28 September 2012

THE LANGUAGE OF BUSINESS

The Language of Business

 
The Language of Business by David Finney

Can the selection of a single word over another be the difference between a business succeeding and failing?

Patrick Butcher, the finance director of National Rail was recently quoted as saying “Yes, we had a hundred year winter. But we can and should do better”. Not ‘will’ but ‘should’.
There is a sense of guilt and an element of resignation about the statement and it provokes the question: if it was used in a company meeting would it inspire attending staff to make the change?

“We need to radically alter our business model has a different energy and leaves the audience more assured of the speaker’s intentions. This was part of a talk delivered by former M&S CEO Sir Stuart Rose at a leadership awards ceremony in June.

Coaches know too well the importance of choosing the right words when phrasing their questions for their clients. They need to keep their language ‘clean’ and their agendas ‘clear’ to make way for the clients to express themselves freely, gain empowerment and take responsibility. They are also aware that an effective ‘challenge’ can alter client mindsets.

Coaches can help contemporary business leaders determine where their communication style sits on a scale that has the provocative goal-setting of Sugar at one end and the ‘quiet leadership’ of Branson at the other.

Charles Handy – in his legendary Donut Principle – advises managers to make it absolutely clear to staff the difference between tasks that have to be done in a specific way and tasks which allow for individual expression and creativity. ISO – the international quality standards organisation – makes this distinction using the word ‘shall’ (mandatory) and ‘should’ (best practice – i.e. is optional) and this is fairly clear for companies to follow.

Employees need to know where they stand, how much freedom they have and probably also want to be a little ‘wowed’ in team talks from their leaders. As we move from the Information Age to the “Conceptual Age” of Dan Pink, which he talks about in his book “A Whole New Mind”, this will be all the more critical.

So what is the best language for business leaders to use when addressing their teams?

Managers usually have the option to have a private (1:1) conversation with someone in their team or to address the team as a group. In the latter scenario their communication style may depend on the subject and intent of the meeting.  Does the meeting have a specific goal? Is the meeting to simply share information? Has the meeting been arranged to address an issue or resolve conflict?

There are four critical factors to take into account when chairing a meeting or leading a workshop:

Inviting – it is essential to be welcoming from the start and to grab the attention of the group very quickly
Inclusive – people like to feel that they are part of a community and to feel that they are involved
Inspirational – there should be an element of hope and of optimism with a call to action
In touch – the talk should be grounded and take current issues into account
 
As with all areas of leadership, it is a question of balance and the language of business is a forever evolving protocol that we are still learning to speak.


(David Finney - The Coaching Academy - 17/08/11)
 

27 September 2012

WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING?

What is it that makes you get up in the morning and go to work?


What is your focus?

What do you want to achieve?

What do you want to be doing and where do you want to be in 3 months time, a year, 3 years from now....

GET MOTIVATED!

 

Know what you want and why you want it then work on the how and when......

 
Every business owner knows the importance of writing a business plan but who are you doing this for?  Is it just to satisfy the bank manager, shareholders, co-Directors or because your accountant says you need to do this to ensure you have considered your cash flow requirements?

Why not think again about what gets you out of bed in the morning.....

DEFINE THE "WHY"

One of the main reasons for working is for money but for many that is the not the real driver behind what we do.  The most successful entrepreneurs have a real "passion" for what they do.  They work hard to achieve their goals because they understand "why" they are doing what they do - they may want to become a great innovator and pioneer a new product or service, they may want to develop a career based on a beloved hobby or past-time, they may want to make a positive impact on people's lives in an uncompromising society or they may just want to prove something to themselves.
Like everything we do in life, it's important to have a reason and know what it is!

BELIEVE

Who said life was easy!  It's not.....
Everyone, yes everyone, suffers setbacks and disappointments throughout their lives.  But that is when self -belief becomes ever more important.  Accept there may be difficult times ahead but plan to overcome them - strength comes from within and stems from the real desire to try.  With careful planning and support from those around you, experience and confidence will grow.  A crisis will be redefined as a temporary obstacle and an obstacle as just the next challenge to be overcome on the path to success.
Never stop believing especially when others still believe in you!

KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS

What are you good at?  What are your areas of knowledge and expertise?  Focus on these.....
Your time is best spent on doing what you do best.

KNOW YOUR WEAKNESSES

Don't waste valuable time and resources working in areas you know nothing about.  Seek help and support when necessary and know when this is appropriate. 
Know when to ask for help and make sure you do!

USP!

Business jargon maybe....but what is your Unique Selling Point?
What makes you different from your competitors?  What can you offer to provide added valued and a better product or service?
Make sure you can explain this to prospective clients and make sure you continue to demonstrate this to your current clients.
Be proud of being unique and good at what you do!

PARTNER WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE

Share your successes with others, network with others from similar backgrounds, learn from and mentor each other.  Join forces with others who have a positive mindset and work together to overcome negative influences.
Success breeds success.

PLAN

A plan provides a focus.This is what enables the dream to be turned into a reality.
It focuses the mind on the goals and objectives, the potential pitfalls, funding and other areas which are vital to success.  The virtual becomes tangible with a structure, a clearly defined strategy and an achievable timeframe.
Plan ahead to get ahead and stay ahead!

Now get out of bed......AND LOVE WHAT YOU DO!


 

25 September 2012

WHO AM I?




Have you ever wondered who you really are?
Why is life so tough sometimes?
Do you ever feel you are just drifting through life without any real purpose?
Who can turn it around?



 


 
 



WHO AM I?
The surf is up
The waves roll into shore
The tide is high
Can’t take it anymore
                Who am I?
                Driftwood floating in the sea
                Who am I?
It starts to rain
The gathering clouds are grey
The sun has gone
The storm is on its way
                Who am I?
                A leaf blowing in the wind
                Who am I?
The rivers swell
Sandbags are piled against the doors
The banks are breaking
Tears are flooding from my core
                Who am I?
                A fish swimming upstream
                Who am I?
Rocks are falling
The mountains are giving way
Land is sliding
Oh how I yearn for yesterday
                Who am I?
                A sheep lost on the fells
                Who am I?

Dark is descending
The day is subdued by another night
What more can befall me?
I want to give up the fight
                Who am I?
                A candle flickering all alone
                Who am I?
Lost in a world
And part of a universe so vast
How can I ever comprehend
Why perfect dreams and love can never last
                Who am I?
                A far flung star lost in the heavens
                Who am I?
 Yes who am I, who am I?

I am a piece of driftwood beaten by life – now I can help others in similar strife
I am a leaf fallen far from the tree – there is still time to build a better me
I am a fish battling the tide – and I can learn so much from the bumpy ride
I am a sheep who has lost its way – but I can ask for help come what may
I am a candle still alight – so I have a chance to still burn bright
I am a star in a distant galaxy – let God’s love shine in me for all to see
When life is rough it makes us tough
We fall from grace but stay in the race
Our scars may be deep but lessons we reap
Clear paths are rare but we have friends who care
We have hope in life ‘cos we have come this far
And best of all, God knows who we are!

©
CJC 2012