Every business leader, no matter how successful and influential, has had moments of self-doubt. Some CEOs and business owners have had to overcome extended periods of self-doubt in order to make their mark on the world. The point is—everyone experiences feelings of inadequacy or insecurity...
Meetings are an effective way to share information and generate ideas. But as everyone knows, they can also be a waste of time and a terrible drain on morale and resources. With a little advance work and the willingness to stick to a schedule, it’s possible to conduct meetings...
Nothing adds credibility to your business like a well-crafted client testimonial. For someone coming across your business for the first time, an enthusiastic third-party endorsement instantly conveys the message that your product or service is valuable and worth checking out. There’s an art to gathering and...
Exit planning is one of the most important areas of small business leadership discussed by members of Catapult Groups. CEOs, business owners and other leaders often need to be reminded to step outside day-to-day operations and begin thinking about what happens after they leave the business. Here are suggestions...
All of us, no matter how accomplished and successful, sometimes put off doing things as long as possible. It may be having to make a call to a difficult client, conducting a performance review with an executive team member or cleaning leaves out of the...
Not everyone is a born “people person.” Individuals in those cases often find a professional niche that’s right for them, but if you’re a CEO, business owner or hold any type of leadership position, you really don’t have that luxury. You may still not be a...
Employees who jump ship are in some ways similar to the fabled canary in a coal mine. If they start leaving your company on what seems like a regular basis, it’s a huge red flag that something is wrong with the way they’re being treated. Conversely,...
Making a good first impression is important in any job, but nowhere more so than for the new CEO. Your words and deeds during the first two or three months will set the tone for much of what comes next—and how well you develop relationships...
Whether your customer is the head of a major business or a person buying your lowest-priced item, if they have a complaint your best strategy is to respond in a way that converts them into enthusiastic advocates for your brand. Keep in mind, a great number...
Building trust with your employees is good for your business. When people trust their leader—and, by extension, the organization he or she leads—they are more engaged in their work. Morale is higher, productivity is greater and turnover tends to occur far less often. Sometimes a trusting...