Tip #432: 6 Tips For Appreciating Your Employees

One of the best ways to generate loyalty among your staff is to make them feel appreciated. This can result in more consistent, high-quality work. Additionally, your employees may feel more inclined to give you honest feedback and will have a vested interest in the success of team projects. 

When it comes to making your staff feel appreciated, the simplest things go a long way. That said, we have created a list of six easy tips that will help you convey your appreciation. 

  

6 Tips For Appreciating Your Staff Are:

1. Just Say "Thank You" More Often 

When your employees complete a task in a satisfactory manner, point it out. Thank them for a job well done. Having their hard work recognized will validate their work experiences and let them know that a good job is appreciated. Sincere, in-person thanks are most genuine and effective. 

2. Criticize People Less

Negative and constant criticism will only put your team members on the defensive and create employee frustration. Instead, provide

constructive

criticism. If appropriate, pad the constructive criticism with a compliment. Additionally, avoid drama and gossip as no one appreciates this type of subject matter. 

 3. Learn Everyone's Name

It can be hard for an employee to believe you are keeping track of her accomplishments if you do not even know her name. Even if you supervise a large number of employees, take the time to learn all names. This personal interaction goes a long way.   

 4. Listen To Someone's Concern

- Your employees understand that your time is valuable, and they will greatly appreciate it if you make time to listen to their concerns. When you listen to a staff member, avoid talking over him. In your response, let him know that his concerns have been heard by reiterating them and thanking him for his feedback.  

 5. Cultivate Your Internal Talent

After completing the same tasks every day, it is easy to understand how an employee can feel as though her job is stagnant - or worse, unimportant to the overall organization. To combat this, recognize an employee's natural talents and help her develop them. This will also let the employee know that her strengths are appreciated - and that she is on the right track. 

6. Stay Positive

Leading by example is crucial, and keeping a positive attitude will have a positive effect on your team. Remain conscious of how you talk about other people and keep your tone positive whenever possible.  

Executive Summary: Employees who feel appreciated tend to commit to producing quality work. They are also more likely to have a vested interest in promoting a positive corporate culture and the overall success of team projects. Appreciation fosters trust and employee loyalty, allowing you to retain the best members of your team and get the best results from them. 

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. 

If you have any questions visit our website! 

5 Tips For Handling Difficult Questions

Have you ever had to answer difficult questions after a business presentation or during an important meeting?

As a manager, salesperson, executive or business owner, it is your job to arm yourself with information and set the tone of the meeting. The ability to appropriately address difficult questions will set a positive example in your organization.

Many business leaders find presentations and crucial business meetings extremely stressful. Usually, long meetings and presentations concern topics of change, such as changes in an established process. And generally, people do not react well to change if they like the way things are already going.

  

5 Tips For Handling Difficult Questions After A Presentation Are:

Tip #1: Be Informed ­- Arm yourself with necessary and supplemental information about your topic. Even if you cannot answer a difficult or emotional question, you can at least provide the questioner with facts, statistics, and evidence. If you do not have a direct answer to the question, offer to follow up with it in an e-mail to the group - and follow through on that promise.

Tip # 2: Maintain Control ­- Set some ground rules for your Q&A session. At the beginning of your presentation, ask listeners to hold their questions until you are finished. If you have a time limit, manage expectations by mentioning it at the start of the presentation. To prevent interruptions, provide your listeners with pens and notepaper - this will encourage them to write their questions down and ask them later.

Tip #3: Rephrase The Question - After you receive a question, rephrase it and confirm that you have understood the questioner properly. If the question contains incorrect information or assumptions, take this opportunity to provide the facts.

Tip #4: Answer Questions Carefully - A questioner might try to bait you with a question, so choose your words carefully when you respond. To avoid becoming too emotional over the topic, make sure you address the entire audience in your response. This will also make everyone feel included. Additionally:

• Remain professional towards all audience members.
• Answer questions directly.
• Construct your answer to relate to the point you wish to emphasize.
• If someone has a specific question that does not apply to others, offer to speak with him or her independently following the presentation. 

Tip #5: Prepare A FAQ Document - To save time, provide a FAQ (frequently asked questions document) that you can hand out after the presentation. This allows everyone to have firm answers in writing. By anticipating questions, you can also save on time.

  

Executive Summary: Difficult questions are a challenging aspect of leading a business meeting and/or presentation. To succeed, ensure that you maintain positive body language and continually demonstrate how the answers can benefit the audience.

For more information visit our website!

Tip #430: How To Get A Management Job

Acquiring a management position or being promoted to a new one may seem like a difficult task. Despite this difficulty, it is not impossible to acquire one. To help you take the next career step, we have listed below five tips that can help you or someone you know.

5 Tips To Help You Get A Job In Management:

Tip #1: Excel In Your Present Position - If you are satisfied with your current place of employment, consider going for a promotion. The best way to do this is to excel at your job. While top performance is important, you don't have to be the best - top performers are not always the best leaders. Instead, strive to manage your own work properly and become a team player. Think of it as taking leadership of your own job.  

Tip #2: Observe Good Leaders - If you have a favorite or an effective manager you respect, observe their habits and ask yourself this: How have they nurtured their employees' careers? Additionally, you can supplement these observations with hands-on leadership training.

Tip #3: Become A Better Communicator - Good communication is about more than simple politeness. Managing others involves a thought process: you need to anticipate how people will interpret or react to issues that come up. Additionally, use your words and actions to communicate respect for others and encourage the same in turn. Establishing this rapport (even with difficult coworkers) will allow you to more easily work with them. If you aren't liked or can't get along with others, it's not likely you'll receive a promotion or new career opportunity.

Tip #4: Start Taking The Initiative - Starting with your current job duties, take the initiative on getting things done as great managers are proactive. When it comes time for a review or a chat with your manager, you need to ask them what steps you need to take if you are interested in obtaining a management position. Be prepared for your manager to delegate a small "test" task to you immediately. Additionally, watch for job postings at your company and keep tabs on who is talking about leaving the company. This way, you can position yourself to seize upcoming opportunities.

  

Tip #5: Ask Thoughtful Questions - Asking questions is a great way to get people thinking about what you'd like them to do. If you bring up the right questions in team meetings, your manager may notice that you are serious about improving processes and taking initiative. 

Consider asking the following questions: 

• "How can we manage costs better?"
• "How can we accomplish this task more efficiently?"
• "How can we better meet our clients' needs?" 

When you ask these questions, it's best to have your own answers prepared. Presenting a solution with a problem always reinforces initiative.

 Executive Summary: If you're ready to take the next step in becoming a manager, take ownership of your current position, observe effective leaders and demonstrate initiative.  However, we also recommend talking with your manager about upcoming management opportunities.

For more information visit our website!  

Tip #497 - Tips for Managing Stress and Goal Setting

Goal setting is a worthwhile and necessary function on the road to success. But over-striving to meet goals often results in more stress, and thus, the need to find ways to reduce it.

When attempting to reduce goal-oriented stress, Dale Carnegie Training of Western Connecticut recommends first examining the goals you've set for yourself. Goals should be difficult, but achievable with persistent effort. Goals that are too far fetched, such as doubling your income in one year, nearly always lead to failure and discouragement. Attainable goals work because you persist and focus your efforts in a specific direction. Without that direction, we'll often find ourselves bouncing from one task to another like a pinball, more at the mercy of outside forces that have no stake in our welfare or success.

The good news is there are ways available to us to combat goal-induced stress. The first line of defense is to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Also try to establish a firm time each day that you won't work past. Pre-plan vacations and weekends so that you have something to look forward to outside of work, and schedule social events with friends at least once per week. However, be mindful of not over-booking social activities so that you can build in some time rest and recuperation.

Also keep in mind that goals need to be set for all aspects of your life, including relationships, finances, home, physical and mental health, as well as spiritual development. Be specific and reasonable when setting goals so that you don't invite more stress into your life. The more you regularly review your goals and focus on them, the more likely it is you'll meet them. Write down your goals, read through them periodically, visualize them and consider keeping a picture journal that represents your achievement of those goals. And don't resist making adjustments to those goals when necessary. Career plans seldom unfold exactly as plotted, and you need to be flexible and adaptable in order to keep an overload of stress from creeping into your life.

For more information visit our website!

Tip #496 - 7 Tips for Using Your Voice to Improve a Presentation

Everyone has experienced boredom by a conference speaker at one time or another. Good presenters, on the other hand, know their voice can make or break a presentation. A well-trained voice can make a huge impression on listeners. And despite how well you know the presentation, there is always room for improvement.

To help you be more successful during your next presentation, your friends at Dale Carnegie Training of Western Connecticut have listed below seven quick tips that can help improve your speech and sales communication when making a presentation to both large and small audiences.

1. Articulate Clearly - 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.

2. Vary Your Tone To Drive Home A Key Point - Nothing will numb an audience more than somebody who speaks in a dull 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.

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.

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.

5. Get Rid Of Speaking "Crutches" - Avoid punctuating sentences with "you know," "like," "uh," "really," "kind of" and other similar fillers. This pattern becomes tiresome to listeners and portrays a nervous or lazy speaker.

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.

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 loud. Play the recording, listen to how you sound and make positive changes. Better yet, audition your speech in front of someone who will give you honest feedback. Do not get upset or frustrated when they give you criticism. Instead, recognize they are trying to help and find ways to incorporate their suggestions. And if they tell you it was perfect, get a second opinion.

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 #482: 7 Tips for Effective Business Networking

      

Successful business networking builds strong relationships that are often beneficial to all parties involved. Consider the old saying: "It's not what you know, it's who you know." Business networking brings with it the advantage of recommendations and personal introductions, which can also lead to new business opportunities for you.

While establishing a strong network of contacts is essential, it isn't always easy. We've put together a list of tips will help you build valued connections. 

The 7 Tips For Effective Business Networking Are:

Tip #1: Be Visible - There are more ways than ever to get your name out there. Joining social networking sites such as LinkedIn or Twitter is a great way to begin creating a strong online presence. Use these sites to reach out to other professionals in your industry, not just people you already know. Post commentary or articles of interest, or publish a blog to promote your areas of expertise and provide updates on your achievements. Ask others in your "social groups" to recommend you and be sure to return the favor.

Click here for more on using LinkedIn to help build your networking connections.

Tip #2: Take The Focus Off Of Selling - People are more likely to do business with someone who they feel they've built a strong connection with. So don't think of networking events or groups as a way of gaining sales. Instead use these as opportunities to meet new people and begin building solid long-term relationships.

Tip #3: Plan Your Introduction - When you meet someone at a social event, you only have 10-20 seconds to make a first impression. Just as a resume is a great written tool to concisely describe your qualifications, it is as important to come up with a short introduction to use for social meetings. While keeping in mind less is more, make sure to tell your new contact your full name, what company you are with and your area of specialty. And be sure to smile and make eye contact while you are speaking to keep them engaged.

Tip #4: Ask Questions - Once you have introduced yourself, it's important to give your new contact a chance to share.  Ending your introduction with a question enables more to happen. And asking specific questions shows that you are truly interested. Most people enjoy talking about themselves and will be glad to respond. This can be a great start to building good rapport.

Tip #5: Remember Names - A sure way to impress a contact who you have previously met is by remembering his or her name. People feel a personal connection with you when you refer to them by name. Upon first meeting, use your new contact's name often throughout your conversation. This will help you to remember the name in the future and will also make a positive impression.

Tip #6: Don't Be Forgotten - It's a sad fact: within 48 hours of meeting you, people will often forget who you are. Whether it's with an e-mail, phone call or even an invitation to join your social media page, remember to follow up soon after your first meeting to stay fresh in your contact's mind. 

Tip #7: Connect Your Connections - It's a real possibility that many of your business contacts could help each other out - if only they knew each other. When you feel an introduction would be beneficial, why not introduce two of your connections? This will not only show your willingness to help, but it will also keep your name fresh in their minds. And who knows, they may soon return the favor.

Executive Summary: Social networks have quickly become an important part of the business world - either through online social networking, a networking group or an event.  However, they all need to be done proactively.  That said, take the steps in your business and you will see how this will lead to mutually beneficial relationships.

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #481: 5 Tips For Providing Value-Added Services To Your Customers

      

To build strong relationships with your customers and prospects, it's imperative that the services you provide add value for your customers. It's true that customers want to do business with companies that they trust. But just as important, customers want to feel that they are gaining the highest value for their money.

There are some simple steps you can take to assure customers and prospects that there is much value to be gained in doing business with your company.

The 5 Tips To Increasing For Providing Value-Added Services To Your Customers Are:

Tip #1: Promote Customer Service Company-Wide - First and foremost, to add value to your sales relationships, you must provide training for everyone at your company who will come in contact with customers - not just the sales force. Make sure that all of your employees are well-educated in your company's services so that they are able to quickly offer solutions for customer issues if they arise. Offering above-average customer support across your company will add value to the service you provide.

Tip #2: Do It Better And Faster Than Your Competition - In today's fast-paced business world, customers are demanding that you not only provide quality service but that you do it quickly. Customers see a direct correlation between speed and good service. A company that can provide a fast turn around is providing a value to its customers.

Tip #3: Offer Convenience - Customers want convenience. It can be as simple as designing a company website that is easy to navigate, offering extended business hours, or providing 24-hour customer support. Finding ways to help customers easily access your services is another way to add value.

Tip #4: Give Something Extra - Customers want to walk away feeling that they received the best possible deal. Offering things such as a free consultation, a satisfaction guarantee, or a repeat-business discount can go a long way in building customer loyalty. Knowledge can also be a great give-away. Offering things such as brochures detailing your company's services, product instructions, how-to manuals, or access to knowledgeable consultants will show customers you care about their satisfaction and have the expertise to meet their needs.

Tip #5: Seek Feedback - Whether it's through a quick follow-up call after or a detailed customer satisfaction survey, it's important to touch base with customers to see how you are doing.  Are you meeting your customers' needs, or are you falling short?  Getting feedback will help you gain the most valuable information of all - what the customer wants.

Click here for tips on creating a great customer service survey.

Executive Summary: When customers look for a service solution for their company, they want to use a company they trust will offer the best possible service at the best value for their money. By adding value to the services you offer, you will successfully turn more prospects into customers and more customers into repeat buyers.

P.S.  Keep in mind the following quote from Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com, the largest retailer on the Web whose brand loyalty is based on providing exceptional value to its customers: "We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It's our job every day to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better."

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #480: 8 Tips For Generating Repeat Business

      

While many marketing and sales initiatives are designed to increase profitability by bringing in new business, repeat customers can actually be just as important in maintaining a company's revenue stream. But with so many options out there for customers to choose from, how can you ensure that your existing clients will keep coming back for more?

Tip #1: Get Personal - Treating each client as a unique individual is the key to good customer service. When you or your customer service team speaks to a client, be sure to address them by name throughout the conversation. It may seem polite to call someone Ma'am or Sir, but it can actually be a turnoff to clients who want to feel as though you are truly interested in serving their individual needs.

Tip #2: Make GREAT Customer Service A Priority -A bad customer service experience can not only affect how a client feels about your business, but it can impact how that client talks to others about your business. With social media becoming an ever-more popular way for customers to vent, one client's dissatisfaction could mean widespread negative publicity for your company. Make exceptional customer service a priority.

Click here to read a recent Forbes article on the golden rule of customer service.

Tip #3: Communicate Missed Deadlines - Sometimes circumstances arise that will cause you to miss a deadline, such as a promised delivery date. In these cases, it is always best to let the client know as soon as possible. While an apology can go a long way, consider also offering a discount on the current service or on a future service. Be sure to follow through on any new promises you make.

Tip #4: Incorporate Up-Selling And/Or Cross-Selling - Use client requests for products or services as an opportunity to discuss other related products and services your company offers. This is not only a great way to increase sales, but it also shows clients that you have experience and knowledge in other areas that could meet their needs.

Tip #5: Follow Up After An Initial Order Is Placed - When orders are placed, be sure to capture contact information, including name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Then follow-up immediately with an e-mail or a phone call to thank the client for the business. 

Tip #6: Ensure Customer Support Information Is Readily Available - There is nothing more frustrating for a client than not being able to talk to a live person when they have a question. Make your contact information readily available and easily accessible. Display a customer service contact number prominently on your Website. Include this phone number in follow-up e-mails and on invoices. Be sure that these phone numbers connect to knowledgeable representatives who can provide prompt quality client support.

Tip #7: Reduce The Perceived Risk - Clients want to rest assured that they will receive a high-quality product or service at the best possible price. By offering a guarantee, you will lower the perceived risks and gain your clients' trust. This ultimately increases the chances for return business.

Tip #8: Assess Your Company's Performance - Be sure to offer customer surveys to assess the level of your clients' satisfaction. If survey results shed light on an issue, take the proper steps to resolve the problem quickly.

Executive Summary: A happy client is more likely to become a repeat customer. With this in mind, it's important to make good customer service a top priority. Remember, if you are not making your clients happy, your competition will be waiting in the wings to do a better job.

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #479: 7 Tips For Striking A Balance Between Work And Home Life

      

Do you find it difficult to balance the demands of your career with your responsibilities at home? If so, you are not alone. Many people are putting in extra hours at work to stay ahead in their careers. But this can mean fewer hours to devote to your home life. So how can you achieve a balance between work and home life? Following just a few simple steps can help.

The 7 Tips For Striking A Balance Between Your Work And Home Life Are:

Tip #1: Prioritize - Making a to-do list each day is a great way to set your priorities. Start by listing your tasks in order of importance. Include work tasks as well as other aspects of your life. This will help you sort out what needs your immediate attention from what can wait.    
Tip #2: Don't Procrastinate - Once you've made your list, set realistic goals and deadlines for completing the tasks at hand - then get to work. Procrastinating from completing the things that need to get done can cause a work pileup. By staying focused on your goals, you will find yourself quickly plugging through your list - freeing up time for your personal life.

Tip #3: Don't Waste The Time You Have - Are you wasting time on activities that add little value to your day? For example, bad habits such as reviewing social media sites and checking personal e-mails can eat up valuable time. Take stock. If an activity does not enhance your career or personal life, minimize the time you spend on it.  

Tip #4: Learn To Delegate - Between your responsibilities at work and your chores at home, do you sometimes feel like you are doing everything? Delegating work in your home life can be extremely effective in time management. For example, try giving age-appropriate chores to your children. This teaches valuable skills and helps them gain more confidence in their accomplishments. It can mean more time for you to spend with them - so everyone wins.

Tip #5: Just Say "No." - Do you find yourself saying yes to others who request your time when what you really want to say is no? We all have the need to please. But you are not doing yourself or others any favors by taking on more than you have time for. Pick and choose what you agree to take on. And don't be afraid to say, "No."

Tip #6: Incorporate "Cell-Phone-Free" Time - The use of technology has enabled us to be "on call" during off-work hours. But it has also blurred the lines between work and home life. It is important to allow time in your personal life that does not include checking work e-mails or taking work-related calls. Whether it's a date night with your spouse or a movie with the kids, be sure to add "cell-phone-free" time to your schedule.   

Tip #7: Plan Time For Yourself - Don't forget to make time just for you. Allow yourself to do the things you truly love, even if that means simply relaxing with a good book or catching up on your favorite TV show.  Making "me" time can go a long way to help recharge your battery.

Take this quiz to see if you are achieving a good work/life balance.

Executive Summary: In today's fast-paced world, we are forced to do more with less time. The demands of work and home can often feel like a tug of war for our time. But by taking the proper steps, you can achieve balance. Remember to focus on high-priority tasks first. Avoid distractions that can get in the way of meeting your deadlines. Resist taking on more than you can chew. And make sure to fit in family time and "me" time. Finding ways to reduce the stress is ultimately the key to a happier you. 

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #478: 4 Steps To Help You Better Manage Your Team

      

Whether or not you own your own business or are a senior level executive or a team member at your organization, we listed below four steps to help you become a better leader. 

Step 1: Develop A Vision Of Where You Want To Go.

It's imperative for you to decide where you want to go and what you want your team to accomplish. Invest in some time to think seriously about this, and actually write down a few key items that will help you focus on your vision. If you need help, we suggest the book Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill. The secret of how to set goals and outcomes can be found on pages 16-18.

Click here to read a short snippet from Think and Grow Rich viaAmazon.com.

Step 2: Implementing Your Vision For Your Team?

After you figure out where you are going and what you want to do, you need to look at whether your organization has the resources to support your objective(s).  Sure, it is easy to engage a vision if the resources are there, but what happens if they are unavailable?  You may need to modify the timelines on order to meet your goals, or you may need to get creative about how to get the resources now or in the future. 

Step 3: Getting New Resources?

After securing your resources, it is critical for you to tell everyone involved with your vision what your expectations are.  This could be other departments, divisions and, yes, even vendors.  What else makes sense to do?  Create a chart for people to see who is responsible for what components of your vision.  This is easily done via an organizational chart.

Step 4: Be Focused On Your Organizational Skills.

Research has shown that you cannot be an effective leader or manager unless you are reasonably well organized. If you are not, you might get the results you are looking for but not in the most efficient way.  By this, we mean that you might waste too much material, exceed budgets set for your task at hand or spend excessive dollars on overtime.  Whatever the case may be for you and your business, it pays huge benefits when you are organized.

Executive Summary: To manage effectively, you need to get in sync with your goals, resources and organizational skills right from the start.  It also means putting a little trust in people to do the right things independently and allowing them the ability to grow beyond their current skills.  Do this and you will be on the right track.  

For more information, visit our website!