Presentation Paranoia

The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public. (Sir George Jessel)Have you had this feeling before? Rest assured you are not alone. You might be one of the many who would rate your fear of public speaking alongside or ahead of death! Your fear may translate itself to FEAR Forget Everything And Run!!Having the ability to prese. . .

Will demographics change start-up investment?

There is a growing understanding that as baby-boomers retire, western equity markets will be under pressure as this market segment draws on their lifetime savings (Source: McKinsey April 2005). So what will this mean to start-ups that are looking for new capital? Actually it is quite good news. First off, as most US, Japanese and European investors are most heavily into listed stocks and bonds,. . .

When Is Time Management Not Enough?

A working manager needs more than time management. That old saying, Dance with the one that brought you to the ball, came to mind as I received a reality jolt recently.Let me share with you that jolting insight. I was in transition away from managing several groups of technicians and professionals to more personal hands-on production management. My self-image and reputation lead me to assume . . .

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 2, Multiple Conversations

Side conversations ruin meetings by destroying focus and fragmenting participation.Approach 1: Ask for cooperationStart by asking everyone to cooperate. Look at the middle of the group (instead of at the talker) and say:"Excuse me (pause to gain everyone's attention). I know all of your ideas are important. So, please let's have one speaker at a time.""Excuse me. I'm having difficulty hearing w. . .

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 7, Personal Attacks

Personal attacks hurt people, mar communication, and end creativity. If they become part of a meeting's culture, they drive the participants into making safe and perhaps useless contributions.Approach 1: Speak to the groupSet the stage for the group to enforce its culture by making a general comment. Look at the middle of the group and say:"Just a moment. Let's pause here to calm down. I can te. . .

Managing Conflict, in Life

Copyright 2005by Dr. Jason Armstrong and Dana Buchman Conflict is a word that can have varying degrees of severity, meaning, and implication for each individual or circumstance. For example, the conflict that is experienced in our current, daily lives seems insignificant in comparison to the Samurai, or those in war, who faced death on a regular basis. However, it is still important to extrap. . .

Show Me the Money

For many people, money is like the weather they talk about it, but dont do anything about it. But making more money is not just about working longer hours or working harder. If your goal is to have more money, achieving it is about achieving your vision.To achieve something extraordinary, you need to have a clear and precise vision plus a detailed plan to achieve that vision. A detailed plan. . .

Perfection vs. Excellence (Business, Career, Life Coaching Series)

"(Howard) Hughes never learned how to convert his knowledge to practical application. Instead he sought a perfection that assured failure." - From Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes by Donald L. Bartlett & James B. Steel How many times have you heard someone (it may have been you) proclaim or complain that he/she is a perfectionist? You may have noticed that going for perfect. . .

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 6, Deadlocked Discussions

Although a meeting is a vehicle for resolving differences, it can break down when the participants become mired in a disagreement.Approach 1: Form a subcommitteeAsk for volunteers from the opposing viewpoints to form a subcommittee to resolve the issue. This is a useful approach, because: 1) The issue may require extensive research, which is best completed outside the meeting, 2) The people who. . .

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 3, Drifting From the Topic

Although new ideas lead to creative solutions, they can be a challenge when they interrupt or distract the work on an issue.Approach 1: Question the relationship to topicWhen new ideas seem inappropriate, say:"That's an interesting point (or question). And how does it relate to our topic?""Excuse me. We started talking about our budget and now we seem to be discussing payroll administration. Is. . .

The ACHILLES HEEL OF MANAGEMENT COACHING

While heading home at days end, you begin reflecting on a coaching meeting you had earlier that day with an employee, Chris. You hope that, this time, you finally succeeded in getting her to understand the importance of spending less time in disruptive socializing in the office and more time elevating her performance. If not, you feel that your only remaining alternatives are to give her a po. . .

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 4, Quiet Participants

There are many reasons why someone would decline to participate during a meeting. While some of these may be valid, others may warrant intervention in order to hold an effective meeting.Approach 1: Encourage participationWhen you notice a quiet participant, ask for contributions by looking at the person and saying:"How do you feel about that, Chris?""What results do you expect from this, Pat?"". . .

Quick Tip - Effective Meetings Begin With a Goal

Goals are critically important for the success of a meeting. You must know what you want so you can ask for it. And the participants need to know what you want so they can help you get it. Without goals, a meeting becomes a journey without a destination.Unfortunately, many meetings are called without goals. So, you hear people start meetings by saying, Well, what do you want to talk about? Th. . .

The Defining Moment: The Straw That Stirs The Drink Of Motivational Leadershi...

PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is provided to the author, and it appears with the included copyright, resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: mail to: brent@actionleadership.comWord count: 1000Summary: Motivation is a critical aspect of leadership. But m. . .

Why Would Anyone Hold a Bad Meeting?

Pssst, want a stock tip that will make you rich? Okay, here it is: phone a public corporation and ask to speak with the CEO.If a secretary tells you that the CEO expects to be busy in meetings for the next six hundred years, call your broker and sell the stock short. Any company unable to manage an activity that should last an hour is on its way down the financial tubes.Although its true that . . .

Dynamic Interviewing Practices

Dynamic Interviewing Practicesby Charlon Bobo, Red Frog, Inc. 2005The pre-hiring process can be a challenge. If youre reading this article, you are finished with the pre-hiring process and are looking for tips that will guide you through the interview. Much time and energy can be invested and in the end, wasted, if your approach is not focused, deliberate, and specific. The following approac. . .

The Defining Moment: The Straw That Stirs The Drink Of Motivational Leadershi...

PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is provided to the author, and it appears with the included copyright, resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: mail to: brent@actionleadership.comWord count: 770Summary: Motivation is a critical aspect of leadership. But mo. . .

Involving People Gave Us the Improvements We Needed

We had a problem with handling materials in a production department. Our process required raw materials to enter the department, be processed, and leave the department. The raw material was placed on pods, delivered for production, removed from the pods, placed on a staging fixture, removed from the fixture and process materials were then placed on another pod and delivered to an internal custo. . .

Using PMS/GPS The Productivity Management System for Goal Planning and Set...

"When I am willing to take a chance on me, do whatever it takes, thank those who have helped me along the way, and remember to pat myself on the back once the goal has been reached, I am fulfilled Heidi Richards In 1979, Harvard Business School did a study of its MBA graduates. They interviewed the graduates and asked them if they had clear written goals with plans for their career when they. . .

Learn How to Calculate Your Company's Overhead Costs and Break Even Point

Starting up any business is tough. Starting up and being profitable is even tougher. While you may have the best idea or service imaginable � the "best thing since sliced bread" � so many factors weigh into the success of a company, some of the greatest inventions never take flight. If you would like more information about starting a business visit http://www.sba.gov There are startup too. . .