A New Year’s Eve Wish & Brainteaser

December 31, 2009 · Filed Under Be a Better Manager, Parking Lot · Comment 

We send you this wish (below) for tonight.

And for those looking for ways to be a better manager…we invite you to share it with your team.  Just a little something to inject a bit of fun and frivolity into the last day of the year.

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Hoping you have a great New Year’s celebration tonight, but that you avoid the situation shown in Brainteaser of the Week #7.

Sending best wishes for a fun but safe New Year’s Eve.

Jan

 

 and all on the Business Class Team

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Brainteaser of the Week #9

December 30, 2009 · Filed Under Be a Better Manager, Brainteaser of the Week · 2 Comments 

One way to be a better manager is to run better meetings.  Use one or more of our brainteasers to start or revive or end a meeting. A great way to shift the brain, spark new energy, maybe even cause a giggle or a smile. All of which can help you boost morale and productivity.

Credit:  This one came from Cary at A Better Image Printing.  Thanks, Cary!

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Show this page or write the words in the grey box on a piece of paper or on a flipchart or on the white board and ask the question:

What is this?

 GSGE

Got it?

Go to “Comments” section to check your answer.

 

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Be A Better Manager This Week

December 29, 2009 · Filed Under Be a Better Manager · Comment 

This can be a challenging week for the good, well-intentioned manager who wants to be a better manager.

It’s the second short week in a row – made tougher by being a tweener week (between two big distracting holidays). These distractions and clashing emotions tend to do doozies on morale and productivity. 

There are all kinds of management strategies for dealing with this, many of which cause people to do things like fake productivity and hide alternate activities from the boss.   To avoid such backfires, many a manager waits it out —- til next year.

Don’t do that!  Put the Quote of the Week to work.  Choose to be a better manager now…this week.   Put one or more of the ideas below to work.  By doing so, you will give structure, support, direction, recognition and a real sense of achievement to those you manage.  All boosts to morale and productivity this week.    With likely overflow into 2010. Read more

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Is your business ready for 2010?

December 29, 2009 · Filed Under Be a Better Manager, Get 2 Goal · 1 Comment 

To be a better manager, you must have a plan that you can share with those you manage.  It is the foundation for productivity and morale. 

Is your plan for 2010 all done?

If so, congratulations!  

Now ready yourself for implementation by answering these questions.  Doing so will help you “test” the plan and build the confidence for a strong start – a nice boost for productivity and morale. 

1.  What lessons from 2009 do you need to be sure to apply as you implement your plan for 2010? 
2.  What obstacles might you face?
3.  How will you overcome these?*

Take the confidence building to a deeper level by involving your team in this discussion. 

Not done with your plan for 2010? Read more

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Quote of the Week – On Destiny

December 28, 2009 · Filed Under Be a Better Manager, Quote of the Week · 2 Comments 

It’s hard not to think about destiny this time of year. Here are a few words of wisdom to use as a foundation for these thoughts.

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it's a matter of choice.

 You can use the above quote as background or wallpaper for your computer with just three clicks. Read more

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News Story: The Herald-Sun, “Blanket Orange County Exceeds 300 Goal”

December 26, 2009 · Filed Under Parking Lot · Comment 

News story by Greg Childress:  Blanket Orange County Exceeds 300 Goal

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Sales & Service Secrets from Santa That Will Help You Get 2 Goal

December 24, 2009 · Filed Under Get 2 Goal, Serious About Service · Comment 

santasway_imgSanta’s Way: Sales & Service Lessons from Santa

1.  He spends lots of one-on-one time with his customers.

2.  As each customer comes to visit, he first breaks the ice, then builds rapport, then determines needs.  With this info, he knows what kind of delivery will make the customer happy.

3.  For those he can’t see in person, he reads their wish list by mail. Read more

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News Story on WCHL: Blanket Orange County Meets Its Goal

December 24, 2009 · Filed Under Parking Lot · Comment 

News story by Lynda-Marie Taurasi at WCHL.
Click here for Blanket Orange County Meets Its Goal.

See details on Blanket Orange County.


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Hints from Santa on How to Be a Better Manager

December 23, 2009 · Filed Under Be a Better Manager · Comment 

santa_sleigh

 

 

 

  

If you want to be a better manager, pay attention to these hints from Santa.

  1. He has a vision – to bring joy and happiness to children all over the world.
  2. He shares his vision enthusiastically – as evidenced by frequent HOHOHO’s.
  3. His overall goal and expectations are clear –    to deliver toys to all children before daybreak on December 25. Read more

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Brainteaser of the Week #8

December 23, 2009 · Filed Under Be a Better Manager, Brainteaser of the Week · 2 Comments 

One way to be a better manager is to run better meetings.  Use one or more of our brainteasers to start or revive or end a meeting. A great way to shift the brain, spark new energy, maybe even cause a giggle or a smile. All of which can help you boost morale and productivity.****

Show this page or draw a picture similar to the one below on a flipchart or on the white board and ask the question:

What is this?

polar bears

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Hint:  think snow.

See answer  in “Comments” section below.  Meanwhile – feel free to submit your answer(s).

Credits: Passed down through the years. Original source unknown.

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