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Last week I was in Las Vegas for the BlogWorld Expo. You can hear a recording of an interview I did with Blog Talk Radio by clicking on this link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LATE/2007/11/08/Nov-8-2007-404pm. If you decide to listen, please let me know what you think.
On Friday, as I was leaving, I had a great experience at McCarran Airport. I stopped for a shoe shine -- and met Gino.
Continue reading "Gino the Shoe Shine Man -- A Model for What's Good In This Life" »
Posted by The Common Sense Guy in Life | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
In my book, 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations, I suggest that high performing organizations and the people who lead them have four things in common:
Integrity is key to building strong relationships.
The other day, I came across a link to an article written by Dave Kahle called The Ten Commandments for the Ethical Salesperson. While Mr. Kahle was writing to sales people, some of his comments apply to anyone in a leadership position or who runs a small business. Here is some what he has to say.
These four tips are great common sense advice for building relationships – with your customers, suppliers, government agencies, and the communities in which you do business, and the people you lead.
Let’s think about them one at a time.
The first on is a no-brainer. Misrepresentation is lying. Lying is not good business. It never makes sense to lie.
The second one is a little more subtle. Often, people will make incorrect assumptions about you and your company. Sometimes these incorrect assumptions can work in your favor. The ethical leader or small business person, corrects these assumptions. He or she doesn’t take advantage of them.
Third, sometimes the ethical way of doing things can result in short term losses. In the end however, ethical behavior will work in your favor. Several years ago, I made the decision to pass up close to $20,000 worth of business, because I had already committed my time to another client. Neither client ever forgot my ethical behavior, and I have more than recouped that $20,000.
The fourth suggestion is another no-brainer, but one that many people overlook. Simply doing what you say you will do, can get you a lot of credit with the people with whom you want to build a relationship. It’s pretty simple. Show up, do the work. When you have to miss a deadline, let the other person know as soon as you do. Don’t keep him or her hanging.
The common sense point here is simple. If you make these four tips a part of how you conduct business, you will gain a reputation as an ethical person. Ethical behavior is the foundation on which all productive relationships are based. Act ethically and you will reap the rewards in the long run. Besides that, you’ll feel better about yourself. As John Mellencamp says, “An honest man’s pillow is his piece of mind.”
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be and to get a copy of my new ebook Star Power: Common Sense Ideas for Career and Life Success.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
Posted by The Common Sense Guy in Building A Business Using Common Sense | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
I am in Las Vegas as I write this post. I am attending the Blog World Expo. Yesterday, I ran into my friends from The Blog Squad, Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman. Denise had this very cool, small digital video recorder. She and Patsi did a brief interview with me about blogging. You can find it at: http://www.buildabetterblog.com/2007/11/blogworld-expo-.html.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
Also, if you're thinking about starting a blog, get in touch with Patsi and Denise. They can really help you accelerate the process of getting going.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be and to get a copy of my new ebook Star Power: Common Sense Ideas for Career and Life Success.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
Posted by The Common Sense Guy in Blogging | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
In my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations, I point out that all successful organizations and the people who lead them have four things in common.
This week, I will highlight the important points of each of the four secrets and then provides some words of wisdom from some well known (and some not so well known) thinkers that relate to each of them. Today, I’ll focus on relationships.
Relationships
No organization exists in a vacuum. Successful organizations build strong, truthful, trusting, long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with a variety of constituencies: customers, suppliers, governmental agencies, communities where they do business and investors. They realize that the externally focused initiatives that are part of relationship building are equally as important as the internally focused work done in the areas of clarity, commitment and execution.
Really successful organizations often serve the greater good. They provide goods and services that have a benefit that goes beyond organizational members and investors.
Now, for what they experts have to say about relationships.
"This is the true joy in life: the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. The being a force of nature, instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die - for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no "brief candle" to me; it is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." -George Bernard Shaw
"Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not." - Oprah Winfrey
"The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity." - Francis Maitland Balfour
"Our earth is but a small star in a great universe. Yet of it we can make, if we choose, a planet unvexed by war, untroubled by hunger or fear, undivided by senseless distinctions of race, color or theory." - Stephen Vincent Benét
"To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others." - Anthony Robbins
"The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion." Thomas Paine.
"Real power and energy is generated through relationships. The patterns of relationships and the capacities to form them are critically important." - Margaret Wheatly
"Each time you are honest and conduct yourself with honesty, a success force will drive you toward greater success. Each time you lie, even with a little white lie, there are strong forces pushing you toward failure." -Joseph Sugarman
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be and to get a copy of my new ebook Star Power: Common Sense Ideas for Career and Life Success.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
Posted by The Common Sense Guy in Building A Business Using Common Sense | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
In my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations, I point out that all successful organizations and the people who lead them have four things in common.
This week, I will highlight the important points of each of the four secrets and then provides some words of wisdom from some well known (and some not so well known) thinkers that relate to each of them. Today, I’ll focus on execution.
Execution
Execution is where the rubber meets the road. An outstanding mission, vision and business plan and the most committed people in the world, still must do what it takes to turn an organization’s vision into reality. They start with well defined metrics that are linked to their strategic and annual business plans. They use these metrics to manage their business and measure progress towards their goals. They use both quantitative and qualitative measures to determine their performance versus metrics. They revise their plans based on the information they glean from regular reviews of their performance versus metrics.
They have an organizational structure that facilitates collaborative decision making and problem solving. They have robust, in control business processes. They make use of process improvement technologies, tools and techniques to ensure that these processes remain robust and in control. They make full use of available information technology to gather and analyze data that assist them in managing the business. Finally, successful organizations are skillful at anticipating, adapting to and managing change. They are proactive. They do the things that will help them achieve their goals.
Now, for a look at what some of the experts say about execution.
"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'." - Yoda
"Once I ran across the following statement: "In golf and in life, it's the follow-through that makes the difference." It's not only a true statement in golf, however, it really is true in real-life situations. Whether or not we follow through on our ideas, our goals, or our intentions is what really makes the difference. If we don't follow through on our ideas, they become only wishes, and wishes by themselves don't do anything." -Don Essig
"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there and worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the loss of sleep." Dale Carnegie
"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand -- and melting like a snowflake." - Marie Beyon Ray
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." - Aldous Huxley
"It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness." -Chinese Proverb
"It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action." -Al Batt
"Commit to CANI! -- Constant And Never-ending Improvement " - Anthony Robbins
"It's always too early to quit." -Norman Vincent Peale
"Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and importance, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction." - Brian Tracy
"Executives owe it to the organization and to their fellow workers not to tolerate nonperforming individuals in important jobs." -- Peter Drucker
"Good management consists in showing average people how to do the work of superior people." -- John D. Rockefeller
"Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"You're alive. Do something. The directive in life, the moral imperative was so uncomplicated. It could be expressed in single words, not complete sentences. It sounded like this: Look. Listen. Choose. Act." -- Barbara Hall.
"Few things are impossible to diligence and skill ... Great works are performed, not by strength, but perseverance." - Samuel Johnson
"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." -Will Rogers
"What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens." - Thaddeus Golas
"The 'how' thinker gets problems solved effectively because he wastes no time with futile 'ifs.'" - Norman Vincent Peale
“A competent leader can get efficient service from poor troops, while on the contrary an incapable leader can demoralize the best of troops.” - General John J. Pershing
"One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency." -Arnold Glasgow
"The man who waits for roast duck to fly into his mouth must wait a very, very long time." -Chinese Proverb
"In the modern world of business, it is useless to be a creative original thinker unless you can also sell what you create. Management cannot be expected to recognize a good idea unless it is presented to them by a good salesman." - David M. Ogilvy
“Suck it up, be a man. Do the best you can.” John Mellencamp
"Castles in the sand slip into the sea, eventually" – Jimi Hendrix
"The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools." - Confucius
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." -Theodore Roosevelt
“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” - Russell C. Taylor
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." -Johann von Goethe
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be and to get a copy of my new ebook Star Power: Common Sense Ideas for Career and Life Success.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
Posted by The Common Sense Guy in Building A Business Using Common Sense | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
In my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations, I point out that all successful organizations and the people who lead them have four things in common.
This week, I will highlight the important points of each of the four secrets and then provides some words of wisdom from some well known (and some not so well known) thinkers that relate to each of them. Today, I’ll focus on commitment.
Commitment
The commitment building process begins before someone joins an organization. Successful organizations have a rigorous screening process. They begin by becoming absolutely certain of the personal qualities and skills they want and need for every position. Then they focus on three key questions when interviewing candidates:
They extend an offer to join them only when they are able to unequivocally answer “yes” to all three questions.
Once they choose a person to join them, they welcome him or her with open arms. They structure the orientation period to help new hires feel welcome and that they are part of something special, and that they will be making a significant contribution to the organization and its mission. They give new hires meaningful work from day one.
They treat people with respect and dignity. They make sure that everyone knows exactly what is expected of him or her and that he or she has all the tools, training and information necessary to do an outstanding job. They provide people with regular, helpful feedback on their performance – reinforcing them for a job well done, and redirecting less than optimal performance. Their leaders encourage, and are open to, feedback.
Finally, successful organizations have reward systems – both monetary and non monetary – that reinforce people for their accomplishments in support of the company’s Mission and Vision, and for working in a manner consistent with the organizational Values.
Now, for what the experts say about commitment.
"Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up." -Jesse Jackson
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great". - Mark Twain
"See everything: overlook a great deal: correct a little." - Pope John XXIII
"The ultimate leader is one who is willing to develop people to the point that they eventually surpass him or her in knowledge and ability." -Fred A. Manske, Jr.
"You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world's happiness now. How? By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime." -Dale Carnegie
"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me." - Jim Valvano
"No man who is occupied in doing a very difficult thing, and doing it very well, ever loses his self-respect." - George Bernard Shaw
"Few things can help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him." - Booker T. Washington
"Leadership is not so much about technique and methods as it is about opening the heart. Leadership is about inspiration—of oneself and of others. Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes. Leadership is not a formula or a program, it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers the hearts of others. It is an attitude, not a routine. More than anything else today, followers believe they are part of a system, a process that lacks heart. If there is one thing a leader can do to connect with followers at a human, or better still a spiritual level, it is to become engaged with them fully, to share experiences and emotions, and to set aside the processes of leadership we have learned by rote." -- Lance Secretan
"There is no contest between the company that buys the grudging compliance of its work force and the company that enjoys the enterprising participation of its employees."
- Ricardo Sempler
"Most of what we call management consists of making it difficult for people to get their jobs done." - Peter Drucker
"The art of leading, in operations large or small, is the art of dealing with humanity, of working diligently on behalf of men, of being sympathetic with them, but equally, of insisting that they make a square facing toward their own problems." - S. L. A. Marshall
"The employer generally gets the employees he deserves." - Walter Gilbey
"I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement." - Charles Schwab
"Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish." - Sam Walton
"Dictators ride to and fro upon tigers which they dare not dismount. And the tigers are getting hungry." - Winston Churchill
"Leadership is understanding people and involving them to help you do a job. That takes all of the good characteristics, like integrity, dedication of purpose, selflessness, knowledge, skill, implacability, as well as determination not to accept failure." - Admiral Arleigh A. Burke
"Speak when you are angry--and you will make the best speech you'll ever regret" -. Laurence J. Peter
"Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow." - Plato
"The great leaders are like the best conductors - they reach beyond the notes to reach the magic in the players." -Blaine Lee
"Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens people feel centered and that gives their work meaning." -Warren Bennis
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be and to get a copy of my new ebook Star Power: Common Sense Ideas for Career and Life Success.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
Continue reading "Building Workforce Commitment and Engagement" »
Posted by The Common Sense Guy in Building A Business Using Common Sense | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
In my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations, I point out that all successful organizations and the people who lead them have four things in common.
This week, I will highlight the important points of each of the four secrets and then provides some words of wisdom from some well known (and some not so well known) thinkers that relate to each of them. Today, I’ll focus on clarity.
Posted by The Common Sense Guy in Building A Business Using Common Sense | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
I was reading Fortune Small Business magazine the other day, and I came across a mention of the Business Owner’s Toolkit website (www.toolkit.com). I’ve mentioned this site before, but I’m bringing it up again here because I think it’s a site that every small business owner and/or entrepreneur should have bookmarked.
For example, their Small Business Guide has thousands of pages divided into the following options:
I’ve spent some time reviewing what is offered here, and it’s good, common sense stuff.
The site also has an on line business card exchange to facilitate networking. Look for my card when you visit. You can find me by typing “Bud Bilanich” in the keyword box and hitting search.
If you’re in business, you owe it you yourself to check out Business Owner’s Toolkit.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be and to get a copy of my new ebook Star Power: Common Sense Ideas for Career and Life Success.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
Posted by The Common Sense Guy in Building A Business Using Common Sense | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
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