Before You Travel Abroad, Take 6 Financial Precautions Today

These six tips will help you avoid credit card and other financial inconveniences on your trip.

 

May 5, 2013

Just in time for the summer-travel season – whether you’re going to a foreign country for business or pleasure – there are at least six steps you should take. You need to do more than just making sure that your passport is current, planning your itinerary or deciding what to pack.

“Banks and credit card companies constantly monitor customer card activity looking for anything out of the ordinary,” said Steve Johnson, BMO Harris Bank Arizona president. “Contacting the card issuer prior to leaving for a trip will help them know to expect to see activity different from your normal spending pattern.”

For example, you won’t enjoy the hassle that results if legitimate charges are unexpectedly denied by your credit-card company.

Mr. Johnson’s bank offers these tips:

1. Contact your bank and credit card company before leaving so they know to expect purchases from a foreign country. Let them know when and where you are travelling. Provide them the dates you will be gone, and where you are going. The bank and credit-card company will make a note in your file. That way, they won’t be surprised when they see charges from a foreign country begin to hit your account.

2. When providing your card information online for hotel and sightseeing reservations, only use reputable, secure booking sites.

3. Keep documentation of your card numbers and your banks’ customer service phone number separate from your actual card. You may need this information if your card is lost or if you have other difficulties using your card.

4. Carry a backup card – you never know if your primary card will get lost, stolen, damaged, etc.

5. Research the country you are visiting and plan accordingly. While in the U.S. card acceptance is widespread, some countries remain very reliant on cash so have a plan for how your will obtain cash if needed. Generally ATMs offer more favorable exchange rate as compared to traditional currency exchange locations.

6. Understand your card’s fee structure. Most cards charge some type of foreign transaction fee or currency conversion fee. In addition, using a debit card at the ATM instead of a credit card will generally help you avoid credit card cash advance fees as well as higher cash advance interest rates.

On second thought, many of the tips are applicable for domestic travel.

For more tips if you plan to use a Visa credit card, visit: Visa’s Web site.

BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial organization with approximately 1,600 branches, and $542 billion in assets (as of Jan. 31, 2013).

From the Coach’s Corner, also see: 11 Travel Tips – Save Money, Prevent against Cyber Theft, Fraud

“Just got back from a pleasure trip. I took my mother-in-law to the airport.”
-Henny Youngman

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

Secrets for Attracting, Keeping Readers on Your Blog

 

Content marketing is a valuable tool, but only if you observe best practices in substance and style – writing the most intriguing headlines and most relevant copy. Attracting readers and keeping them on your blog or site means you must capitalize on your strengths and write for the benefit your Internet readers.

Where to start? Obviously it means starting at the top – where you begin the content-writing process.

Creating effective headlines

Here are six headline writing strategies:

1. Write your headline first – after deciding on a topic. If you’re not sure about the right headline copy, stay with it until you’re sure. Headline writing is an art that will make or break your success. Also, it will help you to stay focus in writing the content.

2. Uniqueness counts. It helps to write about current events and trends, but remember Google will probably have hundreds of thousands of search results on such topics. So explore a unique angle with solutions.

Don’t be mundane by being too factual. Don’t make readers work to cut through the muddle of facts. Readers make split-second decisions about what to read as they seek relevance and utility.

Some of the most-read headlines include metaphors with events or products. Popular headlines can include the mistakes or lessons at the expense of others. And readers love checklists, tips and strategies.

3. Don’t be repetitive in your verbiage. For example, even if you write several consecutive articles with tips, change your jargon. Avoid using the word, tips, too often. Otherwise, you risk boring your readers.

4. Write with brevity. Another trait of ignored headlines is the use of unnecessary words.

5. Avoid hyperbole. It’s true that urgency sells. But when does urgency become too much? To be taken seriously, learn the lessons from the yellow journalism of the late 1800s. That means no scary headlines, over-use of pictures, soap opera-like drama, and promises too good to be true.

6. Write with a useful purpose. Readers subconsciously ask, “What will this article do for me?” Think of them as users, not readers. So give them information they can use – starting with the headline.

Content-writing strategies

Now for the rest – for typical blogging, gain credibility by writing content like a preeminent journalist. 

Here are 11 reminders to create appealing content to keep visitors on your site: 

1. Publish original content. Stand out with substantial information or analysis and by not duplicating articles.

2. Consider writing about proper-noun topics. That would be the names of people, locations, organizations and companies.

3. Timeliness counts in posting, so publish quickly and regularly. Stay on top of breaking developments and trends. Update the articles as much as possible.

4. The lead paragraph should pique the interest of readers. If you can avoid writing in a boring style, include the journalists’ approach – the who, what, when, where, why and even the how of each topic.

5. Pictures and graphics are helpful. But only use them, including captions, if they add to the article. Too many bloggers insert generic pictures just for the sake of adding them. But ask yourself, “Do they increase engagement with users and contribute to the readers’ experience?”

6. Focus on differentiation, as you do in your headline writing. Provide unique analysis and angles to stand out from the crowd.

7. Look into the future. Readers appreciate insights and forecasts on trends and developments.

8. Act as if – you don’t have to swagger but write confidently as if no one else is writing on your topics. One of your goals should be to become No. 1 in your keyword niche. Pretty soon readers will see your blog as the authoritative brand.

9. Write with laser-like focus. Many bloggers limit their posts to 250 to 300 words. It’s terrific to use what I call an economy of words. But that’s not always a good practice. Articles written in too-concise a manner are perceived as choppy and lacking in coherence.

Much depends on your purpose in writing and the complexity of your topic. For example, if you’re writing as a consultant to attract prospective clients, you probably need to write 500 or more words to explain your analysis. For complex topics, more words are necessary to achieve your objective.

10. Use links. Whenever feasible and logical, each article should provide one or more links to other relevant articles on your site. Not to be gauche, this business-coaching portal averages more than 10 pages per visit.

This is primarily accomplished by inserting relevant links to other articles as in these examples: 9 Content Traits of the Best Blogs and 12 Tips to Develop the Best Content Ideas for a Top-Rated Blog.

11. Write authoritatively by keeping it legal. See: Is the FTC’s Blogger-Payola Crackdown Working?

From the Coach’s Corner, of course, don’t forget inserting the right keywords, promoting via your social media and Strategic Press Releases to Help You Beat Your Competition.

“Blogging is the new poetry of our time!”

-Author Unknown

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

Communication – You Can Train Yourself to Stop Stressing

 

It’s OK to be nervous before giving a speech or when you’re entering an important round of negotiations. Feeling pressure is one thing but allowing it to morph into stress and tension is another.

When you allow this to happen, in a sense, you’re giving away your personal power, which inhibits your performance.

“Some of the most prominent patterns in the landscape of modern life are tension, stress and self-absorption,” says Eric Stone, a leading expert in how to improve communication with others, public speaking and performance.

“All aspects of public speaking, communication and performance are affected by negative tension and its two compadres,” he acknowledges. “Conversely, positive aspects of tension, stress and self-absorption do exist. Studying for an exam, performing in front of a large crowd, high-stake activities, giving birth, etc.”

Mr. Stone, a former New York City stage and television actor, operates Speakers and Artists International, Inc. (www.publicspeakingconnection.com) in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Dangers of self-absorption 

“Self-absorption is the constant influx of thoughts of the same quality or theme but that are left unchecked and unobserved; it can be a quasi-permanent or chronic focus on specific situations or scenarios where the main character usually is, well, ourselves,” he says.

“According to numerous case studies, self-absorption or self-preoccupation is one of the leading causes of what can be called negative stress,” Mr. Stone points out. “In various frequencies, risk factors include anxiety, fear, nervousness, hyperactivity, irritability, helplessness, difficulty sleeping, hopelessness, fear or anger, blame, as well as cynicism or distrust of others.”

Tension from failure to listen

“We become negatively tense when we stop listening to how we really feel in our bodies. We lose our ‘witness consciousness,’” he asserts.

“Problem solving is deeply affected by tension,” adds Mr. Stone. “In my experience, tension is in essence a refusal or a resistance to trusting how we feel within the moment at-hand and distrusting the natural physical-emotional flow of our experience (sensations, feelings, thoughts, insights, etc.).”

Consequences of tension

“Negative tension breeds self-consciousness, righteousness, worry, insecurity, hyperactivity, uptightness, melancholy, anxiety, attention deficit, depression, sadness, paranoia, etc.,” he observes. “Part of being cultured and ‘fitting in’ is to display an impressive array of quite clever personal, professional and social disguises or role-played attitudes to hide our negative tension.”

Eliminating tension

“Negative tension resides and expresses itself as physical pressure in the body, emotional pressure in the heart, and/or mental pressure in the mind,” Mr. Stone adds. “Part of the battle to relieving stress and tension is to become aware of it ‘in the body.’”

Tension release

He says relaxation and tension release must start in the body.

“It clears the way for new dimensions and offers considerable creative advantages in matters of communication, public speaking and performing,” he says.

“Relaxation that begins in the mind is a watching exercise,” concludes the expert. “We watch the mind but the anchoring occurs in the body starting in the breath.”

So it starts with breathing. Hmm, the LaMaze technique comes to mind.

You don’t have to become a student of the method developed French obstetrician Dr. Fernand Lamaze in the 1940s. But if you focus on your body’s breathing and movement, you’ll start training yourself to stop stressing in communication.

From the Coach’s Corner, more key points for speechmaking:

• Public Speaking Tips – for Speeches in Accepting Awards, Honors
• How to Get More Opportunities as a Guest Speaker
• How to Obtain the Most Profit from Speaking Opportunities
• 9 Tips to Connect with People after You Make Your Speech

“If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it.”

-George Burns

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is also a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

7 Tips for Strong Results in Setting B2B Appointments with CEOs

 

As every salesperson knows, face time with B2B prospects gives you a foundation for sales success.  Execution in the appointment-setting process is, of course, is key to being successful.  

The ideal situation is to get sales leads via networking and referrals. But in the new economy – sooner or later – every successful salesperson needs to resort to sales calling.

To lay the groundwork for success in appointment-setting requires several attributes: Research, precise record-keeping, assertiveness and energy, patience, and skill.

In my B2B sales experience of big-ticket products and services – as a sales employee, manager and later as a business-performance consultant – I’ve learned that in-person cold calls work best in order to reach a CEO. Why?

In-person cold-calling the CEO quickly enhances your efforts to lay the groundwork for a long-term business relationship. It’s always best to start at the top because it’s much easier to work your way down than to work your way up. Your time is valuable. So save time in reaching the decision-maker.

Plus, you get to familiarize yourself with the prospect’s office environment, and it’s an opportunity to make a favorable impression with the people who count — the gatekeeper, an executive secretary and the top boss. If you’re really good and lucky, you might be allowed in to see the CEO to make an appointment.

Yes, I know, conventional wisdom dictates that you sit in the office to make phone calls. Bear in mind that gatekeepers are good at screening out telephone solicitations, but today’s generation of receptionists has less experience in turning back a savvy salesperson.

Here are the seven tips:

1. Train for a marathon. Anticipate that sales prospects will inevitably check you out, so make sure that you reinforce your brand and manage your Web reputation. If you’re really good, your prospects will already be familiar with you and your company.

Most people don’t like cold-calling, so make sure you’re prepared mentally to act with confidence. Research and know your elevator pitch to get your foot in the door, and when you meet with the CEO to set an appointment. Also know and prepare to use the seven steps to higher sales. (The seven steps include how to overcome sales objections.)

Research your desired targets. Know who the chief decision-maker is at each company. First impressions are crucial. To get past the gatekeepers, make sure you have professional demeanor – you have to look like you’re on the same level as CEOs – with a well-tailored suit and shined shoes. 

Be ready to engage the gatekeepers with empathy.  It’s not easy protecting the boss while dealing with dozens of phone calls and visitors.

2. Resolve to be resilient. If you can’t get in the door, remember it’s not a rejection. If a CEO does say no, it’s OK. That means you’re closer to selling to someone else.

As a young salesperson in economic downturns, I learned to treat the cold-calling process as a marathon. There were times that I made more than 100 calls in a row without success – then suddenly the dam burst and I enjoyed a flood of sales orders.

As manager and later as a business-performance consultant, I noticed there was one common trait why many salespeople were unsuccessful in selling to me. After a few sales calls, they gave up – just before I made up mind to buy. Normally, it takes five successful contacts before CEOs will buy from you. So keep at it until they say no, but expect their acceptance of you.

3. Celebrate any and all accomplishments. To help you stay resilient and mentally sharp after even small victories like getting an appointment, take time to relish your success. Give yourself a stroke for being tenacious,  and knowing what to say and when to say it.

4. It’s vital to be yourself. True, you’ll want to impress the CEOs, but don’t worry about being a chameleon. Simply listen intently and take notes in sales calls. Answer questions honestly with value propositions. Avoid using the latest buzz words.

5. Be detail-minded. Ask open-ended questions. Pay attention the person’s opinions. Remember CEOs have a unique job with few sounding boards – people with whom they can confide. Become that person. If you’ve taken good notes, you’ll be in better position to present your ideas so that they can be easily understood and appreciated on an emotional level.

6. Stay focused in your presentation. Don’t ramble. Use an economy of words in providing your introductory benefit statement and your value propositions in your pitch. Encourage questions.

7. Make selling fun and be consistent and tenacious. Enjoy the ride. Keep smiling even when you don’t feel like it.

Don’t give up. Once you’re successful, continue to make cold calls. Make it an important part of every day. Always have an attitude of hunger. Business is full surprises, so alleviate the uncertainty. In this way, you’ll be prepared in the inevitable revenue roller-coaster ride.

And, of course, don’t forget the power of a handwritten thank-you note on your monarch or A-2 stationery. That also means telling the CEO what you appreciate about the chat, your benefit statement, and a point to prevent buyer’s remorse.

P.S. Bosses often complain about lack of great sales talent. If you’re looking for a sales job, these techniques work when you execute them well with panache, assertiveness and value.

From the Coach’s Corner, here are related articles:

• The Lost Art – How and Why to Use Cold-Calling for Higher Sales
• The Six Secrets of Becoming a Winning Sales Organization
• 11 Sales Strategies to Outsell Your Big Competitors

A smart salesperson listens to emotions not facts. 

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

In Q4, Businesses Should Plan to Use at Least 5 Strategies for 2012 Tax Returns

 

Oct. 17, 2012

Where has the year gone?

Know your rights with the Internal Revenue Service. Businesses should start planning their 2012 tax returns – ASAP. Some IRS changes are expected to expire or be reduced after this year.

So, it’s best to take advantage of opportunities, especially if you’ve made certain investments to benefit your company. But every business situation can be unique.

For the most benefit, you should see your qualified tax advisor to at least discuss these five tax topics:

1. Section 179

Businesses can expense or deduct 100 percent of the cost of specific property this year for as much as $139,000. That can include certain personal property and off-the-shelf software –new or used – if it’s used by your company this year. Of course, you’ll be limited by the cost of your Section 179 property, and by your taxable income.

Note: The expensing allowance is scheduled to decrease to $25,000 next year.

2. Fifty Percent bonus depreciation

Under Code Section 168(k), it’s possible to take half of certain assets’ costs that acquire and use in 2012. You’d benefit because depreciation is increased to permit 50 percent cost deductions in their first 12 months of depreciation. That’s for depreciable property with less than a 20-year recovery period, interior improvements in your leased property, and off-the-shelf software.

Note: This is scheduled to expire.

3. Bad debts

Code Section 166 allows for bad debts to be deducted in the year they’re incurred. Yes, it’s universally acknowledged – even by the IRS – that the economy is soft, and businesses are suffering from uncollectable receivables. But they must be documented.

So, you must prove the debt is valid and worthless whether it’s a partial or whole amount. Make certain you have documentation of the bad debt so you can claim it. See this article:  Tips on Understanding the Mindset of IRS Auditors.

4. Retirement plans

Benefits of the right retirement plan for your situation: You can save for your retirement to benefit your tax situation while getting a deduction on your taxes.

You can select from multiple options – a 401(k), profit-sharing, simple IRA, or a simplified employee pension plan.

Again, your goal should be to reduce your taxable income while building your retirement fund.

5. Tax classification

It’s advisable to periodically review your tax classification – whether you’re a sole proprietorship, partnership, C corporation or S corporation. Perhaps your situation has changed. Obviously, each business classification has benefits and downsides.

The IRS will, of course, allow you to change your tax classification.

So, review all your options to prepare for a year from now. If you’ll be better off under a different classification, you really can’t do anything about it for this year. The best time to make changes is at the start of a tax year. In this way, you can take advantage of all opportunities in making transactions, tax filing and structuring.

From the Coach’s Corner, see these resources:

• Even Ordinary Folks Need 10 Best Strategies for Estate Planning
• Nonpartisan Study: Obama’s Tax Plan Hits 53% of Business Earnings
• 11 Strategies to Keep your Small Business Floating above Water

On April 15th you count your blessings . . . and then send them to Washington.

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

Tips for Building Long-Term Client Relationships with Effective Meetings

 

How are you faring with your clients? Not sure?

To be certain you’re doing well, here are the good signs: 1. Clients thank you on a regular basis. 2. They pay your invoices promptly. 3. They respond well to your recommendations.

If any of your answers is no, they’re clues that things aren’t going well. Candidly, you won’t have a long-term working relationship — if the die is cast and unless you get busy with some positive footwork.

Is it because they don’t have confidence in you or they feel you take them for granted? If the latter is the case, bear in mind that clients terminate relationships with consultants 70 percent of the time because they don’t feel appreciated.

Both stem from a lack of trust.

Start remedying your relationships with effective client meetings:

1. Always plan in advance. Prepare agendas. Rehearse your presentations. Arrive early. If your clients keep you waiting, don’t panic. Remember, “The longer they keep you waiting, the more they want you.” So sit quietly and find something to do.

2. Be an active listener. After some initial small talk, the first item on your agenda should be your clients’ concerns. So using strong eye contact before you start your presentations, ask your clients what their concerns or questions are.

Be mindful of this adage: “People don’t care what you have to say until they have their say.” Successful professionals know how to ask questions and listen in 80 to 90 percent of the conversations.

Remind the clients of the current objectives. Trust me, especially at the highest of levels, they often forget. As you go through the agenda, take notes. If you’re criticized, don’t get defensive. Continue to take notes. Empathize.

If there’s a disagreement, don’t worry and don’t always try to win every argument. If the clients have ideas and if they’re not unproductive, congratulate them for having a good idea. Clients want professional services, but they still dislike know-it-all consultants. But if you have to pursue a point, use a diplomatic phrase such as “You might wish to consider…”

In the event you don’t know the answer to a question or concern, set a time to get back to the client. Clients are impressed with well-thought answers or suggestions.

3. Make every client meeting an event. Dress as becomingly as you can – even if you have casually dressed clients. Soon, they’ll realize how important you consider them.

Smile and be well-mannered to everyone in the organization. Even if you’re having a bad-hair day, don’t allow yourself to appear to be distracted or look tired. Remain standing until you’re invited to take a seat. Use your best posture at all times.

Find a reason to compliment the clients and their employees, and offer a friendly handshake. When speaking, act with confidence. Know that you have the power to light up the room. As you go through the agenda, make sure there’s agreement on action to be taken.

Summarize, and reiterate the objectives. Be sure to thank the clients with a handshake and a smile when the meeting concludes.

From the Coach’s Corner, here are related articles:

• 60 Ground Rules for Effective Client Service
• 6 Tips to Increase the Quality, Quantity of Your Client Referrals
• Valuable Secrets for Profitable Deal-Making with Clients

“The first thing you’ve got to remember is that it’s your clients’ money you’re spending.”
-Richard Morris Hunt

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

How to Manage Your Boss for Better Performance – for Both You and Your Company

 

If you’re like many professionals, the concept of managing the boss might seem strange. It’s really about maximum communication and earning a deserved reputation of being a strong performer.

To enhance your career development, you need to learn how to connect with your boss.

Actually, successful management of the boss is beneficial in multiple ways. In a direct sense, you’ll get in a position to perform better. Indirectly, it will foster better teamwork and it will become more plausible for the company to maximize its performance.

Oh, and you’ll improve your working conditions, job satisfaction, and responsibilities. So become a bigger asset to your boss, and you’ll be very happy.

Here’s a boss-management checklist:

1. Learn the goals of your boss. Discover how your supervisor’s objectives mesh with the company’s mission. To get more insights and to facilitate good communication, find out what your boss reads.
2. Assuming your boss has a boss, get acquainted with that person’s concerns, as well. In this way, you’ll better understand your immediate supervisor, what makes that person tick, what the person’s pressures are, and what the solutions are.
3. Communicate with your boss about daily issues confronting the company, as well as the good news.
4. Timing is important. Know when to approach the boss. When you enter your manager’s office, remain standing until you’re invited to sit down. Discern what actually is warrants your supervisor’s energy and time. Solve the simple issues.
5. Strive to become the go-to person for your manager. Look for opportunities to give your boss a hand without seeming to be patronizing.
6. Save your boss time. Be aware of the policies, but don’t expect your boss to hand you specific guidance unless it’s necessary. In other words, don’t bog your boss down into minutiae.
7. Be assertive with your ideas. But make them meaningful. Before making suggestions, ask yourself these questions: “Is this productive for the company?” and “Does this work well with the goals of my boss?”
8. Understand your manager’s expectations and priorities.  If you don’t know, ask.
9. From time to time, you’ll have to bring problems to your boss. Be prepared with possible solutions, too.
10. Be a good project manager and keep all commitments on deadlines. Keep your boss informed. Bosses don’t appreciate negative surprises.
11. Continually work to build trust. If you’re convinced your manager won’t object, independently solve problems and inform your boss later about your successes.
12. Be a good listener. Take notes.
13. The day before an important meeting, rehearse how you’ll present the information. Reflect on the questions you might want to ask. Effective participation is key.
14. Be a good communicator with your peers. Use a collaborative approach on problems.

Conclusion: In essence, learn the definition of a good employee. Know your job and responsibilities. Perform with independence without having to be overly managed, but understand your limits of authority. Know what the boss expects; but when you’re unsure, ask. Work well with your team members. Communicate well and look for solutions to problems.

Good luck. I look forward to seeing you some day in the C-suite.

From the Coach’s Corner, here are related articles:

• 8 Tips on How to Ask Your Boss for a Pay Raise
• 6 Tips for Baby Boomers to Cope with a Younger Boss
• Dos and Don’ts: How to Advance Your Career via Your Boss’s Boss
• Nervous About Your New Boss? Here’s How to Deal with It
• How To Deal With An Oppressive Employer 

“The only time some people work like a horse is when the boss rides them.”
-Gabriel Heatter

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

Leadership and Planning Tips for Successful Project Management

 

In truth, projects fail because they’re not managed. Yes, there are varying degrees, but in reality they’re either managed or they’re not.

The project manager must possess 11 leadership attributes to manage the team, stay on track and keep within budget.

Consider the traits of a successful project manager:

1. Leads with optimism and coaching ability, encourages celebration of milestones
2. Knows how to prioritize on details
3. Is flexible, evaluates, and fine-tunes when necessary with contingency plans
4. Asks astute, open-ended questions
5. Communicates well, which means being a good listener to all stakeholders
6. Is transparent and connotes respect by trusting the team
7. Maintains schedules, especially in communications
8. Has a deep strategic awareness of the project
9. Strikes a balance – encourages consensus building but successfully manages conflict
10. Has assertive relationships with employees and outside participants to insure success from networking when problems occur
11. Stays ahead of the curve in personal education and training

Of course, project management must start with an effective planning of the course of action to avoid derailing or unnecessary challenges.

In essence, successful planning results in three elements: 1. Project definition. 2. Work plan. 3. Procedures.

The 11 project-management strategies for success:

1. The project manager must be inspire and lead. That means possessing the 11 traits mentioned above. Anticipate the lows of your proverbial roller-coaster ride, and lead the team to a successful conclusion. Encourages celebrations of milestones.

2. Lay the foundation. Input and acceptance of the project definition by salient stakeholders are necessary. Make sure there’s universal awareness of all their concerns and expectations of success. Develop a work plan and procedures. Establish goals and benchmarks that are measurable. Be results-oriented, keep schedules to be on time, and stay within budget. Define the responsibilities for each team member.

3. Ascertain the project team’s requisite obligations. The selected individual members should participate based on their personalities, skills and talents. They should thoroughly understand their roles and how they fit in the overall scheme. The traits of each person should be leveraged so that they’re integrated for the success of the project.

4. Identify the significant events in the project’s life cycle. It consists of an introduction, preparation,  implementation and conclusion. Define the salient milestones and outcomes. Continually monitor developments to allay undesired changes and risks.

5. Adhere to the communications plan. Constant communication with the team and other stakeholders is crucial. It must also be transparent and timely.

6. Document all salient matters. There are always unexpected developments. Everyone should sign off on the documentation so that you’re all on the same page and stakeholders are adequately informed in the event of surprises. The paper trail must entail all deliverables and expectations.

7. Emphasize risk management. Anticipate and manage all vulnerabilities. Always be prepared with contingency plans. With proper planning, good communication will help identify surprises and manage threats.

8. Test and continue to test. At each stage of the project, test the deliverables. That means measuring results and validating assumptions.

9. Eschew mission creep. Stay focused on the priorities. However, if you need to make changes, OK, but there are precautions to take – appropriate documentation for all salient parties to sign. Move forward after you get approval regarding budget, resources and timing concerns.

10. Conclude the project. Once you’ve met or exceeded expectations of  the stakeholders, you’re almost done.

11. Recap your project. Now, it’s assessment time. Evaluate the lessons from the project – as a whole and its miscellaneous modules. Consider all high and low points. Use your conclusions as opportunities in your next project.

From the Coach’s Corner, additional reading on management:

• 10 Key Differences between Leaders and Managers
• HR Management – 8 Best Practices in Employee Delegation 

“Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.”

-Will Rogers

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

HR Management – 8 Best Practices in Employee Delegation

Avoid frustration in delegation. Save yourself time and develop your staff for the welfare of your organization.

 

Delegation is a fundamental driver of organizational growth. Managers who are effective in delegation show leadership. They know they’ll be more effective in management and that they’ll develop their employees.

They inspire employees with competence and dedication via delegation. They motivate in such a way that employees accept the responsibility, and perform their duties with authority and efficiency.

Unfortunately, many managers don’t delegate effectively. Perhaps they don’t understand the benefits of delegating.

Their work pressures are alleviated and they’re not bogged down in minutiae. They have time for the big picture and for honing their managerial skills.

Not to belabor a point, but this means the organization will benefit, too.

Good employees welcome and benefit from the challenge of increased responsibilities. Their motivation and workplace engagement are enhanced. And they appreciate opportunities to grow.

Understanding why managers procrastinate on delegating

An organization that has managers who fail to delegate is an indicator of workplace culture dysfunction.

Harried managers think they can perform tasks better and faster. Usually this means they lack confidence in their employees, and ironically they suffer from self-esteem issues themselves.

Typically, such a manager claims it will take too long to train employees to perform a new task. Perhaps that’s true to a certain degree. But a good manager is mindful of short term and long term benefits from developing the staff.

Procrastinating managers are fearful. By keeping their employees from developing, such managers believe they’ll keep their authority and job. But good managers know productive employees will be more satisfied in their work and will push them up the ladder.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Analyze everything on your plate. Reflect on ways to clear the table. Track your time on what’s productive and what isn’t. Prioritize.

2. Prepare to document everything for a paper trail. You need a clear picture with documentation in your planning to delegate.

3. Identify the project. Prioritize objectives and a timeline. Determine what resources will be needed to achieve success.

4. Determine who is qualified to perform the task. Assign the right person or team for high performance and to enable you to track and oversee the delegated work. A key element is to insure there’s trust with your employee – good communication – listening and hearing.

Employ the acronym, SMARTER –

• Specific
• Measurable
• Agreed
• Realistic
• Timely
• Ethical
• Recorded

5. Meet with the employee and communicate the assignment. Discuss why it’s important, your expectations, freedom of latitude, and how the employee can make a difference. Be sure to discuss sensitive matters – policy, politics or protocol of confidentiality.

6. Don’t micromanage. Show support. Ask the employee for input on the task. Empower your employee to strategize and plan the approach. Schedule times to watch the work evolve and to meet with your employee to review progress. Coach the employee when necessary to prevent problems.

7. Communicate with your boss. It’s important to keep your supervisor in the loop.

8. Continuously communicate with the employee. Continue to ask open-ended questions to see to it that the employee is focused. Consider all options and possible returns on investment of the person’s time and efforts.

And when the project is completed, recognize your employee’s success and celebrate.

From the Coach’s Corner, here are editor’s picks:

• Profit Drivers – How and Why to Partner with Your Employees
• Acting, Speaking Coach: How to Improve Communication with Others
• Small Business – Easy Ways to Boost Your Employees’ Morale
• Strategies to Succeed as a New Manager – a Checklist
• 10 Key Differences between Leaders and Managers 

“Never tell people how to do things; tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.”

-George S. Patton

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry. 

 

How Women Can Enhance Their Careers via Group Decision-Making

 

In group decision-making, women often participate 75 percent less than their proportional representation when they’re outnumbered in gender, according to a study. It found that “having a seat at the table is very different than having a voice.”

The study, “Gender Inequality in Deliberative Participation,” was conducted in 2012 by researchers from Brigham Young University and Princeton University.

“Women have something unique and important to add to the group, and that’s being lost at least under some circumstances,” said lead study author Chris Karpowitz, from BYU, said in a statement.

However, when study participants were asked to decide issues by unanimous vote as vis-à-vis majority rule, women participated more. That underscores why many women feel empowered in a “consensus-building approach.”

A co-author explains why.

“In school boards, governing boards of organizations and firms, and legislative committees, women are often a minority of members and the group uses majority rule to make its decisions,” said co-author Tali Mendelberg, from Princeton.

“These settings will produce a dramatic inequality in women’s floor time and in many other ways,” added the researcher. “Women are less likely to be viewed and to view themselves as influential in the group and to feel that their voice is heard.”

Nine-four groups with at least five participants discussing financial matters were observed in the study. Depending on the level of female participation, the groups reached different conclusions.

“When women participated more, they brought unique and helpful perspectives to the issue under discussion,” said researcher Karpowitz. “We’re not just losing the voice of someone who would say the same things as everybody else in the conversation.”

So, how can women get a greater voice at the table?

My sense is that women, who feel intimidated in group decision-making, would make greater strides in their careers if they learned how to voice their opinions when there is a majority-rule discussion.

But remember the difference between being assertive and aggressive when offering an opinion. Use assertive phrases like, “You might wish to consider…” You’ll become more influential in mixed group settings. It will get the attention of senior executives.

Another result if women participated more – organizations would benefit from their input.

The study was published in the journal, American Political Science Review.

From the Coach’s Corner, here are other career tips:

• Dos and Don’ts: How to Advance Your Career via Your Boss’s Boss
• 6 Tips for Baby Boomers to Cope with a Younger Boss
• Tips for Dining Etiquette with Your Boss or Anchor Client
• 8 Tips on How to Ask Your Boss for a Pay Raise
• HR, Marketing Pros: 4 Keys to Marketing Your Ideas to CEOs
• Why Women Receive Less Angel Funding Than Men

“Fortune favors the bold.”

-Virgil

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

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