My management team, sales force and I had an interesting collaboration today that began with a brief overview of the phases of progress and the process of refinement. It occurred to me that no matter what your present position may be at the moment, you are likely always concerned with progress. Whether you are a …
Tag: small business
Soft and Supple Will Prevail
My management team and I spent the the entire day yesterday with our Advisory Board. It was a powerful and constructive time and despite the short duration we managed to cover a good deal of useful ground. Many of their observations validated our assumptions, but the most instructive criticisms came, as expected, in areas that …
A New Corporate Culture
"We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." ~ Benjamin Franklin One of the greatest challenges I've faced while developing a more desirable corporate culture that is free of the common impediments that creep in through the less illuminated corners of human nature lies in overcoming the entropic tendency …
Five Habits
The powerful recession that swept the globe over the last few years was a game-changer for businesses everywhere. Lulled into a false sense of security by the the many years of plenty, companies operating with bloated payrolls, lavish spending on nonessentials and lax management practices suddenly found themselves confronted with a new reality. Corporate leaders …
Constant Transformation
"When one door closes another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." ~ Alexander Graham Bell A lovely letter accompanied the recent mailing of a catalog I enjoy perusing and I am compelled this morning to …
The New American Dream
I came across an interesting passage in Seth Godin's Linchpin yesterday evening that I wanted to share with you, as always, with a few of my thoughts on the topic. Godin noted a seismic shift in the way work happens in our era, as distinct from earlier times and summarized his thoughts in this description …
The Power of an Advocate
Advocates are a powerful, yet often overlooked part of a company's customer base. They will often step in where company procedures and policies fall short, defending and presenting your brand to other consumers. Advocates are willing to overlook the company's customer service shortcomings yet they'll be the first to inform you of any areas that …
Pluck a Thistle and Plant a Flower
"Die when I may, I want it said by those who knew me best that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow." ~ Abraham Lincoln One of the characteristics I admire most in people is the ability to pluck a thistle and plant a flower. The …
The Pinch Hitter
While I admittedly do not follow Major League Baseball, I understand that Lenny Harris currently holds the record for most pinch hit at-bats (804) and the most career pinch hits (212). The pinch hitter in baseball is a substitute batter who replaces a starting player because of a higher likelihood of reaching base or helping …
Imagination, Purpose and Change
“All meaningful and lasting change starts first in your imagination and then works its way out. Imagination is more important than knowledge.” ~ Albert Einstein It’s a little ironic to me that my company’s product line is based in part on a manufacturing method developed in the Middle Ages while at the same time we …
Gregory Hake 