Do the “Opie”

When I was in my early 20s I had a Sunday school teacher named Larry Woolard that owned a lumberyard at the time but later became a state senator and very well-known man in our parts.  He gave me a lecture one day about how important it was sometimes to let people think that you don’t know as much as you … Read More

Watch What A Leader Looks Like in Action?

Watch Now:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=680NlRI3v2I This is how a leader should appear to his or her subordinates, follow the example of Shakespeare’s character in the true life story of Henry V. Watch the video and see the eloquence, boldness, and assurance that he gives to his army of  10,000 as they face 50,000 Frenchmen. The soldiers are discouraged and wishing they had … Read More

Are you hiring the Body or the Brain, your interview questions reveal the truth.

  This is about the interviewing process and the lack of problem solving questions. Tending to hire the Essence of the employee (commonly known as a Warm Body) and not the being (the curious, questioning, challenging thinker)? Currently it appears that Employee Engagement dominates in the interview process. However all experienced H.R. managers know that in the end he or … Read More

The Captain Goes Down With The Ship! In Business it’s not a choice!

The captain goes down with the ship” is the maritime concept and tradition that a sea captain holds ultimate responsibility for both his or her ship and everyone embarked on it, and he or she will die trying to save either of them. The concept may be expressed as “the captain always goes down with the ship” or simply the … Read More

Is Your Customer Service Aware of Customer Value?

By Luana Spinetti Customer Service Think Tank hosted by Dell – Image credit: Dell Inc. You know how hard it is to run an online business — customers want you online 24/7 and get frustrated if you don’t reply “promptly” to their support tickets. That’s when you get a front line service to take care of all customers requests. Great … Read More

7 Lessons For Leaders From Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is a smash hit on PBS Classics. Downton Abbey is a series portaying the life and struggles of the Crawley Family in England before, during and after WWI. The show is a fantastic Venue to compare the lot and activities of the upper class and the working class. The show is a great classroom for studying the traits … Read More

Everyone Listens to WIIFM, In Case You Haven’t Heard This One?

My boss at Roto Rooter Rick Arquilla taught me this concept, Rick is now President of Roto Rooter Services Inc.  WIIFM stands for what’s in it for me, everybody listens to WIIFM. The value of this to you as a manager or owner is that when you present changes or opportunities, or even in your recruiting you should present things … Read More

“Check Your Drawers ” What’s it about???

Have you ever heard someone say “Get Your Head In the Game!” well Check Your Drawers is essentially about that. I had to go through a temporary demotion from district to unit manager before I realized the difference of being a boss and being the manager. That is why I said on the cover “What your boss wishes you knew” … Read More

Training Your Way To the Bank

Training Your Way to the Bank When we think about training employees we tend to think about learning styles and needs analysis, surveys, performance appraisals, focus groups and advisory committees. What? That wasn’t what came to your mind? Oh well, not to worry, it all really is common sense, but don’t tell the HR professionals I told you that. I … Read More