My parents were core in establishing my values and helping me grow as an individual (my Mom still teaches me lessons every day). They were phenomenal role models for my sisters and me. But I was a bit of a “challenge” to them, particularly to my father. I was very precocious–actually I was an ass. […]
Values
Culture and Values Count in Leadership
So many of the discussions on sales and business performance focus on strategies, competitive positioning, product/service superiority, and even customer satisfaction/loyalty. As we talk about how we execute at the highest levels, depending on what a pundit is selling, the “secret” to success is the application of certain technologies, methodologies, training, programs, content, tools, processes. […]
Do You Act Like an Eagle Scout?
You may have been a Girl Scout or a Boy Scout in your youth. Certainly, you are aware of the top rank in each—the Gold Award for girls and the Eagle badge for boys. Scouting teaches leadership and even if we were not members in our youth, there are lessons for us all. Be prepared! […]
5 Steps to Changing Organizational Culture and Designing Your Future Workforce
When you think about all the investment you’ve made in your business—from cutting-edge tools and technology to state-of-the-art facilities—have you stopped to consider your employees, arguably the most important investment of all? As you take your business on the continued march of technological progress, your employees need to be on board with any necessary changes […]
Successful People Deal in Truths
Those who tend to be most successful in life (both business and personal) deal in truths. They learn and they understand the laws; the truths of nature, including human nature, physical nature, and economic nature. They don’t deny or ignore those truths; they don’t fight those truths; but rather they work within those truths…in order […]
7 Delusions About Business Ethics Limit Future Growth
New entrepreneurs tend to focus only on getting the product right, and assume that the right culture and ethics will come later simply by hiring good people. In fact, they need an early focus on developing their moral compass, as well as setting the right ethical tone. Building an ethical business is more than just […]
CEOs Change the Deeper Meaning of the Ultimate Bottom Line
As I read this morning about the Business Roundtable changing this fundamental principle, I was really glad to see it. It’s about time. Several hundred influential CEOs got together and agreed to revise priorities. The next quarter’s profits—which maximizes short-term share price—are no longer the supreme goal and top priority. Here’s the story: AMERICA’S CEOS JUST […]
Take a Stand
How consumers interact with the companies they do business with, and their expectations of us evolve and are a direct reflection of our culture and core beliefs as human beings. That could not be more evident than today. A study (it’s done every year) called the Edelman Earned Brand Study is one of the most comprehensive pieces […]
Should Your Brand Take a Stand?
Almost a year ago, Nike released a “just do it” ad campaign for their 30th anniversary featuring Colin Kaepernick, the football player at the center of the “taking a knee” controversy in the NFL. The reaction to the campaign was immediate and loud. The media exploded, social media couldn’t get enough of it, politicians tweeted […]
4 Critical Steps to Create a Small Business Brand Identity
In any type of business, building a strong brand identity is a key part of creating a thriving company. That goes double for small businesses, who rely even more on their reputation and the goodwill of their customers than their larger competitors do. Still, building a brand’s identity from the ground up is no easy […]
