Relationships

I had a conversation that went something like this.  I am fine with Win/Win.  I just want to win more. What’s your reaction to that statement? Are you cheering him on with agreement? Are you wincing with disgust? Is it possible to be committed to a Win/Win strategy during a negotiation and simultaneously maintain a [...]

Asking yourself this question is very enlightening. Here is a quick back of the napkin assessment: A Not-Engaged Team might look like: If you stood in the exit doorway at 5:00 pm would you be run over by the stampede of people leaving? Do you hear people say “I don’t know anything about that you’ll [...]

Recently on a trip to Nashville, TN an older wiser man told me “From good relationships comes good business”.  Although some may claim that is obvious, few choose that narrow road. This week our software company has received two significant referrals to prospective customers.  Yes our software solution is solid and very compelling.  However, that [...]

There is no substitute or alternative to relationships, real human connection and understanding. Social media can be confused as a substitute or mechanism to create real sustainable relationships.  The “Like” button is not the same as liking a person whom you’d spend an afternoon with.  Yet, I believe our younger brothers and sisters of society [...]

What other people say is more important that what you say. Third party endorsements are more powerful than anything you can say about yourself, your product or your service. This is nothing new. People talk, tweet, text, and blog peer-to-peer. The phone book (who uses that anyway?) is a wall of flat text. A Google [...]

Today, I met with an owner of a Convenience Store company who has been at the helm, or standing nearby while his son steers, for over 51 years. And when asked the question, “What do you care most about in the business today?” His answer?  ”The People”. Yep. I heard it correctly. I asked again. [...]

There are a few remaining trades that still require a season of designated apprenticeship.  When I think of those industries Electricians, Architects, and Engineers come to mind. Side-by-side There was a time in our history where it was expected that the Apprentice would work side-by-side the Craftsman. Today, it seems that everyone knows everything there [...]

In this day and age you do not have to know everyone that you need to know. It used to be that you had to know a guy (or gal) who knew a guy.  Now you just have to type in “I am looking for…..” Here are a couple of resources for hiring temporary freelancers: [...]