Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Whack Yourself!

Do you ever wonder why some members of your team always come up with new and unusual approaches to problems...solutions you never considered?

In the book A Whack on the Side of the Head, author Roger Von Oech offers the following four tips for jogging your mind from its mental rut.

1. Don't always look for the "one" right answer.

2. Don't always be a "Spock", its okay to be illogical at times.

3. Avoid the "yeah, but" thinking...instead think, "what if".

4. STOP thinking you're not creative! One of the major differences between creative people and non-creative people is that;  creative people pay attention to their small ideas, knowing they could lead to a big breakthrough.
"Believe in the worth of your ideas and have the persistence to build on them."
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Thursday, October 25, 2012

"We hope to see you again, real soon!"


Companies that boast good customer service in most cases are missing one very important component that could really raise the bar; invite your customers to return.

The next time you visit a retailer, restaurant or any business, pay close attention to the final words you hear.

90% will offer a thank you, 5% will say nothing and only about 5% will thank you and then ask that you to return in the near future.

Step back, listen and observe…are you inviting your customers to return?
Asking your customers to come back can make a huge point of difference for your business.

You will need to practice this until it becomes a habit.
Say something like;  “Thank you and please come back and see us again real soon, mention 'Joe' when you return.” (one way you can measure the process)

“Copyright (10-25-12) by Robert V Gambone Sr.”
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Saturday, October 20, 2012

1 2 4


Several decades ago, I was a young cocky manager who thought I knew it all.
After all, I just won manager of the month, scored a great bonus and received an awesome promotion.
An associate of mine, we will call her Mary, reached out to me at my awards celebration and said if I ever needed her help, just let her know.
Mary was my hero; keyword here is “was.” She was a leader, my mentor… but in my eyes, I had no need for her anymore.
“Thanks for the offer Mary, let me think about.”

Some twenty years later, I ran into Mary. She had left the company, started a new career and in my eyes, she was very successful. I of course boasted about my success and never even asked Mary how she was doing. Once again, she reached out to me and offered her help. Really, I thought… “Thanks for the offer Mary, let me think about it.”

Fast forward to today.
I was attending a business event, when out of the corner of my eye I saw Mary walking towards me. She seemed distraught. We engaged in conversation and it turns out that Mary was struggling with her business, had been for years and needed help. Help that I knew I could offer.
“Mary,” I said, “please let me help you.”
She looked at me and said, “Thanks for offer Bob, let me think about it.”
I left the event very frustrated and confused.

Lesson learned:
Leadership is giving, and when Mary offered me help, I shut the door before I had a chance to see what was on the other side, denying her the opportunity to give. Years later, she reciprocated…I think not to be revengeful, but since I never accepted her help, she probably thought my offer was not genuine.

Songwriter and poet James Durst once wrote:
“Help one another; there’s no time like the present and no present like the time.”

No matter how successful you are in business, when someone offers you help, accept it…help is giving…help is a gift.

This is my 124th blog posting
museahaw
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Thursday, October 4, 2012

Don't Tell It, Relive It!


We all know great storytellers.

Whether it is a family member, friend, or a business associate… when they speak, we listen and with great anticipation.

I have always been intrigued by a great storyteller because of their ability to retell a story over and over again while sustaining the attention of their audience…I attributed that skill to a great memory.

Well....about 8 months ago, I had an “Oh Wow!" moment.

I was privileged to be part of a training session conducted by Ivan R. Misner, PhD. (founder of BNI, the world’s largest networking organization).

Ivan had just completed telling a story to the class, one that I know I have heard him tell at least 3 times.

After the applause quieted down, I asked Ivan;
“Ivan, how do you do it? How do you retell a story over and over again with the same passion and enthusiasm?”

Ivan looked all of us in the eye and said… “Never retell a story, relive it!”

For more inspiring stories and leadership wisdom, please purchase my book---

Pecan Pie: 32 Business Success Strategies Passionately Baked To Order!
"A must read!" Ivan Misner New York Times Bestselling author
BY IT NOW on AMAZON.COM  click on link below
Click here to purchase Bob's Book
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Job Burnout?

Though most people suffer from an occasional period of boredom or job burnout, the problem can be a serious one if it goes on for a long time.

Six leadership skills you need to break the grip of job burnout:*
  1. Take care of your physical being.
  2. Respond directly to difficulties and demands rather than avoiding them.
  3. Utilize the help and support of other people.
  4. Focus energy on mastering some part of a challenge rather than trying to do it all.
  5. Take time out to rethink your approach when things are not working out.
  6. Try to manage time more effectively
For more leadership wisdom,  please read my book---

Pecan Pie: 32 Business Success Strategies Passionately Baked To Order!
"A must read!" Ivan Misner New York Times Bestselling author
BY IT NOW on AMAZON.COM  click on link below
Click here to purchase Bob's Book

Take This Job and Love It
“Copyright (10-3-12) by Robert V Gambone Sr.”
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