Is there really a need to outsource your organization’s IT workings? Won’t it be better if the organization can have a direct internal control over the IT operations, instead of relying on a 3rd party to help you decide what is best for your company?
Well, the decision to outsource often just falls back on […]
Use these six strategies to communicate effectively.
1) You can accept anything without agreeing with it. Thus, acknowledge amazing requests and outrageous statements with responses such as:
“That’s an interesting idea.”
“That’s a novel request.”
“What an intriguing question.”
Use this as an opportunity to understand what the other person is saying. And then move on to other topics without […]
If you are like most business people, voice mail has both simplified and complicated your life. On the good side, it helps you exchange information. On the other side, leaving messages can seem like putting notes in bottles that drift off to sea. Here’s how to make sure that your messages get results.
1) Prepare for […]
Your outgoing voice mail message tells a lot about you. In fact, it may be the first impression that you make with a new client. Here’s how to appear successful.
1) Present a Positive Image
Your outgoing voice mail message should be simple, positive, and professional. State your name and company followed by concise directions. You may […]
It happens easily.
You’re conducting a meeting and suddenly a small side meeting starts. Then two side meetings develop. Soon you have many meetings going at once, and all of them are out of control.
Or maybe someone introduces an unrelated issue. Someone else ridicules the new issue. Everyone laughs, except the person who mentioned the idea. […]
Side conversations ruin meetings by destroying focus and fragmenting participation.
Here’s how to bring your meeting back on track when a side conversation starts.
Approach 1: Ask for cooperation
Start by asking everyone to cooperate. Look at the middle of the group (instead of at the people talking) and say:
“Excuse me (pause to gain everyone’s attention). I know […]
We welcome new ideas, sort of.
True, new ideas lead to creative solutions. But, they can be a challenge when they interrupt or distract the work on an issue.
Here’s how to bring your meeting back on track when some offers an amazing (seemingly unrelated) idea.
Approach 1: Question the relationship to topic
When new ideas seem inappropriate, say:
“That’s […]
Sometimes you have people who appear to be spectators in a meeting.
There are many reasons why someone would decline to participate. For example, the person may feel reluctant to speak out, may disagree with the approach endorsed by others in the meeting, or may be tired.
And yet, your job is to put the participants to […]
Most meetings are attended by a giant.
These are the people who dominate a meeting with big ideas and big voices and big talk.
While dominant participants contribute significantly to the success of a meeting, they can also overwhelm, intimidate, and exclude others. Thus, you want to control their energy without losing their support.
Here’s what to do.
Approach […]
This one creeps up on you.
And if you let it continue, it will ruin your meeting.
At first it seems that the participants are working toward an agreement. They raise concerns. Then they explore the concerns. It all seems normal.
But it keeps going.
In fact, it expands. And soon you have an argument where neither side will […]
