February flew by and Spring, at least in the Southland, is already here. Not only is a new season dawning but new ideas and bold plans are on the table. The idea of transformation and forward thinking is being pushed by an economy in a radical season of change.
I am amazed by the bold thinking of many of our clients and the tremendous honor I have of playing a role in their plans:
- Build Skills: We have launched two new curriculum / training programs for companies pushing an agenda of new and improved skills for their teams. When times get tough, your ability to think and communicate becomes an organizational imperative.
Reorganize to Simplify: Our strongest service continues to be our unique ability to simplify complex processes, systems and models. A new client is ready to dump a 20 year organizational plan to take advantage of a new business climate. Another is just starting their transformational process, beginning with their manufacturing systems.- Sales Drives Everything: Repeatable Successful Acts now has a foundation of FIVE different industries profiled through their TOP sales behaviors and has added the behavioral patterns of BUYERS. This powerful strategic platform has me on the road producing a new way to impact sales – through the proven behaviors of million dollar producers and their buyers!
Chicago, Atlanta, Miami and Houston are all on my calendar this month!
When times are tough – DO SOMETHING, something of real impact, something within your control!
I have recently had the opportunity to work on a rather unique aspect of the traditional work model. When building an organization a natural and powerful aspect that develops among the employees is a sense of community. When this connection is strong, teams produce, they stay together with little turnover and most of all they’re happy. Yes, HAPPY. Since there is direct productive value around this idea, a couple of my clients are marking it a strategic initiative in their current planning.
What creates community, where does it come from, and what actions strengthen its impact? Let’s start with the word, it’s Latin in origin and means; “to share”. The core of community is a sense of shared purpose and actions. If you understand the power of a productive community, you will want to work on the following:
- If Community Means Share – DO IT! Most organizations need to look at their communication processes and strategies. The more information a team has the more they feel involved. Sharing is not just about information, but also about responsibility. People want to be successful and are searching for opportunities of impact. Give them a chance. Find projects that stretch their talents and challenge their skills. Create small teams around strategic initiatives and reward them for success. Participation develops a relationship between the individual and the organization.
- Size Does Not Dictate Community: I have two clients launching community building initiatives for teams as small as 4 and as large as branch offices of 50 or more. The idea of value is not impacted by the number of people involved. The strategies change a little, but the core concepts remain the same.
What Do I Do To Initiate Community Building Initatives?
- Membership: People want to feel they are a member of the community. Provide opportunities for everyone to contribute something to the group.
- Value Based Feedback: Nothing creates community faster than when members feel they are of value. How is this developed? You tell them, personally and within the organization. You reward them. You constructively criticize. This is a must in building community. Think simple, but consistent.
You may be saying, “Steve, this is a really soft idea”. That’s OK, I understand, but let me ask you this; Have you ever been around a great place of work, where people share? You can feel it! They share what they did over the weekend, what the outcome of a sales call was, of how to save money in the budget. One friend told me of their share meeting, held first thing Monday morning with the sole purpose of social connection.
I see all kinds of companies and organizations and one connection you can make – create community, create success!
The Value of Comic Books: I have been a comic book guy since I was 9. I learned all about Norse mythology from the Thor comics, about early technology from Iron Man and about the mythos of hero from Spider-Man. I am like a kid at any comic book store and when a comic book movie comes out I am first in line. Well, I apparently am not the only one as shares of Marvel Comics jumped 15% after it beat estimates by .08 a share, posting a 2008 4th quarter profit of .80 a share! Iron Man DVD’s boosted revenue beating estimates for the 6th straight quarter. Not bad for something I got yelled at for reading as a kid!
Career Limiting Moves: Here are three behaviors that will get you sent packing from your company: Disloyalty – If you bad mouth and spew negativity you can feel the door hit your behind. Surprises – Over communicate to eliminate the bosses jaw from dropping. Excuses – Stop telling your boss why not and position ways to move forward.
Great Presentations: I am often asked what makes a great presentation. One of the elements is the use of more than one method of delivering your message. When you visit my web site you see a slide show with one picture of me holding an ear of corn (I get lots of questions on this one). The idea is what I call the use of Artifacts, or teaching tools. It’s not a new idea. When General George Washington was addressing a potential revolt by his officers over pay, he spoke to them from his heart, but saved his artifact idea for the big closing. He removed a pair of glasses from his coat pocket and said; “I’m sorry gentlemen, but I am not only grey, but have been blinded in the service of my country.” There was not a dry eye in the group and the revolt never materialized. Artifacts are creative and powerful tools in great presentations.
: Interested in these ideas?
You can contact Steve at steve@creativeventures.com or give him a call at 972-490-7717.
