As a manager, what do you pride yourself on? – Career advancement for your employees – Regular check-ins – Recognition for a job well-done These are all great attributes of a leader, but what about the less obvious and more difficult task of candid discussion? Any good leader will work to build camaraderie among their […]
Every small business knows the struggle of a one-man shop. The list of things to do is never-ending, and unfortunately as an entrepreneur, often you have to go it alone. So when does quantity over quality mean error over accuracy? Managing the finances, marketing the business, analyzing performance: all in a day’s work when growing […]
This is an all too familiar phrase in a fast-paced company – but what does it really mean? The word delegate is defined as “entrusting or transferring power, authority, or responsibility to another.” You may have heard the phrase “delegate down”, but what does that mean in the workplace? Does it mean saving administrative or […]
Someone once told me that you should measure your work with how you feel in three areas: – Are you happy? – Are you learning? – Are you advancing? Every person will evaluate these questions differently. To some, advancing (and thus bringing in more money) could be more important than how much they are learning. […]
What’s your passion? Dictionary definition is “a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything.” Why do people start their own businesses? Is it for money, for freedom (from corporate structure or otherwise), for power? What would you want to do if you didn’t need to work? Some people might answer that they’d want […]
Advice is given to us so often, it’s easy for it to fall on deaf ears. Some of this so-called advice is given from friends and family; other comes from colleagues or a mentor. How do you decide what sticks? The top 8 things I’ve learned from those around me can be summed up in […]
What’s the difference between being ambitious or competitive? Some people are competitive by nature. They grew up playing sports, knew they had to study hard and be the top of their class, and now put that same mindset into their jobs. This makes me wonder, is being “competitive” a good thing or a bad thing? […]
What defines success? Merriam-Webster describes it as a “favorable or desired outcome; the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence.” Just as every word that conjures emotion, a dictionary definition doesn’t do it justice. So what does it mean to you? Is success having 2 cars, 2 kids, and a suburban home, or what about breaking […]
Good negotiating involves give and take. It applies to work and home, friends and family and is an important part of relationship starting and building. Being good at it takes practice and patience, both of which many people do not have. In the business world, negotiating is the key to getting what you want, if […]
6 years ago in July 2010, Vistaprint (my employer at the time) offered a free website for life to employees. I loved testing the new products, so quickly signed on and claimed www.promiseconsultinggroup.com. Did I do any consulting at that time? No. Did I give any thought to what I may someday do with this […]