As I conducted a customer service seminar at the Mall of America, I had the idea to rate the mall’s stores to gain key customer service lessons. I had 45 participants, they were game, so I gave them the assignment to evaluate three different stores each over an extended lunch break. We mapped out a […]

The leadership training industry totals close to $400 billion in size. It is one of the most costly yet essentially underutilized tools in business globally. Most of the money spent is wasted and efforts fail because companies aren’t really committed to actually developing managers.  As a result, research by Gallup shows 82% of managers aren’t […]

Now here is a revolutionary idea: employees first? Aren’t they the greatest resource of a company? Isn’t it time companies and managers started thinking that way. I just had a comment yesterday from a manager that said, “Employees are nothing more than a cost of doing business.” What an archaic viewpoint. Multiple research suggests employees […]

Our life can take unexpected turns for the worst. One day you are a success and the next a failure. Things seem to be going well and then, abruptly they aren’t. You expected the promotion and then didn’t get it. The customer promised a big order and then it didn’t happen. A new boss changes […]

Employee’s crave recognition. Think of how our reliable dog friends become when they are praised for a certain behavior that we like. In addition, a two-handed ear or neck rubbing has them excited to do it all over again, just for that delightful payback! Employees repeat praised behavior. Managers need to do it more. Consider, […]

A manager that can recruit and hire better people has a good opportunity to be a great manager. A friend of mine is looking for a job in retail in the Denver area. He’s been going on line filling out applications. He’s semi-retired and wants something to do to add value and keep busy. He […]

Most employees dread a performance appraisal. Why? Quite frankly managers are poor at it. So, most end up doing more damage than good. Nearly all bigger companies have gone to online systems to manage the process. This adds some accountability and quality control. Yet, managers still lack the skills to be effective. In addition, online […]