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Archive for Leadership

NBA Player Twitters

By on March 31, 2009

Last week I heard this story about Charlie Villanueva catching grief over sending a Twitter message to fans during halftime of a basketball game. One report mentioned Villanueva not seeing the difference in tweeting at halftime vs. giving a locker room interview at halftime.

It seems really simple to me. Media organizations spend big money with the NBA and it’s franchises to have access to players at such times. If info will be given out freely, why would those organizations bow at the feet of NBA execs for that access? My guess is that the problem was not in his lack of focus (though that was the reasoning given in public), but rather the leapfrog effect it took over his superiors to provide the info during high demand times. Villanueva took bargaining power from his execs by providing his comments free of charge.
Maybe he should be traded to the Mavericks where owner Mark Cuban sees the advantages of using social media to improve his marketing position.
I’m a user and fan of Twitter but would suggest anyone who uses it to not let it take away from their time they are being payed to work or from the leverage their employer has on their market. If those two things are followed… tweet away.
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Categories: Leadership

Tell Me Why

By on March 30, 2009

I filled in as a substitute teacher last Friday at a high school near my home. The coach who I was filling in for, left nothing but a sheet of riddles for the students to ponder to kill the time (yes, the teacher was a coach… stereotype accomplished). Having dealt with teens before, I knew that I had to make the riddles worth their time. Teens are no different from any other person you’ll come in contact with. If they feel like you are being disrespectful of them, they’re more likely to treat you with disrespect. And wasting anyone’s time (even a teenager’s) with “busy work” that wouldn’t have any impact on them or the reason why they are there, is disrespectful.

The class was supposed to be a teen leadership class, so, I decided to explain why the riddles were important in leadership. We did the riddles together as a class. Then discussed how many of the riddles had different possible answers. The great thing was that some of the students had answers but couldn’t explain why or how their answers were correct. One student even looked up the answers on his iPhone but still couldn’t explain why the answer he had written down was correct. Therefore other students were doubtful and reluctant to follow his lead in writing down his answers. It was clear to see, however, that some other students had a reason for answering a certain way, were passionate about it, and could communicate that reasoning and therefore were able to lead the rest of the group to their way of thinking and even to changing their answer.
The key to this: Understanding and being able to clearly communicate why you believe a certain way or believe in taking certain action is more important in building a following than whether or not you know the expected “correct” answer. Many times people are willing to take a chance and follow you if they know why. Life is not an elementary school flash card. People don’t care who’s first in shouting a flippant solution. Knowing why your solution is best, and being able to communicate that with passion to you followers is key.
Are there things you’re sure of but you’re not sure why you’re sure?
JC
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Categories: Leadership, Marketing, Self Evaluation

Holy Discontent

By on March 27, 2009

I often hear people talk about wondering what to do with their lives. I’ve even wondered myself. Now, I’m not talking about whether to spend my Saturday watching college basketball or roaming “children’s expo” to show my kids all sorts of cool toys they’ll never own. I’m talking about people wondering every day what they can do to make a difference. How can I leave a legacy. Everyone wants to have that feeling that once they take the long nap, their work will live on, either through their children or through the people who’s lives have been touched by their work.

The answer to this question is quite simple. Everyone should align their life toward their holy discontent. What is holy discontent? Oh, well that’s pretty simple actually. Pastor Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv is who I first heard speak of this. I’ve since heard people describe it in many ways and noticed that Bill Hybels has even written a book about it (e-version). I’ll describe it like this. – Holy discontent is different in every person. It’s a certain situation, injustice, illness, etc. that, when you witness it, makes you so angry or upset you could cry. Then when you happen to be witness to something being done about it, you are so touched and happy you get chills and cry. There, that’s a simple meaning of holy discontent.
All of us have some form of holy discontent. Put there intentionally by God, to pull at us and urge us toward a life of using the unique passions and talents that He has instilled in each of us individually. It is up to us to align our lives to leave a mark on the world in our area of holy discontent in the name of Christ. For some, it may mean changing careers to become a full time mommy, or work for a non-profit organization. For others, your full time job may seem to have nothing to with your holy discontent, but is a means of funding or allowing time to do the things needed to leave your mark.
See, that was easy. Now you know what to do with your life. Well, once you figure out what your holy discontent is.
Comments?
JC
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Categories: Leadership, Self Evaluation, Spiritual

Test the Water or JUMP!

By on March 25, 2009

Neighborhood pools will be opening soon here in Oklahoma. Parents will take their kids to the pool and discuss with themselves whether or not to take a swim. For those deciding to get wet, there are two ways they can go about their first swim of the season.

Some test the water with their toe, then slowly walk down the steps of the pool for that first late spring swim. Unfortunately, when someone takes that approach, they’re sure to get to that “certain point” that is very sensitive to the temperature change. Then a decision has to be made – do I keep going? or do I turn back and dry in the warm sun? This is a critical point and this opportunity to cancel the swim rarely make for a good, enjoyable swim.
The other group will walk to the edge of the pool. Stand at about the halfway point between the shallow and deep ends… and jump! Up they will bob for their first gasp of air and shout “dang that was cold”. But they will often think… I’m already wet, might as well swim. Minutes later they will have acclimated to their new environment, and enjoy their first swim of the season and post memories of playing in the pool to their kid’s mind.
So, what’s that have to do our everyday life? I’ll use this explanation to explain.
I recently hired a new sales rep. I will be riding with him today as we meet some new businesses. I will tell him that story and ask him to make a choice. He can dip his toe into this new adventure. If he does, he’s sure to get to that uncomfortable spot, where his time and efforts are colder than the warmth of his commissions. He’ll at that point have to decide whether or not to keep going in hopes of a secure future with high commissions in or to run to the refuge of a comfortable salary job. Or, he can jump in with reckless abandon. No turning back. Come up for air in a couple of weeks and say “dang that was cold” but, I’m already in and might as well swim. Next thing you know, the discomfort will be over and he’ll have nice commissions to aide him in making memories with his family.
This is true not just in beginning a new job, but in any change you’re considering.
What will you do? – test the water? or JUMP?
JC
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Categories: Leadership, Marketing

Not Ready To Go.

By on March 17, 2009

I took my daughters, who are now ages 9 and 4, to my mother’s house yesterday. They will spend two nights there durring spring break. This is the first time my 4yr old, Ruthie, has stayed overnight like this. We pulled up the drive and my girls ran right up and through the door of Nana’s house.

My wife and I went in to visit for a while before leaving. The whole time there my mind kept wandering to think about our youngest daughter spending her first nights away from home. I was stalling. Finally, Ruthie came back into the living room (she had found the Disney Channel on a TV in Nana’s room), she grabbed me by the arm and pulled to try and yank me out of my seat. “I’m ready for you to go” she said. My heart sank. Yet, at the same time, I was so proud of her bravery. I honored her request and figured that was the best time to get out without a scene.
During the drive home I was thinking about what Ruthie had said to me. “I’m ready for you to go.” But, I wasn’t ready. I think deep down I wanted my little girl to cry and ask to come home with me when it was time for me to leave. Ruthie was ready to step up to another level of maturity and, as her daddy, I wasn’t ready for that. I should be happy. After all, isn’t my job as a parent supposed to be preparing them for that next step in maturity. I guess I should have immediately began to search for that next level to teach her, prepare her for, or challenge her with. So why is it that my eyes fill with tears as I write this?
I think we all do this in some ways. For some of us, it’s not wanting our kids to take that next step in maturity or independence. For some people it’s for different reasons. Maybe it’s a feeling of codependency and needing to be needed. For others, it’s a realization that growth and that next level of maturity means you need to let go of some control. And we like to be in control.
This can be evident in many areas of our lives. From the business owner that seems to “hamstring” his business by slowing growth because he knows deep down inside that he’ll need to let go of some of the control over details he has with a small operation. Or the growing Christ follower who needs to take that next step in her relationship with Christ, but knows that it means turning over her worries and letting them go to HIM. She wants to worry, even though that won’t fix her problems.
Our greatest role as leaders is to help those around us grow. That means that many times, great leaders don’t gain more control over the situation around them, instead, they prepare those around them to take control. It’s hard at times to let someone else have control over something we’re responsible for, but, if we’ve don a good job as a leader and handed that control over to the right person, it will ultimately help your business, organization, or family, step up to the next level of maturity.
JC
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Categories: Leadership, Self Evaluation

Hiring On the Cheap

By on March 12, 2009

HR departments are notorious for trying their hardest to hire the cheapest person for the position available. I recently saw a Craigslist.org post that was put up by a large publishing company (mainly newspaper) in the OKC area. It simply said they were looking for Social Media Specialist and was accompanied by a long list of requirements that an applicant must posses. Hmm… maybe a good freelance opportunity, I thought.

I sent a simple email stating that I would be interested in discussing the position along with links to my FaceBook page, LinkedIn profile, and my blog. The next day I received an email from the company’s marketing department expressing their interest in me and requesting my salary requirements. Whoa there! Talk about putting the cart before the horse. We hadn’t even talked about the details like the expectations and needs of the company and they wanted me to commit to a price I would be willing to fill those needs for?
Eventually, I got them to divulge the salary range for the position but still have no idea what their expectations are. As I would understand by the position title (Social Media Specialist) the chosen candidate might do some of the following things in that role.
  • Update and maintain social media sites that represent the said company.
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Categories: Leadership, Marketing

5 Keys To An Effective Networking Group

By on March 1, 2009

  1. Charge a Fee : When people have some “skin in the game” they will take the group and it’s purpose more seriously.
  2. Have Structure : Having clear leadership structure as well as a clear structure for your periodic meetings will ensure your meetings maintain their purpose. You can have coffee with friends any time but networking groups are for passing referrals and making money.
  3. Don’t Let Everyone In : Being selective of who may join your group will allow it’s members to have more confidence in referring to other members as well as present somewhat of a “premier” image to the public of the group and it’s members.
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Categories: Leadership, Marketing

Casual Fridays = $5.00

By on January 30, 2009

Maybe this one’s not much of a marketing technique, but, it can be fun and most importantly, helps others. If your business operates on a “professional” dress code, chances are that the folks in your office would like to have “casual dress” Fridays. Try this approach.

  • Survey your staff to find out what charitable organization your team might be most passionate about overall.
  • Offer up “casual dress” Friday… with a catch.
  • To participate in the casual dress code to end each week, they must put up $5.00 that will be donated to the charity each quarter. The charity can even rotate quarter to quarter.
This will make Fridays fun and bring your team together for a common cause. Best of all, it’s a win/win for all involved. Employees get their casual Friday. Charitable organizations around your community are aided financially. And, if you play the cards right, your company gets some much appreciated pub.
JC
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Categories: Leadership

Plan of Action vs. Goal

By on January 8, 2009

For many people, early January is always a time of goal setting. For many of those same people, by early February, those goals are set aside only to be tried and failed the next year. And, so the cycle continues.

I’d argue that the main reason people don’t accomplish their goals is because of focusing too much on the goal itself, rather than the action plan to reach that goal. They simply focus on their goal which seems far away and with “plenty of time” to achieve until one day, the deadline is upon them and they feel like a 5 year old about to clean their bedroom. The goal seems unreachable and they don’t know where to start.  Read more... (409 words, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)

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Categories: Leadership, Marketing, Spiritual

Incentive For Early Commitment

By on January 6, 2009

If you haven’t already read my blog from yesterday morning entitled Sale Ends Tomorrow… Yeah, Right! I’d suggest doing so now to fully understand the basis of today’s idea.

———-
I left the health store with the mindset of proving to the sales person just how long I could wait before making a purchase if in fact I ever did do business with her company. I began to feel bad for my daughters as we walked through the mall. All of this walking up and down the isles from store to store was setting their legs on fire. Actually that may have been the neatly folded cash from grandma that was burning a hole through their pocket. I bit the bullet. Made the ultimate sacrifice. I set my kids free in the Disney Store to blow their money.
My oldest daughter, Halee stood gazing with a stuffed animal and Hannah Montana karaoke gear in hand. What caught her eye? There was a huge display of newly distributed High School Musical 3 merchandise. This time, a much more trained (in product knowledge as well as knowledge of customer demographic) sales person approached. The sales rep immediately she began to connect with the emotions and desire that she knew Halee was battling.
What do I get? I can’t get it all… so, what?
The sales rep must have heard my wife and I encouraging her to wait until she knew exactly what she wanted before making a purchase. “Don’t just get something, just to blow the money” my wife would tell her. If you’ll remember my story from yesterday, that’s what customers have been trained to do by sales organizations.
This time, the sales rep had a much better option. “If you pre-order the new High School Musical DVD, you get a discount on any other HSM item” she said. WOW! Suddenly it didn’t matter which she picked. It would be at a discount. All Halee needed to do was go ahead and pay for the DVD she wanted to get anyway. A bonus for not waiting. Decision made! Because Disney chose to reward customers for buying early rather than holding off until the next hit came out to give an incentive for purchasing this HSM DVD, their sales numbers will likely be way ahead of pace before the first copies ship to the stores.
What if a car dealership did this? What if you visit a car dealership next August, only to find the 2009 model cars at regular price but the chance to pre-order a brand new 2010 model and get a $5,000 rebate? Suddenly, the way people buy cars would change. Granted, that may mean the manufacturers have to take a huge hit on the 2009 models, but it’s really them who caused this whole fiasco anyway. Isn’t it. One move like the incentive to pre-buy and over night car dealerships would regain the upper hand in the negotiating room. Something they lost years ago.
What are the things you can do to reward your customers for committing early? Find a good way and you’ll save yourself a ton of stress at the end of your sales cycle.
JC
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Categories: Leadership, Marketing
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