Jovi Brown's Weekday Words

Flexibility of the Fittest

noreply@blogger.com (ProfessorJovi) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 02:34:00 +0000

[Repost] The first thing that might come to mind when you hear flexibility of the fittest is “survival of the fittest”, and yes, that’s what I’m talking about, survival of the fittest. Now, you might say, “Is she an evolutionist or creationist?” I’m a creationist, but I see how society is changing.

It’s very important for us to note that society changes. When it changes, we have to be able to shift. Part of that shift starts in our minds. We have to be able to take our mindset and shift in new directions so that we can be fitter for the current environment.

When you look at the business world and even personal, everyday life, what we did ten years ago, is not necessarily what we do today. What worked ten years ago, is not necessarily what works today. Technology has really changed. There’s really been a shift in technology. Look at Facebook and Twitter. They’ve blown up like mad both in the business world and everyday life.

If you have the mindset that I’m going to do what I’ve always done, then you’ll always get the same results. We all know that, but you could actually create a breakdown. If you’re rigid and society is flowing by, and you’re trying to buckle against society, then you could break. You could cause yourself to break, or you could cause a breakdown in your business.

You want to make sure that you’re flexible and that you’re able to go re-look at your old goals to revamp them when needed. Re-look at your old mission statement for your company, and revamp it when needed so that you and your company can thrive in your new environment. One thing that you might want to ask yourself is, “How many new things am I doing today that I didn’t do five years ago? How am I different now, than I was then?” Evaluate. Do a personal evaluation of your level of flexibility.

Thank you for listening. I’m Jovi “Professor Jovi” Brown. Until next time, let’s think better, and do better. You can leave comments right here on jovibrownweekdaywords.blogspot.com, or you can leave them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Thank you, and if you want more information about my company, then go to topbrainiac.com/development. Have a great day!

Written by: Jovi“Professor Jovi” Brown

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Leading with Compassion

noreply@blogger.com (ProfessorJovi) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:29:00 +0000

[Repost] As leaders, it’s very important that we are assertive. Assertiveness is an element of emotional intelligence. It’s basically your ability to say what needs to be said at a given time. If you look at it, assertive leaders can actually help an organization to become more effective.

For example, if you have an organization in which a leader waits until things happen or fires occur, takes a laissez fair approach, and might say something in order to put a fire out, then that person’s organization could be less effective than a leader who prevents fires from happening. The assertive leader actually stands up and says what needs to be said in order to prevent mess or disruption within the organizational processes. Having a level of assertiveness can actually save an organization time and money and increase an organization’s productivity which can lead to the organization having more money.

So, how can you increase your assertiveness? Well, one way is to practice assertiveness. Put yourself in situations in which you have to stand up for yourself or someone else. Remember that practice makes perfect.

Thank you for listening. I’m Jovi “Professor Jovi” Brown. Until next time, let’s think better and do better. I’ll take comments on this blog here on jovibrownweekdaywords.blogspot.com, or you can go to Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Again, thank you; and, as always, if you want information on my company, then go to topbrainiac.com/development. Thank you, and have a great day!

Written by: Jovi“Professor Jovi” Brown

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Does Group Size Matter?

noreply@blogger.com (ProfessorJovi) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:46:00 +0000

Yes, group size does matter. There are studies that indicate that a group’s size can be a function of the group’s function. If you have a group that is designed to problem solveor fact-find, then it can be more effective for the group to be composed of 12 or more people. On the other hand, if you have a group that’s designed to take action or go out and do something, then that group can be more effective if it’s smaller and has, perhaps, 7 to 12 people.

Group size does matter. Here’s an example of how it works. You’re a politician, and you need to canvas a certain area. You can problem solve to strategize the best way to door knock in that area. In your problem solving, you would have a group of more than 12 people. Let’s say you’d have 14 people to help problem solve how to best canvas the area. Once you come up with your solutions, then you can actually breakdown into smaller group, perhaps 7 in each group, to go out and execute the solutions.

Again, group size matters. If the group is smaller and actually task oriented, then the group would be more effective if you have maybe 7 to 12 people. However, if the group is problem solving, brainstorming, or fact-finding, then that group might be more effective if you have more than 12 people.

Thank you for listening. I’m Jovi “Professor Jovi” Brown. Until next time, let’s think better, and do better. I’ll take comments on this blog right here on jovibrownweekdaywords.blogspot.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

You can find out more about my company by going to topbrainiac.com/development. Again, thank you for listening, and have a great day!

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Work Your Strategy

noreply@blogger.com (ProfessorJovi) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:30:00 +0000

I am a business architect, and there have been a number of companies that have wondered how they can distinguish themselves within the marketplace. One way to distinguish yourself is to work your strategy. There are companies that spend countless hours, in meeting after meeting, developing strategies. They come up with these grand strategies; yet they fail to align their organizational structure with the new strategy so the strategy doesn’t work.

In order to work your strategy, you actually have to take the time to develop a nice strategy; but, then, go within your organization and re-vamp or tweak your structure, if needed, to fit with the new strategy. When you have an organizational structure that fits with thestrategy, or is aligned with your new strategy, then you’re better positioned to work it.

What am I saying? What I’m saying is that if you have that innovative strategy, you’re that company that’s trying to set yourself apart by doing things that your competitors aren’t doing__thinking outside of the box and actually moving outside of the box__then what you want to do is make sure that your organizational structure fits with that. Make sure that your organizational structure is aligned with the innovative strategy.

Make sure that you’re allowing your employees to be creative and innovative. Allow them to do what they need to do in order to accomplish the goals that you’ve given them. That means that you have to have a decentralized authority system, and you have to allow people to take responsibility and ownership for their part of the piece in your big puzzle.

Having a decentralized organizational structure can allow your employees to be more creative. Such a structure can allow your employees to do what you’ve hired them to do. You’ve hired the best and the brightest to be innovative and creative so let them do what they do.

I’m Jovi “Professor Jovi” Brown. Thank you for listening. Until next time, let’s think better, and do better. If you want to make comments on this blog, then you can do so right here on jovibrownweekdaywords.blogspot.com, or you can go to Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Again, thank you for listening; and, for more information on my company, you can go to topbrainac.com/development. Thank you, and have a great day!

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Valuing Older Workers

noreply@blogger.com (ProfessorJovi) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:24:00 +0000

In today’s business world, older workers can become an invaluable asset to any organization. There are studies that indicate that older workers tend to be more committed to organizations. They tend to take on positions for the long term rather than the short term. In addition, older workers tend to call off less form work unless there is an emergency. In this, they are more likely to generate, or accumulate, vacation time than are younger workers.

Now, in addition to being committed to organizations, while in an organization, older works can provide invaluable insight within different areas of an organization. For example, if a person has been in a position for 20, 30, 40, or 50 years, then that person most likely knows the ropes of that position. They can provide you with information that you may not be able to get from your market research or looking at the history of your company or industry. The older worker just might know some inside stuff that can actually help your organization to get a competitive advantage.

Nonprofits have taken advantage of older workers. A number of nonprofits have Baby Boomers on their boards, and they have Baby Boomers as volunteers within their organizations. This actually strengthens their human capital which increases their market share; and it helps organizations or nonprofits to make more money.

When looking at older workers, they’ve been invaluable in nonprofits, and they can also be invaluable in the for-profit world. If you’re that for-profit and you need a consultant or someone to give you information or insight, then you might want to consider hiring an older worker on a part-time basis to help your organization to gain the competitive advantage that it needs.

Again, thank you for listening; and if you want more information on my company, then go to topbrainiac.com/development. Thank you, and have a great day!

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Customer Service is All About You

noreply@blogger.com (ProfessorJovi) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:21:00 +0000

In today’s business world, it’s very important that we execute excellent customer service. Having excellent service can mean the difference between winning a customer and losing one. With so many choices out there, customers can walk if you have poor service.

Unlike what’s been said in the past, the customer is not always right. As we know, customers can lie. They can ask for things that they’re not entitled to, and they can go off on you. They can do all kinds of things that just aren’t right. The customer is not always right, but your response to your customer is very important. As such, how you manage your emotions can actually dictate how a situation is resolved. Your ability to look within yourself and remain calm during trying situations or focused during tough situations can actually help you to provide excellent customer service.

One way to stay focused while you have a customer who is going off is to take a deep breath and think about something positive while that person’s talking. As you think of things that are positive, that can help you to stay calm during a tough situation or a situation that could have become escalated form both ends not just your customer’s. This is one tip on how to have excellent customer service and to see that customer service is all about you. Properly manage your emotions, and you can have good results.

Thank you for listening. I’m Jovi “Professor Jovi” Brown. Until next time, let’s think better, and do better. You can make comments on this blog right here on jovibrownweekdaywords.blogspot.com, or you can go to LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Also, if you want information on my company, then go to topbrainiac.com/development. Again, thank you for listening, and have a great day!

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Leading with Assertiveness

noreply@blogger.com (ProfessorJovi) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:54:00 +0000

As leaders, it’s very important that we are assertive. Assertiveness is an element of emotional intelligence. It’s basically your ability to say what needs to be said at a given time. If you look at it, assertive leaders can actually help an organization to become more effective.

Again, thank you; and, as always, if you want information on my company, then go to topbrainiac.com/development. Thank you, and have a great day!

Written by: Jovi“Professor Jovi” Brown

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3 Ways to Spend Less Money

noreply@blogger.com (ProfessorJovi) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:07:00 +0000

Today’s title is "Three Ways to Spend Less Money".

1. Run Your Energy Only When Using It

The first way to spend less money is by only running your energy while you’re using it. For example, run your electricity while you’re using it. If you’re not in the room when the TV’s going, then you might be wasting money. When you’re looking at brushing your teeth, you run your water when you have the toothbrush under the faucet; but when you’re actually brushing, and you’re running you’re water, that can be a waste of energy. As such, run your electricity and your water only when using them.

2. Have a List Before You Go to the Store and Stick to It

Another way to save money, or spend little or less money, is to have a list before you to the store. Before you actually go to WalMart, Target, or wherever you’re going, have a list. Check off your list, and stick to the list. If you’re one of those people who, like me, who like to go to stores, and once in there, look at other stuff, then having a list can actually help you to stay on budget.

3. Drive More Out of Necessity than Pleasure

Another way to save money is to drive more out of necessity than pleasure. This can help you to save gas. If you’re like me, then it might be hard for you to do at first. I’m one of those people who likes to go riding. I like to ride, especially if it’s sunny and warm, then I like to get in the car and go. However, if you do more of your driving out of necessity than pleasure, then you can see that, at the end of the month, you’ll have more gas; and you’ll have more money. One way to do this is to map your trip before you go so that you do all that you need to on one of side of town, while you’re one that side of town.

These are three ways that you can save money, spend less money, or however you want to phrase it: You can run your energy only when using it; have a list before you go to the store, and stick to it, and drive more out of necessity than pleasure.

Thank you for listening. I’m Jovi “Professor Jovi” Brown. Until next time, let’s think better, and do better. I’ll take comments for this blog, right here on jovibrownweekdaywords.blogspot.com, and you can also comment on Facebook, LinkendIn, Twitter, and Youtube.

Thank you. If you want more information about my company, then go to topbrainiac.com/creativity. Thank you, and have a great day!

Written by: Jovi“Professor Jovi” Brown

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Leading with Compassion

noreply@blogger.com (ProfessorJovi) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:07:00 +0000

In today’s society, leaders can get very busy. They can get very caught up in who they are and what they have to do; and, at times, they can forget about their followers. It’s very important, that as leaders, we show compassion towards our followers. Show your followers that you have a heart. Show them that you’re high in consideration. There are studies that indicate that leaders, who are high in consideration, have followers who are high in connectivity and productivity. These are factors that can actually help an organization to make more money.

So you wonder how you increase that level of connectivity. Well, one way is through openness. Set aside a time where you can talk to your followers about anything, and they can talk to you about anything. They can come to you. They can share whatever’s on their hearts. Now, I’m not telling you to get caught up in their drama or give them yours, but I’m saying for you to show them that you are human and that you appreciate their humanity.

Also, within those talks, let your employees know that you value trust so whatever they say stays with you. You’re not going to leak their information. When you develop this sense of opennessand trust, your followers are likely to be more connected to you and your organization. This can actually help them to be more effective in what they do.

Now, I’ve talked about organizations and followers and leaders. What I’ve talked about can translate into any area of leadership so if you’re a leader in your home, and you’re that parent or family member who looks after other family members, then what I’ve said can apply to you. Have a sense of openness, a sense of trust, and your followers are more likely to connect to you and your organization. Also, they’re more likely to be productive.

I’m Jovi “Professor Jovi” Brown. Thank you for listening. Until next time, let’s think better and do better. You can leave comments for this blog, right here, on jovibrownweekdaywords.blogspot.com, or you can leave comments on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Thank you, and if you want more information about my company, then go to topbrainiac.com/development. Have a great day!

Written by: Jovi“Professor Jovi” Brown

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Using Empathy to Increase Communication Effectiveness

noreply@blogger.com (ProfessorJovi) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:44:00 +0000

In communication, one of the most important things is that it’s effective. We want that the sender clearly sends the message, and the receiver appropriately responds. When this happens, we likely have effective communication.

Empathy can play a vital role in how responsive a receiver is to a message. Empathy is your ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes so that you can feel how they would feel in a certain situation. It’s your ability to feel someone else’s pain. When you’re empathetic, you’re more likely to have an appropriate response to someone.

Here’s how it works. You have a customer who comes to you irate because the person has to pay fees for services that, in the past, the person received free; and the customer is going off, telling you, “You shouldn’t charge me these extra fees, and I shouldn’t have to pay for them!”

If you choose not to be empathetic, then you could say, “Well, you used the services, and you incurred the fees so go ahead and pay up.” However, if you choose to be empathetic, then you can put yourself in that person’s shoes and say, “O.K. At one point, I got these same services. I didn’t have to pay for them. Now, I have to pay for them. My bill has increased, and I can see where this may seem unfair.” Once you put on your “empathetic hat”, so to speak, you tell the customer that you understand their position. At one point, they didn’t have to pay for the services; but, now, they do. You’re sorry. You don’t mean to cause them any pain or grief, but the new policy is that they now have to pay for these services.

When you’re empathetic, you’re able to show the person that you put yourself in their place. You feel their pain, and your response, to them, is more appropriate than it would be if you weren’t empathetic to them.

The next time someone comes to you, you want to put on your “empathetic hat”, to be more empathetic to the person, so that you can be more appropriate in your response.

Thank you for listening. I’m Jovi “Professor Jovi” Brown. Until next time, let’s think better, and do better. I’ll respond to comments on this blog right here at jovibrownweekdaywords.blogspot.com, or you can go to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Thank you; and, for more information about my company, go to topbrainiac.com/development. Have a great day!

Written by: Jovi "Professor Jovi" Brown

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Flexibility for the Fittest

noreply@blogger.com (ProfessorJovi) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:36:00 +0000

The first thing that might come to mind when you hear flexibility of the fittest is “survival of the fittest”, and yes, that’s what I’m talking about, survival of the fittest. Now, you might say, “Is she an evolutionist or creationist?” I’m a creationist, but I see how society is changing, and it’s very important for us to note that society changes. When it changes, we have to be able to shift. Part of that shift starts in our minds. We have to be able to take our mindset and shift in new directions so that we can be fitter for the current environment. When you look at the business world and even personal, everyday life, what we did ten years ago, is not necessarily what we do today. What worked ten years ago, is not necessarily what works today. Technology has really changed. There’s really been a shift in technology. Look at Facebook and Twitter. They’ve blown up like mad both in the business world and everyday life. If you have the mindset that I’m going to do what I’ve always done, then you’ll always get the same results. We all know that, but you could actually create a breakdown. If you’re rigid and society is flowing by, and you’re trying to buckle against society, then you could break. You could cause yourself to break, or you could cause a breakdown in your business. You want to make sure that you’re flexible and that you’re able to go re-look at your old goals to revamp them when needed. Re-look at your old mission statement for your company, and revamp it when needed so that you and your company can thrive in your new environment. One thing that you might want to ask yourself is, “How many news things am I doing today that I didn’t do five years ago? How am I different now, than I was then?” Evaluate. Do a personal evaluation of your level of flexibility.

Thank you, and if you want more information about my company, then go to topbrainiac.com/development. Have a great day!

You Can Make It

noreply@blogger.com (ProfessorJovi) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 22:29:00 +0000

There are a lot of people out there going through trying times. Things might not be going as great as you thought that they would. You might be in a rough or sticky situation, and I just want you to know that you can make it. This too shall pass! You can accomplish the dreams and goals that are inside of you. All you have to do is look inside and see what dreams are inside of you, and go for them. Believe that you can accomplish them. One thing that you have to know is that it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what you’ve been through, what you’re going through, everyone has been destined for greatness; and you can achieve what’s inside of you so I want you to be like the little engine that could. Kind of spin the little engine’s words a little. Instead of saying, “I think I can. I think I can.” All while you progress towards your goals and do the things that you know you should do, keep saying, “I know I can. I know I can.” Even when you get that opposition, you get people saying that you won’t make it, or they’re skeptical about your dreams and future, just stay focused on the fact that , yes, you will make it. Yes, you’ll achieve those dreams. You’ve been destined for greatness, and it will happen for you. Know that you can. You can make it!

I’m Jovi “Professor Jovi” Brown. Thank you for listening to this video blog. Until next time, let’s think better, and do better. You can comment on this blog here on jovibrownweekdaywords.blogspot.com, or you can go to LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube and comment there. I’ll respond to your comments.

Again, thank you for your interest in this blog. If you want to know more about my company, then go to topbrainiac.com/empowerment. Have a great day!