Adam_Gottlieb commented on the following stories on BizSugar
Business World Perceptions, Mis-Perceptions and Judging Books by Their Covers: The Curious Case of Dolph Lundgren!
"Great post Yoni! Perceptions and stereotypes help us to make some sense of the world- without them we'd be lost. The bigger the person the more he or she is able to hold the stereotype yet allow space for it to be challenged or changed. Adam "The 5th element to a successful marketing mix
"Hi Karen, This is so true, especially for an online property or a retail concept! I would add another "c" however: a consistant critical mass. Having a flurrly of commnents on a post here or there won't help much, nor drawing a crowd to your store or restaurant only on promotion days. When others see that there is consistant and persistant following, then they'll be drawn in also. Adam"To Outsource or Not to Outsource?: A Guide for Small Business Owners
"Very important “two cents,” Duncan (Businessavante)... This is one of the major difficulties that can arise when working with temporary staff in general- whether they are filling in for someone or they are working a seasonal position. How do you motivate them to do a decent job (and to do it with a decent attitude)? When this is an issue, it can create a very unpleasant situation for everyone involved (as you described above). Here are two things that can help remedy the situation: 1. Spend more of an effort in the vetting process. Just because someone is doing temp work doesn't necessarily mean that he or she will do a substandard job. There are some very good temp workers out there. You just need to know where and how to look. If you hire temporary staff on your own then make sure to check up on their references and ask interview questions that will help you to get a feel for their attitude and motivation level. If you are working with a temp agency and are having difficulties with the people they are sending then communicate that to them. If your gripes are reasonable and the agency doesn't respond, then maybe find a new temp agency to work with. 2. Sometimes the biggest problem (and solution) lies with the employer. As I mentioned in my post, if the employer doesn't value the role the temp workers fulfill in the business, then the workers won't value it either. And *everyone* wants to feel valued, everyone wants to feel that they are making a difference- even those college kids who are just buying their time. So how can you make a temp worker feel valued?: Acknowledge their work (and their existence as people), offer compliments, and feedback, and maybe even a small bonus along the way. There will always be difficult people, but those employers who try to do this will see the difference that it brings the vast majority of the time. Adam"Leadership Lens
"Hi Anna, Great visual! I would add that not only does your lens change how you perceive the situation and the people involved, but it actually creates a reality. If you constantly see your employees as impossible, lazy, dishonest, etc then they will become just that. If, on the other hand, you *actively* look for and try to draw out their qualities and give them the benefit of the doubt, then in most cases they will rise to the occasion. *This* is true leadership. Adam"Leadership Lens
""I guess it takes years of practice and habit forming and ??? to become the kind of leader who instinctively draws out the positive in others..." No, not necessarily... You could certainly learn techniques and practice them to hone your skills. But the truth is that this kind of leadership is based on an attitude on life that starts by seeing yourself and your own abilities in a positive way. Once that's in place everything else follows... Adam"15 Ways Your Small Business Can Save Time
"Pretty exhaustive list Sathishkumar, with some very helpful tips... But you should add that people should remember to take a break- especially after spending hours looking at three computer screens, their to-do lists, email alerts, Facebook updates, analytics accounts, Tweets, etc, etc. Sometimes the biggest thing you can do for your productivity is to stop doing. Adam"Do Not Overlook the Importance of Sub Marketing Activities
"Susan, These activities are important for sure... and having a running evaluation of them is even more important. It's so easy to get caught up in these "sub-marketing" efforts- even those that aren't so effective- that one can quickly get pulled off track. Adam"Embracing Sales
"This is a very high level, Anthony, and it presupposes some kind of ownership (whether financially or emotionally) in the product or service being pitched (not to mention, it means that salespeople should be choosy about what they agree to sell)... That said, small business owners should take heed, since they are typically their own salesmen (and saleswomen), and they, more than anyone else have the belief and commitment in their products/services to reach such a high level of selling. Adam"Subscribe
- News
- Blog
- Press Center
- Newsletter
Buttons and Widgets
- Legal
-
Privacy | Terms of Use
© 2007-2024 BizSugar.com.
14 Sites to Help You Microfinance Your Business or Startup
"Hi Lucinda, Yes, there are some great organizations and online communities out there that are giving small business owners like yourself new options and *hope*. Let me know if something goes through- either here, or you can post a comment on my website. Good luck! Adam Gottlieb"