When Frugal Is Costly

May 19, 2011 | Leadership Development

There's no disputing the importance of controlling costs when running a business. However, many business owners actually waste their company's money because they focus on being frugal instead of using the company's money wisely. In recent work sessions with clients, two examples of being "Penny wise and pound foolish" emerged: Having a friend develop and manage the company's website - free! Wonderful. However, the friend isn't an experienced web-designer. He dabbles in designing websites in...

Are You Thinking ‘Whole Organization’ or Just ‘My Department’?

Jun 13, 2010 | Leadership Development

As a manager, how many times have you made a decision, initiated a project, or took hold of a problem no one else has tackled yet? Now, how many times have you been criticized by others when you did that? Were you criticized for not including certain people in the decision-making process, for not expanding the project to other departments (even though you're not responsible for those departments!), or for tackling a lingering problem? Amazingly, you take action, get things done, and then you...

Focus on Leading Versus Doing

Dec 22, 2009 | Leadership Development

One of the many challenges leaders face is deciding what to focus on to ensure their organizations continue to be successful. As simple as that may sound, it's much easier to say than to do. When numerous issues, project changes, and new initiatives are placed before you - a leader - each day, it's a constant judgment call as to which ones are worthy of your time, consideration, and input - and which are better left to your team members. However, effective leaders and managers make the call...

Whose Job Are You Doing?

Aug 20, 2009 | Leadership Development

I had a work session yesterday with a client who wanted to discuss what to do with his General Manager who has been micromanaging his Operations Director and other staff. The General Manager's micromanaging has caused three key staff members to resign and the Operations Director has threatened to do so too. What was my client, the company owner, to do? After I'd gotten more background on the situation, I asked my client to identify the top five responsibilities of both his General Manager and...

Managing Layoffs With Dignity

Jul 3, 2009 | Leadership Development

With the potential for layoffs facing so many companies, the realities of laying off great workers is confronting many business owners and managers: owners and managers who have never before faced this hard act. To help ease the pain for the employees being laid off, the owners and managers making the hard decisions, as well as those employees staying behind, I thought I'd share a 5 Step approach that may help you, your employees, and your business. It will not work for many of your businesses...