Altmaninitiative's Blog

Gov. Chris Christie said it well…

altmaninitiative — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:32:27 +0000

While listening to news television this morning, I heard Gov. Chris Christie respond to a question about his considering a VP nomination. His response was something like this: Certain personalities are better suited to certain jobs. I don’t see myself standing three feet behind the President and nodding my head.

Now, whether Christie will ever be asked to be VP or whether he would accept, I won’t dare try to predict. But, he did echo what I teach and what I’ve found to be a key to success for many years: It pays to know your own style and to take jobs that generally allow you to function within your natural style.

This concept helps both the employer AND the employee in a job situation. Just the other day, I was talking with a long-time business colleague who recently took a position in a bank. He indicated that, while he was glad to have a job that allowed him to be at home nights, he was very dissatisfied with the job itself. The skills are no problem–he can do the work well. But, the job requires little to no human interaction, and he is drowning in silence and isolation. His temperament/personality isn’t best suited to that type of position. In fact, his strength isn’t being used at all. He’s a great people person and connector. And that’s where he is happiest and most successful.

Whether you’re the hirer or the hiree, pay attention to the behavioral characteristics of the job and the candidate. Are they a good fit? If not, keep looking. You’re only setting up a stressful situation for everyone concerned if you ignore these issues.

Want to know more or to obtain your own DISC profile to better inform your job search, contact us at daltman@altmaninitiative.com . You’ll be glad you did!

It’s the dash that counts…

altmaninitiative — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:42:50 +0000

Walk through any cemetary, and you’ll see tombstones with dates like “1941 – 2011.” We usually pay the most attention to when the person was born and when they died. But the real story lies in the dash.

What were their dreams? Who did they love? What did they accomplish? What did they hope for? How many times did they succeed? How many times did they fail? Were they clear on their purpose? Did they love their life?

Each of us will have a dash, eventually. We’re living that dash right now. How purposeful are we being? Are we focusing on things that are important? Are we getting side-tracked by things that don’t really matter? Are we letting little annoyances take the joy out of our days?

Each of us has a different path. What is important to me might not be important to you, and that’s okay. But whatever it is that’s important in your life, embrace it. Engulf it. Be deliberate. Live your life with vigor. Make your dash count!

(Special thanks to my brother-in-law, Gary King, for sharing this observation about the dash with me.)

“Don’t believe everything you think!”

altmaninitiative — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:38:45 +0000

I saw this motto on the back of a car today, and I loved it! In yesterday’s webinar, “Looking back…planning ahead,” we talked about getting trapped by what we “think we know.” Our pre-conceived notions keep us from exploring options. They keep us from entertaining new ideas. They keep us down.

I used to look at history and wonder how people could have believed the things they used to believe: the world is flat, the sun revolves around the earth, people who are sick are possessed by demons. But, then I realize that today, there are things that we “think we know” that are being proven incorrect as we speak. “Facts” aren’t even sure things, much less abstract ideas that we believe are true. Pluto was a planet when I was in grammar school. That was a fact. Now it isn’t a planet–that’s the new fact.

Things are always changing…if we let them. Be careful not to get stuck in thoughts that hold you back. As the old saying said, “whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right!”

Predictions for 2012

altmaninitiative — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:09:11 +0000

As we near the end of 2011, we’ll see more and more predictions about what will happen in 2012. This is a big year! The Mayans even talked about it, or so they say.

I’ve got to tell you, I don’t fret much about predictions from the Mayans, Nostradamus, the Bible or anything else. I figure if they are accurate, there’s not a lot I can do about them, and if they aren’t accurate, then I’d be wasting time worrying about them. Either way, que sera sera, eh?

Here’s another take on predictions you might want to consider. As we get close to 2012, make some predictions about yourself. These, after all, will likely be the only predictions you can make come true. Here are some prediction categories for you to consider:

1. I predict that I will learn more about “subject x.” Is there a subject you need to study, or perhaps one you’d just like to study? Predict that you will, and then go about making that prediction come true. Buy a book, find a credible website, register for a class, or seek out someone who is an expert on the subject. Start learning!

2. I predict that I will improve a skill in X area. It seems that we get to certain points in our career when we stop focusing on skills, and we focus more on knowledge and ideas. That’s not entirely bad, but we could be more efficient and effective if we enhanced some of our existing skills. Maybe there’s a software program we need to master. Or, we need to develop better presentation skills. What is a skill in your life that needs a little work? Predict success, and then make it happen.

3. I predict that I will inspire someone to be their best. Wherever you are in your career, there are others who can learn from you and who can be inspired by you. You don’t have to be the most senior person to mentor someone else. Think about things you’ve learned that you wish you’d known sooner. Those are just a few of the things you could help someone else learn. You don’t have to look for an official program to become someone’s mentor or inspiration. Just put yourself out there. Let others know you’re willing to help them on their professional journey. You’ll end up being the one inspired.

4. I predict that I will expand my sphere of influence in 2012. Networking is the name of the game in business, and most of us don’t do enough of it. Make a commitment to connect with some new people in your field and/or business community. Get to know others who can be resources for you and your clients. Offer yourself as a resource that can help your new-found acquaintances. The relationships will make you more successful as you help others succeed.

Whatever you decide to predict, you have control over making it happen. Sure, luck sometimes plays a part in what happens to us, but purpose and commitment play a much greater role.

So, here’s my prediction: I predict that 2012 will be a great year for me — because I’m going to make it so!

(Need a kick-start on your 2012 plan? Register for our December 8th webinar, “Looking back, planning ahead” at www.altmaninitiative.com/webinars . Only $35 to attend!)

So, how’s she doing?

altmaninitiative — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:04:48 +0000

My father always told me that it was the little things that set people apart–that extra 10% of effort that separated the good from the great. Again and again, I see that he was right. Here’s this week’s observation of that point.

My dog, Miss Priss, got hurt last week and had to go to the vet for stitches on Saturday. They got her right in and took care of the issue quickly. They sent us home with good instructions on wound care and antibiotics. They said they’d see us in 10 to 14 days to remove the stitches. I was pleased with the service.

Then, two days later, I got a phone call–from the vet herself. “Just calling to see how Miss Priss is doing,” she said. We had a brief conversation and hung up. THAT was the extra 10%. Now, I’m not just satisfied, I’m a FAN of East Lincoln Animal Hospital!

We expect our vendors and service providers to do a good job — otherwise, we wouldn’t use them. But, it’s really nice when they do more than that. The old, corny saying is true: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

How do you show your customers that you care? Do you take time to provide that extra 10%? The payoff is well worth the effort!

Tough times are no excuse…

altmaninitiative — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:53:12 +0000

The economy is bad. It’s not getting better as quickly as we’d like. Some might throw up their hands and give up. But most of the business owners I know are hunkering down instead. The smartest ones are looking for new ideas, finding ways to stay in touch with customers, and learning better ways to lead their companies.

This is the time in our business’s lives that we need to take inventory of our own strengths and challenges, and take steps to address both. What area of business are you weakest in? Do you need a better understanding of your numbers? Do your sales techniques need some work? Maybe hiring and managing employees is a struggle for you. Whatever your challenge, there are resources available to help you overcome it — or at least mitigate it.

The Altman Initiative Group’s “Business Success Institute” focuses on helping business owners increase their skills and knowledge so they can run their businesses better. We inspire owners to work “ON” their businesses instead of just “IN” them — as the E-Myth reminds us. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the day to day and miss out on opportunities that are right on front of us. BSI helps you step back and think.

There are other business groups that offer good content as well. Maybe it’s time you took advantage of some of these opportunities to learn, grow and share with other business owners.

As one of my favorite sayings goes, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” If you’d like to “get going” with Business Success Institute, check out our website at www.business-success-institute.com or call me, Denise Altman, at 704-315-9090.

www.altmaninitiative.com

11111

altmaninitiative — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:40:10 +0000

Today’s date is sort of interesting. 11-1-11. Lots of ones. So, in honor of today’s date, I thought we should talk about our “number one ideas.” I often find that I have lots of ideas, and the more I brainstorm with others, the more ideas I have. The key is to pick one and do something with it. Ideas don’t generate business — action generates business. Ideas don’t solve problems – implementing ideas solves problems.

So, here’s an exercise. What’s your best idea (that you can and should implement) to accomplish the following?

1. Increase your business revenues…

2. Increase your business profits…

3. Improve your strategic thinking ability…

4. Inspire your employees…

5. Enhance your customer service…

6. Increase customer loyalty…

7. Improve your relationship with your spouse or significant other…

8. Improve your relationship with your children…

9. Improve your health…

10. Be a better friend…

Another day full of ones is coming up in 10 days. 11-11-11. Challenge yourself to implement at least some of these #1 ideas before November 11th.

WOW! Really!

altmaninitiative — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:15:35 +0000

I recently heard Maura Sullivan, Senior Manager of the Customer Loyalty Team at Zappos, speak on Charlotte Talks. The topic was, of course, customer service–something Zappos is known for. After the broadcast, I sent an email to the HR email address on the Zappos.com website, asking if they would pass it along to Maura. I was hoping to learn a bit about how their hiring process works. (I had little hope that the message would actually be passed along, but I thought I’d try.)

Just a few hours later, I received a personal email from someone in HR saying she’d be happy to pass my message along. And she did. Not long after that, Maura called me, and we set a time to talk.

Maura had said in the Charlotte Talks broadcast that customer service is truly the culture Zappos lives–not just a line it talks. The response I got from the HR folks and Maura herself was certainly a testimony to that concept. The Zappos website says this: “We’ve aligned the entire organization around one mission: to provide the best customer service possible. Internally, we call this our WOW philosophy.” I was wowwed!

During our phone conversation, Maura told me that the Zappos team developed the Core Values of the company and then used those to develop the interview process. Their whole recruiting and hiring program is built around these 10 Core Values:

Their interview process is multi-faceted and thorough. They are committed to hiring people who can believe in and practice the culture of WOW! This practice has worked for them.

As much research bears out, people can be trained in the skills they need, but temperament and attitudes run much deeper. A company’s best bet is to hire for the temperament and attitude required for the job to be done in accordance with the company culture and philosophy. Sure, some base level of skills may be necessary as well, but keep that in perspective. Someone with the basic skills and the right attitude will almost always be a better choice than someone with stellar skills and a so-so attitude.

Does your hiring process focus on the right things? Are you hiring people who can and will help your company live its values and accomplish its mission? We help companies develop hiring processes — we’d be glad to talk with you about yours.

Have you washed your windows lately?

altmaninitiative — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:18:27 +0000

This past weekend, I undertook a serious cleaning project to get my beach house ready to put on the market. I scrubbed nooks and crannies that I hadn’t even noticed in years. It took hours – days, in fact. Near the end of my available time, I thought about cleaning the windows. But, as I looked out at the yard, they seemed clean enough. I didn’t see any obvious flaws.

Then, I noticed a blemish on one, so I washed it — inside and out. Suddenly, the rest of the windows looked REALLY dirty. The contrast between the clean window and the dirty ones was obvious. I had thought the windows were “clean enough” because I was comparing them to each other. They all looked about the same. Only when I compared the dirty windows to a clean one did I see the problem.

Now, let’s take this metaphor to the business world. How often do we think we are seeing an issue clearly because we’re looking out of our own “windows” without realizing that the windows themselves are clouded? We get stuck in thinking patterns, opinions, viewpoints, and pre-conceived notions without realizing it. Maybe it’s time to wash our business windows. So, how do we do that, you ask? Here are some suggestions.

Board of Advisors. Whether this is formal or informal, it’s a good idea to surround yourself with bright people who will help you think through issues, offer opinions, challenge your thinking and bring balance to your processes. Sometimes looking at things through their windows can help you see the dust on your own.
Business Groups. Meet regularly with other business people by joining appropriate groups (business owners should check out our Business Success Institute www.business-success-institute.com ). Hearing how other people deal with issues, think through situations or find their own answers may help you dust off your own windows.
Coaches. Many people benefit from having a coach. A good business coach will ask probing questions, challenge your pre-conceived notions, suggest alternate paths to try, and so on. They’ll help you clean your windows by pointing out the cloudiness of your thinking.

So, how do you know if your windows need cleaning? Just looking at them yourself won’t do the trick. Take a step to clean one, and see if the world looks different. You might be amazed at what you’ve been missing.

Disconnecting can be good!

altmaninitiative — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:23:34 +0000

October 2nd has been designated as the Day to Disconnect (http://www.daytodisconnect.com/). I think this is a great idea! I work with business people, managers and executives, all the time about their people skills. One of the hardest thing for these folks to do is to connect with the people in front of them. They are often too distracted by the vibration, pinging, or other notification noices from their mobile devices or computers. How sad.

Mobile devices have helped us to stay “in the loop” round the clock, but as a result, we’ve gotten “out of sync” with the people in front of us. Have you ever felt less than important when the person in front of you constantly checked his or her mobile device during your conversation? I have. Now, I understand that sometimes urgent issues are in process and we need to stay connected. I can deal with that if my colleague explains ahead of time that he/she is waiting on a particularly important call or piece of information. But, other than that, mobile devices should be put away during face to face converstaions.

So, here’s a challenge for you. Make it a point to pay attention to the people in front of you — concentrate on their faces, what they are saying, and the message they may be trying to convey. Give them your undivided attention — just for those minutes you are in their presence. Your emails. Tweets, and text messages will still be there when you’re done.