In business, you need to watch your words with customers. The things you say to them, even as offhand remarks, can become  major turnoffs. And in a competitive marketplace that could cost you business.  Even if you have the best marketing and branding, you and your employees can repel customers with your words. Let's go [...]

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If your Monday morning productivity is a concern, then you'll like these tips to start your week off strong. Each is designed to be easily implemented. Complex things usually never become habits.  You don't want to get into a situation where you feel like you're falling behind on your week and it's only Monday morning. [...]

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Have you ever wondered if you can change your clients? Sometimes, they can be demanding and ask you to do things beyond your scope of work agreement.  I was asked this question by an audience member not long ago. And while this isn't exactly my area of expertise, I understood the problem and knew there [...]

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When you've got a tough challenge, what you do next is very important. Obviously, you'll want to pursue a solution. But how do you go about that process? Leaving it to chance may not produce a good outcome and could waste a lot of time. Instead, define how you'll approach finding a solution. Learn how [...]

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It's important for leaders to understand that employees can learn how to exceed limitations at work. It can be easy to pigeonhole people's skills and their ability to make positive changes.  That kind of growth can happen faster than you think, especially during challenging times, if you're open to providing three key pieces of information. [...]

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You may recognize some of these common boss complaints. While some might call them minor quirks, they could represent problems that could impact your hiring and retention efforts.  And if you're a leader, you may not have realized certain behaviors could become a turnoff for employees. Why not change behaviors before you get a bad [...]

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These four daily business questions can bring some focus and discipline to your career. While none of them are complicated, all can provide a bridge to a more productive tomorrow. You may have noticed that increased demands and responsibilities keep you from your most important work or your long-term goals. As a result, your days [...]

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At conferences, should the boss party with employees? At many of these events, there are opportunities to let your hair down and have some fun. If you're a leader, have you thought about how you'll respond to an invitation to join the rest of your employees at the festivities? While there's not a right or [...]

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While embracing unexpected change may sound like a skill that requires some clairvoyance, it's something you can master on the job. It's all about thinking proactively, rather than waiting for situations to happen.  If you only react to these events, you're likely operating in a state of panic, which may not product the best results. [...]

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These good business takeaways for 2024 can help you avoid some common problems. All are actionable and some might say a few of the tips are a bit obvious.  The power of these takeaways is that they identify challenges where you need to act. Things will not get better if you do nothing. Let's strengthen [...]

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