Did you know that according to Clear Company, 68% of employees say training and development is the company’s most important policy? And did you know that according to EduMe, 60% of workers embarked upon their own skills training last year, highlighting an unmet appetite in the workforce for greater knowledge? Sounds like a perfect storm for improving your organization, doesn’t it? Both statistics highlight an area of importance for retaining top talent, resulting in higher levels of employee engagement. The case might also be made that the employees responding to various surveys indicate that the right people who are hungry to learn and develop are being hired. So, why not invest in them? If you are going to take the time to find the right people, shouldn’t you also invest in those things that employees value to remain with your organization? Sol says… “Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.” ~ Proverbs 9:9 Seek to invest in those who are elite in their performance, so your organization will be filled with learners. Make it a great day and keep being awesome.
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Sitting in the audience among hundreds of other knowledge seekers, I heard Jim Rohn ask, “How much should you learn?” Jim Rohn was famous for asking questions that appeared direct on the outside but were asked to drive thought. Well, what did you answer? Many people want to know how much they should learn of what. However, the answer is in the question. “You should learn all you can,” came forth from the speaker’s mouth. Do you learn all you can about all you can?
You see, leaders who are sought out for their wisdom and insights know that wisdom dwells in all the things a person can learn. Once the journey of learning is begun, more knowledge, more insights, and more wisdom call out constantly. Of wisdom, Sol says… “'I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people.” ~ Proverbs 8:4 Are you investing in all the knowledge you can, so wisdom calls out to you? If you aren’t, begin now! Make it a great day and keep being awesome. Some time ago I shared the story about sitting in a retail customer’s office in Charleston, SC with my district manager (DM) when the customer commented that we had wonderful people who did a great job!
Then he asked how we got them to do such good work. Without hesitation came the response, “When our people do a good job, they know they get to keep it." Do your people always perform at their best? Do you know why or why not? There are really two elements to that question. The first is that they do good work because you invest in their… -> well-being (Are work safety and a positive environment provided?), -> training (Is everyone well prepared to perform?), -> fair treatment (Knowledge that sanctioned incompetence is not permitted for anyone.), and -> recognition for good performance. The second and biggest reason, however, is because they buy into their fulfillment generated by helping to fulfill the purpose for the business. When they feel that sense of belonging, they look for direction, guidance, and insight for top performance. Then, they are willing, as Sol says… “Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes,” (Proverbs 7:2) The people you lead are the business you run, so invest wisely. Make it a great day, and keep being awesome Is your organization functioning on full throttle with all cylinders kicking in at peak performance? According to Gallup surveys, employee engagement is 34%. Sound like hitting on all cylinders to you? Nah, me either. However, since studies show that engagement and productivity are higher in companies where employees have high trust levels, perhaps, the lesson is to invest more, more… -> time in showing your gratitude for their contributions to the team, -> exposure to new ideas and concepts to facilitate growth, and -> developing opportunities for your people to perform at greater altitudes. Growing a culture where your people love to come to work each day to achieve a purpose is correlated to the level of light you cast upon them for guidance, development, and success. Sol says… “For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light;” ~ Proverbs 6:23 Do your employees come to work for a paycheck, or to contribute to fulfilling a purpose? Make it a great day and keep being awesome. Imagine being in an impound lot, standing behind the vehicle in which your father died much as John Gray and his brother when they came to town for their father’s funeral. Their father had been car jacked, stuffed in the trunk of his BMW, and left to die in the hot East Texas sun.
It was then that John climbed into the trunk of the car and asked his brother to close the lid. He said that he wanted to experience what his father had experienced during his last moments on earth. Once in the trunk, John saw where his father had broken one of the taillights to reach the trunk release and escape. Like John’s father probably did, John stuck his arm through the opening, and searched for the button that would open the trunk. His brother, standing outside began to coach John. “Up John,” he would say. “Now back toward your wrist. Come back a little more. Now up some more.” John’s finger landed on the button. He pushed it, and the trunk opened. All too often, we bury ourselves in the business of doing business, not always seeing the solution to daily challenges. This story demonstrates the importance of an outside perspective. Being a small business owner or entrepreneur, we don’t have the luxury of multiple employees to assist with growing the business. We don’t have the insights needed to improvise, adapt, and overcome unexpected obstacles. The recent Covid-19 pandemic and recession are current examples. There is good news. The people from whom you can receive outside perspectives that will assist you in overcoming your challenges are all around them. Your job is to identify the one with whom you want to work and develop mutually beneficial know, like, and trust relationships with those people. Who are they? Thank you for asking. Here are the five imperative relationships you must have to compete. These are the five business professionals I encourage my clients and friends with whom to develop mutually beneficial know, like, and trust relationships for the best insights for their success. Coach: Everyone in business deserves and should have a coach and/or mentor to stay on track. The most successful people in the world have coaches and advisors to help them determine direction, time requirements, mindset, and relationships. Interview coaches. Find the ones who have the experience, insights, and business savvy to help you see what you need to see to move forward and who will encourage you while holding you accountable. Yes, every small business owner needs a coach. Business Attorney:: Too many small businesses begin and attempt to live without outside perspective of an attorney, or they engage attorneys without a specialty in small business. Big mistake! While business attorneys tend to charge more per hour than general counsels, you must weigh the costs associated with having a "go to" adviser versus the costs associated with going out of business. Find the "go to" adviser for your business here... CPA: Too many small business owners and entrepreneurs believe that CPAs exist to answer tax questions. They do far more than completing tax returns. Depending on the capacity in which a CPA works, they can support your small business by…
Banker: When meeting potential coaching clients, I will ask, “Do you have a banker?” The answer? “Yes, I bank at XYZ Bank.” Note that I didn't ask what bank they use. There is a vast difference in having a bank and having a banker. You need to have a relationship with someone of influence within your bank who can go to bat for you and help walk you through today’ banking maze. Just think about the criteria required of small business owners to receive funding from the CARE Act during the COVID-19 crisis. Those with champions in the bank working for them saw their applications move through the process much quicker than those who had a bank. Business Risk Management Specialist: Small business owners are good about getting liability insurance. However, it is critical to work with a commercial insurance expert who understands the small business world as much as he understands insurance. Collaborating cohesively with your attorney, your risk management adviser can provide the specialized coverages you need. Remember, everyone who sells commercial liability insurance is not a risk management specialist. Develop your advisory team with a sense of urgency. Start now by establishing mutually beneficial know, like, and trust relationships in your community. Engage in associated professional associations and in non-profit volunteering, participating in chamber activities, and peer relationships. If you aren’t comfortable with the person, don’t engage with them. Listen carefully when in conversations with them or your peers. Remember too, every conversation is an education and the one who listens the most, learns the most. Enjoy building your team! Have you ever been offered an opportunity by someone with the enticement of making more money? There are many who see offering you an opportunity for more money as the primary driver for all decisions about work, forsaking your actual motivations or interests. More often than not, the motive for making you the offer is to earn themselves more money, which is a more clandestine and self-serving motivation of which they fail to mention. Those who have selfish motivations for enticing you away from what you may enjoy, have evil intentions as they wish to derail your current focus on building your life so you can help them with theirs. Sol says… “Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.” ~ Proverbs 2:12 Derail the motives of “silver-tongue devils” by using wise decision making to remain focused on your main thing. Make it a great day and keep being awesome. Do you remember the days when your mother nurtured your growth and development by feeding you the right guidance for your daily activity, education, and family environment in an effort to instill wisdom and insights?
Good leaders develop their teams much like a mother raises her children. Once the best candidates are welcomed aboard, the best leaders: -> Nurture their them with structured training, -> Guide them via the vision, mission, and values of the organization, -> Provide challenges for growth opportunities, bringing out the best of each team member. Sounds a lot like mom, doesn’t it? The goal is to welcome new team members in such a way that they will remember how they were nurtured, developed, and challenged, and imitate that behavior when they become leaders. Sol says… “Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.” ~ Proverbs 1:8 Don’t forget what your momma taught and how she nurtured you and do the same for your people. Make it a great day and keep being awesome! |
AuthorBrian Kennedy is an encourager who shepherds small business owners and entrepreneurs along the path of business success to preeminence by embracing time tested principles and executing the associated fundamentals daily. Archives
March 2024
Leadership
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Brian Kennedy
123 Longleaf Drive Mooresville, NC 28117 214.906.8517 |