Management Information
Preparing a Budget
Ok, you say, I know I need a budget, but how do I prepare one? The most common budget period is one year, but this can vary depending on whether or not your business has seasonal or cyclical fluctuations. For example if you run a Christmas decorations shop, or a costume shop your business is going to peak during certain times of the year.
Organizing The Information
Putting a piece of paper in a file folder is easy; finding it again is the hard part. There are ways to make your files easier to use and your papers easier to find.
Goodwill is an Intangible Asset
'Goodwill' is regarded as an intangible asset in a business. Goodwill carries a value over and above the tangible assets of a business, and representing all benefits derived from the distinctive location, trade and brand names, credit rating, reputation, cusotmers and patronage of the business.
3 Steps You Can Use Developing Leaders In Your Industry
With the economy bordering on a recession, every company is looking for ways to increase revenues while decreasing costs. Some companies believe one of the easiest ways to do this is to cut their employee training budget.
Book Summary: Mind Your Own Business
A maverick is an independent person who will not go along with the other members of a group (Oxford ESL Dictionary). This book provides priceless stories and insights from a maverick of the business world; an exemplary business leader who prefers not to follow orthodox beliefs in business, nor be eaten by the hyped up ideas of the present.
Popular Business Misconceptions Cost You Money!
Faulty information costs you money! Which of these popular business misconceptions do you believe?Popular Misconception #1:"We Only Need Our Books Done Once A Year For Tax Purposes."Are Your Accounting Records Adequate To Run Your Business?Although it is important to keep records for tax purposes, it is not the only reason (or even the primary reason) good accounting records should be kept.
The Most Important Thing Youll Ever Do
The wellspring of confidence is belief. When you believe in something, you accept and have conviction about the truth, actuality, or validity of that thing.
The DNA of Motivation
It really is about motivation. After all, what impels someone to climb a mountain, or go to college, or save for a car, or learn a new language or anything of a thousand things? What is it that moves someone to action from a position of comfortable stasis? The answer is motivation.
Burger on a Bun Decision Making
When approaching any decision, it's important for individuals to maintain the healthy state of openness called for by WYSINWYG (what you see is never what you get). Remember that there is always more going on than simply meets the eye.
A Man and His Razor
It is vain to do with more what can be done with less. William of Ockham. This is Ockham's famed Razor.
Whadda Jerk!
If one does not understand a person, one tends to regard him as a fool. Carl Jung. Sadly, public discourse today seems to have degenerated into warring parties spitting epithets at one another.
Million Dollar Support System For You and For Your Business
Whether you are a consultant, coach, business owner, doctor, professional, corporate elite or student, whatever your profession is, moving towards your dream requires taking courageous steps. Making long-lasting changes requires us to create a network of support.
A Journey of a Thousand Miles
You can't build a reputation on what you are "going" to do. Henry Ford. Everyone procrastinates in their own way.
One Crazy Cookie
In order to survive, you have to be happier than if you were in your right mind. Chinese Fortune Cookie. When orienting someone new to the company, the last thing I tell them is to, "have fun.
Just The Facts
Attitudes are more important than facts.
Think it Over
You can't solve a problem with the same thinking that created it. Albert Einstein. Every decision is a deliberate act.
Hold Your Applause!
It's amazing what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit. Harry S Truman. President Truman had decided that Secretary of State, General George Marshall's name should be attached to his plan for massive European relief following World War II.
The Truth?
The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple. Oscar Wilde
The Truth About Performance Reviews
Now that it is January, many of you are putting together, or have just finished putting together your annual Performance Appraisals for your staff. Feedback on performance is certainly one of the most critical aspects of personnel development and one that deserves to be taken very seriously.
The Communications Myth
Living in the 21st Century is truly marvelous, isn't it? We live in a world of instant communications where everything we need to know is right at our fingertips. The moment anything of significance occurs it is instantly transferred around the globe making us the most well informed generation in the history of the world.
The Ivory Tower Syndrome
"His cardinal mistake is that he isolates himself, and allows nobody to see him; and by which he does not know what is going on in the very matter he is dealing with. - Abraham Lincoln on his reason for relieving Gen.
People Are Our Most Important Asset!
How many times have you heard or uttered this phrase in the last 5 years or so. As a "reformed accountant" this phrase makes me cringe more than any other business euphemism being espoused today.
Keeping and Motivating the Best Employees
Keeping and Motivating the Best EmployeesIn "You Win With People" we talked about the need to hire the very best people to build your team. Now that you've done that the question becomes, how do you keep them, and how do you keep them motivated.
Micromanagement and Delegation
Recently I had a long discussion with a friend of mine about Managers and managing. She is a former HR Manager for several major companies and was bemoaning the fact that training for managers has been cut back so significantly in recent years and that managers no longer receive the type of help, guidance and assistance that they received just a few short years ago.
One Bad Apple
One Bad AppleI know what you are thinking but no, I am not doing atribute to Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. Although I will admit that their hit song from the 70's keeps rolling around in my mind as I type this.
Dont Let Your Measurements Mislead You
Don't Let Your Measurements Mislead YouThere aren't too many words that can strike as much fear and loathing into the hearts of your internal customers, and sometimes your own employees as the words "Operational Measurements". Operational Measurements often get a bad rap because of their misuse by well intended, but misinformed management.
Are you NICE or do you CARE?
Are you NICE or do you CARE?Most people and most managers want to be nice. After all, it's easier to be nice than to not be nice.
Leadership in Troubled Times
Leadership in Troubled Times The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive. - Joe BattenLeading an organization can be challenging, even when times are good.
Want to Manage Your Time? Get Real!
You know the drill - the ridiculous deadlines, the relentless barrage of email, voicemail, phone calls, all those "got a minute" interruptions, the constant worrying that one of those many balls you're juggling is going to unexpectedly drop.When you're on total overload, all you want is relief - preferably the fast and easy kind.
Is Your Brain Getting the Memory Full Message? 5 Ways to Free Up Room on Your Brains Hard Drive
Lynn was tapped to head up the project team for a major company restructuring. She began her first team meeting by delegating steps and due dates to the various department heads.
No Time to Focus on the Big Picture? Try Focus Management
E-mail, voicemail, "got a minute?" interruptions, multiple projects and competing priorities. Whether it is in work or in life, we all understand the importance of "seeing the forest for the trees.
Operating on Perpetual Overload?
Check Out Your E-HabitsAnother week has ended. And, despite moving at the speed of light, you've once again barely made a dent in your more important goals or projects.
6 Ways to Keep Things Simple
We can have greater success with our Clients when we make our work processes and agreements simpler and more elegant. This article will give you ideas for making your contracts and commitments, projects and plans, reports and relationships with Clients simpler.
9 Tips for Getting the Most From Your Conference Investment
All professionals attend conferences, seminars, and trade shows each year. Through my observation and person experience here are my top tips for maximizing your time and monetary investment in these events.
Six Reasons to K.I.S.S.
"Very often, people confuse simple with simplistic. The nuance is lost on most."
Great Groups! - Getting a Group to Think Like a Genius
Wouldn't it be great to have an Edison or Einstein, or Mozart at your next meeting? If you had a genius at your meeting, do you think you might come up with better results? Let me be the first to tell you that those people won't be at your next meeting. But there are some things you can do as a facilitator - some techniques and tactics that you can use with the group that will help them work better.
Cold Water Comments - What They Are and How to Manage Them!
Cold Water Comments - What They Are and How to Manage Them!
Are You Managing to Lead?
For many people, the terms "manager" and "leader" are synonymous. In the business world, they are often used interchangeably, i.
10 Ways New Managers Become Great Leaders
"It is a terrible thing to look over your shoulder when you are trying to lead and find no one there." - Franklin D.
Birds of a Feather May Be Turkeys
Birds of a feather do flock together. It's true.
Performance Appraisals: Nightmares or Sweet Dreams
Some managers think of performance appraisal meetings and recollections of torn Achilles' heels or root canals immediately surface. They're sort of "been there, don't want to go again" situations.
50 Great Ways to Motivate and Not Break the Bank
Quick, Easy, and Even Fun! 1. Smile, say "Hi! How are you doing today?"2.
Plans & Goal Setting - Kicking winning Goals
Kicking Winning Business Goals. The competition for business is hotting up. The advances in new technology, ease of communication, and increasing expectations from customers have combined to make the marketplace more competitive than ever.
Business Leadership Skills - Managing the Human Being Behind the Business
Managing the Human Being Behind the Business
It's a common problem and we've all seen it - business owners that are just 'too busy' all of the time, and as a result, do not enjoy the success in business they had hoped for. Let's not kid ourselves, there is a lot to focus on: technology, employees, sales, marketing and so on.
Great Hires: Avoid Costly Mistakes
Picking people for a job is like going to the store to buy apples. Before you go, you ought to know whether the apples are to be eaten fresh, make into applesauce, baked into a pie or made into juice.
Five Key Strategies for Making Your Nonprofit Business More Effective
I love tennis both as a spectator and a weekend player. I also believe that effective nonprofit organizations are an essential part of vibrant, engaged communities.
Leaders Versus Cheerleaders
Everyone wants to describe themselves as a leader. Everyday, new books on leadership come out on the market.
Nine Steps to Help You Develop Your Potential
Go into any bookstore and you will find a big selection of self-help and personal improvement products. Most everyone (and I'll bet everyone reading this) wants to improve.
Identifying Potential in Ourselves and Others
If there is someone nearby as you read this look in their eyes. Look closely and you will see great potential inside this person regardless of how "successful" or accomplished they are.
Eight Skills of Highly Successful Consultants
With deference to Dr. Covey and his very popular Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (all habits that will make us better consultants!), here are eight skills that all of us as consultants can work on to improve.
Executive ESP: A Pathway to Success!
We all have psychic abilities that we use daily, although most of us don't even realize that. The full study of this issue would take many books, and years of experience to grasp all the factors.
The Business Shaman: Exploring the Mystery of Success!
Note: This article was written for a internet business site. It is a promo for my work with the business world.
Seeking Help
Where does the time go? Billable time. As a consultant, your practice may be doing reasonably well; you're charging $100-150 an hour.
Spirits in the Corporate Boardroom.......Oh, sure......
There is a growing movement in the spiritual and holistic fields to bring a more metaphysical and human potential approach to the business community. Holism has been intergrating into both the health and mental health professions for many years now.
Success: A Wholistic Perspective
The world has always been mixed with the rich, the poor and the middle ground. Should we assume that if you make more and more money, that you are more and more successful? Perhaps not.
Work Environment Tidbits
Color is a big factor effecting all indoor environments. Since most of us spend many hours each day at work, the coloring of the space has a big impact on us.
Using Outlook to Count Responses
Here's a productivity tip that will save you a lot of time and trouble if you need to collate responses from staff for any reason, especially if you work for an organisation with a lot of staff.Case Study: I worked for a financial institution with 3,000 plus employees and had to identify how many employees needed compulsory training in certain legislation so that we could plan and resource the training.
Why Your Business Needs an E-Mail Policy
Why is it imperative to have a company E-Mail Policy? It issimply good business, that's why! In addition, having a clearand detailed e-mail policy in place, one that employees sign anddate before they are allowed access through your businesss'computers, is critical to you being able to enforce or react tosituations that may arise at a later date.Even assuming you have the best folks working for you, or on yourbehalf, does not negate the need for this type of policy to beestablished.
MANAGING CRISIS; when you're too good at it
When you are acclaimed for excellence during times of crisis you may not feel so good in a non-crisis environment. You may not shine so bright, perform so well, be quite so acclaimed.
14 Ways to De-Stress Employee Vacations
Employees truly deserve paid vacations. Theystruggle through stressful jobs most of the year,and productivity goes down if they don't get abreak.