I was doing a number of Annual Planning Sessions and Quarterly meetings over the winter and spring. In these meetings, we discuss lessons learned. One thing that has become clear is that COVID pressure-tested leaders, team members, teams, client relationships, and many other aspects of running a business. Not one of my teams used this [...]
The Issue was Working Capital. The context was Scorecarding (and a review of the prior 13 weeks’ results at a Quarterly Pulsing™ session). After stepping through each of the measurables that were currently off track and adding them to the Issues List for that day, the Leadership Team was ready to move on. “Is there anything [...]
These are most certainly uncertain times. In my sessions with clients over the last few months, the underlying cause for this uncertainty is COVID, but what specifically each of the leaders is uncertain about varies. As one of my clients said, “Jim, I actually have no idea what we should do.” The problem with all [...]
By David Bowman This strange time period we’ve been experiencing has provided an opportunity for reflections of my past experiences, and all the times I thought I had life figured out. I began my post-Marine Corps career as an accountant, having earned my degree while serving. Very quickly, I learned that I liked helping others [...]
We find ourselves in uncharted waters, and now more than ever, your team needs you to lead them through to the other side. It can be overwhelming, but you didn’t get this far to only get this far. Our friends at 87plus put together this amazing infographic checklist to help you stay focused. We [...]
Working from home? Fear not! Working from home can be fruitful. It certainly was for Sir Isaac Newton. In 1665, the pandemic he experienced forced him to quarantine, and during that time, he developed some of his most groundbreaking theories. See the great article from the Washington Post, “During a pandemic, Isaac Newton had to [...]
Hello. If you are in Michigan, or any of the other areas under “Shelter in Place” orders, then you are now at home (like me). Maybe with kids pounding on the floors (like me), or ones that come into your space every few minutes (like me). However, just because we are at home, please know [...]
Your Scary Times Success Manual We hope this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and happy. During times like these, we believe more information, not less, is helpful. For years we have recommended this approach to our clients when things become uncertain. To that end, we will be posting helpful material that you can freely [...]
By Jim Coyle “Jim, we just need to make sure we get all the details and every part of the process documented, so people don’t mess it up anymore.” “I think we just need to give our clients more choices. If we had 10 to 15 options, then they would get exactly what they want.” [...]
By Ian Shafer What if all the people in your company had a magical pressure gauge that could be seen by everyone else in real-time? The dial would give a reading of overall mental state, stress level, and the ability to perform one’s job, all wrapped into one metric. Sales mismanaged the client expectations for [...]