Trent365

360 Degree Performance Appraisals have been around for a while.

The process of getting feedback not only from your boss, but also your co-workers, subordinates, etc., makes sense.

However, no matter how many people point out our flaws, if we don’t accept it, we find a way to convince ourselves it’s just not true.

Today, with so much of our work interactions happening via Zoom, we might have a new feedback mechanism...The Zoom Playback Opportunity.

Record your Zoom meeting, watch it back later, and analyse your behaviours and interactions.

That kinda takes the 360 Degree Appraisal to a whole new level.

nb: Thanks Phil for the inspiration on this one.

#zoommeetings #performanceappraisal #selfawareness

One of the great frustrations if you're a bit lower down on the ladder in your organisation is when you've got a great idea but upper management doesn't see it the same as you do.

When this happens, there's a pretty simple reason for it.

The bosses have determined that your idea just isn't going to move the needle.

It's not going to make enough of an impact.

And usually, they'll be looking for it to move the needle in terms of Revenue or Brand and PR.

So, if you're pitching your idea to the bosses, try to show them how it can move the needle.

Otherwise, they're probably not going to give it a try.

#movetheneedle #makeanimpact #newideas

We often refer to our Career as a Journey.

But, building on what David Schwarz said in this insightful article about securing a position on a Board ( https://bit.ly/3dkMhiQ ), maybe it's better to think about your Career as a Process.

A journey almost implies it's more of a meandering thing that just kinda happens.

A process though suggests something more deliberate, more structured.

On a journey your path is often determined by the elements, the environment and the circumstances.

But with a process you can be an active participant. Your actions can determine the outcome.

So, today's homework...

Are you on a Career Journey...or in the midst of a Career Process?

#careerprogression #careerplanning #careerchoices

Most businesses like the idea of having an experienced team.

And most consumers like to think there's an experienced team behind the product or service that they're buying.

However, there is always a risk that having an experienced team can lead to stagnation.

It's hard for the experienced team to keep generating new ideas, to stay on the cutting edge, to challenge the status quo.

They are the status quo!

The best way to avoid this is to have a mix of Old vs New, Experienced vs Novice.

What mix? What's the right ratio? What's the formula?

It depends on your company, the company dynamics & the people within it.

But you should absolutely be aware of where your company is on the Experience-Stagnation Curve.

And, if you're getting closer to the Stagnation end of the curve, maybe it's time to get some fresh eyes in.

#experiencedteam #stagnation #statusquo

If you're thinking of your calendar or your diary as simply a place to schedule and track your meetings, then you're getting it all wrong.

Julian Shapiro reckons you should think about your calendar as a ledger of the time you've traded away.

You've chosen to schedule those meetings.

You could have done other things instead.

And maybe those 'other things' could have been a more effective and efficient use of your time.

Maybe you would've had time to spend time on something that would bring more value to you or your organisation if you hadn't scheduled those meetings.

If you were to do an audit at the end of the month on all the time you spent in meetings vs the value or benefits gained...would you be happy with the result?

If not, perhaps it's time to balance the ledger.

#timemanagement #timemanagementtips #scheduleplanning

Just to be clear, I do NOT consider myself to be any sort of authority when it comes to fashion.

Still...I can't help but wonder why we don't see more action around fashion startups targeting the 45+ bracket.

Surely this would be a good market.

These folks are a bit more mature, more aware of what they want and have more disposable income to pay for it.

Maybe I'm missing something?

Maybe there actually is a vibrant startup scene around 45+ fashion?

But if there is...I've never heard of it.

#fashion #startups #generationx

Branding is important. No doubt about it.

Understanding you are and what you stand for as a business, a company and as a brand.

Understanding your Mission, Vision and Values.

It's all super-important.

BUT...if you don't have any customers, it will all be for nought.

So, it's ok to focus on getting customers first.

You don't need to have all your branding stuff sorted out on Day 1.

It can grow and evolve as both you and your business do.

#branding #buildingbusiness #customersfirst

If you really want to get some perspective on joy, just watch a 3 year old child in the park.

They find joy in the simplest of things.

Maybe watching a leaf fall to the ground. Or even just a bird flying by.

And in turn, it never fails to bring a smile to me face too.

I always coming away from such an experience challenging myself to try to see the world through their eyes.

Invariably, of course, life soon gets in the way again.

But whenever you need a jolt of inspiration to find joy in the simple things, just watch a young child in the park and try to see the world through their eyes.

#perspective #children #joyfulliving

There is a subtle difference between Winning and Earning.

You Win the lottery. It's a random game of chance.

But you Earn the victory when your team beats the opposition. It was your effort and team work.

The feeling of Earning is very different to that when you simply Win.

A sense of achievement and accomplishment.

It's an important distinction to keep in mind when creating your marketing and promotion strategy.

You could give your customers a gift based on a Lucky Dip or a Door Prize. They Win.

Or, you could award the gift to the customer who shared their best photo of them with your product. They Earn that one.

Remember, it's a very different feeling for the customer.

They feel far more engaged with your business is they Earn the gift, rather than if they simply Win it.

#winning #earned #reward

Every industry has Key People of Influence. 

You know who they are in your industry.

And if you are not one them, you probably want to get close to those who are.

It's all about getting closer to the sun.

Here's a great, simple, effective way to do that...

1. Search the content created by that person

2. Take a few quotes from that person

3. Add your own thoughts, opinions, questions about that quote

4. Then post that as your own new content

PRO-TIP

Create social media tile that has the quote, an image of the person and add some subtle 'branding' of your own social media handle.

Post it and tag the Key Person of Influence.

Better still, send that person the social media tile for them to share with their network.

Why would they share it? Simple. We all have healthy egos AND we like having no friction.

If you send me a nice social media tile with my quote, chances are I'll share it.

NB: Make sure you give attribution to the article, conference, etc where you found the quote.

#socialmedia #influencer #influencermarketing