GOALS

Studies have forever verified the fact that goal-setting has enhanced levels of productivity, achievement, and profitability for both individuals and organizations alike. Plain and simple! No questions asked!

Why then do so many people fear this most productive process?

Why then don’t more businesses teach, encourage, and support a process that has proven to be so beneficial?

I’ve met CEOs, Ph.D.s, entrepreneurs, and time-tested leaders who, although familiar with the goal-setting process, choose not to take advantage of it.

In fact, extensive national studies all agree that:

• Less than 5% of the population set goals!
• The vast majority have no goals at all!
• Less than 1% of those who do have goals, write them down!

Consider the value here. If you set goals, you have an definite advantage over 95% of the population!

If you write those goals down, programming your subconscious as a keyboard programs a computer, you have a major advantage over those few who do set goals!

The question remains: “Why don’t more people take advantage of the vast benefits provided as a result of utilizing such a simple but powerful strategy?”

Studies have revealed several reasons why people don’t set goals:

• People simply don’t understand the importance of goal-setting.
• People don’t know how to set goals.
• People have a fear of failure.
• People have a reluctance to meet expectations.

These reasons obviously outweigh the many benefits provided by the goal-setting process.

Pause for just a moment to take a look at the last year of any aspect of your life … business or personal. I think, if you’re honest, you’ll have to admit that you’ve experienced a great deal of change.

To cope and conquer the challenges of this constant change, successful goal-setting will be essential to both individuals and organizations.

Consider the simple process of strategic planning … in essence, fancy words for goal setting. Doesn’t it make sense to establish a big picture strategic plan for your organization and then follow through by having your middle management level do the same? This plan would reflect the chosen strategy for supporting the larger focus. The front-line staff should then create individual goals describing how they plan to support the corporate focus.

Organizations that have chosen this simplistic multi-level approach to strategic planning have enjoyed tremendous success! Ironically, this productive approach is based on the simple process of goal-setting.

Sadly, far too many businesses and organizations have yet to expose and involve their employees to this essential process. Our “On Your Mark, Get Set, Goal!” program does just that. Call us at 1-800-886-2629 for more information about this powerful program. In fact, set a goal to call us within the next 48 hours!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Goals for Glory – 2012! is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

ANSWER: They all began their film careers at the bottom as “extras.” They started at the entry level of their chosen field and earned stardom which many would describe as “overnight success.” For the majority of those listed above, that “overnight success” took years and, in some cases, decades. They gained knowledge and experience, sought mentors, learned the rules of the game, and demonstrated perseverance against all odds.

The same scenario has been witnessed in most every field of endeavor … politics, sports, manufacturing, sales, military, finance, technology, health care, and the list goes on. This path to foundational strength is essential for success in today’s very competitive and ever-changing environment. And yet, sadly, it’s seldom discussed, much less encouraged, in high school and/or college classrooms across the country.

By the time an entry-level employee reaches his/her career battlefield today, most employers assume this traditional work ethic is well understood and about to be eagerly executed. Sadly, that seldom, if ever, occurs.

At a time when employment is difficult to secure, far too many applicants are ill-equipped to compete. When can we expect to see the re-emergence of the traditional work ethic that built this great country? I’m afraid it’s going to take a concerted effort by many — parents, teachers, employers, mentors, and leaders in every field. Until that happens, we will continue to struggle.

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Return of the Work Ethic is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

Stocks and corporate profits may be rising and the economy may be expanding a bit. However, far too many Americans feel left behind. The problems remain frustrating … joblessness, home foreclosures, and the growing ranks of the long-term unemployed.

8.7 million people lost their jobs during the recession … think about that number! Sadly, more than 7.3 million are still without work. There are still nearly five job seekers for every job opening.

Washington politicians tell us that it will be years before the economy puts all those folks back to work. That’s probably true if we depend on them to make it happen.

Many, however, have decided to avoid reliance upon empty promises and instead have chosen to engineer their own comeback.

The rules are somewhat simple … the execution a bit more challenging. However, chances for successful outcomes are greater than waiting for others to do the job for you. Take a look …

Comeback Rule #1:

Refuse to die. Those with the character to triumph in the end tend not to allow the indignity of failure to force them down. Those who come back accept disaster, laugh in its face, and crawl to their feet again.

Comeback Rule #2:

Decide to fight. Those who come back have an inner sense of justice that refuses to be violated. They manage their emotions, reminding themselves of where they’ve been and why they’re here, and resolve that nothing will stop them.

Comeback Rule #3:

Get clever. Savvy fighters won’t make the same mistake twice. They accept the hard rules of the real world, analyze how they wound up on their back, and chart a course around the problem. Often as not, they turn trouble to their advantage.

Comeback Rule #4:

Focus, focus, focus! Once you’re on your way, don’t look up and don’t look back. A hundred distractions, doubts, and setbacks will haunt someone recovering from disaster. The true champion rolls with the punches and keeps coming back for more.

Comeback Rule #5:

Enjoy the ride. The reward for those making a comeback is to see their vision come to life in the real world. And they enjoy the deep confidence of one who had fought his way through hell and emerged to see the stars.

Begin your journey today!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Are You Gonna Make a Comeback? is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

• He was illiterate, so he never read newspapers.
• He was hard of hearing, so he never listened to the radio.
• His eyes were weak, so he never watched television.

However, enthusiastically, he sold lots of hot dogs. His sales and profit went up. He ordered more meat and got himself a bigger and a better grill. Things were certainly going well.

As his business continued to grow, his son, who had recently graduated from college, joined his father. Then something strange happened.

The son asked, “Dad, aren’t you aware of the great recession that is coming our way?” The father replied, “No, but tell me about it.” The son said, “The international situation is terrible. The domestic is even worse. We should be prepared for the coming bad time.”

The man thought that since his son had been to college, read the papers, and listened to the radio, he ought to know and his advice should not be taken lightly.

So the next day, the father cut down his order for the meat and buns, took down the sign and was no longer enthusiastic. Very soon, fewer and fewer people bothered to stop at his hot dog stand. And his sales started coming down rapidly. The father said to his son, “Son, you were right. We are in the middle of a recession. I am glad you warned me ahead of time.”

This same process is happening to US today. The national media (radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, Internet) reports only the negative for the simple reason that they make more money by doing so. If we allow them to control our dominant thought we downsize, lay off, reduce advertising and training, become less creative, fail to offer service as we should, etc.

This is an interesting concept at a time when we see very successful organizations grow, hire more people, become more creative, increase advertising, marketing and training, enhance customer service, and offer new products and services.

As a result, they prosper at time when we’re told that can’t and won’t happen! You can see examples in most every industry today. The moral of this story SHOULDN’T have to be explained. It’s as plain as the nose on your face! However, it’s quite obvious that far too many CANNOT learn from these positive examples. For those we offer the following:

1. Many times we confuse intelligence with good judgment.
2. A person may have high intelligence but poor judgment.
3. Choose your advisers carefully and use your judgment.
4. The tragedy is that there are many walking encyclopedias who are living failures.
5. YOU control your most DOMINANT THOUGHT and you will ALWAYS move in that direction! What is YOUR most DOMINANT THOUGHT at the moment?

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

The Dominant Thought Strikes Again is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

This year we’ve found a large number of both positive and negative examples to support our many messages. Pause to observe media reports and you’ll gain immeasurable experience and guidance to expedite your journey to success.

For instance, consider the rise and fall of both Blockbuster and Netflix to discover crucial knowledge to benefit your own business.

• Blockbuster began in 1985 as a provider of home video and video game rental services.
• At its peak in 2009, Blockbuster had up to 60,000 employees in 1,700 Blockbuster stores in the U.S. with locations in 17 countries worldwide.
• In 1993, Blockbuster Viacom purchased Blockbuster. Blockbuster separated from Viacom in 2004.
• The company filed for bankruptcy in 2010 and was won by satellite television provider Dish Network at auction for $233 million in 2011.
• Dish soon announced it would only keep 500 Blockbuster stores open. At its peak, Blockbuster had more than 4,000 stores nationwide.

We continue to see this familiar rise and fall of businesses for a variety of reasons in most every industry.

Some say cable killed Blockbuster. It wasn’t cable that’s hurt Blockbuster; it was NetFlix’s rent movies by mail and RedBox’s rent movies by vending machine. (Can you say no labor costs and low overhead?)

Layer in the fact that in the 1990s late fees represented approximately 50% of net income for Blockbuster, which Blockbuster was ultimately forced to surrender, and you can see why Blockbuster was having serious problems.

What Blockbuster really needs to do is 1) forget the past and 2) re-invent itself for the future. Don’t expect that to happen.

Is the same pattern emerging at Netflix?

• Netflix was founded in 1998, offering flat-rate rental-by-mail to U.S. customers. It was originally a single rental service, but the subscription model was one of a few radical ideas Netflix created. Having unlimited due dates and no late fees has worked in a powerful way and now seems obvious (to everyone but Blockbuster).
• Netflix has amassed a collection of 100,000 titles and more than 23 million subscribers. Even if Blockbuster were able to catch up to NetFlix in movie rentals by mail, it’s too late.

NetFlix basically announced through its actions that the DVD by mail business will soon be obsolete, and movie delivery by Internet is its new focus.

Something like 60%+ of NetFlix customers watched at least one movie delivered via the Internet in the past 30 days.

NetFlix recently signed a deal to license movies for Internet delivery for a total deal size of $1 billion for a five-year plan. Initially, that sounds like a lot of money until you consider what Netflix has been paying for postage!

Just as Netflix seemed to have total control of the industry, it announced that subscription prices were increasing, some by as much as 60%, a move which led to reported customer backlash, cancellations, less than projected subscriber growth, and a decline in stock price.

This price hike caused 805,000 paid subscribers to jump ship in one quarter …. the biggest exodus in its history!

Netflix announced that it would spin off its popular DVD business under a new brand name, Qwikster, leading to even more customer and market confusion. Netflix reversed the decision less than a month later.

What happens now? Not even Netflix appears to know, although millions of customers and all investors are watching with interest.

Return now to the first paragraph of this article and consider the true application of our focus in our Customer Service Boot Camp! Trigger Events, Cycle of Service, Functional Blindness, Raving Fans, Vigilante Consumers, the Service Triangle, and the Knowing-Doing Gap have all surfaced in this ongoing chronicle of errors by two colossal players in a major industry. They will affect YOU as well … regardless of your size and status.

If the economy is 30% different today than three years ago but your company has only changed by 10%, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that someone is in the process of being left behind. Take steps today to insure your future!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Times Are Changing …. Are You? is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

Professional speaker and consultant Harry K. Jones has written more than 200 book reviews for:

• Change Books
• Communication Books
• Creativity Books
• Customer Service Books
• Decision-Making Books
• Leadership Books
• Motivational and Self-Help Books
• Networking Books
• Project Management Books
• Quality Books
• Retention Books
• Teamwork Books
• Time Management Books
• Women-in-Business Books

An additional mailing list is available for the book reviews section of our web site. Click here to subscribe to the AchieveMax® Book Reviews by e-mail.

Melanie L. Drake focuses on the publishing and marketing sides of the AchieveMax® company. AchieveMax® professional, motivational speakers provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services on change management, creativity, customer service, leadership, project management, stress management, time management, teamwork, and more. For more information on AchieveMax® custom-designed seminars and keynote presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

New Book Review – Great by Choice is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

If you’re a frequent flyer, as I am, you are about to become a member of a large “captive audience” that will soon be exposed to more advertising than any other segment of our population!

It’s bad enough that the entire journey from your home or office to your airplane seat is paved with advertising messages … billboards, newspapers, ads in taxis or buses, ticket kiosks, on airport walls and digital screens, in jet ways, and even on baggage carousels.

However, a new wave of unusual target opportunities is now available for advertisers that are assured a captive audience. Consider the fact that we sit there in an environment where cell phones are turned off and we’re pretty much stationary having to focus on visible ads for an average of three hours.

Now that the FAA has approved this campaign, you can very soon expect to see ads on seat pockets, seat backs and tray tables, napkins, flight attendants’ aprons, snack boxes, bulk heads, boarding passes, ticket jackets, in safety videos and even in announcements by the flight crews. Can you imagine hearing: “This seat belt demonstration brought to you by Ford Motor Co.”

Spirit Airlines, AirTran Airways,and Delta Air Lines are three of the first U.S. airlines to take advantage of every inch of in-flight display space to generate ancillary revenue by renting display space to advertisers.

Onboard Media Group has created a system that allows the airline to change ad messages quickly. They’re hoping to reach two million passengers a month on AirTran using this out-of-the-box leap for a broader market.

Delta is already showing Lincoln automobile commercials prior to their pre-flight safety video.

And for a cool $14 million, you can advertise on the exterior of every Spirit Airlines jet.

If that’s too steep, consider plunking down $196,000 for three months of ads on the overhead bins in Spirit’s planes, $119,000 for ads on their tray tables, or $18,500 for ads on, are you ready, their air-sickness bags.

Many marketing experts are warning that this encroachment on the privacy of an already stressed customer segment may very well backfire on both the airlines and the advertisers. We’ll soon see. Until then, this effort is another example of creative thinking by many who have felt the pressure of an ever-changing, chaotic, and competitive marketplace.

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Buckle Your Seatbelts … Creative Juices Are Flowing! is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

In 1992 the U.S. Congress proclaimed Customer Service Week a nationally recognized event as well. It’s celebrated annually the first week in October.

Or is it? I saw absolutely no evidence of it in the five states I happened to be traveling in over those seven days!

In past years, I have always tried to provide a blog article during the last week of September to prepare our clients for this special week. In those articles I have shared a variety of advertising, marketing, and celebration activities which can be used in hopes of gaining full advantage of this promotional week.

This year I decided to pass. I wanted to try something a little different by simply observing which organizations might celebrate and utilize this very obvious occasion.

I sadly found nothing … and I can’t blame it on the fact that I happened to be working in an area which simply fell short on their efforts. I happened to be in five different states that week and still saw nothing.

• Nothing on television.
• Nothing on the radio.
• Nothing on the Internet including Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• No billboards on the side of the road.
• Nothing in my mailbox.
• Nothing in the newspapers.
• Nothing in any magazine.
• No banners in the windows of an store.
• No signs inside any store, restaurant, etc.
• No Customer Service Week specials being offered.

What happened?

There are actually dozens, maybe even hundreds, of ways that Customer Service Week could have been promoted to increase customer traffic, awareness, sales, image enhancement, etc. And yet … nothing.

Maybe we were all too busy complaining and crying about the economy, rising prices, taxes, government leadership, fair trade, loss of customer loyalty, competition, and the growing number of reasons on which we can blame our declining business results.

Obviously, there’s nothing that can be done about that first week in October of 2011. It’s dead and gone. Far too many missed the opportunity. However, maybe it can serve as a valuable, however costly, lesson for us.

Next year we can rally everyone in the organization in hopes of coming up with new, creative ideas in which to celebrate Customer Service Week … ways which will send a message that we DO, indeed, value and appreciate those who have permitted us to serve them. Let’s let them all know that our doors are always open and that we realize we have no business without them.

It’s time many businesses wake up and realize what it really takes to maintain and grow a business in today’s ever-growing chaotic and competitive business environment. There is no existing success formula that doesn’t include “customer” in some way.

Personally, I don’t think there should be a Customer Service Week! I feel we’d be much more successful if there were only a Customer Service DAY, and we honored and celebrated it 365 days a year!

What did your organization do this year during Customer Service Week?

Will you be around to celebrate the next one?

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Bet You Didn’t Even Notice Customer Service Week! is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

I never have!

I doubt if I ever will!

We’ve been successfully touring the country for quite some time now with our Customer Service Boot Camp. It didn’t take long to recognize a very evident common thread among those organizations that experienced this intensive training event: Few of them actually needed it!

Don’t misunderstand …

• Everyone learned a great deal.
• They gained new tips, tools, and strategies.
• They’ll be much better off for the experience.
• They grew as individuals and as organizations.

However, the majority of those who chose to invest their time, energy, and money in this experience were already doing a good job when it comes to serving their customers and clients! That’s so often the case.

Jim Collins, in his best-seller Good to Great, states that “Good is the enemy of Great! The vast majority of companies never become great precisely because they become quite good — and that’s their main problem!”

Those who attended our Customer Service Boot Camp did so because they were focused on attaining that elusive level of GREATNESS! They thirst for knowledge. They strive for C.A.N.I. (Continuous And Never-ending Improvement). There was no cost involved in this program as they viewed it as an investment, which it surely is!

Sadly, those who most need this customer service training are those who did not attend! … as is almost always the case! Their reasons are many but always extremely weak … no money, no time, other projects, etc. None, by the way, is as important as preparing their employees to better serve those who keep them in business.

Think of those many companies, in every industry, that boast that “the customer is our reason for existing,” “the customer is the boss,” or “the customer is always right”! In most cases, it’s nothing more than lip service! Their true challenge lies first in translating these slogans into actions which can convince customers that they are indeed sincere.

Their second challenge lies in getting their customer contact people trained to convey that sincerity to those they serve! These employees are usually the lowest paid people in the organization and almost always the least trained — and yet they are those chosen to face the customer day in and day out! That simply doesn’t make sense!

Consider the fact that a multibillion-dollar fast food operation places its success squarely in the hands of minimum-wage teenagers taking orders, handling money, and delivering the food!

In addition, the image of a multibillion-dollar bank relies on entry-level tellers to handle day-to-day transactions which determine the image of the organization.

Most criticism of multibillion-dollar government agencies are judged largely by the receptionist who answers the phone, greets the customers, answers questions, or transfers the calls … thus setting the tone for any transaction which may follow.

Regardless of job title, education, experience, or position in the organization, the number one task of everyone in the company should always be to attract, satisfy, and preserve customers — this is NOT rocket science. And yet, in today’s very competitive, highly chaotic, environment, very few excel in this critical mission which leads to success for anyone truly focused on the attainment of GREATNESS.

When are those slackers going to wake up, provide the EXPECTATIONS, TRAINING, ACCOUNTABILITY, and CONSEQUENCES that will certainly lead to greater customer service and desired success?

I just don’t get it! I never have! I doubt if I ever will!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Customer Service Dilemma is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

I have his permission to share this unusual story as long as I don’t reveal the name of the organization … for obvious reasons.

Several months ago, I was asked to present a customized version of our often-requested “Productive Chaos” seminar. Over the years, we’ve presented various versions of this popular program to thousands of clients across a wide variety of industries from coast to coast. However, this request was rather unique.

The majority of previous presentations have been to those in leadership positions at various levels in the organizations we serve. This particular client requested that we share that same relevant content with his frontline staff! Here’s why he felt it was so important to do so.

• These are challenging times which call for increased productivity from every level of the organization.
• The majority of his frontline staff were not college-educated and had never attended an out-of-town conference of any kind. In fact, many had never received classroom training of any kind, even on the premises.
• This group of key employees was very concerned about the state of the business and the deteriorating status of our U.S. economy. In short, morale was low and self-confidence and self-esteem were far from what they should be to inspire the performance needed from this critical support staff.
• Our client felt they needed a boost and wanted them to know how important their performance was to the success of the company in these trying times.
• Therefore, he scheduled the entire staff to attend this presentation of “Productive Chaos” over several days of continuous sessions.

It’s been a few months now so I was certainly happy to hear from him this morning. In short, he was ecstatic. He rambled on for quite some time sharing the results of his risky decision. When he scheduled the seminar, he was honest in saying he wasn’t certain if the cost burden of training at this point was a wise decision. However, after seeing the results, he no longer uses the terms “cost” nor “burden.” He claims it was one of the best “investments” he’s ever made.

Let me cut to the chase. This is NOT a commercial for employee training. Paraphrasing our client’s feedback, he noted the following:

• In the days following the training, he observed an obvious increase in productivity by the majority of his employees.
• He observed more and better communication among individuals and departments.
• He saw daily evidence of greater morale, better attitude, and enhanced confidence and pride among his employees.

At this point, I would love to tell you that these key outcomes were a direct result of our powerful “Productive Chaos” program content and our unique method of delivery. Sadly, that wasn’t the case.

In further discussion with our client, we agreed on the obvious. His staff differed little from other employees all across the nation today. They were beaten down and frustrated by daily media reports of a nation in demise. They were constantly exposed to reports that the future looks bleak and prospects of a turnaround grow more dismal by the day. In short, they were running out of gas and had little or nothing to look forward to.

Then our client gambled. He sent a subliminal message to his staff that they were indeed important and a crucial key to the company’s future success. The message was clear. They were important. They were needed. They were going to receive training with the expectation that performance and increased productivity would soon follow because their potential excellence was recognized, appreciated and a key ingredient for future success.

They were validated!

Sounds too simple doesn’t it? The results speak for themselves. People today want and need validation. The majority may not even be aware of it. I’ve seen it time and time again. A simple “thank you” or “good job” can make a difference. Eye contact, a smile, or a handshake can and will do wonders. People want to know that they possess value and can contribute in some way. Don’t you DARE underestimate the value of validation.

I don’t care who it may be …. a parent, child, spouse, friend, significant other, neighbor, vendor, client, employee or team member …. the results are the same. You’ll see greater pride, enhanced self esteem, increased performance and productivity, higher morale …. and the list goes on.

I saw it in the faces of those attending the training. They suddenly realized they were important enough to their company to receive training, to spend a day in a classroom increasing their ability and worth, to warrant their boss to bring in an outside speaker just for them. Of course, there were the typical number who didn’t care and refused to take part. There always are … but you don’t focus on those folks. You focus on those who care and appreciate your efforts. And the results cannot be denied.

I recently saw a video which so impressed me that I shared it on our blog. At the time, I honestly thought it was somewhat “corny.” However, 30 seconds into the content, I couldn’t turn it off. In fact I can’t believe I watched it to the end. It shared a very powerful message which should bring a smile to your face, a tear to your eye and inspiration to your spirit. It should be shown to every parent, spouse, teacher, CEO, supervisor, manager, team leader, and team member everywhere. In addition, it should be shared in every classroom in the nation.

Today, with this call from our client, that video content was validated!

It’s worth your time to view it. Who knows, it may lead to the successful outcomes experienced by our courageous client who sent a special message to his staff. Can you spare a few minutes? What are you possibly doing that could be more important. Enjoy and prosper!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao

“>http://youtu.be/Cbk980jV7Ao

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Validation – A Powerful Strategy in Trying Times! is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

An amazing study was once conducted among kindergartners that certainly illustrates this point. The children were given a white piece of paper with a medium-sized black dot in the center of the page. They were asked to describe what they saw. Here are just a few of the answers they recorded.

• A squashed bug as seen from an airplane.
• A snowman’s eye which fell into the snow as he ran away.
• An ice-fisherman’s hole in the lake after he left.
• A rabbit hole in a snow-covered back yard.
• The top of a telephone pole in Alaska as seen by an astronaut.

The same picture was later shown to a group of seniors in high school, and the majority of them agreed on the same answer — a black dot on a white piece of paper!

What happened to this last group of students between their first and last years of school? They obviously lost their creativity, imagination, and resourcefulness. They had little or no desire to let their minds wander without the fear of rejection. Can you imagine what happened between their senior year and their first day in the work world? Frightening isn’t it?

Well, let me tell you about a young man who managed to avoid that sad transition.

His name is Hart Main, and he’s only 13 years old. This young entrepreneur has done for candles what Netflix did for movie rentals and Groupon has done for coupons. Last November his 12-year-old sister was selling candles to raise money for school. Hart, who wasn’t crazy about the girly scents, joked that there ought to be candles for guys — guys who didn’t want their bedrooms to smell like lavender soap or fresh laundry.

I’m sure a lot of people would agree with Hart. However, the difference between this young man and those people is very obvious. He took action! He did something about what he identified as a challenge.

He created a candle with a masculine aroma. He calls them “ManCans,” and they’re available in a variety of unique scents such as Grandpa’s Pipe, New Mitt, Fresh Cut Grass, Campfire, New York Style Pizza, Coffee, Dirt, Bacon, Crackerjack, Sawdust, Hot Coco, Buttered Popcorn, Bubblegum, and Breakfast in Bed (bacon coffee flapjacks).

He sells each ManCan for $9.50 and is certainly doing well for a startup. He’s averaging 300 orders a week and requests for his products are growing. Hart makes the candles in soup cans, so he purchases soup and donates it to local soup kitchens. He then returns the empty cans, and he and his mother make the candles in their kitchen. He orders oils from suppliers around his home state of Ohio and combines them with the wax. They’re currently looking for a space to rent as making the candles in the kitchen is getting out of hand.

Adults close to the 13-year-old entrepreneur are impressed how the 13-year-old has risen to the challenge of running his own company. Hart is apparently very much in charge of this business and is as hands-on as any CEO would be at the age of 50. He handles himself so well in media interviews and with the whole business that it’s amazing to watch, because you have to be reminded that this is a 13-year-old middle school student who simply wanted to be able to buy a bicycle with the extra money he would earn.

If a young man like this can capitalize on his creativity, most others can as well. In our creativity seminars, the majority of those attending deny they are creative. Is that true or are they in denial or unaware of their potential?

If you were given that piece of white paper with a black dot, what would you see?

Check out Hart’s website at www.man-cans.com. Listen to this young man as he describes his journey in this short video clip.

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Creative 13-Year-Old Boy Finds a Need and Fills It is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

In addition, I don’t expect you to believe what I have to say nor agree with it. However, if you’re a business person who IS concerned about costs, savings, and profits, you’ll read this article and investigate its content for relevance to your organization.

Another call came into our corporate office today asking the question we hear many times a day, every day, “How much does your training cost?” As usual, we pointed out that there is NO COST for our training. Not bad, huh? There is an INVESTMENT which is based on what you’re looking for … a half-day seminar, a full-day seminar, a seminar series, a boot camp, a keynote, a package, consulting, etc. Give us an idea of what you’re looking for, and we’ll gladly reveal the INVESTMENT you’ll need to make.

But wait! While you’re in the spirit of asking questions, consider a few of these:

• What’s it going to cost us if we DON’T train our staff to make the necessary changes to deal with the ever-growing challenges causing chaos in today’s business world?
• What’s it going to cost us if we settle for the lowest bidder we can find? We may save money but not provide the best training, tools, tips and strategies that our people need to grow, compete and succeed. Is that really saving us money? Inadequate, ineffective training at any cost is not a bargain!
• What’s the difference between a “COST” and an “INVESTMENT”? Look up the formal definitions if you must, but you know that a good investment will yield a return that will keep you productive, profitable, competitive, and successful!
• Can we spare the time to conduct training at this point? Here’s a better question. Can you afford NOT to strive for Continuous and Never-ending Improvement (CANI) for your staff at a time when your competition is doing exactly that? You’d better give that question some serious consideration!

One last question!

If you knew that productive, innovative, motivational training of your staff could do the following:

• improve morale
• empower your workforce
• reduce turnover
• enhance communication and teamwork
• nurture greater creativity
• provide better customer service
• increase productivity and profitability

… would you consider what you paid as a “COST” or an “INVESTMENT”?

Check media reports to find examples of what’s happening in today’s business world, and you’ll find your answer in what leading companies are doing:

• Disney is adding to the size of its parks while competitors merge, sell or close their doors.
• McDonald’s is investing a billion dollars to enhance its facilities and menu while competitors downsize, merge, sell or struggle to keep their doors open.
• The Super Bowl increases the price of a 30-second ad to a record $3.5 million.
• The Big Three automakers are reopening closed plants, building new plants, and adding employees.

At this point you might think: “Sure, these companies can do these things because they’re so successful!” Re-frame that thought as you ask: “Are they doing these things because they’re successful, OR are they successful because they’re doing these things?”

COST or INVESTMENT? The choice is yours! The decision is critical! The answer can be life-changing!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Business Leader, Dare You Answer This Question? is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

AS OF JANUARY 1 OF THIS YEAR, EVERY SINGLE DAY MORE THAN 10,000 BABY BOOMERS WILL REACH THE AGE OF 65. THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THE NEXT 19 YEARS!

That means we’re going to see a mass exodus of key people who have the education, experience, and knowledge of our organizational culture. Those people are going to be very difficult to replace, and it certainly can’t happen overnight. Thus, there is the need for a combination of a strong mentoring strategy and a future leaders program to begin the development of potential candidates!

We’ve been very fortunate to be able to work with many clients in a wide variety of organizations from coast to coast as they seek, select and prepare potential leaders for the challenges they will soon face.

Let me share an abbreviated game plan revealing the crucial steps in this program which is growing in popularity.

Future Leaders

Most of our clients have decided to choose a creative name for the group of potential leaders they have selected for future leadership possibilities. While “Future Leaders” certainly describes the next generation of leaders, our clients have settled on a variety of creative monikers. Listed below are just a few:

• Strike Force
• Fast Trackers
• Pace Team
• Supreme Team
• Transformation Team
• C.A.N.I. (Continuous And Never-ending Improvement)Team

Criteria for Potential Leaders

• A genuine interest in leadership
• The desire to lead
• The potential for leadership
• Education and experience
• Enthusiasm and positive attitude

Guidelines and Parameters for Those Selected

• No title
• No authority
• No pay increase
• No additional hours
• No promises or guarantees

Benefits to Those Selected

• Opportunity to attend meetings, conferences, trade shows, etc.
• Opportunity to interact with leadership, customers, and vendors
• Opportunity to attend Board Meetings and Focus Groups
• Opportunity to get involved with special projects, R & D, etc.
• Opportunity to lead, mentor and train others
• Opportunity to experience various challenges of leadership
• Smoother transition into leadership role when the time comes

Benefits to the Organization

• Long-term preparation of employee for a leadership role
• Increased productivity of candidate
• Increased motivation of candidate
• Increased productivity and motivation of fellow employees
• Opportunity to observe candidate in action
• Increased probability of success for candidate

Clients have worked with groups as small as three candidates at a time and as large as 35.

Some clients provide half-day or full-day formal training sessions weekly, monthly, or quarterly based on need and availability.

Those organizations that have utilized this unique program have been extremely satisfied with the results. The transition for candidates from this continuous training into an actual leadership role, when the need arises, has been extraordinarily smooth and flawless … providing a win-win situation for everyone involved.

For more information about the Future Leaders program, give us a call at 1-800-886-2629. You’ll be glad you did!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Dealing with the Daunting Challenge That Most Organizations Don’t Even Acknowledge is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

The following data emphasizes the need and benefits of a program that more and more organizations are recognizing as essential to their future success.

Actual program content will obviously vary from client to client based on their current needs, personnel and future direction. However, a few critical decisions must be made prior to determining program content.

Shocking Reality!

We constantly hear about the growing unemployment numbers in the U.S. This unfortunate trend has led many to dismiss any concern about filling future positions in their leadership ranks. Growing numbers of those looking for work DOES NOT translate into an abundance of qualified candidates for leadership positions.

AS OF JANUARY 1 OF THIS YEAR, EVERY SINGLE DAY MORE THAN 10,000 BABY BOOMERS WILL REACH THE AGE OF 65. THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THE NEXT 19 YEARS.

That means we’re going to see a mass exodus of key people who have the education, experience, and knowledge of our organizational culture. Those people are going to be very difficult to replace, and it certainly can’t happen overnight. Thus, there is the need for a combination of a strong mentoring strategy and a future leaders program to begin the development of potential candidates!

Those who feel they can’t afford such an investment at this time might be wise to research the enormous cost of reacting to this phenomenon after it takes its toll! A “tsunami” has taken target on the business world, and you’d better be prepared for it.

Watch our blog in the coming days to learn how to plan, prepare, promote and participate in what will obviously be one of the most crucial programs that can and will contribute to your future success!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

The Daunting Challenge Facing Every Organization! is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

Professional speaker and consultant Harry K. Jones has written more than 200 book reviews for:

• Change Books
• Communication Books
• Creativity Books
• Customer Service Books
• Decision-Making Books
• Leadership Books
• Motivational and Self-Help Books
• Networking Books
• Project Management Books
• Quality Books
• Retention Books
• Teamwork Books
• Time Management Books
• Women-in-Business Books

An additional mailing list is available for the book reviews section of our web site. Click here to subscribe to the AchieveMax® Book Reviews by e-mail.

Melanie L. Drake focuses on the publishing and marketing sides of the AchieveMax® company. AchieveMax® professional, motivational speakers provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services on change management, creativity, customer service, leadership, project management, stress management, time management, teamwork, and more. For more information on AchieveMax® custom-designed seminars and keynote presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

New Book Review – Inside Steve’s Brain is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

However, upon close examination, there is an obvious pattern to how the business world reacts to these challenges. “Losers” and “also-rans” have a tendency to “play-it-safe,” “sit tight,” and “wait for business to return.” I see it every day.

Over the past year, I’ve also witnessed many of those companies cease to exist … falling victim to their own strategy. Some of the companies are well-known and have been around for some time.

On the other hand, you can witness the “winners” and “survivors” utilizing a different strategy. I like to call it “throwing more darts.” It’s actually very simple. When things stall and aren’t going well, they simply try new options. They add new products and services. They change the way they used to do things. They look for new opportunities or enhance existing strategies.

They often fail, but they keep trying until they discover a winning strategy. They feel that the more “darts” they throw at their target of success, the better chance they have of hitting it. They don’t feel that “sitting and waiting” is an option. It leads to destruction and death.

Don’t take my word for it. Watch the news. Note that leaders in every industry are constantly “throwing more darts” in their attempts to rebound, grow, and thrive in today’s challenging business environment. When they do hit a speed bump, it’s usually a temporary set-back because they continue to pursue their goals. They don’t dwell on set-backs … they continue their journey to success.

Ford and GM have enjoyed a tremendous comeback in recent months after experts predicted their demise. They did so by eliminating a herd of sacred cows in their efforts to discover successful alternatives to long-term challenges.

Starbucks is expanding its product line to grocery stores worldwide, recently established its first of many locations on cruise ships, and is now pursuing the challenge of bringing instant coffee to more than 500,000 hotel rooms across the country! Now that’s throwing darts!

McDonalds is investing more than a billion dollars to remodel its stores nationwide to include comfortable couches, fireplaces, big-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi to lure customers at a time when its competitors are merging, selling, or going out of business as they play it safe waiting for business to return.

Two weeks after Netflix announced major price increases, Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, started streaming many movies the same day they come out on DVD. It now offers 20,000 titles that can be viewed on almost any device with Internet access, from computers to televisions to Sony’s PlayStation3 and other Blu-Ray disc players.

The strategy is obvious. The more darts you throw—the better your chance of hitting your target. Try new darts. Remodel your existing darts. Try a new method of propelling your darts. You may even want to change your target. Many will miss their mark. Throw more. I can promise you this—you’ll never hit the target with the darts you don’t throw! Think about it! Then take action!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Throw More Darts! is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

This means that companies are going to have to get a lot better at identifying and nurturing talent from within, as recruiting externally is going to get tougher and more expensive. Sadly, few organizations acknowledge this harsh reality and even fewer know the proper way to do it well.

Developing future leaders isn’t really that difficult. The problem lies in the fact that time, energy, and dollars invested today may not produce benefits for some time. Therefore, it doesn’t appear to be a value-adding investment. However, when the need for leadership does arrive, the benefits reign supreme in revealing that initial “cost” to actually have been a shrewd “investment”!

Developing future leaders is something that managers should be doing—especially now.

Belts are about as tight as they can be as we claw our way out of the great recession. However, it’s more important than ever to motivate employees. Taking an active interest in the development of top talent is a no-cost way to keep staff members engaged and happy to go above and beyond in their current role, because they see that as the quickest way to advance to their next step with the company.

Try this exercise with your top leadership team. Identify a key leader on your current staff and ask yourself:

• What would happen if that person were to leave the company tomorrow?
• Who would take on that persons’ role and responsibilities?
• What challenges would they struggle with?
• How long would it take the replacement to get up to speed?
• What negative consequences may occur during the transition?

Answers to these questions will give you the starting point to identify potential candidates and their development needs. You might surprise yourself by coming up with a name that wouldn’t normally be the obvious choice.

An emerging trend of proactive talent development is sweeping the nation. A battle is brewing for potential leaders and those not preparing for it will suffer unmeasurable consequences which could mean the difference between success and failure.

We’ve experienced a notable increase in inquiries concerning our Future Leaders program. If you’ve recognized the need for and extreme benefits of such a program, contact our corporate office at 1-800-886-2629 for further details. It may just be one of the best investments you’ve ever made! Don’t delay, call today!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Are You Prepared for the Inevitable Battle! is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

Sunday’s Women’s World Cup soccer final provided many lessons for those not only involved in the sports world but for anyone in the business world as well.

Let me be direct. Consider the following facts:

• This was Japan’s first appearance in the final of a major tournament!
• Japan had not beaten the Americans in their first 25 meetings!
• Japan suffered a pair of 2-0 losses to the U.S. team in warm-up games a month prior to the World Cup.
• Throughout the tournament, the Japanese teammates poignantly reminded the world that they were playing for their battered country, still reeling from the devastation of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami where nearly 23,000 people died or were reported missing.
• Several of their key players had considered skipping the World Cup this year as a result of the disaster. They changed their mind only at the last minute.
• They were hoping their success could provide even a small emotional lift to their nation.
• After each and every game, the team unfurled a banner which read: “To our Friends Around the World — Thank You for Your Support!”
• They paraded the banner prior to Sunday’s final as well. After the game, they unfurled another banner which read: “Champion — the First Asian country to win this title!”
• The odds were against them. Everything they read and heard predicted a U.S. domination of the final.
• They came from behind twice before winning this crucial final.

A closer study of this unique Japanese team will provide volumes on the subjects of teamwork, motivation, pride, determination, and focus.

Another valuable lesson appeared at the close of the game. While the U.S. team played a good game, they were beaten. Plain and simple. And they were shocked and devastated as their hopes for a Final World Cup victory were crushed. And yet, in the chaotic turmoil immediately following the end of the game, I watched several of the U.S. players approach their opponents with congratulatory hugs, handshakes and kind words … at a time when they probably would have preferred to be alone in their locker room drowning their sorrows. That says a great deal about the integrity and class of those young ladies. They served as a fine example for the millions around the world viewing this event. They’ll be back and they’ll be successful once again!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

The Business World Could Learn Much from the World Cup is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

As odd as it may seem to be concerned about jobs going unfilled at a time when unemployment is nearly 10%, experts suggest that in some industries, employees may soon be retiring at a much faster rate than they can effectively be replaced. Where those new workers will come from and the cost of training them are employers’ two top concerns.

UPS announced that it will need to hire 25,000 new employees over the next five years to replace retiring baby boomers. This trend will obviously affect many employers across the country.

As few as 6% of organization have leaders identified for critical roles. Strikingly, 22% have no one slated to take over any key positions.

Research by the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University predicts labor shortage over the next eight years to the tune of more than five million job vacancies. Savvy companies are proactively preparing today for this inevitable shortage lurking in the shadows of the near future.

If the baby boom generation retires from the labor force at the same rate and age as current older workers, the baby bust generation that follows will likely be too small to fill projected new jobs.

The key issue for employers is: Are there enough workers in the pipeline who are trained and ready to step in when the baby boomers retire?

We’ve worked with several organizations over the years in creating a “Future Leaders” program for this very purpose. The process is simple and straightforward. Potential leaders are selected to attend on-going leadership boot camp seminars to expose them to the fundamental tools and strategies required to lead organizations in chaotic business environments. Some programs are conducted monthly and others quarterly.

In many cases, there are no openings available for those chosen for this training at the time they are chosen. However, when the crucial need does arise in the future, leaders can be assured that they will have candidates fully prepared to step into leadership positions with the leadership competencies required for individual and organizational productivity and success for everyone involved.

We’ve noticed over the past year that more and more leaders are recognizing the need and value of this approach. Requests for “Future Leaders” programs have increased and will certainly continue to do so in the near future.

Do you know where your future leaders will come from? Don’t wait until a crisis strikes to begin this process. Doing so will certainly lead to even greater challenges for your organization.

Call us today at 800-886-2629 for further information about the tremendous benefits available with this “Future Leaders” training program.

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

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Increasing Need for Future Leaders is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.

However, know this! Leaders in every industry find time to do so. They either make time in their schedules to do so by delegating and empowering others to deal with less important tasks, OR they have someone to monitor current events and keep them informed. They’ve made a conscious decision that there is tremendous value in observing life outside our own realm.

We have one client that has actually created a team of three talented employees who do nothing but monitor the news, determine what can be learned from what’s happening, consider how their organization can benefit from adopting and/or adapting concepts and then making it happen.

Now, I’m certainly not suggesting that you copy other people and businesses. What they’ve done simply may not apply to your needs and goals. However, you can certainly use their accomplishments to stimulate your own thinking in new directions.

Many of today’s successful and accepted products and services were inspired by observing totally unrelated influences:

• Zip lock food-storage bags
• Pet-grooming shops
• Fed-Ex
• Henry Ford’s assembly
• Motown
• Velcro
• Camouflage
• Liquid Paper
• Snow shoes

The list goes on and on.

At a time when the economy, for so many reasons, has closed or down-sized more businesses than ever before, I’ve witnessed many organizations growing and prospering because they’ve followed the simple formula of Looking, Learning, Thinking and especially DOING!

In the past two weeks, the news has reported many examples of what I’m talking about:

Airline Industry

The airline industry reports $3.4 BILLION in bag fees over the past year! Not only is that up 24% over the previous year, but it’s also a major reason the industry made money after three consecutive years of losses. I’m not happy with the fees myself, but it’s a fact that this idea saved a floundering industry.

Southwest Airlines

At a time when everyone seems to be “waiting it out” in hopes that things may someday change, Southwest Airlines purchases AirTran to become the nation’s first megasize, low-cost airline. “Calculated” risk has often been the decisive factor in achieving success while others flounder.

Target

Target initiates an aggressive “full speed ahead” campaign at a time when the retail industry remains dormant and very cautious. Target is currently remodeling more than 400 stores, opening smaller urban stores to ward off the assault of the many dollar store chains, planning to expand to Canada, and totally overhauled its website … soon operating independently of Amazon. Target is also expanding its fresh food offering as well as adding a new higher-end clothing line and expanding its housewares line. Target is approaching today’s soft economy by taking action while so many of its competitors “play it safe.”

McDonald’s

Did you ever think you’d enter a fast food restaurant to find fire places, free WiFi, comfortable faux leather couches and chairs, or large flat-screen TVs? That’s all part of a $1 billion+ make-over that McDonald’s has planned for more than 14,000 of its U.S. locations. McDonald’s is even doubling the number of its drive-thrus. “McChanges” may just be the word to describe this ambitious game plan for the home of Ronald McDonald and his friends. By the way, this strategy was inspired by observing the emergence of the Apple stores. The CEO pointed out that “entering a new Apple store makes you feel as though you’ve actually entered an IPad and never want to leave. We want our customers to feel the same about their visit to any McDonald’s location.”

Do you see a common thread among these examples? Daring leaders in successful organizations are opting to “take action” to strive, survive, and succeed in one of the worst economies this nation has ever witnessed.

I’m not suggesting that you duplicate any of the efforts mentioned above. I’m suggesting that you watch these organizations closely to see what works and what may not work. Note their creativity, strategies, daring, and precise planning efforts. Then create a powerful strategy for yourself. “Sitting and waiting” is no longer a feasible strategy … it’s a “death wish.” Do something!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

LLTD — Look – Learn – Think – Do! is a post from the AchieveMax® Blog, which includes articles on business, change, leadership, motivation, teamwork, time management, and more. Please visit our site for more information on our professional speakers, custom-designed training, and keynote presentations.