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Hub You - Ready or Not -- Strategies for Dealing with the Challenges of Change!
There is a Zen story that I like a lot about the man in a rowboat who saw a distant ship on the horizon.As it got closer, he thought, “Hmm, it’s heading toward me; that’s strange.”Then it got closer, still. “Hey, you, what’s up? Turn away!”Still closer, he screams, “You’re going to hit me! Turn away, turn away!”The next thing he knows, he’s spitting water, wondering what happened. As he looks at the ship, continuing on its course, he notices it doesn’t have a pilot.He wasted all that time shouting to no one. He would have been better off changing his own course slightly, than trying to get the attention of a phantom.Yet, this happens all the time, in business and in personal life: We try to impress the wrong people.Let me give you an example.It’s a lot of fun being on radio and TV, but all in all, these media have yielded less management consulting and success coaching business to me directly, than trade publications in the fields of sales, customer service, and success and entrepreneurship.Despite the fact that the audiences are huge, radio and TV deliver a different type of audience that is in a different mood. Plus the transience of the medium, the fact it’s on the air and
When people come in to your business, they shouldn't feel as if they are intruding - but instead should feel like the most important person who has walked through the door all day. In other words, they need to know that everyone, and I do mean everyone, in the company is there to serve them.
Some people say, "Well, customer service is not what I do!" Wrong! Customer service is what everyone does.
I saw a sign the other day that said, "We don't have a customer service department. We have a customer service company!" I love that. In fact, we turned that phrase into a FREE poster you can download from my website at www.JPMaroney.com.
We're als
There are three different methods commonly used to provide computer training to Information Techs. IT training can be done on an individual basis using a study guide. It can be done at a special training facility often using what is called the boot camp method of training. Finally, it can be done by onsite training. Onsite training refers to the training being done right at the IT’s place of employment.Certainly, the major advantage of onsite training is convenience. The lost time is kept to a minimum. The trainee does not have to travel away from his home, nor does he have to sacrifice his off time for training purposes. Onsite training is also very cost effective. The expense of travel to a distant site is eliminated. Also, lodging and meal expenses are avoided. The trainee simply reports to his regular place of employment and attends the training classes.Another advantage of onsite training is course tailoring. There is such a broad expanse of technology that can be covered in IT training. Even the Certification programs offer core exams that are selected from a list of possible areas and also elective exams. Onsite training can be designed to address the needs of the organization very specifically. Proper course tailorin
You can't avoid change. You can't ignore change. You can't prevent change. You just have to live with it!
And if you fight change you'll ultimately end up the loser.
So how do you deal with change? And if you're a leader, perhaps the more important question is, "How do you help your people deal with change?"
The truth is…
"People resist change with every fiber of their being!"
They would rather things stay the same than to risk change. They would prefer to go about business as usual. Perhaps brought on by fear of the unknown.
In the past, keep things the same was ok. But those days are over. Technology significantly and dramatically influences nearly every imaginable industry. In the last ten to twenty years, entire market segments have disappeared.
The phonograph, eight track tapes, and LPs have given way to CDs, DVDs and MP3s. As a result, companies find themselves forced to either change to keep up with the times, or simply go out of business.
No doubt, you've seen businesses right in your hometown ~ or in your industry ~ that have resisted change - and lost! In today's world, businesses either move ahead, or get left behind!
Change leaves its mark on history. If no one were willing to embrace change, we would still ride horses to work and have outhouses. Lucky for us, our forefathers were not afraid to ask, "What if?" and to seek the answer.
Candlelight is romantic on occasion. However, I sure enjoy flipping the switch and being able to see. It's more than a convenience - it's a way of life.
Thank goodness, Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison were persistent in finding a better way. You can be sure the skeptics scorned and criticized these change agents because they did not understand the possibilities of electricity and light bulbs.
Much like electricity, automobiles, telephones and microwaves, some change can be positive. Sure, it may not be "the way we've always done it" but it just might produce better and faster results.
Ultimately, that is the kind of change we should embrace. That's what our customers expect ~ in fact, it's what consumers today demand.
Change is happening everywhere
Think about some changes that challenge us in business and in the workplace. What changes are we seeing, and what can we do to meet the challenge of those changes?
First, we're seeing changes in customer mindset or expectations. Customer's today have a microwave-mentality. They want their needs met and their problems solved, and they want it right now!
They don't want to wait. They don't want delays. They don't want excuses. They want it now! And, if you can't deliver what they want --when they want it -- they'll go somewhere else.
Have you ever been searching for a product or service, and called through the numbers in the yellow pages? What happens when you don't find what you're looking for at the first place you call? You call the next one right?
What does this mean for you and your organization?
Well, it means when customers call, employees should answer the telephone quickly, and with a sense of urgency in their voice. In fact, sometimes speed is the primary reason a company gets the business.
The person answering the telephone should possess knowledge in the company's products and services. That person should effectively ask questions to identify specifically what the customer needs, and then either solve their problem, or direct them to the appropriate person or department who can meet their needs.
When people come in to your business, they shouldn't feel as if they are intruding - but instead should feel like the most important person who has walked through the door all day. In other words, they need to know that everyone, and I do mean everyone, in the company is there to serve them.
Some people say, "Well, customer service is not what I do!" Wrong! Customer service is what everyone does.
I saw a sign the other day that said, "We don't have a customer service department. We have a customer service company!" I love that. In fact, we turned that phrase into a FREE poster you can download from my website at www.JPMaroney.com.
We're also
Without question, the self-storage industry is still the most profitable real-estate investment around. Start-up and overhead costs are low allowing you to recoup initial expenses start making money sooner. Factor in the special tax breaks available, appreciation of your self-storage facility, and the expandability of quality steel buildings and you have a winning enterprise nearly every time.There is room for you in the self-storage industryOnly 6% of the population is currently utilizing self-storage and the trend is growing. Baby-boomers are retiring, down-sizing, and finding they have more things than space. In fact, as a nation we continue to engage in rampant consumerism, accumulating more and more stuff. Most people already have items they can’t store at home, like recreation vehicles, sporting equipment, collectables, seasonal items and they are still buying more.Self-storage draws commercial clientsEasy access, convenient office hours, and no long-term rental agreements make self storage facilities perfect for retail, contractor, and home-based businesses. Storing business files, inventory and equipment makes up about 30% of the business in today’s self-storage market. You can tap into this market by c
The phonograph, eight track tapes, and LPs have given way to CDs, DVDs and MP3s. As a result, companies find themselves forced to either change to keep up with the times, or simply go out of business.
No doubt, you've seen businesses right in your hometown ~ or in your industry ~ that have resisted change - and lost! In today's world, businesses either move ahead, or get left behind!
Change leaves its mark on history. If no one were willing to embrace change, we would still ride horses to work and have outhouses. Lucky for us, our forefathers were not afraid to ask, "What if?" and to seek the answer.
Candlelight is romantic on occasion. However, I sure enjoy flipping the switch and being able to see. It's more than a convenience - it's a way of life.
Thank goodness, Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison were persistent in finding a better way. You can be sure the skeptics scorned and criticized these change agents because they did not understand the possibilities of electricity and light bulbs.
Much like electricity, automobiles, telephones and microwaves, some change can be positive. Sure, it may not be "the way we've always done it" but it just might produce better and faster results.
Ultimately, that is the kind of change we should embrace. That's what our customers expect ~ in fact, it's what consumers today demand.
Change is happening everywhere
Think about some changes that challenge us in business and in the workplace. What changes are we seeing, and what can we do to meet the challenge of those changes?
First, we're seeing changes in customer mindset or expectations. Customer's today have a microwave-mentality. They want their needs met and their problems solved, and they want it right now!
They don't want to wait. They don't want delays. They don't want excuses. They want it now! And, if you can't deliver what they want --when they want it -- they'll go somewhere else.
Have you ever been searching for a product or service, and called through the numbers in the yellow pages? What happens when you don't find what you're looking for at the first place you call? You call the next one right?
What does this mean for you and your organization?
Well, it means when customers call, employees should answer the telephone quickly, and with a sense of urgency in their voice. In fact, sometimes speed is the primary reason a company gets the business.
The person answering the telephone should possess knowledge in the company's products and services. That person should effectively ask questions to identify specifically what the customer needs, and then either solve their problem, or direct them to the appropriate person or department who can meet their needs.
When people come in to your business, they shouldn't feel as if they are intruding - but instead should feel like the most important person who has walked through the door all day. In other words, they need to know that everyone, and I do mean everyone, in the company is there to serve them.
Some people say, "Well, customer service is not what I do!" Wrong! Customer service is what everyone does.
I saw a sign the other day that said, "We don't have a customer service department. We have a customer service company!" I love that. In fact, we turned that phrase into a FREE poster you can download from my website at www.JPMaroney.com.
We're als
Let me start by admitting that if you’re an accountant in training, you should definitely consider working for a large firm. Two or three (or more) years working for a large international or national firm give your resume an extra burnish. You will probably receive a higher salary and more training. Plus, your stint at a large firm can be another personal pedigree—equivalent to a degree from a well-known top-tier university.In spite of the big advantages that the big firms offer, however, let me suggest that you should also consider working at a small local firm. And I count at least seven, super-compelling reasons.Reason #1: Close to Home Work LocationMany small firms locate in suburban areas. Which means that rather than commuting into some central business district during rush hour, you may only be traveling a few miles in light traffic to get a small firm office.If you like the hustle and bustle of the city, sure, you may want an urban practice location. And maybe you’ve considered the hours you’ll spend trapped in traffic or riding the bus and the time isn’t significant. For many of us, however, the time and money cost of a long commute represents a big liability.Reason #2: Less Overtime, Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison were persistent in finding a better way. You can be sure the skeptics scorned and criticized these change agents because they did not understand the possibilities of electricity and light bulbs.
Much like electricity, automobiles, telephones and microwaves, some change can be positive. Sure, it may not be "the way we've always done it" but it just might produce better and faster results.
Ultimately, that is the kind of change we should embrace. That's what our customers expect ~ in fact, it's what consumers today demand.
Change is happening everywhere
Think about some changes that challenge us in business and in the workplace. What changes are we seeing, and what can we do to meet the challenge of those changes?
First, we're seeing changes in customer mindset or expectations. Customer's today have a microwave-mentality. They want their needs met and their problems solved, and they want it right now!
They don't want to wait. They don't want delays. They don't want excuses. They want it now! And, if you can't deliver what they want --when they want it -- they'll go somewhere else.
Have you ever been searching for a product or service, and called through the numbers in the yellow pages? What happens when you don't find what you're looking for at the first place you call? You call the next one right?
What does this mean for you and your organization?
Well, it means when customers call, employees should answer the telephone quickly, and with a sense of urgency in their voice. In fact, sometimes speed is the primary reason a company gets the business.
The person answering the telephone should possess knowledge in the company's products and services. That person should effectively ask questions to identify specifically what the customer needs, and then either solve their problem, or direct them to the appropriate person or department who can meet their needs.
When people come in to your business, they shouldn't feel as if they are intruding - but instead should feel like the most important person who has walked through the door all day. In other words, they need to know that everyone, and I do mean everyone, in the company is there to serve them.
Some people say, "Well, customer service is not what I do!" Wrong! Customer service is what everyone does.
I saw a sign the other day that said, "We don't have a customer service department. We have a customer service company!" I love that. In fact, we turned that phrase into a FREE poster you can download from my website at www.JPMaroney.com.
We're als
The requirement of internet monitoring software is so prevalent today that even a tiny startup business cannot get away without implementing the proper tools. There is different internet monitoring software and tools available to check the online activity of employees at work, or of kids and spouses at home.The requirement of employee tracking and internet monitoring softwareComputers and the internet have radically changed the way we do business. Broadband now allows a business to find customers from other end of the continent or even from other side of the world. This in a sense gives tremendous power to the business. On the flip side, the internet is also a resource that people use to seek both good and bad things. Employees are more than likely to allow themselves to wander throughout the virtual world, mostly spending their time idly. Different internet activities that distract employees from doing their work include pornography, email and chatting, online dating and matchmaking, social networking sites like MySpace.com, legal and illegal download of music and video, online games and the list goes on.Implications of employee internet abuseWhile non-business activities can diminish the productivity of emplo
They don't want to wait. They don't want delays. They don't want excuses. They want it now! And, if you can't deliver what they want --when they want it -- they'll go somewhere else.
Have you ever been searching for a product or service, and called through the numbers in the yellow pages? What happens when you don't find what you're looking for at the first place you call? You call the next one right?
What does this mean for you and your organization?
Well, it means when customers call, employees should answer the telephone quickly, and with a sense of urgency in their voice. In fact, sometimes speed is the primary reason a company gets the business.
The person answering the telephone should possess knowledge in the company's products and services. That person should effectively ask questions to identify specifically what the customer needs, and then either solve their problem, or direct them to the appropriate person or department who can meet their needs.
When people come in to your business, they shouldn't feel as if they are intruding - but instead should feel like the most important person who has walked through the door all day. In other words, they need to know that everyone, and I do mean everyone, in the company is there to serve them.
Some people say, "Well, customer service is not what I do!" Wrong! Customer service is what everyone does.
I saw a sign the other day that said, "We don't have a customer service department. We have a customer service company!" I love that. In fact, we turned that phrase into a FREE poster you can download from my website at www.JPMaroney.com.
We're als
The Wisconsin State Agency that oversees the collection and reporting of State income taxes deducted from payroll checks is:Department of Revenue Income, Sales, Inheritance and Excise Tax Division P.O. Box 8910 2135 Rimrock Rd. Madison, WI 53713 (608) 266-2776 www.dor.state.wi.us/Wisconsin allows you to use the Federal W-4 form or the "WT-4, Employee's Wisconsin Withholding Exemption Certificate/New Hire Reporting" to calculate state income tax withholding.Not all states allow salary reductions made under Section 125 cafeteria plans or 401(k) to be treated in the same manner as the IRS code allows. In Wisconsin cafeteria plans are not taxable for income tax calculation; not taxable for unemployment insurance purposes. 401(k) plan deferrals are not taxable for income taxes; taxable for unemployment purposes.In Wisconsin supplemental wages are taxed at:Annual wages: under $7,970 4.6%$7,970-$15,590 6.15%$15,590-$115,140 6.5%Over $115,140 6.75%You must file your Wisconsin state W-2s by magnetic media if you are have at least 250 employees and are required to file your federal W-2s by magnetic media.The Wisconsin State
When people come in to your business, they shouldn't feel as if they are intruding - but instead should feel like the most important person who has walked through the door all day. In other words, they need to know that everyone, and I do mean everyone, in the company is there to serve them.
Some people say, "Well, customer service is not what I do!" Wrong! Customer service is what everyone does.
I saw a sign the other day that said, "We don't have a customer service department. We have a customer service company!" I love that. In fact, we turned that phrase into a FREE poster you can download from my website at www.JPMaroney.com.
We're also seeing significant changes in technology!
A few years ago, my four-year-old daughter was with me in a popular copy shop and business center. I had just finished using one of their computers to print out a document when I heard her ask me, "Da Da, what's this?"
I turned and realized she was looking at a typewriter. And it hit me just how much things are changing. Here she was, a preschooler who has her own computer, a binder full of computer games on CD, and she's NEVER seen a typewriter.
Think for a minute how technological changes have affected people and companies who once depended on the sale and service of typewriters for their income. Pretty scary isn't it?
The fact is…none of us are immune to the changes in technology. We must accept technology and learn to adapt and leverage it to fit our needs.
The other day, I was searching the Internet for a mailing list company. At one website, they had a button that said, "Click here for live support."
I clicked and immediately someone from that company came online and began communicating with me using text-based Internet chat. What a great example of using technology to improve service. But it was an improvement brought about by… change!
Today, we're seeing major changes in the workplace!
The new world of work has placed new demands on workers at all levels of the organization. In many cases they're being expected to accept new responsibilities, expanded job functions, and increased workloads due to downsizing, restructuring and mergers.
These changes require a person who is flexible and willing to adapt with the times. It demands that individuals continuously upgrade knowledge and skills to meet the needs of customers and team members. We need people who are willing to change!
So what do the people in the organization need to do in order to compete and thrive in a changing marketplace? What actions are required by savvy employees and managers.
First, we need to get beyond business as usual. We cannot afford to become complacent and feel that our past successes will guarantee our future results.
Sometime back, I saw a movie, "Pirates of Silicon Valley" which is based on the early days of the personal computing industry, including the rise of Microsoft and Apple Computer. In the movie, the character of Bill Gates says, "Success is a menace. It fools smart people into thinking they can't lose."
That is just it. We cannot allow past successes to lull us into believing that we are invincible. We must consistently challenge status quo.
It suggests that we should question everything! Existing processes, existing methodologies, outdated products and services should all be subject to review in order to make sure we are still relevant in the marketplace.
How better it is to initiate change and revamp or update products and services than to find yourself forced to do it because of shifts in demand or more formidable competitors. Wait too long and you could find yourself reacting too late.
Second, we must keep open lines of communication throughout our organization. Teams, departments, branches and satellite offices should communicate with each other on a regular basis.
This creates a sharing of ideas, including: What's working, what's not, and where do we need to improve? Technology now gives virtually any size organization - even those spread across broad geography - to connect people and facilitate idea sharing through online mes
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