By Doug Beckley, Group Chair – Catapult Groups I have a friend who was engaged to be married, but as wonderful as his fiancé was, he didn’t want to go through with it. He agonized about what to do, consulted with friends, flip-flopped endlessly – but he just couldn’t bring himself to tell her. Time …
How to Prevent Key Employee Performance Problems From Sinking Your Business Read More »
Do your meetings have a purpose or are they just filling a regular slot on your weekly calendar? When you meet with direct reports, who guides the meeting, you or them? Do these meetings have agendas or are they free-form get-togethers with no specific end-point in mind? Meetings should always serve a purpose – to clarify …
How to Keep a Meeting on Track & Under Control in 9 Easy Ways Read More »
Businesses large and small have to find the most efficient work setting for their employees. In recent years, the “open office” concept has taken hold among various organizations seeking an alternative to the cubicle configuration so common in the workplace. There are compelling arguments to be made for and against the open office approach. If you’re …
Is an “Open Office” the Best Option for Your Business? Read More »
The holidays are a stressful time for everyone, but as an entrepreneur and small business owner, you’re uniquely positioned to alleviate some of that stress in the workplace. Taking such actions not only benefits your employees, it helps your business by mitigating the negative effects of lost productivity, absenteeism and the onset of stress-related illnesses. …
How to Reduce Employee Stress During the Holidays Read More »
Too many entrepreneurs and small business owners discover that the creative impulse that launched—or advanced—their careers gets lost in the shuffle once they get busy running the business. But creativity represents a significant competitive edge, regardless of your venture or the size of your company. The trick is building an environment where you can unleash …
When was the last time you and your team came up with a really great idea? For most entrepreneurs, fresh ideas are the lifeblood of their small business. But human beings can all too easily get stuck in thought patterns that fail to generate a new perspective or “out-of-the-box” solution to a pressing challenge. This …
Are your employees engaged in their work and consistently productive? If so, they’re in the happy minority of U.S. workers. A recent study by the Dale Carnegie Institute revealed that, of the 1500 employees surveyed, only 29% claim to be “actively engaged,” while 26% are “actively disengaged,” and 45% are not engaged at all. These figures are important not only …
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 that produce results. Here are tips for more effective meetings in your …
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, loyal employees are productive and actively concerned with what …
Loyal Employees Are Crucial to the Success of Your Business Read More »
It’s hard enough developing a strategic plan to guide your business through the next year, two years or five years. But all too often, CEOs and business owners think after a plan is put down on paper, placed in a binder and distributed throughout the company, implementation will magically follow. Sadly, it just doesn’t happen …
