do this is to circle a date on your calendar for organizing your workspace, and make sure you stick to it.

Tip #5: Know How To Manage Your Team and Your Manager -- It's critical to know when to delegate work out to others and when to accept work delegated to you. In fact, many team leaders fail to utilize their team's capabilities effectively when the workload becomes heavier.

Executive Summary: Remember that you don't need to do all the work yourself, so when your manager asks you to take on a new project, it's ok to sometimes have them set your boundaries and priorities. This may help them realize that, in order to meet the deadline, others need to be involved in order to accomplish the project effectively.

P.S. It has been proven over time that habits take about 30 days to develop. Print these habits out and keep them at hand. Review them frequently until they become routine (feel free to send them to someone who can benefit from them, too).

Tip #371: 5 Quick Steps For Solving Business Problems

2012-01-03T12:32:00.000-08:00

Everyone experiences problems at work, but how we approach these problems makes all the difference in how well we resolve them in an efficient manner. In fact, the basics to business problem solving are not too much different from how we solve problems in our private lives. That said, we must first recognize there is a problem, second, identify the cause of the problem, third, gather all facts relating to the problem and, fourth, review the options available for solving the problem.

Click here for more tips to solving business problems

To help you identify each of the named areas, below, you will find five steps for helping you solve even the most complex problems.

The 5 Quick Steps For Solving Problems Are:

Step #1: Define What The Problem Is -- Ask yourself what is the problem? A clear understanding of the problem is the first step in solving it. If you are discussing a problem with a team member, don't assume that all parties involved define the problem in the same manner. Make sure that everyone agrees what the problem is so that there isn't any type of misunderstanding(s).

Step #2: Understand The Root Cause(s) Of The Problem -- We all want to resolve the problem, but we first need to find the root cause of the problem. Was it from miscommunication? Was it from the failure to follow certain processes or procedures? Understanding the root cause will help prevent the problem from happening again.

Step #3: List Possible Solutions To The Problem(s) -- Go to a white board or flip chart and write out a list of possible solutions. It pays to spend extra time on the list, especially if the problem is rather complex in nature or requires communication with a team member, department or remote division to solve the problem.

Step #4: Select The Best Possible Solution -- Rank the solutions in order, with #1 being the best solution. Don't forget to look at the cost(s) associated with each possible solution, too.

Step #5: Make a Decision To Take Action -- Don't wait for the problem to grow out of hand, as it could have a huge rippling effect on your organization, especially if there is a customer involved. In addition, the longer the problem goes unresolved, the more stressful the problem can become for everyone involved. Also, new problems could arise at any time that can distract from solving the old problems if one waits.

Executive Summary: Accepting responsibility for the consequences of actions taken or decision making is the reason most people shy away from taking a leadership role in problem solving. But you don't have to be afraid, as people who are good at problem solving are some of the most valuable and respected people in business. And remember this: Every problem has a solution!

Tip #370: 10 Strategies For Improving Client Retention In 2012

2011-12-19T07:56:00.000-08:00

With 2011 drawing to a close, many business owners we know are looking to put this year behind them and start finding ways to increase their businesses in 2012.

In today's competitive business environment, we have learned that it is highly important to focus on building stronger relationships with existing clients. And to help you do a better job at this, we have compiled 10 tips that could easily turn your existing clients into proactive advocates for your business.

The 10 Tips To Help With Your Client Retention Are:

Tip #1: Spend 10 To 20 Minutes Every Day Speaking With Two Existing Clients -- Even though e-mail has become the communication method of choice for most businesses, we highly recommend picking up the phone and calling your clients. Once you have a client on the phone, ask them, "If you had a magic wand and could wave it over us, what would you have us do that we are not already doing?" Also, ask "What do you need from us that we are not providing?" After listening to your clients, execute the best ideas that work for your business.

Tip #2: Ask A Select Group Of Clients To Serve On Your Board -- By assigning your top or most creative clients to your board, you will have access to top-level thinking. Chances are they will come up with ideas that you never thought of or did not think were important enough to implement.

Tip #3: Send Your Clients Articles About Their Business And/Or Industry -- Your clients like to know that you have their best interest in mind. Make an effort to send relevant articles to them. This small and simple gesture will help create a much more loyal customer base.

Tip #4: Invite Clients To Test A New Product Or Service (At A Discounted Price/Fee) Before You Offer It To Everyone Else -- Exclusivity, or "invitation only," is an excellent way to get someone linked to your business. Not only that, but it will also save you time by acting as a beta test program. Their feedback will help you either fine-tune the deliverables or decide to dismiss them all together.

Tip #5: Start An Alliance With Your Clients Via A Seminar, Marketing Effort/Workshop Or Special Affair -- The more opportunities you take to spend time with your clients, the more connected they will become to your business. And the more connected they are, the stronger an advocate or referral source they become.

Tip #6: Give Them Added Value -- There is nothing wrong with giving your clients something special, like 2-for-1 deals, buy 1 get X free deals, dollar or percentage discounts, free or discounted design services, etc.

Tip #7: Connect Clients Who Share Similar Interests Or Ideas -- If you have a client who needs help in a particular area in which you know another client is proficient, get the two clients together. You will look like a hero by finding someone who could solve their problem and, in the process, foster a sense of friendship and trust.

Tip #8: Know Your Competition -- In today's ever-shrinking business world, you need to know how your competition is doing. Google your competition, visit their website and call them up as if you were a prospective buyer. What you find will amaze you, not to mention provide you with valuable information that will help your business.

Tip #9: Shop Your Own Company -- Hire a third party and have them call your company posing as a prospective buyer. Afterwards, ask them about their experience. The details they can provide will help you develop a better understanding of how you should be handling new clients.

Tip #10: Your Customers Are Always Right -- For many, practicing this philosophy can be tough, especially when you know a customer is wrong. No matter what, work on making a client happy.

Executive Summary: Word-of-mouth advertising is the most powerful advertising there is for any business, but it is only attained by having clients who already trust and believe in you. If your clients hold you in high esteem, they will not only tell people about you, but also buy from you repeatedly.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #369: The Power Of Giving A Corporate Gift

2011-12-12T12:31:00.000-08:00

Normally, our e-tips focus on ways to improve someone's leadership skills and strengthen his/her management skills. Nevertheless, with the holiday season only weeks away, we decided to discuss a leadership tool often overlooked or underused -- the value and power of corporate gift giving.

Corporate gift giving is more than just an exercise in tradition -- it is a source of energy for team unity and for positive employee attitude. Corporate gifts show employees that you value them and have proven to increase morale and drive throughout the office.

The Best & Worst Corporate Gifts Of 2010.

Incentivemag.com conducted a survey of 501 respondents about corporate holiday gift giving. In the article, you will find the "do's and don'ts" of corporate gift giving along with some great visual charts.

Here Is A Small Example From The Article...

"Corporations seem to be giving a smaller selection of awards, as every single type of award-gift cards, electronics, jewelry, etc-was used by a smaller number of companies than in 2010."

Click here to read the rest of the article

Ultimately, it is virtually impossible to please everyone who you give a gift to, but that does not mean that you should not give one. What we suggest is to try to put a more personalized touch on your corporate gift giving.

As any successful leader knows, maximizing internal and external relationships is the fastest way to build strong, dynamic teams and a more loyal base of customers. They also know that giving a corporate gift is another tool that can help them achieve this and should not be dismissed as just a handout to the recipients.

Executive Summary: The past few years have been hard on the American workforce; companies everywhere have endured tremendous stress and pressure from the tumultuous economic climate. This holiday season, more than ever before, it is important for companies to celebrate a client's loyalty (and their employees' hard work) through holiday gifts. By taking heed of Incentivemag.com's findings, you can avoid giving gifts that feel like handouts and instead give gifts that make people feel appreciated, and that appreciation will translate to increased loyalty and work drive.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #368: Are Your Prospects Saying This To You: "Call Me After The Holidays."?

2011-12-12T12:25:00.000-08:00

At last, we have reached December, a time of the year when salespeople start to hear prospective buyers say things like:

"Call me after the holidays."
"Our business is slow right now, so we won't be buying anything until after the first of the year."
"We're going to wait until after the first of the year before we change _________."

Unless what you sell can be given as a holiday gift, this time of year presents a unique and difficult challenge for many salespeople.

Here Are Just A Few Responses For Handling A Prospect Who Is Delaying A Buying Decision:

"I understand. Some businesses are putting off _____________ until after the first of the year, and because of that, I wanted to see if your company qualifies for our new cost saving ____________ program (or whatever your special offer is called), which has an extra bonus if you sign up by December 31st . This would save you X%."
"I can relate to things being slow right now. By the way, I wanted to share with you a new _______ package to introduce our (insert your products/services here). How many employees are on your payroll?"
"I can relate to things being slow right now, but tell me, will anything change after the first of the year that will prevent you from starting then?"
"I understand. What day after the first of the year would you like to start your _____________?"
"I understand. We can deliver the products now and bill you after the first of the year. Does that work for you? On top of that, you will save X% by avoiding the 2012 price increase."

What You Say After Being Told "No" Will Prompt Prospects To Tell You Their Real Objection.

Often times, the reason prospects stalls their buying decision is because they are afraid of taking a risk. They may be thinking, "Suppose this _________ doesn't work for our situation-then I'll be in trouble." In addition to fear, another reason prospects may be stalling is if their cash flow is off and they are not authorized to make any purchases. Whatever the real reason may be, you need to flush-it-out and solve it.

If A Prospect Still Says "No" Here Is What You Need To Do:

Here are three suggestions for when you run into people who want to put things off until after the first of the year.

Schedule a follow-up call for the first week of the year.
Place them in your weekly e-marketing campaign, so your company's name stays in their conscious and subconscious mind.
Send them relevant information about their industry versus notes asking, "Are you ready to buy yet?"

Executive Summary: If prospects are delaying their decision to buy from you, we recommend offering an alternative close. By doing so, you will most likely find the underlying cause of why they are not buying from you - remember, people like "end-of-the-year" deals to make them feel good about getting a great deal.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #367: 9 Things A Customer Expects From You (After Buying From Your Business)

2011-12-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

Once you have gained new customers, you will have to manage their expectations in order to keep them happy. Although managing new customers' expectation is not that difficult, it does take some time and effort by you and your employees to keep them happy.

Managing Expectations Begins With Knowing What The Customer Will Expect.

To help you with your current (and future) customer base, we have listed 9 key points to help you and your employees.
Read this article on how Disney exceeded one customer's expectations and the lesson we can learn from this.

1. People Want You To Show An Interest In Them: You need to not only know about their business but who they are and the things they like and enjoy.

2. People Want You To Respond FAST: Face it, your customers want their products and services yesterday, not tomorrow or 10 days from now. If you are slow, your customers will find someone else who can provide faster service.

3. People Want A Live Person To Be Available: Your customers want to know they can immediately reach a live person when there is a problem or question with your products or services. In addition, provide numerous ways for customers to reach you, including business phone, home phone, fax, e-mail, and cell phone.

4. People Want A Friendly Person To Talk To When They Call: No matter who talks with your customers, make sure that they are smiling on the phone - and yes, a customer can tell when they in fact do.

5. They Want You To Under-Promise And Over-Deliver: If you are over-promising and under-delivering on your products and services, we can assure you that your clients will NOT recommend you to someone they know.

6. People Want You To Help Them Solve A Problem: If a customer calls you with a particular problem, they want your help in solving it. Once you do that, you will find yourself with a huge base of customers.

7. Tell Your Customers "Yes, I can do that" Vs. "No, We Can't Do That:" Once you empower your staff to help your customers, you will find your employees not only happy but your customers, too.

8. Don't Nickel And Dime Your Customers: No matter what you sell, don't charge your customers for small or simple requests - it only makes you look cheap.

9. Your Customers Like To Hear You Say "Thank You For Your Business:" Whenever you have a chance, tell your customers "thank you for your business." The key is saying it with sincerity.

Executive Summary: How customers perceive your business is their reality - so take a step back and examine how you do business. Additionally, you may want to consider e-mailing a customer satisfaction survey to learn what you can do to improve your products and services. These surveys can also be a revenue generator for your business as they are a great venue for asking your client base this one magic question: What other products or services do you have an interest in learning more of: (then bullet list your products and or services).

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #366: How To Get FREE Word-of-Mouth Advertising

2011-12-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

We all know that word-of-mouth advertising is one of the cheapest and most effective types of advertising that you and your company can get. In order to make this happen, you need to get out of your office and network with people at your local Chamber of Commerce, industry association or a business card exchange event. However, the reality is this: Very few people go to these events to buy what you are selling.

When You Are Networking, You Are Not Selling.

When you are at a networking event, don't focus on trying to sell to everyone. Look at it as an opportunity to be a teacher, a center of influence and a fountain of knowledge for buying what you are selling. By making a few changes to your approach, you can become a center of influence in any industry and, in effect, generate a considerable amount of word-of-mouth advertising.

Go Into A Networking Event To Do Just That. . .Network.

One of the biggest mistakes most people make when they network is trying to sell to someone (this happens whether or not they are showing buying signals). This is the LAST thing you should do. Don't talk about how great you are or why someone should buy from you. Just have a general one or two sentence overview of what you do and the type of people you work with. Tell people this, along with how much fun you have doing your job, and you will find people asking you more about what you do. If you go into a heavy sales pitch, you will only end up pushing opportunities away.

If They Like And Trust You, You Will Have A Better Chance Of Making A Sale.

Networking is one of the best ways for increasing your field of influence to help promote what you sell. Moreover, the reality of being in business is that people do business with (and recommend) those whom they like and trust. To facilitate this bond, you should help other people get what they want.

Take An Interest In Other People.

Experts have proven that people like those who are interested in them. One of the fastest ways of getting people to talk is to ask them questions about what they do. So, what type of questions can you ask someone? Here are a few questions that you can ask at your next networking event (write them down on a small card and read them before you go into your next event):

What is your name?
What line of work are you in?
Do you own the company (never assume that people are at the low end of their company)?
Where are you located?
What made you start your own company (owner question), or how long have you been working for this company? This keeps the conversation rolling and provides you with some interesting background information.
I know a lot of people here. What type of person would be a good prospect who I could introduce to you? Once you ask this question, you will be shocked at the positive effect this will have on the conversation.
Ask everyone for a business card and for their permission to send your newsletter to them.

By asking these questions at your next networking event, you will quickly get to know people and learn what they do. Now, don't stop here. Get out a pen and write down on their business cards some key information about them. When you get back to the office, enter their names in a CRM tool, like ACT! or Goldmine, so you can keep track of these people electronically. This will make it easier when it comes time to send them electronic newsletters or direct-mail campaigns.

Executive Summary: If you do this at every networking event you attend, the word will spread rather quickly that YOU are the person everyone needs to turn to when buying what you are selling. You can also leverage your sales by sending these same people a series of e-mail newsletters and direct mail campaigns.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #365: 6 Secrets To Giving A Great Presentation

2011-12-12T12:09:00.000-08:00

Research has proven that if you have some snap in your step, excitement in your voice, and a command on your subject matter people pay attention. So, if you want to win over your audience during a presentation, the number one secret is to provide them with a high degree of enthusiastic energy on a subject matter you know cold.

6 Tips To Help You Give A Great Presentation.

For anyone who gets a little nervous talking in front of people, it has been proven that concern over appearing nervous doesn't matter, as people cannot even see it. To reduce your nervousness, we recommend the following:

Become The Subject Matter Expert -- You can quickly impress your audience by having a clear command of your subject matter. If you know your data, content, and handouts cold, you will woo your audience within a short period of time.
Limit How Much "Copy" You Use On Each Slide -- Go through each slide and make sure that your copy is "bullet point" driven vs. "sentence" driven. Your presentation should be built around the highlights of your subject matter; you are there to expand on each point, for you want your audience focused on you and not the projected screen. If you are giving a detailed presentation, make sure you have a supplemental handout to support your presentation.
Control Which Questions You Will Answer -- There is nothing worse than seeing a speaker get sidetracked with irrelevant questions. If someone asks you a question that is not relative to your content, address it by telling that person that you will answer his/her question after your presentation.
Start Off By Telling People That You Are Nervous -- After you have told everyone that you are nervous, tell them, "Now that I got that out of the way, let me tell you a little bit about what I am going to present today. . ."
Slow Down -- If you are nervous, there is a good chance that you have sped up your speech or skipped over certain things. Keep little reminders in your presentation to prompt you to slow down. You could have a little stop sign in your presentation that acts like a trigger.
Walk Around The Room If Possible -- When giving a presentation where the venue is more casual, make an effort to walk around the room and interact with some of the people who are watching you. You will be surprised how this will help you become more "at ease" during the presentation.

Executive Summary: As you can see, enthusiasm plays a huge part in giving a great presentation, but it also needs to be combined with a number of other components. Once you master this, you will quickly become great at presenting and winning your audience over and over again.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #364: Three Tips For Preventing Sexual Harassment In The Workplace

2011-12-12T11:56:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, sexual harassment is a rather common issue in the workplace. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, there are two basic forms of actionable sexual harassment:

1. Quid pro quo- conditioning employment or some aspect of employment on a favorable response to sexual advances in the workplace; and
2. Hostile environment harassment - sexual comments and conduct so pervasive that the workplace becomes intimidating, hostile, or offensive.

Both forms of sexual harassment involve unwelcomed conduct. Yes, if we lived in a perfect world, everyone would be able to act, dress, and do whatever he or she wanted and never be bothered. But unfortunately, we live in an imperfect world, and often our actions and appearance can be misinterpreted.

Here are some tips that will help you avoid these misinterpretations.

Three Tips For Preventing Sexual Harassment In The Workplace.

Tip #1: Don't Be Overly Friendly -- Sadly, coworkers might mistake friendliness for flirting. If you are a naturally expressive person and often touch others while talking or laugh and smile a lot, try to control this during work hours. While you are in a professional environment, act accordingly. This doesn't mean you have to be serious and boring all the time, it simply means that you need to act properly. This will avoid misunderstandings with your coworkers, especially if they are just getting to know you.

Tip #2: Dress Appropriately And Conservatively -- Even if you are allowed to dress informally at your work place or often come in jeans for casual Fridays, dress conservatively for your work. That means, take care to pick clothes that aren't too tight or too revealing. You also need to know that certain types of clothes are not appropriate in a work situation. You want to be taken seriously, right? Then why not dress seriously? That said, it doesn't hurt to dress a bit more professional, especially if you really want to avoid your coworkers from being tempted to see you as an object of interest.

Tip #3: Be Specific And Be Firm When A Comment Is Made -- Despite all your efforts, there may be a coworker that keeps making inappropriate comments or keeps looking at you in a way that bothers you. Do not encourage him or her by smiling or laughing. Do be firm in your rejection. If they keep "dropping by" your work area, ask them pointedly, "Don't you have work to do?" or say, "I am uncomfortable with you stopping by all the time." If a coworker tries giving you gifts, do not accept these gifts. Although you might be worried about hurting his or her feelings, they need to understand that their actions are not appropriate.

Executive Summary: If you follow these tips among whatever else your common sense might dictate, you will be able to avoid all forms of harassment. If you still have problems after doing this, you might have to talk to your supervisor or report the aggressor to human resources.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #363: 6 Tips To Promote Yourself In 2012

2011-12-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

You may have the most outstanding service, product, idea or talent in the world -- but in order to be successful, you have to let your target audience know about it. Whether you arehoping to climb the corporate ladder or independently promote yourself, you will need a plan of action - a plan of action that requires your focus.

The Key Is Getting Noticed For Doing The Right Things.

Gaining a promotion at your place of employment has more to do with what you can do to make your boss's workload lighter and their life a little easier. In addition, looking at things differently than someone else will get you noticed. That being said, successfully promoting yourself in the world is more so related to your degrees of diligence and perseverance. And depending upon your circumstances, mastering a few techniques will help move you forward next year.

Click here to read a blog about ways to promote yourself.

6 Tips To Promote Yourself In 2012:

Tip #1. Know Your Organization: It is a good idea to fully understand the goals and objectives of your business. After you have a complete understanding, assess your skills and resources and make a list of things you can do to help the company achieve its goals. Be sure to proof your propositions before presenting them to your boss. If you are independently employed, make sure you have your own clearly defined goals and objectives and that you are maintaining fidelity in attempting to achieve them.

Tip #2. Take On More Responsibility: Increasing your responsibility is good way to show you are ready for that promotion. As long as you are truly prepared to take on more responsibility, your boss will notice the increased production. Keep a log of projects and tasks so you have a record of your capabilities. However, do not arbitrarily undertake more work if you are having trouble keeping up with your current workload. Instead, find a way to organize and effectively manage what is already on your desk to show you are taking the steps to becoming a better employee. Additionally, you may need to put in some extra time (which will most likely be noticed) to become familiar with and acclimated to your new responsibilities.

Tip #3. Display Confidence And Conviction In The Things That You Do: Your expertise and opinions count so stand up and offer suggestions with confidence. The worst your boss can say is, "Thanks but no thanks." And if you are working for yourself, the worst that can happen is your prospect turns you down. Ultimately, your opinion will be valued, and voicing it (without being arrogant, of course) will display the confidence and willingness to promote the company your boss is looking for.

Tip #4. Work On Bartering Services: When independently promoting yourself, offer your services in exchange for goods or services that are useful to you. You will get your name out there with a sample of your work without you or your prospect having to commit to anything long-term. If your product or performance exceeds expectations, it is likely you will be hearing from that person again as well as any referrals he or she may have contacted on your behalf. In turn, you can reciprocate by promoting their business as well.

Tip #5. Use Social Networking (Selectively): Aside from telling the world what you are having for lunch, you can just as easily tell the world the goods or services you have to offer. People actually read and respond to the newsfeeds, and when they do, your post can potentially be viewed by their contacts. Thus, instant networking is literally at your fingertips. You may find that starting a blog would also be a good way to position yourself as an expert.

Tip #6. Use Your Business Card: A timeless marketing tool, the business card can pack a lot of information on a small, convenient and portable piece of paper. With careful consideration, you can come up with a catchy tagline that sums up what you are offering. Use graphics that are relevant to your business without overdoing it. It is also important that you follow up with your prospect; otherwise, your card may end up in a drawer with all the others.

Executive Summary: Promoting yourself can be a challenge, especially if you are typically modest. A little self-knowledge and confidence in your abilities can go a long way if you spend some time refining the skills it takes to advance your cause, whether it is for yourself or ultimately for your company. Additionally, don't forget to start a website (with a blog page) and an e-mail marketing campaign to help position yourself as an expert in your industry.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #362: 4 Tips To Having More Effective Meetings

2011-12-12T11:42:00.000-08:00

Internal meetings can often times be unproductive, wasting time that could be better spent by employees working at their desks or out in the field. Sometimes, a meeting can be avoided if the material can be effectively presented in a memo or e-mail. But when a meeting is unavoidable and important for production and growth, take some time to prepare before, during and after the meeting to ensure the organization's purpose is met.

More effective meetings will be possible when you follow these simple tips.

4 Tips To Having More Effective Meetings:

Tip #1. Invite Only Necessary Attendees: Cut down on the wasted time by employees that really do not have a vested interest in the topic of the meeting. Fewer people in attendance also means less time discussing and answering questions. Additionally, give your attendees the resources they need to prepare for the meeting such as materials to bring, questions to think about and a copy of an agenda.

Tip #2. Prepare An Agenda: Perhaps one of the most important pieces in a meeting is an agenda. It enables all participants to fully understand the topics that are to be discussed. Create your agenda to address the most important topics first to ensure enough time is available to finish your discussion. Discuss only the subjects that are listed on the agenda and make notes of anything extra that needs to be addressed at a later time. e-Mail a copy of the agenda several days before the meeting (if possible) to allow for suggestions, then prepare a final agenda to distribute at the meeting. It will also be helpful for the facilitator to have clearly stated objectives for his or her team, such as "By the end of the meeting, the group will [understand something, list something, make a decision, etc.]."

Tip #3. Designate A Note-Taker To Summarize The Meeting: Using the supplied agenda, a note-taker can record key concepts, questions and decisions that were addressed and finalized. The notes themselves do not have to be in complete sentences, but an outline of meeting highlights should be typed up and presented to all involved after the meeting (especially those who could not attend). The follow-up can include attendance, due dates and other pertinent information decided at the meeting.

Tip #4. Summarize The Meeting's Action Items: At the conclusion of the meeting, make sure the meeting's leader summarizes the action steps or to-do items. Additionally, it is also recommended to ask for feedback and suggestions. Make sure all attendees have a clear picture of what it is they should have learned or what their next move will be.

Executive Summary: Meetings are a very useful tool in increasing productivity and involvement when facilitated properly. Preparedness is essential to an organized and fruitful meeting, so make sure you have goals and objectives stated and an agenda prepared - and stick to it. But most importantly, have a summary at the end of the meeting with a list of action items for those delegated items.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #361: 4 Quick Tips For Remembering Names

2011-12-12T11:37:00.000-08:00

Remembering someone's name is an important aspect of any business relationship. You do not want people to perceive your forgetfulness as indifference, causing them to think they are just another client, employee or prospect.

It Is To Your Advantage To Remember Someone's Name.

Everyone is often required to pay attention to many different things at once; and when we are introduced to someone, a name can literally go in one ear and out the other. Unfortunately, this has happened to most people.

Avoid The Embarrassment Of Forgetting A Name.

Remembering anything requires making connections and often using more than just your sense of hearing; but remembering names sometimes takes extra practice because you are often introduced to someone while otherwise engaged. You also need to believe that you are going to remember rather than convincing yourself that you will "never remember anyone's name."

4 Quick Tips To Help You Avoid Forgetting A Name:

Tip #1. Become Genuinely Interested In That Person: Stop what you are doing for a moment and purposely focus on that person's face. Give them your undivided attention and actively listen by asking questions about their statements and using their name in the process. If time allows, ask personal questions about their hometown or their family. You can even ask them what they prefer to be called. If you find a commonality during your conversation, you will identify with that person even more.

Tip #2. Use Word Play: Remember elementary school rhymes and mnemonic devices? They work when remembering names, too. Say the person's name is Jessica and she appears disheveled. You might remember that Jess is a mess. If Joe Smith moves around a lot, use alliteration - Jumpin' Joe Smith. Humor has a way of not being forgotten. You can also exaggerate the syllables in someone's name - Stelllllllaaaaaaaa!

Here is a really cool link that can help you create a memorable string of words. Mnemonic Device Device.

Tip #3. Create A Visual: Pull in your other senses and use images to help you remember names. If the person's name is Frank, envision them inside a hot dog bun. Dawn can be remembered by a sunrise behind her head. And of course Joe is standing in front of you with a cup of coffee. You can also picture Joe's name written in heavy-duty marker on his forehead (choose your favorite color). Or, you can associate someone with a celebrity of the same name. Another visual to create in your mind is to imagine writing the name, thus programming it into your brain.

Tip #4. When All Else Fails, Ask Again And Use Their Name In A Sentence: There is no shame in politely asking them to repeat their name, or even to spell it for clarification. In addition, say something positive about them personally (as you repeat their name in a sentence).

Executive Summary: We all have a ton of things on our minds, from our businesses to our families and on to our to-do lists. Some people have a natural ability to remember a new acquaintance's name while others have to work at it. If you spend a little time and put a little extra thought and effort into remembering names, you will be remembered for making someone feel special.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #360: 6 Ways To Increase Employee Loyalty

2011-12-12T11:34:00.000-08:00

Some workplaces have a higher turnover of employees than others do. Sometimes, uncontrollable major events occur in an employee's life, such as having a baby or relocating, but often times a business can have a high employee turnover simply because the atmosphere is not conducive to employee contentment.

Some Effort Into Major And Minor Implementations Can Increase Employee Loyalty.

If your company is experiencing high employee turnover or you are simply considering starting a new business, follow the tips below to ensure your employees are content with their jobs.

6 Ways To Keep Your Employees Loyal:

Tip #1. Hire The Finest: Most employers would like to think they are hiring the best man (or woman) for the job, but sometimes, for the sake of filling the position in a timely manner, shortcuts may be taken. Ask for personal and business references and call them. If a reference is no longer available, ask the potential employee to provide another contact number or a new reference. Also, check social networking sites. If you find pictures of wild parties or posts of complaints about their estranged former employer, they are probably not your best choice.

Tip #2. Provide A Motivating And Informative Orientation: First impressions last. Give new hires a detailed history of the company using positive phrases and photographs. Use your most up-beat manager with the winning personality as your presenter. Spend time preparing interactive games or icebreakers so your employees are not bored with the material. Provide manuals and contact information for departments and managers so your new employees will not feel they have been thrown to the dogs.

Tip #3. Provide Support: Employees will appreciate opportunities for relevant on-going education to show that you want them to succeed. Recognize achievements and contributions and offer incentives for improving job performance. Provide mentors for departmental questions and comprehensive support that includes coping and problem-solving skills. When possible, offer health benefit and retirement packages. Most of all, be approachable so your employees feel like they are working for a person and not a machine.

Tip #4. Manage Your Workplace: While you cannot be present every moment of every day in every department, you can manage your managers. Keep your eye out for harassment and power trips. Create a checks and balances system by having employees fill out questionnaires or randomly inquiring in different departments to keep managers on their toes. Retrain or get rid of managers that are not performing up to par or bringing down the moral of your employees.

Tip #5. Know Your Employees As People: One of the worst things you can do is treat your employees as paper-pushers. They are people with lives and families, just like you. You can assume that their lives outside the workplace are important to them. Show that you care by asking questions without seeming meddling. If you see a change in job performance, ask if there is anything you can do to help. Also, ask them to be honest about their job satisfaction, and in turn be honest with them if you have any concerns. Show them how they contribute to the whole picture and you care about their happiness in their position. If it is possible to be flexible with scheduling, give them the hours that they may need to tend to their lives outside the office.

Tip #6. Know Your Competition: Do some research periodically and find out who is hiring. If you see a competitor advertising a position and your employees have seemed less than happy, then you may end up being the one advertising for a new employee. Local job opportunities or the business section of a newspaper can offer a lot of information about your competition.

Executive Summary: Keeping your employees content is a separate facet of what you do in your business but also an important aspect of running it. With diverse opportunities available, today's highly competent employees are less likely to remain in a position where they are dissatisfied or feel their efforts are not appreciated or taken for granted. We are now a society that values self-worth, and if your employees do not feel they are making positive contributions, they may move on.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #359: 7 Tips For Effective Time Management

2011-12-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

Everyone has heard the adage, "Work Smarter, Not Harder." And because this rings true for many businesses, CEOs and leaders seek programs that will enable their employees to do just that. Why? Because they are acutely aware that time is money.

Effective Time Management Skills Will Create A Less Stressful Work Environment For You.

Happy bosses make happy employees and happy employees make a work environment fun and rewarding. To help you keep your boss happy with your performance, we suggest evaluating your time management skills and then seek ways to make improvements.

To help you improve your time management skills, you will find listed below seven tips to aid in your continuing growth.

But first, click here to take this simple time management quiz (and help you identify areas that are in need of improvement).

7 Tips For Improving Your Time Management Skills:

Tip #1. Set Your Priorities: People with highly effective time management skills have the ability to differentiate between tasks that have a high priority and those that can be completed later. Creating to-do lists and highlighting (yellow markers work best) tasks with imminent deadlines will help them stand out from the rest of the list. Crossing out completed tasks not only looks like you have been productive, but also minimizes confusion regarding what still needs to be completed.

Tip #2. Set Tangible Goals: Goal setting is a skill itself that requires discipline. You can set multiple goals, but if you do not maintain fidelity in reaching them, the goals are pointless. Make sure your goals are realistic and relevant to the task. For example, checking your e-mail is necessary but it can also be time consuming. To help you manage your e-mails, set a goal to minimize the time spent reading each piece and flag or print the messages that need immediate attention. It is also recommended that you focus on your e-mail writing style as most readers prefer to read an e-mail in a bulleted format (versus a lot of copy with many sentences and lengthy paragraphs).

Tip #3. Establish Routines: Daily routines for completing certain tasks will foster effective time management skills for you. Plus, studies have determined that people work more efficiently when they know what to expect - both from you and you from them.

Tip #4. Focus On The Task At Hand: When presented with multiple tasks, choose one and focus on getting it done. Pull out your to-do list and start crossing out completed tasks one by one. That way, your workload will not seem so overwhelming and you will see your accomplishments as you cross them off your list; in turn, you will become motivated to continue working. Remember, prioritize to get those important, time-sensitive tasks completed first.

Tip #5. Delegate Or Outsource When Possible: Learn how to say "No" to certain time consuming projects. Simple tasks can be delegated, and some huge projects can be outsourced. For example, your secretary can make certain phone calls to clients to follow up on proposals or update information; or you can outsource your advertising to a company that specializes in marketing. Be conscientious, though, when delegating as you do not want to overwhelm anyone else, either.

Tip #6. Organize Your Workspace: Almost unnecessary to state, an organized workspace minimizes time spent locating documents, templates, materials or lists. Some people can work among chaos, but most need orderly surroundings to avoid distraction. Use folders or a binder with clearly labeled tabs to organize projects. Spend time at the end of your day preparing for the following day by updating to-do lists, filing papers and using sticky-notes on projects for quick references.

Tip #7. Use Wait Time Effectively: Many people do not consider the amount of work they can accomplish while waiting - waiting in line, waiting on hold, waiting for a download, etc. Short of beginning a completely new project, you can review lists, contact clients, organize your computer desktop, brainstorm - the minute tasks that can be completed while waiting are endless. Additionally, be ready to work while you wait by taking certain materials, like your Smartphone or notebook, with you when you leave.

Executive Summary: Time management is often a problem for many people. Put a little thought into your to-do lists by prioritizing the ones that need to be done sooner rather than later. Doing so will greatly reduce wasted time and improve your efficiency. Another point, take advantage of the skills a co-worker or secretary possesses and delegate some tasks to them. With some practice, your time management skills will become refined, and surely your boss will notice.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #358: 7 Tips To Improve A Presentation With Just Your Voice

2011-12-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

How many times have conference speakers bored you rigid? Good presenters know their voice can make or break a presentation. A well-trained voice can make a huge impression on listeners. And it does not matter how well you know the presentation, there is always room for improvement.

Keep Your Audience Focused By Improving Your Presentation Voice.

To help you be more successful during your next presentation, we have listed below six quick tips that can help improve your speech and sales communication when making a presentation to both large and small audiences.

7 Tips For Improving Your Presentation Voice:

Tip #1) Articulate, Articulate, Articulate: If you talk quickly, mumble or slur words, the important points you are trying to make can and will get lost. Worse, people will simply tune you out during your entire presentation.

Tip #2) Vary Your Tone To Drive Home A Key Point: Nothing numbs listeners more than somebody who speaks in monotone. Project your voice powerfully and clearly. Learn to use pitch for variation and accent your power words. This helps keep the audience involved and on their toes.

Tip #3) Use The Right Tempo: Do not speak in a slow, drawn-out manner. The speed of speech affects how your message is interpreted. Increase your tempo when you wish to convey excitement or urgency. Slow down when you want your words to sink in.

Tip #4) Control Your Volume: Project your voice so people can hear you easily. Raise and lower your voice when you want to emphasize certain words or concepts.

Tip #5) Get Rid Of Speaking "Crutches": Avoid punctuating sentences with "you know," "like," "uh," "really," "kind of" and other fillers (repetitive use of a word or phrase is called a "word whisker"). This pattern becomes tiresome to listeners and portrays a nervous or lazy speaker. Break this habit if you have it.

Tip #6) Use People's Names: Make sure you connect with your listeners by telling stories and using the first name of someone from the audience. By using names, your words become embedded in the audiences' mind.

Tip #7) Practice Out Loud: It is hard to know how you sound to other people. Try using a voice-activated recorder to listen to yourself practice out load. Play the recording, listen to how you sound and make positive changes. Better yet, make a dry run in front of someone who will give you a critique. Do not get upset or frustrated when they give you criticism. And if they tell you it was perfect, get a second opinion.

Executive Summary: With the right articulation, inflection, tone and tempo, your voice will be the means to hook your audience. Get accustomed to using the first names of audience members to personalize your presentation and drive the topic home. Most importantly, know how you sound to others and practice to improve. Over time, your voice will become more effective during your presentations.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #357: 5 Tips For Improving Your Leadership Skills

2011-12-12T11:21:00.000-08:00

Regardless of whether you are a natural born leader or someone who developed their leadership skills through hard work, every leader should continue to strive to improve their skills. In the business world, change necessitates perpetual self-improvement and self-education. The active drive for self-improvement will pave the way to successful leadership.

A Disciplined Leader Is Often A Great Leader.

If you are already taking this tip seriously, then you are well on your way to becoming a better leader. Accomplishing your goal requires challenging your comfort zones, introducing new ideas and possibly even changing your attitude and the ways you are accustomed to handling things. So if you are truly dedicated to becoming a stronger leader, consider the five tips below.

5 Tips For Improving Your Leadership Skills.

Tip #1. Develop A Thorough Plan: Develop clearly defined and concisely outlined plan of goals and objectives. Use facts, data and means through which you intend to achieve those objectives.

Tip #2. Actively Motivate Employees: Revive your employee's motivation by keeping them informed and providing them with interesting challenges that keep them on their toes. Do not forget to offer positive feedback and praise so they feel proud of their work and give them the recognition they deserve. Studies have shown that many people are motivated more by giving them credit for their efforts than simply giving them a paycheck.

Tip #3. Lead Through Inclusivity: Do not expect your team to be mind readers, though a few may have strong intuitions about what you want or expect. Ultimately, the most successful leaders are the ones who extend their thoughts and purpose to those around them. This is at the core of fostering team unity.

Tip #4. Admit Failures And Weaknesses: Contrary to what some may think, admitting fault or weakness does not compromise a leader's strength or command. Mistakes are unavoidable. And no one person can excel at everything. We each have our strengths and weaknesses, our knowledge and our ignorance. Stubborn determination to be "right" in fear that being "wrong" compromises your intelligence will only hold you back.

Tip #5. Never Stop Striving To Learn More: There is a philosophy that we never stop being students. This is especially true of serious professionals and strong leaders - they are constantly playing the part of both the teacher and the student, self-educating by reading books and publications relevant to their career and their business. They also learn from professionals by conversing with them.

Executive Summary: Leadership skills are like a knife. The blade will not stay sharp on its own forever. It requires a conscious effort to hone and strengthen ones skills to maintain their edge. It involves altering ingrained attitudes, ideas and behaviors. But as we previously mentioned, everyone should constantly strive to improve themselves. This is especially true for the leaders, whether in business or elsewhere.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #356: Understanding "Professionalism" In The Business World

2011-12-12T11:17:00.000-08:00

Professionalism is the cornerstone of the business world. But what is professionalism? Is it a certain look or type of behavior? Or is it an attitude or work ethic or something else entirely? The truth is, professionalism is all of these things and more.

Understanding the nature of professionalism and how it influences team dynamics is part of the fabric at Dale Carnegie Training, so we decided to change things up a bit from our usual routine and explore this topic more thoroughly.

At Its Core, Professionalism Is How You Conduct Yourself.

Far too many people get wrapped up with the appearance of professionalism -- a look, an image, something that is superficial. The truth is, you can put on the fanciest, most expensive suit you want but that doesn't make you a professional. What makes you a professional is the seriousness and sincerity with which you approach your job. Professionals do not cut corners. Professionals are thorough, and oftentimes meticulous about their work. Professionals hold themselves to a certain set of standards they always seek to maintain.

Forget The Glitz And Glam, But Don't Ignore It.

As we mentioned earlier, creating the illusion of professionalism is just that -- an illusion. But that does not necessarily mean you shouldn't dress for success - something that varies from business to business and industry to industry. Some businesses are very liberal about their dress code, allowing employees to come in wearing jeans and tee shirts. But this doesn't make them any less professional about their work than someone in a suit. However, if the type of industry you are in places importance on image, such as a law firm, then you have to include this in your definition of professionalism.

For Professionals, Work Comes First.

At the end of the business day, professionals are worried about one thing and one thing only: Their work. The quality of their work reflects on them as an employee. In addition, they know how their work will have an impact on a client, too, as they are aware that their clients are the lifeblood of their business. That being said, true professionals are invested in their work so they can meet and exceed everyone's expectations.

Executive Summary: You can put on the most expensive suit and shoes you own and head off to work - but this will not make you a professional. It is a lot deeper. The point is, professionalism is about your image, work ethics and convictions. Period.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #355: 6 Tips for Getting a Sale From Your Business Card

2011-12-12T11:09:00.000-08:00

Business cards are one of the oldest sales tools in the book, dating as far back as 15th century China and 17th century Europe. And after all this time, business cards remain one of the strongest networking tools a businessperson has in their arsenal.

This Tiny Piece Of Paper Can Pack A Punch.

According to Applied Designs, statistics show that sales increase 2.5% for every 2,000 business cards handed out. They also claim, "prospects will hold on to a color card 10 times longer than a standard one" (see Tip #3 for more on design). Bottom line, business cards are a "must have," and for that reason, we have prepared the six tips below.

6 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Business Card:

Tip #1. Always Keep Some On You: You never know when a networking opportunity may spring up. A casual trip to the bank or running some errands could lead to a chance encounter with someone whose business might benefit you or your business. When such chance encounters happen, having a business card on hand makes information exchange seamless, as opposed to worrying about finding something to write your information down on.

Click here for 30+ design ideas

Tip #2. Exhibit Proper Etiquette: There is in fact a right way and a wrong way to handle a business card exchange. For starters, if someone hands you theirs, offer them your own. Conversely, when handing out your business card, request the other person's. When you receive a business card, don't just bury it in your pocket. Instead, take a few moments to examine it. This shows the other person that you are interested and take them seriously, as you would want to be taken.

Tip #3. Be Smart About Your Card's Design: The look and feel of your business card can say a great deal about you. Cheap, plain business cards that look like they came from Kinko's are not going to leave a lasting impression. Gaudy business cards, on the other hand, can be too garish and off-putting. You need to strike the right balance between aesthetic appeal and the quality of paper stock you print your cards on. You can also design your business cards to be interactive, such as including a QR code.

Click here to learn just how much there is behind business cards

Tip #4. Include A Slogan In Your Design: A 5-8 word slogan that succinctly describes your business in a catchy or smart way will help your business card stick out. For example, Target, and their slogan, "Expect More. Pay Less." Just four words sums up the philosophy of Target clearly and concisely. Strong slogans like this add to the effectiveness of your business card and help build brand recognition for you and your business.

Tip #5. Business Cards Are An Active Tool: Ordering 1,000 business cards then waiting for prospects to come to you will only prove futile. Business cards are a tool for active networking. There is always something going down in the business world, regardless of what kind of business you're involved in, so seek out networking opportunities by checking online and keeping your ear to the ground, then get out to these events and start delivering your business cards with every handshake you make.

Tip #6. Follow Up After Handing Out: If you received a business card from someone you are interested in doing business with, use the exchange as an excuse to conduct a follow-up phone call. If you don't take initiative, you risk the chance of that prospect forgetting about you ("out of sight = out of mind"). For many, business cards tend to get easily lost among all the paperwork and miscellaneous paraphernalia that adorns their desk. As a result, it might be a long while before they get back to you -- if they even do at all.

Executive Summary: For the serious businessperson, the business card has been and will no doubt remain an invaluable tool in their networking arsenal. Even with all the advances in communication the past two decades -- mobile phones, text messaging, e-mail, online messengers -- classics like the telephone and the business card remain the most recognizable, understood and direct means to connect with a prospect or potential businessperson. For that reason, if no other, it's important you put some time and effort into the design of your cards and maximize their use.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #354: 6 Tips for Turbo-Charging Your Presentation

2011-12-12T10:51:00.000-08:00

Do you know what makes the difference between a plain presentation and a turbocharged presentation? Passion. The more passionate a speaker is, the more their presentation comes alive, and the more their audience becomes transfixed. A well-delivered presentation may seem like an effortless act, but in truth any dynamic presentation is the result of extensive planning and their efforts during delivery.

Delivering A Strong Presentation Will Help You Excel In The Business World.

Eventually, most employees at any given company are going to need to deliver a presentation, or be compelled to deliver a presentation to introduce a new idea or initiative. If you have a presentation in mind or one assigned to you, heeding the six tips below will put you on the right track to delivering a stellar presentation that leaves a lasting impression.

6 Tips For Delivering A Turbocharged Presentation:

Tip #1. Prepare Accordingly: If you think you will be able to pull off a dynamic presentation by the seat of your pants, one that engages your audience, well, you have another thing coming. The foundation of any presentation is the amount of preparation the speaker puts in behind the scenes. Develop a topic, flesh it out into concise, relevant and specific bullet points that tie back to the central theme and develop a narrative arc to follow. Then perform a handful of dry runs -- in front of the mirror, a friend or colleague, your partner, your family, etc.

Tip #2. Open With Something Strong And Unforgettable: There is a saying in the writing community that you need to capture your readers within the first 100 pages (some contest 50 pages, others say as few as 25). Well, you can apply this idea to your presentation as well. Perhaps through a hypothetical, perhaps through anecdote -- whatever method you choose, the first 2 to 3 minutes of your presentation can make or break your audience's interest in what you have to say, so make it count.

Tip #3. Keep Your Presentation Short: Be wary of long-winded presentations that seem to have no real direction or purpose. You have probably sat through such a presentation on more than one occasion. If you want to avoid being a bore that makes the audience snore, you should pare down your presentation to its slimmest, trimmest, most refined form. Each bullet point should pack a meaningful punch that, once delivered, leaves the audience in anticipation for the next verbal blow you have to deliver.

Tip #4. Maximize Visual Aids: Including a visual aid with your presentation is a must these days. The trick is to incorporate it in such a way that it never overshadows your presentation itself, but complements it. PowerPoint is the most common means through which people add a visual (and audio) element to their presentations. But scale back the glitz and glam, the crazy transitions and the musical accompaniment. Keep your visuals aesthetically noteworthy, but not so brazen as to steal focus from you.

Tip #5. Avoid The Statue Routine: That is to say, be animated. Don't stand behind a podium, relax and be casual, loose. Move around, wander about and most importantly, make eye contact with a handful of the members of your audience. Locking eye contact with someone will not only hold their attention, but others nearby will also pick up on the subtle action and find themselves drawn in more to your presentation. Remember, when it comes to presentations, periodic contact with your audience is a necessity.

Tip #6. Never Apologize During The Presentations: This is a Public Speaking 101 lesson. Never apologize for mispronouncing a word or losing your place, confusing the order of your presentation or having difficulty with technology. Doing so will:

(a) Compromise your command/air of authority.
(b) Break the flow of your presentation.

This will in turn cost you the audience's full attention. If you trip up, just move along. The best way to avoid this is to pause frequently. Just gather your thoughts and take a breath.

Executive Summary: There are four core components to dynamic presentations: (1) how much preparation you put into your preparation, (2) how well you maintain momentum during the presentation, (3) how animated you are and (4) how well you integrate visual aids into the presentation. These components need to come together seamlessly and flow naturally in order to captivate your audience and make your presentation memorable -- a presentation that leaves a strong impression.

For more information, visit our website.

Tip #353: 10 Tips To Improve Your e-Mail Etiquette (Part 2 of 2)

2011-08-23T07:06:00.002-07:00

10 Tips To Improve Your
e-Mail Etiquette (Part 2 of 2)

Greetings!

Last week, we introduced the first five of ten tips on e-mail etiquette. As we mentioned, e-mail has been and continues to be an integral staple of the business world. Numerous businesses rely on this technology to communicate internally, to contact clients and customers, to help market their business and to reach out to venders and suppliers. E-mail has increased multi-tasking and efficiency in the business world to levels once thought unimaginable.

You Get What You Put In When It Comes To e-Mail.

Unfortunately, abbreviations, chat speak, all-capped text, and unnecessarily shortened words ("u" instead of "you") all spilled over from chat messengers to e-mail. This does not fly in the business world due to the formal and established guidelines of etiquette -- especially if you expect to be taken seriously.

We wrap up our discussion on e-mail etiquette this week with tips six through ten below.

10 Tips To Improve Your e-Mail Etiquette (Tips 6-10):

Tip #6. Use Formal Grammar And Spelling: Inter-office e-mails have the luxury of being more casual or informal, but e-mails to prospects, clients and customers need to adhere to accepted forms of spelling, grammar and formatting. Sending a sloppy, hastily written e-mail peppered with typos and spelling errors will compromise your professionalism. And writing in all caps -- the textual equivalent of screaming or a loud, booming voice -- is simply unacceptable. Always run important e-mails through a spell checker just to play it safe.

Tip #7. Please Proof All e-Mails: Again, minor mistakes in inter-office emails can be forgiven. But first-time and early e-mails to a new contact need to be impeccable. Your writing (spelling, grammar, tone, voice, style, etc.) in an e-mail is the digital equivalent of the outfit you pick for your first meeting with someone -- it is the surface detail that we all judge someone by whether we mean to or not. So to avoid having your e-mail dismissed because of sloppy writing, do not hit "send" until you proof, proof, proof.

Click here to read the Purdue Owl Online Writing Lab's Guide To e-Mail Etiquette

Tip #8. Don't Hide Behind e-Mail: This pertains more to inter-office e-mails than client e-mails, though it can apply to them as well. E-mail is a passive form of communication. People use the sense of anonymity and safety that the "distance" e-mails inherently possess as a way to avoid conflict or put on a show of bravado they never would on the phone or in person. Don't do this. Hiding behind e-mail to avoid an uncomfortable situation is only going to paint you in a negative light, and probably exacerbate the situation.

Tip #9. Ask To Send An Attachment: e-mail recipients are wary of attachments in fear that they might carry a virus, worm, trojan or other type of malware that might corrupt their computer or cause them to lose crucial data and have to spend money on a new machine unnecessarily. Attachments accompanying an unannounced e-mail are sure to be buried in the trash, so wait until a second or third e-mail before sending attachments, and always be sure to ask the recipient for permission to send them an attachment.

Tip #10. Include Contact Info In Signature: The last aspect of any business e-mail should be a signature that includes your name, job title, e-mail address, work phone number (and extension if you have one), website address, physical work address and any other pertinent contact information you may use at your business (such as messenger screen names). This allows your e-mail recipient to look into your business on their own, without having to contact you for more information, and when they are ready to contact you, all the information they need is right there in one convenient location.

Executive Summary: The prevalence of e-mail in today's business world has led to the degradation of e-mail etiquette. While the debate over informality versus formality is a subjective matter, in the business world it is safer to error on the side of formal, well-written e-mails that get right down to business in a concise manner. This is especially true of e-mails to first-time prospects or clients, where humor, informality and spelling/grammar mistakes risk presenting you as sloppy.

Your Next Step: If you want to find out more about how Dale Carnegie® Training can make your business more effective, or need more information on this subject, please send us an e-mail at the address below.

e-Tip Archive

Make it a great day!

Bob Dickson, President
Dale Carnegie® Training of Western CT
(203) 723-9888
bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com
www.WesternCT.DaleCarnegie.com

Tip #352: 10 Tips To Improve Your e-Mail Etiquette (Part 1 of 2)

2011-08-23T07:06:00.001-07:00

10 Tips To Improve Your
e-Mail Etiquette (Part 1 of 2)

Greetings!

E-Mail has been and continues to be an integral staple of the business world. Numerous businesses rely on this technology to communicate internally, to contact clients and customers, to help market their business and to reach out to venders and suppliers. E-Mail has increased multi-tasking and efficiency in the business world to levels once thought unimaginable.

You Get What You Put In When It Comes To e-Mail.

Unfortunately, abbreviations, chat speak, all-capped text, and unnecessarily shortened words ("u" instead of "you") all spilled over from chat messengers to e-mails. This does not fly in the business world due to the formal and established guidelines of etiquette -- especially if you expect to be taken seriously.

With that in mind, we picked ten of the most common business e-mail etiquette faux pas. We begin with the first five tips below.

10 Tips To Improve Your e-Mail Etiquette (Tips 1-5):

Tip #1. Leave the "To" Field Blank: That is, leave the "To" field blank until you have completed the e-mail in totality. This may seem like an odd thing to do, but it could just prevent you from sending an incomplete e-mail, or sending an e-mail prematurely before giving yourself a chance to proof it one last time or, if you are including attachments, not forgetting to include them.

Tip #2. Subject Lines That Motivate: The subject line you use can make or break an e-mail -- especially when it is used by your sales and marketing team. Remember, your subject line needs to be a short, sweet and to-the-point summary of your e-mail. If your e-mail is internal, abbreviations can be agreed upon to make subject lines aid in efficiently. For example, including "" ("Action Required") in an e-mail subject line will convey urgency succinctly.

Click here to read the Purdue Owl Online Writing Lab's Guide To e-Mail Etiquette

Tip #3. Keep Your e-Mails Brief, Concise, And On Point: If someone wanted to read a novel, they would hop on Amazon.com or head to their local library. Therefore, when it comes to business e-mails, keeping things short is in your best inertest. That being said, write in bullet format as often as you can and keep your sentences and paragraphs concise and simple.

Tip #4. Mind Your Tone Or Attitude: So much of the verbal nuances that listeners can take cues from to understand sarcasm, light-heartedness, anger, or other emotional textures are lost in e-mail. While some people are more adept at reading tone in text, most people are not. So keep your e-mails as neutral sounding as possible to avoid misinterpretation.

Tip #5. Regard e-Mails As Business Letters: Unless you are dealing with a client, customer or recipient with whom you've had a long-standing relationship with, all early e-mails -- especially first time e-mails -- should be approached as though you are writing a business letter. Be professional, avoid abbreviations and do not use smiley faces.

Executive Summary: The prevalence of e-mail in today's business world has led to the degradation of e-mail etiquette. While the debate over informality versus formality is a subjective matter, in the business world it is safer to error on the side of formal, well-written e-mails that get right down to business in a concise manner. This is especially true of e-mails to new first-time prospects or clients, where humor, informality and spelling/grammar mistakes risk presenting you as sloppy.

Your Next Step: If you want to find out more about how Dale Carnegie® Training can make your business more effective, or need more information on this subject, please send us an e-mail at the address below.

P.S. Look for part two of our e-mail etiquette tips (tips 6 through 10) next week.

e-Tip Archive

Make it a great day!

Bob Dickson, President
Dale Carnegie® Training of Western CT
(203) 723-9888
bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com
www.WesternCT.DaleCarnegie.com

Tip #351: 6 Tips To Overcome Procrastination

2011-08-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

6 Tips To Overcome Procrastination

Greetings!

At some point, all of us fall victim to procrastination. And although procrastination stems from many sources, the most common source is an overwhelming fear or intimidation of a project, or uncertainty in your skills to meet a challenge to your satisfaction.

Don't Let Procrastination Pull Down Your Career.

Unfortunately, procrastination can become habitual for many people. Employees who procrastinate frequently will see a sharp decline in the quality of their work and their output. Naturally, this will draw the attention of their employers, and in extreme cases could lead to termination.

To make sure procrastination doesn't ruin your career, here are six tips to help you overcome procrastination and become a more organized worker.

6 Tips To Overcome Procrastination:

Tip #1. Create An Outline/Schedule: In most cases, procrastination is the byproduct of not having a game plan. Sitting down in front of a blank slate you have been assigned to fill is intimidating, enough so to turn your attention elsewhere. But developing an outline and creating a reservoir of information and knowledge to tap into will aid in filling in what's blank. So before you start any work, be it a project or your daily responsibilities, draw up a quick outline to act as a guide.

Tip #2. Assign Yourself A Deadline: Deadlines serve two purposes. They can be a scare tactic used to make you realize how limited your time is to complete something and how with each passing day you have less and less time to work on it and bring it up to the standard of quality you want it to be at. Or, they can be an organizational tool that helps you divide a project up over the week while providing a concrete completion time to aim for.

Tip #3. Break Up The Project: Smaller, bite-sized chunks are easier to manage and far less intimidating than a project viewed in its entirety. Part of your planning process should be to find ways to segment the project into more manageable pieces. Each piece represents a step towards completing the project, but instead of having an entire blank canvas to fill, you only have, for example, 25% to paint in by the end of Tuesday.

Click here to read Lifehack's article "How To Overcome Procrastination Once And For All"

Tip #4. Reward Yourself Periodically: Be sure to reward yourself whenever you complete a portion of your work. This will help combat exhaustion and the stress that exhaustion leads to. Take ten minutes to browse the web, or get some fresh air by taking a walk. Depending on your work environment, get out of the office and read for a little while, or engage in some sort of fun hobby or activity. Whatever you do, rewarding yourself for each significant step you finish will help inspire you to press on.

Tip #5. Steer Clear Of Perfectionism: No one wants to turn out subpar work, or even work that falls short of the standards they hold themselves to. But perfectionism tends to be far more damaging as an agent of procrastination than it does aiding the quality of your work in any way. For example, people often look at a book and marvel at the author's accomplishment. But what most fail to realize is that the author spent 15+ months writing, editing, rewriting, deleting, rebuilding and repairing the content of that book to get it to that final product. The same applies to your career work.

Tip #6. Bite The Bullet And Do It: Biting the proverbial bullet usually happens at one of two moments in the lifetime of a project: At its start or at its end. For some projects, just getting it done from the get-go, banging out that shoddy first draft is the most effective means to overcome the fear of starting. Once done, the rest of the time allotted to you can be used to draft, refine and tighten up the project at a casual pace. Alternatively, waiting too long will force your hand, demanding that you produce the entirety of the project -- that you just "do it" -- in one shot to meet deadline.

Executive Summary: Some people equate procrastination with laziness, and while that may be true in some cases, just as many -- if not more -- are the result of feeling overwhelmed and intimidated. These are perfectly natural and acceptable feelings to experience. The trick is to learn techniques that allow you to tear down fear and intimidation, to level the playing field and take ownership of your work. If the project is large, break it down into manageable chunks. If the project is long, reward yourself with periodic breaks -- especially after you have made significant progress.

Your Next Step:If you want to find out more about how Dale Carnegie® Training can make your business more effective, or need more information on this subject, please send us an e-mail at the address below.

e-Tip Archive

Make it a great day!

Bob Dickson, President
Dale Carnegie® Training of Western CT
(203) 723-9888
bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com
www.WesternCT.DaleCarnegie.com

Tip #350: 7 Secrets To Improve Your Cold-Calling Skills

2011-08-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

#1. Do Some Research First: Before you pick up the phone and call a prospect cold, you should take a minute or two to visit the prospect's website. That way, you can familiarize yourself with their company, what they do, what role they have at their company, etc. In fact, this process can go a long way during the actual phone call itself. It adds a more personalized touch to the call, and more importantly shows the prospect that you are genuinely interested in them.

#2. Cultivate A Unique Greeting: Bland introductions are typical among salespeople. But these tend to be a one-way ticket to getting hung up on in the first 30 seconds. Research has proven the impact your greeting leaves on a prospect will determine how long they permit you to engage them. The trick is to strike a balance between formality and casual charm.

#3. Include Your Name And Company: Continuing from Tip #2, your greeting should also contain your name and your company name, as well as a little about your company (what kind of business you are, service or product you provide, etc.). This is in an effort to pique your prospect's interest. You don't want to come off as being vague and elusive just to get an appointment.

#4. Be Upfront About Your Purpose: When speaking with someone, don't skirt around the issue. Just cut to the chase. Think of this as a declaration of your reason for calling. One of the more effective ways to state your purpose is to phrase it in the form of a question. Opening with a question sparks the potential for conversation, which is what most prospects would rather have than fielding an overly rehearsed sales call.

#5. Learn To Accept Rejection: A common concern among salespeople is being too persistent. Unfortunately, many salespeople give up calling a prospect after their first unsuccessful attempt at moving the sales process forward. The truth is, the majority of your calls (about 80%) will go to voicemail (which makes it crucial to have a voicemail script prepared), and those that don't, well, rejection is part of the game. One "yes" is easily worth nine "no's." If you are rejected, accept rejection gracefully. Respect the prospect's wishes and don't press on, or you will be a pest.

#6. Open And Close With Gratitude: After you have introduced yourself and stated the purpose of your call the first thing you should do is express gratitude by thanking the prospect for giving you a moment of their time. This tells a prospect that you understand and appreciate the value of their time. Similarly, when wrapping up a call, thank them a second time and e-mail them your contact information. Don't forget to include a simple, one page summary of your services.

#7. Always, Always Follow Up: Perhaps the biggest area salespeople drop the ball in is their follow-up. Every phone call requires some kind of follow-up, especially if you left a voicemail. A quick e-mail after leaving a voicemail is one of the best ways to follow up on a phone call, especially if you provide useful information. After that, put some time between your next phone touch. A minimum of 3 days should go by before you reach out to a prospect again. Anything less may leave them feeling pressured or hounded.

Executive Summary: Despite the ease and convenience of mass e-mail marketing, the sales game is still all about salespeople's telephone skills. People want to buy from people they like and trust. That is why it is so important for salespeople to put a sincere effort into their sales calls. So observe and heed the advice listed above. By doing so, you will be well on your way to more successful cold calling.

Even in spite of today's fast-paced technology, such as e-mailing and social media, the most powerful tool in a salesperson's arsenal remains their ability to call someone with a powerful "Oh By The Way" call. This is where a salesperson calls someone on the phone and makes their sales pitch. Because cold calling is such a vital part of a salesperson's skill set, we have created a number of tips to help anyone in sales become better at making their calls.

7 Secrets For Strengthening Your Cold-Calling Skills:

Your Next Step: If you want to find out more about how Dale Carnegie® Training can make your business more effective, or need more information on this subject, please send us an e-mail at the address below.

e-Tip Archive

Make it a great day!

Bob Dickson, President
Dale Carnegie® Training of Western CT
(203) 723-9888
bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com
www.WesternCT.DaleCarnegie.com

Tip #349: 6 Employee Management Tips

2011-08-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

6 Employee Management Tips

Greetings!

Employee management is, for all intents and purposes, the day to day engagement of employer-employee relationships on a professional, work-related level. To manage your employees well, you need to think of them less as the physical incarnation of their job roles and more as the people who make your business' success possible.

Effective Employee Management Is What Separates Successful Leaders From Unsuccessful Leaders.

In the past, employee management was something of a more rigid experience. These days, successful businesses find that employing a little finesse to their management practices is much more effective. To that end, we came up with six tips to get you started down the path to becoming a stronger leader.

Click here to watch a video of Steve Jobs talking about managing people

6 Employee Management Tips:

Tip #1. Establish An Open Line Of Communication: The first step, if not the very foundation, of great employee management is to establish a line of open, honest and comfortable communication between employees, leaders and managers. The more uncomfortable an employee is with their employer, the less likely the two are to be on the same page. Comfortable communication comes from familiarity, so get to know your team. This will make working together feel much less like pulling teeth later down the road.

Tip #2. Focus On Strengths, Not Weaknesses: Every employee has individual strengths and weaknesses. It stands to reason that you hired them for whatever their strengths may be. That is why spending more time correcting their weaknesses or shortcomings is a waste of time and energy. You didn't hire the employee to spend all your time fixing their shortcomings or to fit a square peg in a round hole, so instead focus on actively fostering the growth and development of their strengths.

Tip #3. Be Reasonable With Your Expectations: Part of being a leader at your business is being a visionary -- someone with big goals and big ideas. Unfortunately, it is easy to forget how much time, effort and energy goes into executing a new initiative or project, which can cause leaders to unintentionally overwhelm or overload an employee with too many expectations. This in turn can cause undue stress and frustration for the employee, negatively affecting your ability to manage them.

Tip #4. Plan Accordingly When Expanding Roles: The business world is still in a state of financial flux. With many companies regularly downsizing, many employees are required to pick up the extra workload. The trick to effectively managing the assignment of additional responsibilities is to plan accordingly so your employees don't feel they have been thrown in the water head first. It is better when an employee has time to acclimate to his or her new role and responsibilities.

Tip #5. Be Consistent And Reliable: As a leader or manager at your business, you have a lot on your plate -- no one questions that. Information and ideas channel through you from a hundred different directions, not to mention new initiatives and projects that fall on your shoulders to develop. But even in spite of your own heavy workload, it is imperative that you be consistent and reliable when interacting with your employees. It may prove difficult, stressful even, but it is crucial that employees feel they can rely on you to get something back to them promptly.

Tip #6. Invest In Employee Training: Providing opportunities for employees to improve and strengthen their skills shows your genuine interest in investing in them. Naturally, any employee who feels valued is likely to be reciprocal when being managed. Paying for employees to attend skill-strengthening classes like those offered by Dale Carnegie Training reinforces the idea that you are invested in them as an employee and as a component to your business' continued success.

Executive Summary: Employee management is by no means a walk in the park. It takes a lot of hard work and concentrated effort on the part of leaders and managers. But as with all things that come as a challenge, the end results of your labor will strengthen your company significantly. Good employee-employer relationships allow for better communication, which in turn allows for fluid, dynamic management.

Your Next Step: If you want to find out more about how Dale Carnegie® Training can make your business more effective, or need more information on this subject, please send us an e-mail at the address below.

e-Tip Archive

Make it a great day!

Bob Dickson, President
Dale Carnegie® Training of Western CT
(203) 723-9888
bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com
www.WesternCT.DaleCarnegie.com

Tip #348: 5 Ways To Keep Your Employees Engaged

2011-08-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

5 Ways To Keep Your
Employees Engaged

Greetings!

A few years back, the Gallup Organization revealed businesses that ranked in the top 24% of their industry saw significantly better customer loyalty, profitability and revenues if they had engaged employees.

Click here to read more about this Gallup study.

Additional studies by several other consulting firms saw similar connections between employee engagement and employee productivity. All this adds up to one undeniable truth: Employee engagement is crucial to any business' success.

Employee Engagement Starts At The Top.

Employee engagement isn't something you can just wait around for and hope to happen on its own. It requires initiation, a catalyst. And that catalyst is the leader or leaders at a business. Higher-ups have the most influence with their employee force, and as leaders, your job is to inspire and take the first steps for others to follow. Below are five ways to start flexing your leadership muscle and create an engaged employee workforce.

5 Ways To Achieve Employee Engagement:

#1. Provide Employees The Tools They Need: Few things can be as stressful as feeling though you are working at a disadvantage. One of the first steps any business leader should take in engaging their employees is to make sure everyone has all the tools they need to perform their job at one hundred percent. Take this one step further by checking in at least once a year to make sure employees still feel properly equipped. Needs grow and change over time, so checking in helps you stay on top of things while simultaneously showing genuine interest in your employees.

#2. Get To Know Employees Better: At the core of employee engagement is motivation -- what drives them to come to work each day and perform their duties. Employee motivation runs a vast spectrum, from simply earning a paycheck to attaining a personal sense of fulfillment from their job. By getting to know your employees better, you can learn how to help shape their work experience so it accommodates their purpose for employment, improving work conditions for them.

#3. Acknowledge Good Work: Nobody wants to make a mistake, especially in the business environment, but mistakes happen. However, not only will employees beat themselves up about it, but they also know you will call them on it. Which is fair, as mistakes require acknowledgment, but so does good work. Without a proper balance between positive and negative commentary, most employees will become disengaged.

#4. Respect Your Employees' Positions: Employers should strive to be inclusive, to include their team in planning and decision-making. You hired your employees for their unique strengths and particular skill sets. So defer to their expertise when making a decision. Employees who feel employers respect their role in the company remain engaged.

#5. Trust Employees To Get Their Work Done: In other words, be flexible. You will find most employees are willfully productive rather than slackers by default. By allowing employees to exercise "free time" throughout the day - to hop online to check the news, check their e-mail, read a favorite webpage or even step outside for five minutes between assignments, their attitudes will improve drastically, leading to more engaged employees.

Executive Summary: The importance of employee engagement is more than common sense -- it is a statistically proven fact. As previously stated, businesses with higher percentages of engaged employees enjoy higher percentages of success, be it in sales or customer loyalty. As a leader in your industry and at your business, it is up to you to make the effort to engage employees individually. Using a variety of different means to do so will guarantee the highest rate of success.

Your Next Step: If you want to find out more about how Dale Carnegie® Training can make your business more effective, or need more information on this subject, please send us an e-mail at the address below.

e-Tip Archive

Make it a great day!

Bob Dickson, President
Dale Carnegie® Training of Western CT
(203) 723-9888
bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com
www.WesternCT.DaleCarnegie.com

Tip #347: 5 Tips For Creating A Strong Leadership Image

2011-08-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

5 Tips For Creating
A Strong Leadership Image

Greetings!

Being a strong leader is a combination of a number of things. For some, it is a natural gift -- a magnetism that makes them an effective leader. For others, leadership is a quality built up over time, constructed and refined and practiced until it gains effective gravity.

Great Leaders Present Themselves As One.

The first thing someone notices about us is our appearance and behavior. They see how we dress, hear how we speak, notice how we hold ourselves and add all these all up to make an initial assessment; therefore, your image is of particular importance.

However, in addition to your appearance, it is important to consider other elements -- elements that define your leadership. That being said, we crafted five tips to help you (or someone you know) develop a stronger leadership image.

5 Tips For Creating A Stronger Leadership Image:

Tip #1. Be In Balance: The boss who runs their company with an iron fist is one that leads by fear. Smart leaders know how to strike a balance between being both strong and supportive. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done, as you have to straddle a fine line between being a leader who can take a joke and one that commands respect and authority. But whatever you do, never toggle between the two types in extremes, or you will lose your employees' respect.

Tip #2. Avoid Self-Absorption: Whether your company consists of three employees or three hundred employees, the moment your business becomes more than just you, it becomes a team -- a unified group moving towards a mutual goal. Remember, isolating yourself from your employees is never a smart business move. Strong leaders are inclusive, not exclusive.

Tip #3. Show Interest And Energy: When you were a student, you probably had a teacher that was not only boring but also lethargic. Conversely, you probably had a teacher who possessed a lot of energy, which made their classes fly by and the course seem more interesting. The same can be said of business leaders. Strong leaders possess a genuine passion for what they do that turns the daily grind into a welcome challenge.

Tip #4. Yes, Practice Your Speaking Skills: Take a moment to Google public speaking and vocal training. If you can, watch a video that teaches vocal training techniques. Remember, the ability to speak articulately is a powerful tool that lends itself well to commanding authority, and as such something leaders should not take lightly.

Tip #5. Communicate With Clarity: Piggybacking off Tip #4 above, part of strong communication is communicating with clarity -- and not just verbally, but in written form as well. For an example of how speech influences people's perceptions, consider President George W. Bush, who was openly mocked because of his poor speaking skills. End result: President Bush was not taken seriously as a leader.

Executive Summary: As we have discussed throughout the five tips above, your leadership image is a comprised of many elements. Your appearance, your behavior and mannerisms, the way you speak and the way you communicate all contribute to the concept of you as a leader in your business. Business leaders should treat each of the items above with equal regard, and give serious consideration to every component mentioned if they strive to present themselves as a strong, competent, dynamic leader in the business world.

Your Next Step: If you want to find out more about how Dale Carnegie® Training can make your business more effective, or need more information on this subject, please send us an e-mail at the address below.

e-Tip Archive

Make it a great day!

Bob Dickson, President
Dale Carnegie® Training of Western CT
(203) 723-9888
bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com
www.WesternCT.DaleCarnegie.com

Tip #346: How Your Customer File Can Increase Your Sales

2011-08-01T09:43:00.001-07:00

3 Tips For Increasing Sales By Tapping Into Your Database Of Customers

Greetings!

All too often, most business owners get wrapped up in the sales game -- trying every trick and tactic to close new business. And while this is perfectly natural and normal, it can sometimes cause a business to overlook a huge asset to growing their business: Existing customers.

Your Database Of Customers Is An Excellent Source For New Business And Referrals.

Your database of customers is an excellent way to increase your sales -- both from cross--selling other products and services to them and by getting them to recommend your business to someone they know. To help strengthen your sales, we have listed below three quick tips your business can benefit by:

Tip #1. Communicate Consistently Via Drip Marketing: In essence, consistent communication is the very definition of drip marketing -- something done through a series of educational e-mail tips, monthly letters, postcards and newsletters. It builds trust, credibility and brand recognition. Far too many businesses confuse marketing as "sell, sell, sell," but you cannot sell all the time or your audience will not read your marketing campaigns. Ultimately, you want your business to be your client's companion, providing supportive and useful information on a regular basis.

Tip #2. Customer Service Is More Important Than You Think:Great customer service means going the distance for your customers. By putting them first, you will find that they will be far more likely to recommend you to someone they know.

Tip #3. Know What Your Customers Want And Need: You can profoundly deepen your business' customer loyalty by putting time and energy into learning their wants, wishes, values and priorities. This research can go a long way to helping make your customer's experience with your business feel truly unique -- something they won't forget.

Executive Summary: When it comes to sales and marketing, it is easy to focus solely on your database of prospects. And while the value of a new customer coming on board is immeasurable, your existing customer base should never be overlooked. By heeding the tips listed above, you will not only create stronger customer loyalty, but also a new stream of revenue to your business.

Your Next Step: If you want to find out more about how Dale Carnegie® Training can make your business more effective, or need more information on this subject, please send us an e-mail at the address below.

e-Tip Archive

Make it a great day!

Bob Dickson, President
Dale Carnegie® Training of Western CT
(203) 723-9888
bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com
www.WesternCT.DaleCarnegie.com

Tip #345: 7 Tips For Developing A Business Partnership

2011-08-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

7 Tips For Developing
A Business Partnership

Greetings!

One of the most versatile and dynamic moves available to businesses is the formation of business partnerships with a similar business or businesses that complement their own products or services. Regardless of what form a business partnership takes -- short term, long term, deeply integrated or something more casual, all have the potential to drive in new business, strengthen existing business and generally improve the lives of all the businesses involved.

So, with the importance and value of business partnerships in mind, we came up with seven tips to help you establish and maintain strong business partnerships, which you can find below.

7 Tips For Developing A Business Partnerships:

Tip #1. Develop A Unified Vision: The start of any business partnership should begin with a firm understanding of what the purpose of your partnership is. What motivates each of your companies? What drew you to one another? The factors that align your businesses will serve as the basis for your partnership's plan. That partnership plan should include all the various details concerning how your businesses will interact with one another.

Tip #2. Address Individual Needs: While a partnership may be a unified initiative, it is still driven by independent businesses, each with their own needs and wants. Part of maintaining a strong business partnership is to avoid being self-serving and instead being sensitive to each other's wants and needs, providing support when available. The more you help each other out with your individual goals, the stronger your partnership becomes and the more likely you are to achieve your unified goals.

Tip #3. Identify Strengths & Weaknesses: Every business has their strengths and weaknesses. One of the benefits to establishing a business partnership is finding ways to complement your individual businesses where one excels and the other falls short (and vice-versa). Beyond creating a more powerful entity by maximizing your strengths and minimizing your weaknesses, your businesses should theoretically learn and grow from one another, strengthening as not only a team, but improving individually, as well.

Tip #4. Establish Partnership Roles: Business partnerships do come with their risks, however, and one of them is stepping on each other's toes or overstepping boundaries. You presumably established your business partnership because of very clear, defined advantages a cooperative venture would yield for you each respectively. As part of the plan development touched upon in Tip #1, you should put into writing what each partner's roles are, what their limitations are and even include accountability as a precaution.

Tip #5. Show Respect Throughout Partnership: A business partnership is a relationship. That means you need to be responsive and communicate regularly to keep one another abreast of mutual interests and project statuses. You need to be honest about situations that affect one business or the other to avoid damaging your relationship, and carefully manage any disagreements that may turn up by mistake or misfortune. Like any relationship, communication is key. So be honest and keep in touch regularly so you both are always on the same page.

Tip #6. Maximize Partnerships With Webpages: One of the best ways to get the most out of your business partnership is to mutually agree to develop a partner page on your respective websites. Now, most businesses stop with something simple, like a list of their business partners accompanied by the business' logo. But partner pages can be extremely lucrative, driving traffic to your partner's website from yours and to yours from theirs. Ultimately, you should design partner pages so that they add value to both your companies and your websites. So when designing a partner page, make them as dynamic and compelling for visitors as you can.

Tip #7. End Partnerships Peacefully: As we have already established, partnerships are relationships, and just as with interpersonal relationships, there are ups and downs. When these downs start to negatively affect both businesses in a partnership, the most prudent business decision may be to go your separate ways. The trick, of course, is to navigate these separations so the partnership concludes amicably. Any bad blood, so to speak, will only ever be bad for both your businesses. So when forced to end your business partnership, work hard to part ways peacefully.

Executive Summary: Business partnerships can be a powerful for venture two or more businesses. But fundamentally, both companies need to be extra sensitive and cautious about each business' individual needs -- especially if your companies are relatively new to one another. Business partnerships come and go. So should you find yourself in this situation part ways peacefully and amicably. Doing so will preserve each other's image.

Your Next Step: If you want to find out more about how Dale Carnegie® Training can make your business more effective, or need more information on this subject, please send us an e-mail at the address below.

e-Tip Archive

Make it a great day!

Bob Dickson, President
Dale Carnegie® Training of Western CT
(203) 723-9888
bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com
www.WesternCT.DaleCarnegie.com

Tip #344: 4 Tips For Dealing With Mistakes

2011-08-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

4 Tips For Dealing With Mistakes

Greetings!

There are certain inevitabilities that everyone in business, not-for-profit and politics will face: Mistakes. Unfortunately, they tend to affect your clients, past clients, prospects, referral sources, constituents, donors, etc.

The Simple Truth Is Mistakes Will Happen.

Knowing that mistakes are inevitable allows you to prepare yourself and your employees on how to deal with a problem when one arises. Because when they do, it is all about how everyone responds after the fact. With that said, below you will find four tips for dealing with mistakes.

4 Tips For Dealing With Mistakes:

Tip #1. Accept What Happened And Apologize Immediately: You would be amazed at how quickly you can diffuse a situation or at least make it more manageable simply by owning up to your mistake. Ultimately, it is the right thing to do. But more than anything, it shows that you are willing to take responsibility at any expense. Once you have apologized, admit your mistake to whomever you may need to. Honestly, the hardest part of making a mistake is dealing with why it happened in the first place.

Tip #2. Maintain A Positive Attitude: Anger, frustration, exasperation -- negative emotions like these just complicate matters further. They make it harder for everyone to focus clear-headedly and logically. So if or when something goes wrong, pause, take a deep breath, center yourself and calm down before making a bigger deal out of whatever the problem is.

Tip #3. Consult Others Before Dealing With Certain Issues: One common mistake people make, both in and out of the workplace, is trying to make it appear as though a mistake never happened in the first place. This is, without a doubt, a horrible idea. As previously mentioned in Tip#1, you should own up to your mistake right off the bat. From there, the most effective way to clear up a mistake completely is to consult your peers. Get feedback from your boss or people higher up in the food chain. Their advice and assistance may prove extremely useful when developing (and later executing) your plan of action.

Tip #4. Develop A Plan Of Action To Avoid Future Mistakes: The first instinct most people have when they make a mistake is to find a solution fast -- like cleaning up a spill at home. Although a necessary course of action, your next move should be to find out why it happened and then develop a plan to avoid the mistake from happening again. Doing so could reveal faster, smarter ways to solve future mistakes.

Executive Summary: As mentioned countless times, mistakes are unavoidable. Your business, not-for-profit or political office consists of people, and people slip up and make mistakes from time to time. When this happens, there are two ways to go about fixing things: Allow everyone to go into a chaotic, frenzied mess internally or to play it smart and develop a plan to work through the issues.

Your Next Step: If you want to find out more about how Dale Carnegie® Training can make your business more effective, or need more information on this subject, please send us an e-mail at the address below.

e-Tip Archive

Make it a great day!

Bob Dickson, President
Dale Carnegie® Training of Western CT
(203) 723-9888
bob_dickson@dalecarnegie.com
www.WesternCT.DaleCarnegie.com

Tip #343: 6 Tips To Combat Job Burnout

2011-06-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

The burned out employee is the workforce equivalent of the marathon runner who has gassed out - which is just what happens with burned out employees. Naturally, this could lead to huge productively problems within your business.

Employee Burnout WILL Affect Your Company's Performance.

For your burned out employees, symptoms tend to manifest as anxiousness, noticeable tiredness (as if under-slept), an inability to focus and a short temper. Obviously, none of these are conducive to a positive, strong work environment. So, to make sure your employees avoid becoming burned out, scope out the six tips we have outlined below.

6 Tips To Combat Job Burnout:

Tip #1. Take Regular Breaks: Mental health is becoming increasingly important in the work place, and more and more employers are recognizing the need for their employees to take frequent breaks to keep their minds sharp. By allowing your employees a fifteen-minute break in the morning, a 30- to 60-minute lunch break (that we recommend they take outside of the office) and an additional fifteen-minute break before the end of the day, you will find your employees' batteries are constantly at a full charge.

Tip #2. Create A Unique Break Room: Conventional break rooms tend to be pretty plain -- coffee machine, water cooler, the usual rigmarole. Some companies have started to stray from this, however, and transformed breaks and break rooms into brief escapes from work, going so far as to set up televisions, game tables and video game systems in their break rooms (one hospital in Rochester, NY has a Nintendo Wii in their break room). Creating an environment for employees to briefly escape to for a reasonable amount of time will go a long way to preventing job burnout.

Check out Dr. John M. Grohol's "Five Tips to Bust Job Burnout" on PsychCentral.com.

Tip #3. Set Aside "Me Time" Outside Of Work: While being a dedicated employee is admirable, being an indentured servant to your business will wear you down over time. When work is your life, your life is work, and burnout becomes inevitable. Know when to walk away from work. Schedule regular time away from work each week, preferably dedicated to a personal passion or hobby that clears your mind of any fog. Fishing, gym workouts, pick-up basketball games, reading, painting and car maintenance are just a few of the ways people center themselves outside of work.

Tip #4. Be Wary Of Overworking: Many people find it difficult to say "no" in the workplace. This typically leads to the accumulation of more and more workload each time they agree to lend a hand here or there, or take on a side project or something similar. Being a team player is important in the business world, and helping your colleagues from time to time is a surefire way to further your career. But if you aren't careful other employees will take advantage of your generous, helping nature and all you'll get in return is stress from being overworked.

Tip #5. Balance Life And Work: As previously mentioned, work cannot be the all-encompassing focus of your life -- especially if you hope to maintain a happy home life. Whether you live independently, with a significant other, or a whole family -- kids and all -- you need to manage your time between work and home effectively. When it's time to punch out, punch out. Go to the local pub. Go home to your family. Go to the movies with your partner or friends. Give your personal life just as much time and attention as you do your work life. Otherwise, you will start to see problems and frustrations develop at home, affect your work life and cause you to feel burned out.

Tip #6. Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle: The importance of a healthy lifestyle is among the top issues in our nation -- and for good reason. This is because the benefits of diet, exercise, proper sleep and choosing water over carbonated cans full of nothing but chemicals drastically affect our behavior -- even at work. All it takes is setting aside thirty or forty minutes just three days a week to exercise and making a greater effort to manage your diet. Doing so will benefit you directly in ways innumerable, and a positive lifestyle will lead to a more positive work experience.

Executive Summary: In today's fast-paced, demanding, work-intensive business world, job burnout is easy to turn up. "Virtually everyone will face the prospect of a job burnout at one point," says John M. Grohol, Psy. D. and founder of Psychcentral.com, "whether you're an office worker or a carpenter, a salesperson or a doctor." But just because job burnout is common does not mean it's anything to scoff at, or "just deal with." Preventative measures like the ones outlined above should be initiated to help minimize the threat of job burnout. Trust us, following these tips will do wonders for your business.

For more information, please visit our website!

Tip #342: 6 Tips To Maximize Internal Meetings

2011-06-06T06:18:00.000-07:00

6 Tips To Help Maximize

Internal Meetings

Internal meetings are a staple of the business world. No matter what type of business you run, or what kind of setting you hold your meetings in -- be it formal or informal -- meetings are an essential activity to keeping your business on target.

Effective Meetings Come From Proper Organization.

Getting the most out of your meetings requires walking a fine line -- if they are too rigid or feel like a chore, employees' will daydream or focus on matters unrelated to your business. If too casual, or too unstructured, internal meetings accomplish little more than eating up valuable work time and ultimately produce nothing of substance at all.

So, to make sure you get the most out of your daily meetings, check out the six tips below.

6 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Meetings:

Tip # 1 Decide Whether You Need A Meeting: In most cases, meetings are the cornerstone of your business' organization and company-wide unity. But in some cases, when a project or assignment's parameters have already been established and discussed at length, having a meeting might only cut into time better spent working on the project at hand. So depending on what kind of week your business is having or what the workload is like, your first decision may be whether to even hold a meeting in the first place.

Tip #2. Spend 15 Minutes Preparing For The Meeting: Preparation is vital to streamlining and maximizing your meeting time. If you hold meetings at roughly the same time each day for roughly the same length of time, employee preparation would immensely improve the meeting's productivity. At least 15 minutes before the meeting, employees should write out a list of their goals, objectives, needs and wants so that when it comes time to meet they're ready to hit the ground running.

Tip #3. Encourage Participation From Everyone: Part of being an effective leader in the business world is recognizing your employees' strengths and weaknesses. But just because an employee isn't particularly strong in one area does not mean they aren't still a useful asset. For example, employees with less experience in sales or marketing may be able to provide a new or unique perspective that might not occur to seasoned pros. Similarly, casual readers might be confused by convoluted text on a website that made sense in the writer's mind.

Tip #4. Designate A Leader To Manage The Meeting: To get the most out of your daily production meetings you need to maintain order, structure and direction. Someone needs to step up to the challenge of facilitating the progress of production meetings -- the reading of goals and agendas and discussions about employee responsibilities. They also need to ensure participants remain positive and constructive. We recommend agreeing to a leadership rotation to avoid rigid, hierarchal structuring and to keep each production meeting fresh.

Tip #5. Rely On Employees' Pre-Meeting Preparation: As previously mentioned, preparation prior to a production meeting helps streamline the entire process. These written goals, agendas and requirements should form the framework of the production meeting's discussions and help give the meeting the structure and direction it needs to benefit your company. So hammer home the importance of employee preparation in order to keep your production meetings focused on what matters most.

Tip #6. Develop A Post-Meeting Follow-up Plan: The only way to truly get the most out of a meeting is to send a post-meeting e-mail check on the status of the project(s). Whatever method you choose, a meeting follow-up plan will help everyone stay focused on their responsibilities.

Executive Summary: Any business looking to stay organized and at the top of their game needs to hold regular meetings -- the key is to execute them in the most effective manner. For more creative companies, such as graphic design firms or ad agencies, more creative and free-spirited meetings tend to benefit them the most. For a more conventional business, such as architectural, engineering or consulting firms, a more defined, structured meeting may be in order. Whatever types of meetings are best for your business, the tips listed above are sure to help you get the most out of them.

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #341: 5 HR Tips To Strengthen Your Business

2011-06-02T07:52:00.000-07:00

5 HR Tips To
Strengthen Your Business

At its core, a business' Human Resources department has two primary focuses: (1) Helping promote an ideal work environment that keeps your company's talent within the company and (2) helping scout out or draw in additional top talent when hiring. These responsibilities are why having the right HR professionals in your employ can do wonders for your business.

Unfortunately, HR carries a largely negative stigma. Television and films typically portray HR departments as a place of punishment, where employees go when being reprimanded. But in reality, a strong HR department should be a tremendous asset to your business, the undercurrent that supports the rest of your business by generating a positive work environment and fostering team unity.

So to help you strengthen your HR department (and in turn, your business), here are five tips to pass along to your HR pros.

5 HR Tips To Strengthen Your Business:

Tip #1. Improve Your Interviewing: Building a strong team starts with the hiring process. Far too many employers make the mistake of shooting from the hip during an interview -- no preparation, no plan. However, the more effort you put into the hiring process, the more likely you are to get the top talent you want. To improve your interviewing, task your HR pros to develop a dynamic interviewing plan by reading books and studies on interviewing techniques. You may even want them to take a course on interviewing.

Tip #2. Don't Be Afraid To Get Creative: Flexible, fun work cultures are extremely appealing to existing employees and potential candidates. Most businesses are afraid to stray from well-known business structures and models, but companies like Google and Best Buy have made news with their unorthodox business cultures and the freedom they allow employees (such as eliminating set work hours and permitting employees to come and go as they please -- so long as they get their day's work done). Creating a unique work culture could just prove to be a huge draw for top talent and help keep employee morale high.

Tip #3. Shine A Spotlight On Employees: As the rise of social media has proven, people -- your prospects and clients included -- have a genuine interest in the personal side of businesses. Employee profile pages (employee picture, biographical information) tend to be the most visited pages on a business' website. These staff profiles are also a great way to boost morale within your company by making your employees feel valued and integral to your businesses' success, as opposed to a faceless, nameless cog in the machine that no one ever sees.

Tip #4. Strengthen Employer-Employee Relations: One of the leading causes for employee departure is their relationship with their boss. Healthy employer-employee relationships are at the heart of your business' success. To help improve workplace relationships, HR pros need to ensure positive employer-employee relations by studying up on leadership training. They might do this by reading up on leadership training, tapping employees for open and honest feedback on their employers or by taking a Dale Carnegie class on leadership.

Tip #5. Maintain Corporate Clarity: Another task that falls under the HR umbrella is organizational clarity. By this, we mean your business' goals, philosophies, policies, procedures and all the other components that make up your company's culture. These elements form the foundation of any business and establish a unified work environment. But when these ideas are not presented clearly, employees make assumptions, and their first instinct is to do things their way. It falls on the HR department's shoulders to maintain cohesion in the work place.

Executive Summary: Despite what many think of HR departments, HR professionals in the real world are expected to wear a lot of hats. They are there when an employee is brought into the fold, there when an employee departs and everything in between. And it is a business' HR department that is responsible for developing and maintaining a positive work culture that promotes team unity and engages your workforce. So do yourself and your business a favor and make sure your HR professionals are at the top of their game, starting by reviewing these tips.

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #340: 6 Tips For Making A Strong First Impression

2011-05-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

6 Tips For Making

A Strong First Impression

Regardless of your business, profession or career choice, we all must be salespeople to some degree -- mostly in how we sell ourselves to others through our résumés and first impressions. Unfortunately, one of the biggest mistakes most professionals make when they first meet someone is overselling themselves.

First Impressions Require Finesse For Success.

Barring impromptu first impressions, scheduled first impressions like sales calls, job interviews, first days at a new job and conference appearances possess numerous mental and physical issues that people can learn to cope with and overcome with proper training. To that end, we have prepared six tips below designed to help make your next first impression one of your best first impressions.

6 Tips For Making A Strong First Impression:

Tip #1. Dress To Impress: As cliché as this saying has become, it still holds true in today's society -- your clothes, your hair, your hygiene are all factors that most people will base their initial judgment on. While it is true that the workplace is becoming more casual and less stringent about dress codes, it is always a safer bet to overdress than shoot low. You can always leave the jacket behind, ditch the tie and roll up your sleeves if you find yourself entering a more casual setting.

Tip #2.Listen Attentively: First impressions are not one-sided interviews. They are opportunities for whoever you are meeting to gauge just how quick you are on your feet and how genuine your interest is. Drifting thoughts or distance gazes tell a speaker than your attention is elsewhere, which is not only insulting but also leaves a poor first impression. Be sure to nod along with certain points and respond with short phrases like "I agree" or "Mhm" to show you are participating, even if only passively.

Tip #3. Use A Speaker's Name: Another way to show that you are paying attention as well as help learn and memorize a person's name is to pepper its use into the conversation whenever you can. Each time you include a speaker's name you establish certainty of your participation in the discussion, personalize the moment and help make yourself more memorable in the process.

Tip #4. Be Articulate: For some, speaking articulately comes naturally. For others, it takes careful, consciousness application. And you know what? There's nothing wrong with that. It is better to pause and think carefully for a moment about what you want to say than to just blurt out the first words that pop into your head, especially if they are incoherent and easily misunderstood. Clear, concise communication is valued in the business world, so maintain a moderate pace while speaking, properly modulate your voice and enunciate.

Tip #5. Skip On The Humor: As tempting as it may be to slip in a bit of humor or crack a joke during a first impression, don't. It's one thing to be light-hearted, but humor is a fuzzy area. What one person perceives as an innocent thought or comment another might perceive as ignorant, racist, sexist, homophobic, classist or just plain rude. If any one of those previously mentioned faux pas are actually misconstrued during your first impression, you can pretty much kiss your chances goodbye.

Tip #6. Show Interest in Return: Whether it is a job interview or random conversation on a long train ride, all the skills listed above contribute to what the other party in a first impression scenario wants most from you: To show interest. Almost every job interview ends with the interviewee asking the candidate whether they have any questions. It's those candidates that do have questions, who prove they were listening and thinking critically, that stand out from the crowd

Executive Summary: It doesn't matter if you are a recent hire at a business or the new CEO for some Fortune 500 company -- the first impression you make is going to be what defines you for months to come. So, to make sure your first impressions go smoothly, heed the advice listed above. Dress for success, speak clearly, listen attentively and be wary of humor too soon. Follow these tips and you will be well on your way to success.

For more information, visit out website!

Tip #339: 5 Tips To Maximize A Job Interview

2011-05-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

When it comes to job interviews, whoever conducts the interview has just as much riding on their shoulders as the candidate they are interviewing. Businesses rely on a leader's ability to choose candidates that fit seamlessly into their business, that bring the energy and expertise necessary for their business to succeed.

Hiring The Right Candidate Makes All The Difference.

One of the biggest mistakes business leaders can make is hastily hiring employees. The difference between hiring just another employee and the right employee is what separates the employee who works for your business and the employee who makes your business work. Finding the latter starts with the interview process. With that said, here are five tips to help you get the most out of your interview and the best person for the job.

5 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Next Candidate Interview:

Tip #1. Research The Candidate: Just as you expect your candidate to come to the interview prepared, having researched your business and the job position and spent time preparing for the interview, you too should do your due diligence. Use the candidate's résumé as a springboard to learn more about their past employment history and their job performance. Use this information to tailor your interview questions in order to best gauge how well the candidate would fit at your business.

Tip #2. Avoid Snap Judgments: An increasing problem in the business world today is employers who judge candidates based on their private lives -- content gleaned from their Facebook page, for example. The trouble with this is that someone's personal life and cultural or philosophical views bear no immediate impact on how well they would perform for you as an employee. Candidates deserve to be interviewed with a clean slate, not having to fight an uphill battle against whatever opinions you formed of them prior to meeting them.

Tip #3. Ask For Anecdotes: Never take résumé bullet points at face value. Phrases like "team player" and "born leader" are clichés nowadays -- what you really want is anecdotal evidence how someone is a team player or a natural leader. To borrow a creative writing concept, you want candidates to show, not tell. By relating a time they took charge of a situation or directly influenced a business' success, candidates show you how they behave, as opposed to just telling you.

Tip #4. Vary Your Questions: In order to gain the broadest picture of a candidate, ask a variety of questions during the interview. Do not limit yourself solely to questions related to the position they are applying for. All jobs require a certain amount of adaptability, flexibility and improvisation. Use the interview as an opportunity to test whether your candidate is malleable and able to bend with unexpected demands or rigid and likely to break under pressure.

Tip #5. Continue Evaluation: Just because the interview is over does not mean you are done your evaluation of the candidate. After the interview, take some time away from the evaluation process. We recommend putting a good night's sleep between the interview itself and the next step in the evaluation process. This way, you keep a clear head whenever deliberating over whether a candidate is a viable asset to your business or not.

Executive Summary: Thanks to modern technology, conducting job interviews nowadays is simultaneously easier and harder than ever. The Internet has vastly extended the talent pool available to your business. At the same time, it has made peeking into the wholly irrelevant personal lives of would-be hires all too easy, too tempting. Try to stay focused on what matters mostwhen interviewing a candidate. The more time and effort you put into the interviewing process, employing techniques and advice like the ones above, the more likely you are to hire a perfect match for your business.

For more information please visit our website!

Tip #338: 5 Tips For Better Client Communications

2011-05-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

There are all different types of clients in the business world. Some know exactly what they want and how they want it while others do not. As a result, clients like the latter ones tend to struggle when making buying decisions or committing to the direction of a new or existing project.

Communication Is Key To Your Success.

On one hand, your job is to service the needs and wants of your client. On the other hand, you want to maximize the time you spend on the project by being efficient in the management of a client's project. This is why communication between your business and the client is so crucial. With that in mind, we came up with five tips to help you keep the lines of communication clear when working with a client.

5 Tips For Communicating With Clients On A Project:

Tip #1. Get The Most Important Information Up Front: Because you won't always be able to reach your client or get a quick response, you need to gather up as much information as you can initially. The more information you collect at the start of a project the further you can progress before having to consult your client.

Tip #2. Agree To A Communication Plan: Every business operates on their own unique schedule, making consistent communication difficult to maintain. If client involvement is important to a project, it helps to establish a communication plan with the client to ensure you maintain regular contact. This allows you to keep the client abreast on your progress, and helps make sure the client is available to provide feedback or authorize approvals.

Click here to read TechRepublic's extensive article on project communication.

Tip #3. Provide A List Of Decisions: If you know in advance that a project will require a level of customization that calls for approvals, develop a document that outlines the various stages of the project and the corresponding decisions that the client will need to make in order to move the project along from one stage to the next. If you can, include deadlines for the decisions so that your client can better manage their schedule.

Tip #4. Keep Initial Options Light: When a client feels flooded with too many options, they often put off making a decision -- especially if they have their own matters to tend to at their business. This can cause the project to slip their mind, leading to hold ups. Options are good, and lots of options are great, but at the beginning of a client project keep things light to avoid throwing too much at the client at once.

Tip #5. Make Them Feel Like Part Of The Team: Sometimes, when a client does not feel directly involved in a project, it can lead to a breakdown in communication, slowing or even halting a project's development. To avoid this, make your client part of your "inner circle" so they feel like a team member. Do this, and you will vastly improve the likelihood of getting a response from them when you need input.

Executive Summary: As with so much in life, effective communication is integral to the success of a client project. This requires more than just calling a client up or sending them an e-mail. Having a plan for maintaining communication throughout a project's life will make things much easier. Plus, it also helps manage your client's expectations and will make future projects get approved with little to no resistance.

For more information, visit our website!

E-Tip#337: 4 Reasons to Emphasize Face-To-Face Communication

2011-05-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

In 2005, Alison Stein Wellner wrote an article for Inc. Magazine about how face-to-face communication is becoming a "dying art" in the wake of e-mail, text messaging and other telecommunications technology. As part of her research for the article, Alison spoke to several academics and experts who have studied how businesses communicate and the pros and cons of both face-to-face communication and online communication.

We Just Had To Share This Information With You.

What these experts had to say was so fascinating and in the spirit of Dale Carnegie Training's own philosophies on communication, we just knew we had to share it. So we condensed the article into the four reasons for emphasizing face-to-face communication below, adding a dash of our own thoughts into the mix as well.

4 Reasons To Emphasize Face-To-Face Communication:

Reason #1. Keep Communication Skills Sharp:E-mail and online conversations can only take you so far. At some point, regardless of what type of business you run, you will need to pick up the phone or meet with someone face-to-face. But the more time you spend enmeshed in e-mail instead of communicating in person, the more those interpersonal communication skills dull. Naturally, weak face-to-face conversation skills pose a potential threat to the success of your business.

Reason #2. A More Effective Form Of Communication: According to UCLA psychology professor Albert Mehrabian, reports Wellner, "55% of meaning in an interaction comes from facial and body language and 38% comes from vocal inflection. Only 7% of an interaction's meaning is derived from the words themselves." In other words, a tremendous amount of the subtle, nuanced aspects of communication we all rely upon are lost in e-mail. E-mail is purely words -- the 7 percent. As such, e-mail content runs a greater risk at being misunderstood than verbal communication does.

Reason #3. Causes Less Conflict In The Workplace: "People hide behind e-mail," Sara Roberts, president of Roberts Golden Consulting in San Francisco, told Wellner. This issue is common enough that most businesses can relate to it. Because there is a sense of detachment inherent to e-mail communication, a non-presence, people tend to be more uninhibited when e-mailing. With less skin in the game, so to speak, e-mailers are more inclined to sling insults and use so-called swear words, stirring trouble in the process.

Reason #4. Strengthens Work Relationships: Face-to-face communication is more conducive to team building and collaboration. That's not to say it is impossible to achieve team unity over the web, but nothing trumps in-person activity when it comes to holding in-depth conversations and discussing matters that are sensitive in nature. And as previously stated, body language, facial expressions, tone and inflection all contribute to dynamic, engaging discussions that simply can't be replicated over e-mail.

Click here to read Alison's original piece for Inc. Magazine.

The Virtual Business Dilemma.

More and more businesses are sprouting up that operate almost entirely virtually -- that is, all business is conducted over the web in some form. For these businesses, face-to-face communication is rarely, sometimes not ever an option. For such businesses, Jim Ball, co-founder of Alpine Access, offers the following advice:

§ Concentrate On Clarity: Make sure several people proof important e-mails, checking not only the grammar, but also the nuance of the language to ensure it isn't easily misconstrued.

§ Rely On Employees To Verify: Most e-mail clients have an option to sign an e-mail receipt acknowledging that they received and read the e-mail in question. This is especially useful for important internal communications.

§ Choose Communication Methods Wisely: Basically, know when an e-mail is and isn't appropriate. Phone conversations are still a viable option for virtual businesses when it comes to more involved communication.

Executive Summary: E-mail communication and its kind are vital tools for modern businesses -- no one is claiming otherwise. To truly get the most out of these tools, however, businesses need to strike a balance between online communication and face-to-face. The speed and convenience e-mail affords the transmission of direct, straightforward information is undeniably important. But equally as integral to a business' success is the intuitive complexity of face-to-face conversation.

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Tip # 336 5 Tips For Improving Your Business Research

2011-05-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

Research and fact-finding are important elements to success in the business world. Truly effective marketing and persuasive rhetoric hinges upon the quality of research businesses put forth as well as rely on. Unfortunately, while the Internet has made research and fact-finding much more accessible and streamlined than it was in the past, the tremendous volume of information available on the Internet also makes it difficult to sort out the reliable research from the unreliable.

Responsible Business Research Will Make You Look More Credible.

Information on the Internet can be misleading. Most commonly, you will find hasty generalizations (prematurely jumping to a conclusion), faulty authority (accepting someone's credentials without careful evaluation of who they are) and false dilemmas (either/or scenarios that suggest only two options are possible). To ensure that you avoid making these mistakes, or avoid using sources of misinformation, check out the five tips below.

5 Tips For Improving Your Business Research:

Tip #1. Examine Generalizations: Hasty generalizations are the source of prejudices and superstitions -- like how walking under a ladder will give you bad luck. They are also easily the most common type of fallacy you will come across, especially online. This can be particularly embarrassing for anyone presenting his or her research data.

Tip #2. Carefully Consider Who Is A Real Authority: We see instances of faulty authority all the time. Certain television commercials are a prime example. How many times have you seen a celebrity -- a sports star, music star or an actor -- sell a product or service completely unrelated to their profession? Yet almost none of them have any relevant credentials to what it is they are endorsing. The same applies to the business world. Whenever you are dealing with authority, evaluate the person's credentials as they relate to whatever it is they are claiming.

Tip #3. Look Out For Extremes: People are quick to buy into false dilemmas because they typically possess an emotional appeal. Unfortunately, they tend to limit the world to two extremes. Take the now cliché phrase, "you are either with us or against us." At first, this may make sense on some base level, but upon further consideration, you should realize that it completely ignores the possibility for any middle ground between the two. Working only in extremes in the business world can be profoundly limiting and damaging.

Tip #4. Look For Hard Figures: Verifiable, proven data speaks for itself. Unfortunately, most people do not look beyond the presence of statistics. What you need to do is ask yourself how a business came up with their numbers, or to check the numbers against their primary source - that is, the original, documented research. When it comes to numbers, the process -- how the information was arrived at -- is just as important as the information itself. This is why many businesses use credible research firms.

Tip #5. Rely On Database Sources: Unlike a cursory Google search, which will bring up any result that contains your search query, databases offered by the likes of Dun & Bradstreet, Standard & Poor's or Gartner Group will provide the previously mentioned first party information for review, backed by background information and research techniques/methodology.

Executive Summary: Being misinformed can damage your image and authority. Although anyone can claim himself or herself as an industry expert, you should look at their background, their positions on past issues and their website to help determine their real expertise. You also need to be aware of the common mistakes most people make when presenting researching -- doing so will help you avoid making them yourself.

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Tip #335 Telecommuting Pros And Cons

2011-05-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

Telecommuting can be a very appealing option to your employees. Who wouldn't like the ease and convenience of working from home? However, what many articles often overlook about telecommuting is what it means for you and your business.

Like most things, telecommuting has its pros and its cons. The success of a telecommuting option depends on what type of business you run and how well you execute the program. In order to help you gauge the viability of telecommuting for your business, we have listed below three pros and three cons of telecommuting.

3 Pros Of Telecommuting:

Pro #1. Appealing Recruitment Tool: One powerful benefit to offering telecommuting is its use as a recruitment tool. The option to work from home is an appealing benefit to new employees. It is also an effective employee retention tool for the same reasons. Employees, especially those with families, will be glad to have the stress of juggling home and work life off their shoulders.

Pro #2. Increased Productivity: Working from home can potentially increase employee productivity. For starters, employees do not need to slog through a long commute. This means the time they would normally spend traveling they can now spend getting an earlier jump on the workday, or a bit more rest for a more energized workday. Another benefit is that you can arrange so that employees working from home be reachable during non-traditional working hours.

Pro #3. Save On Overhead Costs: Fewer employees in the office means fewer pieces of office furniture needed -- a cubicle, a desk, lights, even little things such as pens and paper and other supplies. If your company covers an employee's travel expenses, telecommuting will cut down on those costs as well. And if your business can be ran more virtually, you might even be able to switch to a smaller office space to save even more money.

3 Cons Of Telecommuting:

Con #1. Lost Opportunities For Team Building:

This is the most obvious downside to telecommuting. When an employee works outside of the office, they miss the opportunity to build a rapport with other team members and establish stronger ties with their follow employees. Because team unity is important to any business, you may want to schedule face-time regularly into your telecommuting program to ensure team relationships are established and maintained.

Con #2. Employer-Employee Disconnect: For the same reasons that telecommuting lends itself to productivity, it also lends itself to employer-employee disconnect. Some employees who telecommute have expressed a sense of feeling "out of sight, out of mind" in the eyes of their employers, and concern over how this might negatively affects their potential for promotion. The possibility of such a disconnect makes it crucial that employers interested in telecommuting stay in touch with their employees.

Con #3. Absence Of Motivation: Some employees are not as self-motivated as others are, and without direct management, may slack on their workload. This is why employers need to be careful when choosing which employees they permit to telecommute. Working from home requires a significant amount of self-discipline and self-motivation, not to mention the ability to work autonomously.

Executive Summary: For every benefit telecommuting potentially provides a business, there is a corresponding downside. The only way to make telecommuting work for you is to tailor it to your business' needs. You also need to make sure the employees you permit to telecommute are capable of handling the responsibility it comes with. Telecommuting is not for everybody, but for some, the flexibility and freedom it affords can be the kind of motivating work privilege that allows them to excel.

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