Want to get your New Year off to a good start?
I'll give you a simple way to build success in a New Year from Day 1:
Take the one project you feel is MOST IMPORTANT to your personal or company success and do it right now. If at all possible try to finish the project in one day.
If the project is too big to complete in one day, complete it in as short of time possible:
two days
one week
two weeks
one month
one quarter
But get it DONE. If it is the project most important to your success, you ought to do it first.
After you've completed it, write me back and let me know how completing that project impacted your year, okay?
BONUS: If you were holding a party for 100 CEO's in a major city (SF, NY, etc.) and had a budget of $1,000 or less, what would you do to make the event memorable?
Idea 1: Have everyone dress up in funny colors or polka dots. People remember events where they dress unusual.
Idea 2: Hire a cartoonist to write cartoons depicting conversations and random happenings at the event. Later, post the cartoons into a slide show so they can laugh at what happened, or get inspired by the ideas shared.
Idea 3: Hold the event somewhere unusual: a beach, a park, a theater.
Idea 4: Expand upon idea 2 - have someone video the event. Have another artist paint what happens. Raffle off the painting to go to the cause you select, but video the painting, video the cartooning, and video any other music (bands might play free if you held a contest first giving them desirable publicity).
Idea 5: Have someone dress up as the ego, another as the super-ego, and another as the ID. Each has to play their part when they converse.
Idea 6: Perform a skit: the CEO has to be janitor. The HR person the employee who is under performing, the sales superstar is HR, the customer service agent is the salesperson, the administrator the CEO, the janitor the graphic designer, and so on. Have them take on their roles with a Mad Lib about a company and act or play it out.
Idea 7: Suggest a potluck with a dish they've never cooked before, from a country they are not from. Then everyone will experience how hard it is to cross cultural lines but make a sincere effort to partake as they eat their food.
These are just a few ideas... what ideas do you have to contribute?
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Jan 5, 2009
How To Build Success In A New Year From Day 1
Aug 18, 2008
C-Level Coaching and Sales Management Services
ARRiiVE Business Solutions offers C-Level and Mid-Level Management Coaching, Consulting, Programs, and Services.
In case you're not up to speed on what we offer for Executive Management Services I'll review our services here for you:
Executive Excellence Coaching
Executive Excellence Coaching is a way to gain ideas and insights in a 2 hour coaching session where Scott Andrews, ARRiiVE's CEO reviews your business situation or current objectives, then provides you with a written report with recommendations to improve your business success. Find the missing piece to your business' success by gaining additional ideas, perspective, and wisdom.
Pricing For Executive Excellence: $1,000 per session, payable via PayPal or by check in advance.
Management Training
If you're seeking a way to implement better teamwork, higher productivity, or create better communication throughout your organization, then ARRiiVE Business Solutions' Management Training for implementation of the Diamond-Circle principles will benefit your team. Our methods typically result in 30% higher productivity. We also offer management training through Adventure or off-site training locations -- a useful method to build your team's trust in each other.
Pricing for Management Training: Our minimum charge for management training is $3,000, but may include additional stipulations, such as a % of increased results, depending upon the situation, location, and/or length of time commitment.
Sales Team Leadership System & Implementation Training
If you lead sales teams, you're likely facing challenges building a team and getting them to blow away their numbers. There are strategies I recommend to help you first build the right team, then coach the people on your team to higher success. Our sales team leader training results in 50% higher success over 90% of the time. The question isn't whether you can afford this training, but rather "can you afford not to implement this training?"
Pricing for Sales Team Leadership System & Implementation Training: We charge $2,000 per manager. This involves a two-day 4 hour per day training session, a workbook detailing how the Sales Diamond Team Building System and Aces Hiring System can be implemented on your team, and then additional coaching to help facilitate your use of these systems.
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Copyright © 1999-2008 by ARRiiVE Business Solutions. All Rights Reserved.
Aug 11, 2008
Product and Service Innovation Team-Building
Are you innovating in a vacuum?
When you read this question, the knee-jerk response is to say “Hey, Scott, I don’t innovate in a vacuum. I always ask several of my friends and close advisors their opinions of my new (product/service/website/store layout/etc.).
If you’re focusing efforts on innovation, I’ve got a question for you:
Who are you involving in the process?
Some people think that by involving a bunch of other people means that you’re got a “team” approach to innovation. I beg to differ. I conceptualize that you need different personalities to make sure you’ve evaluated the full spectrum of personalities and perspectives on the product or service you’re innovating. Who do I think ought to be on your team? Check out this list:
The 7 Core Critical Innovation Team Players
1. Idea People.
If this isn’t you, find a couple. I’m fortunate, in that I’m able to “get on a roll” when I start brainstorming. I’ll throw out one idea (which might suck) and that leads to another idea (which might be good). If you’re like me, and think of ideas, then great. Otherwise, get someone like me on your team!
2. Designers.
The next people you need on your team to innovate are designers. Notice, these aren’t operations experts, family members, or other people you might have claimed were your “A-Team” before reading this. Nope. Designers think differently. They stop verbalizing and start DRAWING. Designers think visually. I love designers, because designers think differently than the average person. Designers are visual. A designer will take a concept and immediately start drawing it or combining random objects to visualize, physically, what you’re describing. I’m not talking about a PROFESSIONAL designer. Many people with design thinking aren’t even considered design professionals. Several qualities good “design” thinkers possess include: (a)”can-do”attitude, (b) think and draw simultaneously, (c) simplify complexity, and (d) consistency in performance. Designers also help you make sure your outcome is visually more attractive. Always have one designer – if not more – on your innovation team.
3. Logistics Experts.
By logistics, I don’t mean a nay-sayer, but someone who can think through the critical process of discovering an obstacle – finding a workaround – creating a solution type thinkers. Logistics Experts understand operational process, and quite good at constructing things. These are the engineers, the builders, and also include people who can reverse-engineer. Find one or two of these people to add to your team, and you’ll eliminate problems in functionality.
4. Marketing/Copywriter.
You’re going to need someone who knows how to spin your pitch. Make sure you’ve covered your basis. Don’t try to write your own copy when an expert will help you sell 10x whatever you might otherwise. Tighten your pitch and get good copy. You’ll be thanking me later.
5. Legal adviser.
You will need legal on your innovation team for trademark search and filing when you’re creating a new name. Make sure you don’t get the whole product or service designed, labeled, and shipped and then find out your trademark is in violation of someone else’s name. This will save you money down the road.
6. Accountant.
Make sure you can produce your design or service economically. When you ramp to scale, you do need a bean-counter on the team to make sure your ideas will be profitable.
7. Test-users.
So, that’s the core critical 7 team members of who I believe you need on your innovation team. Do you have other people or personality types you’ve found useful to develop innovative products and services? If so, share your comments below.
________________________________________Copyright © 1999-2008 by ARRiiVE Business Solutions. All Rights Reserved. SUBSCRIBE.
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Aug 7, 2008
Innovations In Teamwork
Are you frustrated with corporate environments that limit your ability to create, collaborate, and share ideas freely?
I know the feeling. That's why I recorded a special radio show on the subject of the problem with PYRAMID systems and my approach to a solution, the DIAMOND-CIRCLE.
I call it turning the pyramid from TOP-DOWN to INSIDE-OUT. My model has the core not at the top, but in the middle. My functional managers aren't on rings further down a pyramid ladder, but layered in concentric circles from the core.
Does this resonate with you?
If so, I'm creating software to help facilitate this type of model in enterprise systems and organizations. It is especially useful when you have groups located across geographical boundaries and crossing functional boundaries. If you want to be on the email list for BETA experimentation, please contact me.
Otherwise, you might enjoy my discussion on this subject here:
Jul 14, 2008
My Boss Checked Out
Are you wondering what to do when your boss checks out?
Have you been working steady in your job, realized progress, and then, one day, out of the blue, your boss just stops showing up to work? Or, when they do show up, they seem only half-interested in what's happening? Maybe they take long lunches. They leave early. They come in late. Worse-yet, maybe they come to work with a hang-over or other problem. If this is your situation, your boss has checked out. For whatever reason: laziness, drugs, alcohol, other jobs, side-interests, or an emotional/mental problem, a boss might not be "all there" when we need them. If this is happening regularly, you may have a problem.
There are four strategies I can recommend to you if your boss is checked out:
1. Stick it out.
First of all, your boss may be straightened out for you. Just keep your eyes forward, ears back, and insulate yourself from the problems and do your job anyway. Believe me, if YOU notice your boss blowing it, other people notice, too. And, surely, one of them is likely to complain to your boss's boss and get your boss transferred, promoted, or fired. It might as well be them, right?
This is the strategy I recommend if you think (a) your boss is just going through a rough time and history shows they are loyal, committed, and hard-working in the past and (b) you have reason to believe they'll get it together.
The exception: your boss' performance directly impacts your ability to earn money. If this is your situation, I'm going to recommend you consider even stronger the second strategy.
2. Find another place to work.
Second, if your boss MIGHT NOT get it together; or worse, your boss NEVER HAD had his/her act together, then you might strongly consider looking for another place to work. This is especially good advice if your boss flaking out causes you to lose money. I've seen commission salespeople completely tank when the boss is gone or out of the building. If you're losing money due to the poor performance of a manager, then you might want to save yourself (and your pocketbook) the pain and look for something better now.
3. Take action with your boss's boss.
Now, if you're someone who likes to battle problems at work, then you could consider being the one to blow the whistle on your boss. I suppose the question is: "Do you like your boss?" If the answer is "yes," then don't do this at any cost! If the answer is "no", then first consider if it is likely that someone else is having issues with the boss, too. If you can maneuver them to blow the whistle, that would be preferred. Otherwise, you could consider taking action. In my history, I've never been the one to blow the whistle on a boss. Why? Because I don't want people blowing the whistle on me if I ever have a tough time. I once went through a rough time at a good company, in a good job, after my divorce. My work suffered. I wasn't able to focus or commit very well. And, I'm pretty sure somebody blew the whistle, because my boss started treating me differently. It was hard and I finally moved on to a different job, but it took two jobs later to get back in a good position again. So, having been there at the belly of suffering and still needing work, I wouldn't blow the whistle on someone struggling with an injury or emotion problem. If that's your bag, so be it, I just don't want the karma.
4. Start your own company.
Of course, there is one other course of action: start a company or open a private consulting practice. If this is your situation, where you've already had cash-flow coming in from a moonlighting job, then you could consider this option at this time. Otherwise, I'd suggest you get something more stable going first. Once your side-project makes enough to pay your bills and demands too much time to do everything well, THEN make the switch to your private practice.
Evaluate your situation carefully. If you find that you need to find a new job, well, at least you've got good reason to do so. Find a way to go after something more challenging so you can make that your reason for leaving and make sure you leave on good terms with the boss and team you're leaving behind. You'll be happier if you leave good "karma" behind and focus on positive change for the future. If you're sticking it out, just remember that loose lips sink ships and keep your lips sealed about your boss. Your boss won't think it was you that fingered them if you give them no reason to think so.
Having our boss check out and lose interest or simply just stop caring makes it harder to work, but it isn't impossible. Stay focused. Get your work done. Make sure you don't blame your boss and do the best you can to get through this time. One thing is for sure: change is likely on the way! Rise above it and you'll be better for the effort.
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Copyright © 1999-2008 by ARRiiVE Business Solutions. All Rights Reserved. SUBSCRIBE.
Jul 9, 2008
Team Building Strategies with Andrew Long, CEO of Critical Pathfinders
Join us for the ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business Radio Show today on "Team Building Strategies" with special guest, Andrew Long, CEO of Critical Pathfinders:
When: July 9, 2008 at 2:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM EST
Topic: Team Building Strategies
How to Participate:
Call (724) 444-7444, enter show 37798 # 1 #
Visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798
Description:
Many companies recognize the importance of team building, especially in today's competitive labor market. Yet, most companies are highly inefficient in their approach to team building. Team Building expert, Andrew Long, shares some invaluable insights on team building to save your organization time and money. Andrew's company offers corporate adventure and training for corporate teams. Andrew's last show on team building was very informative and enjoyable - dial in: you'll kick yourself if you miss this one!
Call in - it's simple & easy, fun & educational to join the call and ask your questions!!
Listen Now:
Jun 11, 2008
Executive Team Building - Don't Waste Their Time
In team-building exercises for executives, one of the biggest challenges is not in planning the event itself, but in properly structuring the activities and putting thought into how to facilitate your event.
It is not enough to plan a date to meet, invite your leadership team, schedule an outside expert, and then figure you'll discuss key strategic subjects and expect anything useful to result.
You can all go play golf together and you might get a little better at golf. Or, you can spend three days rafting down rivers and you might eventually get better at rafting down rivers!
When planning executive team building, more attention is often paid to the executive retreat location, the recreational activities and food choices than the substance and exercises to create results to the team's challenges.
Facilitated exercises must be more than justification for expenditures. They must be the core of the event!
If your company spends for a luxury venue but fails to set objectives, goes soft on facilitation, and dedicates only three hours or a half day for the key exercises, then I'd argue that you're really not doing the executive retreat to accomplish anything other than having fun together. There's nothing wrong with having fun - we all need to have fun as leaders in business just as in other parts of life.
But take the extra steps to ensure your executive retreat is planned properly, executed flawlessly, and thoroughly debriefed, and you'll likely learn a lasting result that can be developed further each year you get the team together.
If you're seeking a resource for your executive event, consider utilizing my friend Andrew Long's company, Critical Path Finders, to help you plan and facilitate your retreat. He's got the right perspective and does an excellent job!
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Copyright © 1999-2008 by ARRiiVE Business Solutions. All Rights Reserved. SUBSCRIBE.
