Thursday, May 22, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Lightning Power of Zap or creating energy and Engagement
By Ken Ingram
For many businesses, employee engagement can be one of our biggest challenges. The question we often ask is, “How can I improve quality, productivity and employee satisfaction?”
The emphasis is on the ‘I’. It is up to you to create the environment. Interestingly enough the answer is simpler than many of us think. In the book Zapp by William C. Byham he shares some ideas on the answer to this question. Byham believes the answer is empowerment.
Most managers are policing for failure, which results in robbing employees’ energy and creativity. Imagine for a moment, you could create a critical mass of employees that are Zapped! What kind of results do you think you would get? Now this is very important. We’re not talking about using a cattle prod to Zapp employees. I’m talking about encouraging responsibility and creating an environment where employees feel they own their jobs. John Miller also wrote an interesting book called the Question Behind the Question, or QBQ. Mr. Miller asks “Could we actually find a way to eliminate blame, complaining and procrastination?". Many managers and business owners would be very surprised to find out that the response is yes. Equally, many managers are looking to change the employees but not themselves.
Change starts at the top. The old adage ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ will not enable you to create the kind of environment that will result in the kind of win-win conditions needed to get that slight edge over your competition.
Michelangelo said “I saw the angel in the marble and I chiseled until I set it free”.
Imagine for a moment we could look at our employees as our personal work of art and coach them until we have succeeded in releasing their full potential. We would in effect be applying the principals of Zapp and the QBQ. In doing so we could pursue any number of business goals or challenges. Did I here you say wow?
Do you want to learn how to Zapp employees or how to find that leader in all of us? Would you like to learn more about the Question Behind the Question? Give us a call at www.tac-coaching.com
For many businesses, employee engagement can be one of our biggest challenges. The question we often ask is, “How can I improve quality, productivity and employee satisfaction?”
The emphasis is on the ‘I’. It is up to you to create the environment. Interestingly enough the answer is simpler than many of us think. In the book Zapp by William C. Byham he shares some ideas on the answer to this question. Byham believes the answer is empowerment.
Most managers are policing for failure, which results in robbing employees’ energy and creativity. Imagine for a moment, you could create a critical mass of employees that are Zapped! What kind of results do you think you would get? Now this is very important. We’re not talking about using a cattle prod to Zapp employees. I’m talking about encouraging responsibility and creating an environment where employees feel they own their jobs. John Miller also wrote an interesting book called the Question Behind the Question, or QBQ. Mr. Miller asks “Could we actually find a way to eliminate blame, complaining and procrastination?". Many managers and business owners would be very surprised to find out that the response is yes. Equally, many managers are looking to change the employees but not themselves.
Change starts at the top. The old adage ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ will not enable you to create the kind of environment that will result in the kind of win-win conditions needed to get that slight edge over your competition.
Michelangelo said “I saw the angel in the marble and I chiseled until I set it free”.
Imagine for a moment we could look at our employees as our personal work of art and coach them until we have succeeded in releasing their full potential. We would in effect be applying the principals of Zapp and the QBQ. In doing so we could pursue any number of business goals or challenges. Did I here you say wow?
Do you want to learn how to Zapp employees or how to find that leader in all of us? Would you like to learn more about the Question Behind the Question? Give us a call at www.tac-coaching.com
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Fully Connected in Business - TAC Coaching
For over two decades, bestselling author and award-winning public speaker Nicholas Boothman has been studying the ways that people interact with one another. His research has culminated in an extraordinary soultion which brings together his vast learning and exploration on the subject. FullyConnected in Business is exclusive to The Achievement Centre Coaching.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re selling real estate, designing concept cars, rallying your team, recommending the lamb chops over the chili con carne, looking for the perfect partner or giving the State of the Union address “If you are not fully connected, you will fail.” You need make, keep and develop strong connections • Form long-lasting business relationships • Immediately establish trust • Ensure that your message connects at both the logical and emotional levels • One of the keys to professional development is the ability to communicate clearly, effectively and to establish trust. If you have learned how to communicate effectively, then you’ll find that getting people “on-side,” whether they’re clients, employees or suppliers, pays huge dividends.
“What we have here is a failure to communicate,” A memorable line in the 1967 classic movie, Cool Hand Luke.
Effective communication means far more than just dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s in a letter or email. Communicating one’s intentions is a fundamental component in success, whether it’s making a sale or motivating employees, negotiating with suppliers or issuing instructions.
It’s indispensable in business. Fortunately, it’s a skill that can be learned.
FullyConnected in Business is a practical, real-world solution that digs deep into the essential ingredients of effective communication and gives participants a big competitive advantage.
FullyConnected in Business will enable you to learn and practice.:
· How to make, keep and develop strong connections,
· How to form long-lasting business relationships,
· How to immediately establish trust,
· How to ensure that their message connects at both the logical and emotional levels,
· How to sharpen their motivational and interpersonal skills.
We make that decision in less than two seconds. It's illogical: but it's human nature.
To compete in today's marketplace direct sellers and front-line staff everywhere, know three things are essential to their success.
1. the ability to build trusting, durable, relationships with the human side of clients and colleagues
2. a talent for describing their ideas, products and services in ways that engage the imagination and
3. a knack for inspiring enthusiasm in themselves and others
Author Nicholas Boothman.
For more information on how to become Fully Connected in business please contact Ken Ingram at 514-668-2320 or http://www.tac-coaching.com/
To see Nicholas Boothman, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJbYafrNmRM
Monday, February 18, 2008
Five hundred, twenty-five thousands, six hundred minutes, how do you measure a year in your business?
By Ken Ingram
The movie ‘Rent’ is a source of inspiration. What a thought provoking opening song, 525,600 minutes; how do you measure a year in your life?’ Rephrase the question to make it applicable to you business; How do you measure a year of success?
The question gave me food for thought and had me reflecting on the last 12 months and what our tac-coaching.com clients and us as coaches had achieved during 2007. Many of us get lost in the day-to-day running or operational aspects of our business and forget about measuring and tracking the key success factors that are important indicators of how we are doing or how we got there.
The first question we must consider is what should we measure? In addition, if you are already measuring, are you measuring the right parameter? You must also consider if you need to do a better job of measuring. In creating your balanced score card it is important to be also aware of the measurement traps because too many current measurement systems are designed to meet internal needs and overlook the inside-out measurement. Consider the following measurements:
What key elements are important to the customers? Ask the customer
What are the needs of those serving the customer? Ask your team
What do the people producing your products or delivering your services need from you in order to achieve their own targets? Ask them
Where are you at supporting the needs of your managers? Ask them
Studies have shown that by working to satisfy customer needs and those of your employees your company will excel well beyond your competition.
The first step in measuring a day, a week, or even a year in business is to have a clear understanding of what we should be measuring. By measuring those key parameters that drive your business results, you will be better prepared to make the adjustments needed to have a gold medal financial year. In the end, it all boils down to one thing: results. You get results by understanding the needs then by using your key resources in the most effective manner.
Have a great five hundred twenty-five thousands, six thousand minutes in your business.
The movie ‘Rent’ is a source of inspiration. What a thought provoking opening song, 525,600 minutes; how do you measure a year in your life?’ Rephrase the question to make it applicable to you business; How do you measure a year of success?
The question gave me food for thought and had me reflecting on the last 12 months and what our tac-coaching.com clients and us as coaches had achieved during 2007. Many of us get lost in the day-to-day running or operational aspects of our business and forget about measuring and tracking the key success factors that are important indicators of how we are doing or how we got there.
The first question we must consider is what should we measure? In addition, if you are already measuring, are you measuring the right parameter? You must also consider if you need to do a better job of measuring. In creating your balanced score card it is important to be also aware of the measurement traps because too many current measurement systems are designed to meet internal needs and overlook the inside-out measurement. Consider the following measurements:
What key elements are important to the customers? Ask the customer
What are the needs of those serving the customer? Ask your team
What do the people producing your products or delivering your services need from you in order to achieve their own targets? Ask them
Where are you at supporting the needs of your managers? Ask them
Studies have shown that by working to satisfy customer needs and those of your employees your company will excel well beyond your competition.
The first step in measuring a day, a week, or even a year in business is to have a clear understanding of what we should be measuring. By measuring those key parameters that drive your business results, you will be better prepared to make the adjustments needed to have a gold medal financial year. In the end, it all boils down to one thing: results. You get results by understanding the needs then by using your key resources in the most effective manner.
Have a great five hundred twenty-five thousands, six thousand minutes in your business.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
What makes a clear and compelling Goal?
By Ken Ingram
To write this month’s article I decided a little research was required, so I pulled out a few of the books that I read in 2007. I was looking for inspiration on Goal setting, but more importantly something that I felt you would find interesting and of value. If you have never read the book, Built to Last you should. You will learn about the Successful habits of visionary companies. In 1952, Boeing engineers decided to build commercial jets, an audacious goal at the time since they did not have any presence in the commercial aircraft market. Those of you who know the Aerospace market know that nothing is a given and each aircraft program is a challenge from start to finish. However, once the goal is set there can be no turning back Failure is not an option. In 1965, Boeing launched the 747 and the project nearly killed the company. Boeing is an excellent example of companies who push the envelope and set Audacious goals to stimulate growth. So did President Kennedy when he decided to put a man on the Moon. A Goal should be clear and compelling. Therefore, here is an exercise I like to do every year for The Achievement Centre Coaching and is the same exercise I do with our clients.
For your business;
· List 5 High Points from 2007.
· List 5 Low Point from 2007.
· List the 5 things you accomplished in 2007.
· List the 5 disappointments or regrets you experienced in 2007?
· What do you feel were your greatest Lessons learned in 2007
· In moving forward in 2008 what are the 5 most important things you want to accomplish?
· What are the action steps required in 2008 to achieve each of your 5 goals?
· What else do you need to do differently over the next 6 to 12 months to achieve each of
your 5 goals?
Remember this is only the first step in the process. Until one is committed-there is hesitancy. The good news is by completing the exercise you become one of a small percentage of businesses who have written down their goals! Next step is to create a more precise strategy and timeline. Statistically this means you are 80% more likely to succeed in achieving your company goals.
"Of all the things I’ve done. The most vital is coordinating the talents of those who work for us and pointing them towards a certain goal".
Author Walter Elias Disney
Do you have the audacity to be the master of your companies Goals in 2008?
Growing your business - intelligently!Faites prospérer votre entreprise - intelligemment!
To write this month’s article I decided a little research was required, so I pulled out a few of the books that I read in 2007. I was looking for inspiration on Goal setting, but more importantly something that I felt you would find interesting and of value. If you have never read the book, Built to Last you should. You will learn about the Successful habits of visionary companies. In 1952, Boeing engineers decided to build commercial jets, an audacious goal at the time since they did not have any presence in the commercial aircraft market. Those of you who know the Aerospace market know that nothing is a given and each aircraft program is a challenge from start to finish. However, once the goal is set there can be no turning back Failure is not an option. In 1965, Boeing launched the 747 and the project nearly killed the company. Boeing is an excellent example of companies who push the envelope and set Audacious goals to stimulate growth. So did President Kennedy when he decided to put a man on the Moon. A Goal should be clear and compelling. Therefore, here is an exercise I like to do every year for The Achievement Centre Coaching and is the same exercise I do with our clients.
For your business;
· List 5 High Points from 2007.
· List 5 Low Point from 2007.
· List the 5 things you accomplished in 2007.
· List the 5 disappointments or regrets you experienced in 2007?
· What do you feel were your greatest Lessons learned in 2007
· In moving forward in 2008 what are the 5 most important things you want to accomplish?
· What are the action steps required in 2008 to achieve each of your 5 goals?
· What else do you need to do differently over the next 6 to 12 months to achieve each of
your 5 goals?
Remember this is only the first step in the process. Until one is committed-there is hesitancy. The good news is by completing the exercise you become one of a small percentage of businesses who have written down their goals! Next step is to create a more precise strategy and timeline. Statistically this means you are 80% more likely to succeed in achieving your company goals.
"Of all the things I’ve done. The most vital is coordinating the talents of those who work for us and pointing them towards a certain goal".
Author Walter Elias Disney
Do you have the audacity to be the master of your companies Goals in 2008?
Growing your business - intelligently!Faites prospérer votre entreprise - intelligemment!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Who Needs a Coach anyway?
By Ken Ingram
Quote from Muhammad Ali,
“The greatest lesson I've learned - is to have someone pushing you and making you do things you did not think you could do".
Quote from Bob Gainey (Montreal Canadians)
“We all want the team to get better, so the individuals have to get better. You can go and get other players or you can get the players you have to play better”.
All professional and amateur athletes work with Coaches in order to enable them to get that slight edge over their competition. According to the Quebec International Coach Federation, a growing number of businesses are looking to professional business coaches to help them tap into more of their potential in order to improve the bottom-line.
Perhaps you can benefit as well.
Here are five things to consider
Time, working with a Coach will enable you to identify areas that are important now and in the future so that solutions can be put in place. Leveraging your time is a critical success factor.
Fewer mistakes, it is lonely at the top and the old model of learning from experience is expensive and time consuming. Experience is an expensive trainer.
Stay ahead, things are changing at a faster rate than ever, if you are solving tomorrow’s challenges with yesterdays strategies it may not attain a gold medal financial year or get the results you want.
Balance, many of us are working harder than we need to in order to get results. A Coach can provide solutions that enable you to establish a new level of balance both professionally and personally. Your family will appreciate the change.
Goals, enable you to stay on course, keep focus and ensure that distractions do not influence your business. A coach helps you to develop and understand what is important in the process so that the right attitude and habits are developed.
Coaching is confidential and enables you to test, explore and discuss issues critical to the success of your business. A Coach will ensure that you put the ideas in to practice by changing your habits and behaviors in order to get the results you want.
Growing Your Business Intelligently
(514) 668-2320
Quote from Muhammad Ali,
“The greatest lesson I've learned - is to have someone pushing you and making you do things you did not think you could do".
Quote from Bob Gainey (Montreal Canadians)
“We all want the team to get better, so the individuals have to get better. You can go and get other players or you can get the players you have to play better”.
All professional and amateur athletes work with Coaches in order to enable them to get that slight edge over their competition. According to the Quebec International Coach Federation, a growing number of businesses are looking to professional business coaches to help them tap into more of their potential in order to improve the bottom-line.
Perhaps you can benefit as well.
Here are five things to consider
Time, working with a Coach will enable you to identify areas that are important now and in the future so that solutions can be put in place. Leveraging your time is a critical success factor.
Fewer mistakes, it is lonely at the top and the old model of learning from experience is expensive and time consuming. Experience is an expensive trainer.
Stay ahead, things are changing at a faster rate than ever, if you are solving tomorrow’s challenges with yesterdays strategies it may not attain a gold medal financial year or get the results you want.
Balance, many of us are working harder than we need to in order to get results. A Coach can provide solutions that enable you to establish a new level of balance both professionally and personally. Your family will appreciate the change.
Goals, enable you to stay on course, keep focus and ensure that distractions do not influence your business. A coach helps you to develop and understand what is important in the process so that the right attitude and habits are developed.
Coaching is confidential and enables you to test, explore and discuss issues critical to the success of your business. A Coach will ensure that you put the ideas in to practice by changing your habits and behaviors in order to get the results you want.
Growing Your Business Intelligently
(514) 668-2320
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Do You Have Santa Claus Skills?
By Ken Ingram
Without doubt, Santa Claus is the world’s most successful entrepreneur. All his clients love him. This is a testament to his abilities in sales and business development. He has learned and mastered the ability to ACCISS the best methods to achieve greater sales by always knowing what to say and how to say it. He recognizes that we are all part of the idea delivery system and this enables him to be truly and fully connected in business. Ho-Ho-Ho and what do you want?
Let’s talk about his result centered leadership style. His ability to engage and motivate his team of elves every step of the way by tapping into their imagination has enabled them to design and manufacture billions of toys. This must be stressful but it is also his responsibility as the leader to manage his stress and to help others manage theirs.
As a master planner, Santa has fine-tuned his organization by taking into account the milestones that are critical for an effective overall operating philosophy. He has assessed where the organization must be in the future and developed both short and long-term goals in order to fly above global competition
Concerning his own personal productivity and use of time, he has mastered his ability not to become distracted and diverted from what is important. The key to feeling in control is to focus on what is essential rather than what is pressing. He has learned how to be proactive rather than reactive. This enables him to stay jolly.
Of course, the Achievement Center cannot claim credit for Santa’s personal and professional development; it was Mrs Claus. Getting to the North Pole may be a little far for you and your organization, so for similar results, you can call us because we are right here in Montreal.
Lastly, I would like to say many thanks to all of our clients for making this year a great success. Please do not keep us a secret. We make a great under the tree present to yourself and organization.
Do you have the audacity to be the master of your own success in 2008?
Growing your business - intelligently!Faites prospérer votre entreprise - intelligemment!
The Achievement Centre - Le Centre de Réussite
6300 Cote de liesse suite 201
St Laurent Quebec H4T 1E3 Phone: (514) 668-2320
Without doubt, Santa Claus is the world’s most successful entrepreneur. All his clients love him. This is a testament to his abilities in sales and business development. He has learned and mastered the ability to ACCISS the best methods to achieve greater sales by always knowing what to say and how to say it. He recognizes that we are all part of the idea delivery system and this enables him to be truly and fully connected in business. Ho-Ho-Ho and what do you want?
Let’s talk about his result centered leadership style. His ability to engage and motivate his team of elves every step of the way by tapping into their imagination has enabled them to design and manufacture billions of toys. This must be stressful but it is also his responsibility as the leader to manage his stress and to help others manage theirs.
As a master planner, Santa has fine-tuned his organization by taking into account the milestones that are critical for an effective overall operating philosophy. He has assessed where the organization must be in the future and developed both short and long-term goals in order to fly above global competition
Concerning his own personal productivity and use of time, he has mastered his ability not to become distracted and diverted from what is important. The key to feeling in control is to focus on what is essential rather than what is pressing. He has learned how to be proactive rather than reactive. This enables him to stay jolly.
Of course, the Achievement Center cannot claim credit for Santa’s personal and professional development; it was Mrs Claus. Getting to the North Pole may be a little far for you and your organization, so for similar results, you can call us because we are right here in Montreal.
Lastly, I would like to say many thanks to all of our clients for making this year a great success. Please do not keep us a secret. We make a great under the tree present to yourself and organization.
Do you have the audacity to be the master of your own success in 2008?
Growing your business - intelligently!Faites prospérer votre entreprise - intelligemment!
The Achievement Centre - Le Centre de Réussite
6300 Cote de liesse suite 201
St Laurent Quebec H4T 1E3 Phone: (514) 668-2320
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