Developing Successful Leadership Practices

By: Riley Jones


Successful leadership practices and professional business management skills are proficiencies that develop over time. Actually, some people are born leaders, however there are certain areas which will be targeted on to develop leadership skills.

Mahatma Gandhi once said "If I have the idea that I can do it, I can surely acquire the capability to try and do it, even if I may not have it at the beginning".

Sensible leadership starts with a solid and clearly defined leadership philosophy. Why? As a result of your personal leadership philosophy defines a collection of beliefs that verify how you react to folks and situations.

Jim Collins and Jerry Porras describe the key parts of a leadership philosophy in their book Designed to Last. At the core of a leadership philosophy they place a group of beliefs or ideologies. It's necessary to define these for yourself to perceive your leadership philosophy. The three belief systems Collins and Porras define are what you think concerning individuals, what you believe concerning life and what you believe makes teams and organisations effective. These systems are expressed in your values and ultimately shape how you behave and your leadership style.

Martin Glenn is a leadership skilled and complete guru with demonstrable expertise and expertise. He and his team took Walkers Snack Foods from a relatively small regional operation to the most well-known supermarket brand within the UK in simply 5 years. By 2005, Walkers occupied forty five% of the ?2-billion salty snacks industry in the UK. Nowadays as the CEO of PepsiCo UK (the parent company of Walkers), Glenn has been tasked with making Pepsi a household name within the UK.

Martin Glenn has had wonderful teams behind him that have aided in his success. And while quality of product, branding marketing and distribution are the hallmarks of Walkers crisps' success - his account of this turnaround reveals many valuable lessons regarding successful business leadership practices, and his personal leadership philosophies.

In an eBook entitiled Successful Leadership in Apply, Glenn distils the various leadership lessons he's learned along the way. These embrace recommendation regarding managing teams and creativity, when to relinquishing, an uncompromising commitment to quality and excellence and engagement with every employee.

Martin Glenn provides some clear lessons in successful leadership practices. As an example, he says that in addition to having a clear leadership philosophy - it's also vital to know your business inside and out. A slip-up several folks in management positions create is just viewing the globe from their desks. Solely counting on data could be a huge mistake - and it's advisable to get out into the field yourself to work out what is really going on. Whereas you are out there, create time to speak to people. This is often one manner to elicit info from them that will give ways in which to improve or innovate.

He goes on to say that great business leadership strategies ought to not only keep individuals motivated, however conjointly ensure that the business stays contemporary and keeps moving forward. This does not mean that you must change for change's sake - this could be fatal to a brand that has been established over time. However, when marketing a product keep things additional-ordinary. This will guarantee that folks do not stop talking concerning your product or business.

Another lesson is that taking time to engage with each employee is very important to excellence in leadership. It is a well-established reality that deeper relationships and open internal communication channels with workers make every member of an organization not solely feel a lot of valued and empowered, however additionally motivated to try and do their job better and to create selections that are in the most effective interest of the organization.

Finally, and this could be a shocker - it's not all about profit! In Martin Glenn's example with Walkers crisps, yes, the profits doubled in five years however this was not the initial objective. This was simply a natural results of the means things developed as a result of of Glenn's specialize in doing his job properly and a specialize in growth.

Definitely taking these lessons in successful leadership practices on board will solely improve your leadership skills, enabling you to encourage teams and take your business to new heights in the data that you have a solid foundation on that to build.

Job, Jobs, career

10 Ways to be More Productive in Your Home Business

Working from home is a dream come true for most. Thoughts of simpler times and easier work - life balance, conference calls in your pajamas and uninterrupted focus on your work. Well, think again. Before you know it the lines between work and life begin to get blurred as you start to be pulled in multiple directions and are faced with choices such as "should I put in a load of laundry before I start this proposal", or "Should I plan dinner before inputting my business expenses". These are real world examples of what happens in home based businesses and before you know it, there are unforeseen distractions, lack of balanced time and sometimes, a lost identity since many relate who they are with want they do. But don't give up just yet; here are 10 tips to keep you on track and to be more productive in your home business.


1. Declare a specific work space

Maintain a separate and dedicated workspace that you can use when you are in "work mode". This is a place that you condition yourself that when you are in, you are to be 100% focused on work activities.

2.Set a work schedule

Make sure to structure your day so you are not pulled in different directions. Try to schedule your day and isolate a specific work schedule that works for you and your lifestyle. If you want to go to the gym everyday for an 11 o'clock yoga class, then work that into your schedule. Perhaps your workday starts at noon. One of the benefits of working from home is that you get to set your own schedule, just make sure you set a firm schedule and keep to it.

3.Outsource what you can

Streamline your business and outsource what you can. Hire a virtual assistant who can handle the administrative tasks which will allow you to focus on building your business. If you try to do everything yourself, you will soon realize that you are working long hours.

4.Stay focused

When you are at your workspace, stay focused. Make sure other members of the household know that you are in the "zone" and that you are not to be interrupted. Keep all of your personal stuff away from your workspace and stay 100% committed to getting your work done for the day.

5.Beware of the "needy" people

When people hear you are working from home, they often envision that you are lying around on the couch eating snacks and will begin to ask favors of you since they are stuck in their office. Don't fall into the trap of the needy people. During your work hours, you are working and be firm when your friends ask you to check on their pets, or wait for the cable guy or run errands for them. Treat your business as though you also have a job and set those boundaries up in the beginning.

6.Break for people

One of the benefits of working in an office is that you are around people. Don't isolate yourself from others. Take moments to join your friends for lunch or participate in classes. Surround yourself with others when you can so you can stay motivated, connected and engaged.

7.Group errands and tasks

Try to minimize your "out of office" time but grouping your errands together. Rather than a bunch of in and out of the house, set out to complete all of your errands in one complete swoop. This way, you will manage your time better.

8.Use technology

Be sure to use technology in your business. This will give the impression that you are bigger than you are and cut down expenses. Nowadays, you can have virtual meetings, send documents electronically and collaborate with others in an online environment. Just remember to have separate lines for yourself and your business.

9.Manage your administrative time

Checking emails, social media, returning phone calls, putting together reports and checking blackberry can be time wasters. Be sure to manage your time. Select three times a day that you check email s and that is the only time you check them. If you fall victim to checking emails as soon as they come in, before you know it, the day is gone.

10.Set your own pace to your own moods

This is your dream. Be sure to live it. Create a business that works for you and what you want just be sure to treat it as a business and stay focused and disciplined.

Employment, Careers, career

Do You Have the Courage of an Entrepreneur?

By: Sue Painter

Years ago, I heard the statement "the fastest way to personal growth is to open your own business." Thirteen years after opening my first business, I can promise that statement is true. Like many people who are self-employed, I came out of the corporate world, where I was used to having support staff, creative people around me to bounce ideas off of, and the big bosses over me to handle the heat. I also had janitorial staff to clean the office and technical support staff to handle an errant computer.

When I left all that to open my own business, I soon discovered that my support staff, creative people, big bosses, janitorial staff and technical staff was the person I saw when I stared into my mirror. My business was brand new and very small, one room in an office building. I had to handle everything, whether I was "trained" to handle it or not. I had to discover what I did well, what I enjoyed the most, what I hated to do, when I could afford to hire help, and what help I needed to hire first. I had to stretch and grow quickly.

Fortunately, because I had solid experience in growing a business, the Touch Therapy Center built itself quickly. Within the year, I could hire help for cleaning and laundry service. Next came a bookkeeper. Now, 13 years later, I manage the business while other staff do most of the therapeutic massage, I'm in a medical office building with multiple treatment rooms, and I have a practice manager to handle the front desk, errands, and most administrative tasks.

What I want to point out is the rocky path of personal growth it takes to get from year one to year thirteen, turning a profit the whole way. Here are some of the things I had to learn or consider.

• Watch my operating costs and bottom line - I had to remain profitable even if I was spending more money on getting help with cleaning, laundry service, and so forth. Watching my weekly financial statements was critical, or I could have worked myself crazy and not made a dime.

• Know myself well enough to figure out what I liked to do and was good at versus what I am not so good at and am not fond of doing. One of these in the massage business is laundry. I didn't enjoy dragging home loads of sheets and spending my evenings sorting, washing, drying, and folding them. And I wasn't particularly great at it, either. On the other hand, I'm very practiced and skillful at attracting clients. I didn't need or want to pay anyone to handle marketing for me, other than getting help with a design for my business card. It was easy for me and saved me money to develop my own brochures and press releases.

• I had to find out about my willingness to take risk and how to handle the good and bad that came from that risk. Should I move into larger office space and increase my rent? If so, how much more business would I need to generate to remain at my same level of profit? Could I get larger space, spend more money, and at the same time make even more money? Could I negotiate new lease terms that were favorable to me?

Before long, I had a very busy practice and was ready to hire other staff. Now, I could draw on my past experience as an Executive Director and use my past hiring skills. This time, if I made a bad decision, it was mind and mine alone to deal with, for better or for worse. After about 8 years, I had to make a decision about opening my second business, The Confident Marketer. Other entrepreneurs had been asking me for several years how I'd built my business, how I knew what to do when, and how I got profitable. I found that I absolutely loved helping other self-employed people be successful. So, about 5 years ago, The Confident Marketer was born. And with it, a whole new level of personal growth and challenge was necessary. It's one reason I keep myself always working with top coaches who can help me face up to the personal growth and new business skills I need to keep my business successful and innovative.

The point to my story is that it takes courage to be an entrepreneur. You have to be willing to find out what you don't know, get help with those things you don't do well, and become expert at a few things that are yours and yours alone. You have to be willing to step up to intimately knowing and watching your financial statements (something I find many new entrepreneurs don't want to do). You have to make decisions using both the facts and figures AND your gut feelings -- your intuitive skills. And when there is a problem, you have to be willing to meet it and work it through, taking time to consider whether and how much it affects your customer service and your bottom line. All this takes a great deal of courage and a willingness to grow both personally and professionally.

A great business takes three things - a solid business plan, a creative and well-thought-out marketing plan, and a willingness to engage in personal growth. Behind those three vital things is courage. Step right up, and see how quickly your business becomes unstoppable!

Employment, Careers, career

Employee Communication: The Secret to Business Success (Part 11)

Look closely at the communication happening in your business. Is it satisfying what workers want to be absolutely engaged and operating productively? Contemplate each of the four basic levels of communication in your organization for a solution:


1. Organization wide communication - involving all staff
2. Departmental communication - specific to 1 department or unit
3. Team communication - within one cohesive team or group
4. Individual communication - specific to one employee at any one time


Communications may be working effectively at higher levels, with regular and informative newsletters emanating from Head Office. However, the standard and quantity of communications could fail dismally at the a lot of native level. The interpersonal skills of supervisors, team leaders and native managers are particularly important at levels 3 and 4, as these are the individuals that frontline employees develop operating relationships with most personally and closely. Several exit surveys have shown that workers commonly leave an organization as a result of of a poor operating relationship with a right away supervisor. How are the communication skills of the supervisors in your organization?


Just as necessary is that the communication between and at intervals levels. Gone are the days when departments may stand as silos, isolated from the rest of the organization by impenetrable barriers. Intra-national and international competition is currently so fierce that everyone in the organization desires to collaborate closely on solving organizational challenges and on achieving agreed strategic objectives. What are the communication barriers in your organization?


Where is your organization at in its life-cycle? Is it large or growing rapidly? As more folks are added to an organization, communication needs and stresses increase exponentially. Joe, who used to try and do purchasing, inspection and warehousing on his own now needs to speak to 3 other departments yet as the people in his own growing team. What structures, systems and processes has your organization place in place to encourage and facilitate effective communication flow?


Well-designed organizational culture surveys and employee communication surveys can determine how well your communication systems and practices are contributing to your organization's performance - or how abundant they're hindering performance. This data can then help you in devising a good employee communication strategy. No matter else you do, communication practices impact each facet of your business. Wanting closely at communication in your organization is well price your whereas, as a result of even if you do not, your staff are.

Employment, Careers, career

Employee Communication: The Secret to Business Success (Part 1)

By: adam howard



Business surveys consistently show us that poor workplace communication could be a major supply of employee dissatisfaction. The repercussions of this include not just low employee morale. Employee productivity suffers, together with a vary of other business performance indicators.


Business Impact of Poor Communication
Have you ever stopped to think about how much unsatisfactory communication practices are costing your business? A number of these costs embody:

? increased employee turnover
? increased absenteeism
? dissatisfied customers from poor customer service
? higher product defect rates
? lack of specialize in business objectives
? stifled innovation

How several of these prices can you recognize in your business? You can flip the situation around. Staff can place in that further "discretionary effort" after they are kept informed brazenly and honestly on aspects of their job and the business and that they feel that they're being listened to with empathy.


Employee Communication Needs
What and how ought to you communicate together with your employees? Communication in your organization should satisfy the three key employee needs before they will be engaged and highly productive. Every and each employee needs to:

1. Apprehend that ...
-included here are facts regarding your organization and their specific job - what business you are in, who your customers are, specific details regarding your product or service, where forms are located, who to determine when there is a downside ...

2. Master that ...
-included here are the sensible skills required to try to to their job well - repairing a machine, filling out an invoice, designing a building, writing a software program ...

3. Feel that ...
-included here are the interactions that provide them a way of belonging and self-price - being listened to, revered, trusted, valued ...

Managers predominantly think about the primary need - grasp that - and pay less attention to the second would like to master skills. The third would like - feel that - is what makes workers distinctly human and what drives them to outstanding achievement in work and outdoors of work. And however it's in this dimension that employee communications are most lacking.

Employment, Careers, career

Resolving Workplace Conflict: 4 Ways to a Win-Win Solution (Part 11)

Seeing and dealing with workers as citizenry with real lives is typically overlooked within the busy workplace. People with high emotional intelligence can do this in a very skilled manner, and maintain acceptable boundaries. Another side of EQ is knowing and being sensitive to how employees are experiencing you as a manager. Half of EQ is teaching managers to be sensitive to how theyre returning across to others.

The fourth facet of reducing workplace conflict is putting in place behavioral consequences to be used with really uncooperative employees who are unwilling to change. Despite using of these recommendations, there can be a few workers that simply wont change as a result of theyre unwilling or unable. Meaning a manager should make a case for a consequence, which is an action or sanction that states to the worker the seemingly outcome of continuous problematic behavior. It will take skills from the 3 previous points to do this in a very non-threatening way.

Is there ever a place for anger in the workplace? Yes. When people can say, Wait a minute. Im not pleased with this; I dont like whats going on, and that they turn that anger into a positive action, then the anger can be seen as a quite motivator. Generally when were during a position where we acknowledge that we are upset about one thing, and we have a tendency to use that to our advantage, we have a tendency to can build that employment for us, and in the long run, really work for the company.

As staff, the additional we have a tendency to will learn to speak up, to be ready to mention what our desires and our needs are in a healthy way, and not let it fester to the point of rage or explosion, we tend to can use our anger as a motivator to assist us take action.

Employees will additionally modification their attitude toward their job whereas putting up with the unpleasant aspects of it. One method to reduce conflict and to be happier is to seek out a method to shift our perspective and our vision of why were there.

Id like to shut with a story thats going around concerning the janitor at Carnegie Hall who had been there for 20 years. Hes 45 years old. He was cleaning up the restroom, and a man during a business suit went up to him and said, You appear to be an intelligent fellow. For 20 years youve been cleaning the toilets. Why dont you do one thing together with your life and find another job?
And also the janitor said, What? And leave show business?
Its all in how we view the situation and understand what were doing that determines our satisfaction and success on the job.

Employment, Careers, career

Resolving Workplace Conflict: 4 Ways to a Win-Win Solution

By: adam howard

The effects of conflict in the workplace are widespread and costly. Its prevalence, as indicated by 3 serious studies, shows that twenty four-sixty% of management time and energy is spent coping with anger. This results in decreased productivity, increased stress among staff, hampered performance, high turnover rate, absenteeism and at its worst, violence and death.

Conflict in the workplace is the result of a selection of factors. Perhaps the most significant cause is when someone feels taken advantage of. This may happen when a perfectionist boss demands the same dedication and commitment from staff as he or she exhibits, however will not compensate them for the late or weekend hours.

Other scenarios embrace the worker having unrealistic expectations of what their job position extremely is, or of being misunderstood in the workplace. Conflict conjointly arises as a result of of values and goal variations in the company. The corporate may not have goals or not adequately specific the goals and values to their employees. Conversely, the employee may have personal goals and values at odds with those of the company.

There are four specific steps managers can take to cut back workplace conflict. The first is for managers to seem at communication skills, both in terms of how they convey and the way theyre teaching their staff to communicate with each other. This, after all, includes using I statements instead of you language. Owning your own feelings and your own communication may be a much additional effective approach to communicate and even additional, teaching your staff to speak that method with others, goes a long method toward reducing conflict.

The second part of communication is for managers to beef up listening skills. Active listening involves things like truly trying to perceive what the other person is saying, and then communicating to the other person that you are doing indeed perceive what theyre saying.

The second method to decrease workplace conflict is to establish healthy boundaries. Without boundaries, there will be conflict and squabbles, power struggles and all types of circumstances that make for messy situations.

You'll be skilled and be empathetic and compassionate toward your staff, while not crossing the line of changing into their friend. This is often especially important when theres a power distinction between 2 individuals in an employment situation.

The third factor to reducing conflict may be a skill referred to as emotional intelligence. There are many aspects and sides however it primarily means that developing skills to be more effective by teaching people to mix both intelligence and emotions in the workplace.

Employment, Careers, career