One of the most common frustrations business leaders share with us is the difficulty they have developing their managers into leaders. If you share this challenge, consider these questions. What is Leadership? The answer to this basic question is at the heart of many peoples’ failure to display leadership qualities, so try this simple exercise…. Read more »
Business Management Blog
5 Steps to Developing Great Managers
It’s a classic business error. The best sales person is promoted to management, causing revenues to suffer as they divert attention from making their own sales to performing management activities ineffectively. And it doesn’t just happen in sales. The same scenario plays out: In professional service organizations the most capable engineer begins to manage staff,… Read more »
Break the Procrastination Habit
Everyone experiences it – knowing something needs to be done but finding every possible reason not to do it. Eventually, the deadline looms and we do it – or we don’t, in which case it probably wasn’t that important anyway. Like most business problems, getting out of the rut requires a clear strategy. Here’s how… Read more »
What is Benchmarking?
The word benchmarking means many things to many people. “Benchmarking” evaluates performance by measuring what companies are doing or / and the results they are getting against some predetermined standards. Companies that benchmark can identify best practices and apply them to their own business. The greatest benefit of benchmarking is its ability to introduce a… Read more »
How to Deal With Problem Employees
Problem employees are middling performers with middling attitudes. Often, they do one or two things very well but are dreadful at others. Sometimes they are capable of doing almost any job in the company, but excel at nothing. Regardless, you know that the people in your company are its greatest asset. You want to treat… Read more »
Never Make These 4 Hiring Mistakes
Recruiting is a process that can be optimized and improved over time. The best companies know this and put their greatest efforts into their “people systems” in an effort to build an engaged workforce. Recruiting is just the first step in that process, and employee engagement starts there. According to Gallup, “Work units in the… Read more »
How to: Set Great Expectations
People can’t live up to your expectations if they don’t know what they are. Yet a breakdown of this communication is often the root cause of any failure to accomplish a goal. Managers are always telling us: “This can’t continue, but I want to give them a fair chance. How do I know if it’s… Read more »
The Art of Leadership
The Art of Leadership is a one day conference on September 14th, 2015 that features five internationally renowned thought leaders on today’s critical issues. Join us using the promo code BELLROCK27 to save $100 before July 24. Get your tickets before they sell out!
Improve Your Communications Skills with the Four Tendencies
One oft-ignored rule of engagement when it comes to communication is that its goal is to receive other people’s meanings and have them receive yours. Many people don’t realize how much they communicate is affected by the way a message is delivered. If your message is square you can’t force it into a round hole…. Read more »
Are You Cyber Secure?
Cyber Security is among the most misunderstood and under-appreciated risks to smaller businesses today. Leaders think, “Why would they attack us when Sony and Target are so ripe for the plucking!” But did you know that in 2013, the US government notified 3,000 companies of all sizes that they had been hacked – and Verizon… Read more »