Three Ways to Improve Communication

Recently, I’ve focused articles on processes for improving your sales funnel conversion, defining your brand, and beating your competition. All of these areas focus on enhancing your business. None of these topics would be successful without clearly defining your needs (or problems) at your company.  So how can you rapidly identify areas for improvement? It may be as simple as going back to school. 

A client recently hired me to teach some members in Beijing, and Wednesday night’s discussion rapidly got “off topic.”  The materials being reviewed were so far removed from their sphere of operation that it made me appreciate several aspects of routine business.

1. Your words (spoken or written) frame perspective.  
2. Trendy language relays (and replays) a moment in time.
3. Without context, content (as well as message) becomes irrelevant.

Perspective

Some of the learning materials had intentional typographical errors, with the intention to convey a different social class or points of diversity, with the ultimate goal of discovering how to partner better regardless of education level, economic status, cultural impressions or work experience. Instead, the struggle became improving on a perceived team-members faults that would bring disharmony to the team and reality of how others saw or would see their team.

To resolve the laser-focus attention to the ways their Kaizen or Six Sigma processes could improve the “product” they were reviewing, I needed to reverse direction, establish historical context that was extraordinarily (but not surprisingly) absent, and then could help them identify as well as appreciate the framework as the tool; it wasn’t the project itself, but the way to get them engaged. 

Result - The pause in the process was well-worth the extra time as the group was able to better focus.

Time

In our session yesterday, it was readily apparent that the domestic approach to business was not as easily translatable as the hiring client had expected.  Rather than continuing on the fixed path, flexibility required explaining in their terms today what happened in some examples decades ago in order for them to appreciate the scenarios presented. The discussion would not have been as robust or self-illuminating, but now they applied the new information (originally not seen as relevant) to their own situation and rapidly moved ahead of the intended agenda.

Last month in an article, I referenced how industry jargon can only work if directly affected large game-changing practices—it was a direct action using correlation to time.  If your client base is not “up to speed” on the latest technology or the process improvement techniques, for example, all of your accolades are meaningless as there is no comprehension of your impact to their problems.

Result - Tying expectation to reality improves a self-guided team’s organizational performance.

Context 

To provide materials prior to the session for training was thought to be an efficiency to increase learning for the client’s needs (and frankly, to reduce costs).  However, with essentially blind delivery of their pre-selected materials for discussion, it created “avenues for creativity,” meaning each person in the group identified a unique message that applied to his or her own situation—truly fabulous, except when none of their ideas were in line with the mission of the training.

There are times when employers wish they could embolden staff and stimulate creativity, yet invariably there are situations that “prompt” it when least expected.  When we share ideas or develop an expectation for team members, it shows fallacy on the part of the manager when frameworks or “why” something is needed is not explained.  People are much more willing to help solve problems when they understand the rationale behind the request.

Result - By providing clear process, creativity can be harnessed for improved business outcomes.

Communication success depends on its thoughtfulness and inclusiveness; context and timeframe influence perspectives through all areas of business (as well as government).  It’s not only a smart global business framework, but one that can be used to improve all levels of an organization. 

Confusion reduced allows for productivity increased.

Be certain that you are reaching your intended audience appropriately by thinking more about others and less about yourself.

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

Add $2500 to Your Wallet

You’ve heard the saying “put your money where your mouth is” — it’s true.  

Food is fuel, energy to literally get moving. Sometimes research is too general, but this one shows you the present and future savings is on average $2500 a year. The sooner you start moving, the greater your future investment will be.

Learn not only how to improve your mind or your productivity, but also your wallet. 

Start at the beginning - it makes the journey that much easier.

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

The Value of Ten Dollars

Three weeks ago, I shared an article where I asked you to tell yourself the truth.  

Think about when you are happiest - how could you do things better to create more happiness in your life?  Could it take just a short time to get your mind right?

Check out the list of online courses available for ten bucks today only.  Be thankful for your blessings and look to increase them for a very reasonable price.  

Your dreams will bring you more delight than a ten dollar bill ever could.  Select a class or two today to invest in yourself.

(And no, there’s nothing “in if for me” other than helping you be a happier person.)

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

Dog Days

Global warming studies by a variety of sources say we are having the hottest summers ever recorded.  Proof of the lyrical "Dog Days of Summer" that have just passed us by with the beginning of fall.  The saying 'dog days' was originated by the Greek poets, who noted that the constellation with Sirius - the brightest star - was always prominent in the Mediterranean skies during the hottest points of the year.  Homer eloquently wrote in The Iliad:

Sirius rises late in the dark, liquid sky

On summer nights, star of stars,

Orion's Dog they call it, brightest

of all, but an evil portent, bringing heat

And fevers to suffering humanity.

The suffering references pestilence, plaque, fever and then ravages of war that would occur during these same days of summer.  Not lazy days, as the spring had troop movements and attacks could easily be cast during summer and early harvest season (when food would be plentiful) prior to returning to their homelands and the onset of winter.

Dogs on the Earth (as opposed to the heavens above) are in more than 36% of American households according to statistics posted on the American Veterinarian Medical Association website (yes, cats are second at 30%).  Between heaven and earth, our four legged friends remind us about unconditional love, friendship, loyalty - and a host of worthy attributes for any kind of friends.

But remember - if you aren't in the northern hemisphere, the throws of winter are upon you during the Greek's dog days of summer.  Then, dogs are trying to keep warm along with their owners.

It's all about perspective, isn't it?  That's the way it is with everything... including walking your dog or someone else's well-loved pup or with projects and relationships with others.  Think about the perspective of others (including your poochie) before you take actions that will make others think twice about walking with you.

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/09/the-dog-walking-economy/407971/

Keep the Spice in Your Life

Variety is the spice in life.  Making sure you don't work too hard... or play too hard... ensures that you have balance and diversity in the things you do everyday.

But, it seems that as we do more things in the workplace and rely more on technology, we forget the basics of life.  Trust the experts (that what they teach above all else in the MBA schools, as they teach you to be an expert in your field).  Food sustains life.  What if we balance our food plate with a variety of colors... just like we should be encouraging our workplaces to have a variety of races and ethnicities?

The basics of life, according to Maslow's hierarchy of need, is food and shelter.  Most people don't forget about shelter, but the importance of the right food choices goes to the wayside.  If you don't fuel your car properly, it shuts down (and is expensive to repair) and likewise for the human body!

Balance in your meals is important, just like balance in other areas of life.  When you skip a meal, you are imbalanced.  You become sluggish and unable to concentrate.  When you over-indulge, you are so uncomfortable that you also are unable to concentrate (as all the blood is being used to digest your food).

What if we, in the business world, committed to working toward something better?  When we are able to encourage or set good examples - either in our workplace cafeterias or when little ones watch our food choices - so that we aren't always skipping fresh veggies or don't always drown our meat in rich sauces.  The same thing goes for selecting the right employees to work for our company mission.

If you don't have something from each food group representing the different nutrients you need, you will fall short.  Same thing in business - if you just have one type of employee, you won't be able to creatively grow and increase your revenue.  Life doesn't work when you just eat one thing, what makes us think creating and sustaining business would work that way, either?

Create and encourage more of what you need - either in food or the food of business (employees!)

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/09/19/441494432/the-u-s-doesnt-have-enough-of-the-vegetables-were-supposed-to-eat

Back to School – Yes, For You, too!

There have been quite a number of articles and posts lately from “experts” that have typos that, as a teacher of writing among other topics.  Common mistakes are everywhere – and then the content of what the author was trying to say (or sell) is lost in the errors of their ways.

Don’t make simple mistakes.  Here are some tips because the homeland security class I teach started yesterday at Tulane and I will be repeating myself – this message cannot be said enough!  And don’t forget you should write professionally as you text; if you practice texting in complete appropriate thought, you won’t screw up that big deal email as you rush to close the deal.

• Your subject and verb must agree.  Don’t have a plural subject and singular verb.  It seems obvious when you look at “they is” “I are”, but when you have complicated sentences, you’d be surprised what you miss. Be especially diligent for “anyone” and “no one” agreements!
• Affect is not the same as effect.  Just ask my students – they’ll tell you what gets circled.
• Further is a time frame, farther is a distance that can be measured.
• Several words are said the same but are not.  They’re; there; their. Don’t confuse them. Makes you appear unprofessional or just sloppy.  Additional words frequent interchanged inappropriately:

accept/except
adapt/adopt
agree with/agree to
all ready/already
all together/altogether
among/between
beside/besides
continual/continuous
emigrate/immigrate
good/well
I/me
imply/infer
in/into
its/it's
later/latter
lay/lie
which/that

And, if you don’t believe me, take it from a master writer, who gives more points in the article here: http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-king-on-how-to-write-2014-8/ or an article in the Harvard Business Review on how to improve your writing https://hbr.org/2015/07/improve-your-writing-to-improve-your-credibility.

Even if you don’t have kids going back to school, there are basics that will improve your communications (just don’t think of Adam Sandler…)  Stay sharp by refreshing yourself!

It's Not About Ego

My friend told me - as she was struggling through a horrid job, repaving on the commuter route, dealing with absurdly incompetent agency contractors as well as a "deer in the headlights" boss - that she did hot yoga to get out the toxins and relax.


She's in Pittsburgh. She walks outside to grey skies and 80% chance of cold rain.  I can understand a wee bit that you may need to pay for warmth to workout. But, I'm in New Orleans.  I walk outside to bazillion percent humidity year-round and temps varying from 70-116. No joke.  It makes more sense to pay for cool air here than more hot funky air.

I question why anyone would pay for privilege to have Big Easy humidity in a class where you stand on one leg, hum to yourself, and hope your crouching tiger doesn't look like a dog going to the potty.  She knows this, and laughs.  But go for it if that's what you really like, if it gives you what you need to get rid of the work toxins or spouse stress. Just know why you're doing it.

Because what it really is "all about" isn't the hokey pokey.  You should march right on out of a yoga class or painting lesson or even an art museum if the proverbial drummer isn't hitting your beat. It really isn't cool to do something because everyone else is doing it.  Given a lineup of Yogis, I prefer bear and Berra before Bikram.

And that's ok. This really isn't about yoga; it's about being perfectly content, not just comfortable, in your own skin. Apparently, humidity doesn't bother me since I live in Nola - but that doesn't mean I'm going to pay somebody to contort me all ways from Monday if its not my style.

If you aren't at peace with yourself, imagine the turmoil your wake creates as you blow through a room. More to the point, if your boss or coworkers aren't confident in their own abilities, you need to have the flexibility of a yogi to deal with the turmoil created by insecure people - but it doesn't mean you need to follow the crowd to hot yoga.

If the instructor of your 'attempt at something new' doesn't have good manners, as in the attached story, let him yell essentially at himself as you walk out. It's not poor manners to subtly leave; it is rude to try to embarrass a student. Their issue, not yours - they aren't leading you in a good workout so they need to coach themselves not try to embarrass you. And certainly, there is no need for the instructor to take inadequacy fears out on you as you leave because he or she isn't "doing it" for you. Leave.

Do you. And be glad when they figure out them because it makes your space so much more pleasant.

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/08/leaving-hot-yoga-before-its-over/400532/

The Great Wide Open

We clamor for information to make better decision; we expect religious leaders to be forthright and pious; we demand real transparency of public officials. But this all focuses attention on how other people act with no accountability regarding our own actions. Personal beliefs and expectations shape how we see other people's actions, both in our private lives and our work lives, but rarely do we look at ourselves. This physician author accurately states "Americans thrive on choice."  But we have to remember that there are personal choices as well as professional choices, and they aren't always as compartmentalized as we would prefer. Development of self enhances development of you as a professional, too. Opening your mind to different cultures, other opinions, or new technology may allow you to learn something that will help you when you least expect it. 


http://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2015/07/hacked-big-deal-i-made-my-most-personal-data-public-000140?hp=b1_c3

D-i-c-t-i-o-n-a-r-y

When I was younger and I didn't know how to spell something, my father would say ok and begin spelling this instead of the actual word. It helped create self-sufficiency and assurance that if I didn't know something, I could - and should - look it up. On July 15th, the Department of Labor defined work, employees and contractors for American business. Seems corporate as well as several government entities had a "definition creep" (rather than mission creep, a discussion for another day) that blurred lines for profit instead of... Well, a variety of things. You think you know what you mean, but for some employers this is a whole new ballgame.  You had better know the definition according the to D-O-L as a worker and as an employer.


http://www.dol.gov/whd/workers/Misclassification/AI-2015_1.htm

Look Both Ways

Sometimes, we are so focused on the goal that we don’t see other things around us.  These could be opportunities, like low hanging fruit, or hazards.  This simple bike-ride reminds everyone that you can be the leader, but what happens when something derails your path?


http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2515851-huge-crash-takes-out-riders-on-stage-3-of-the-tour-de-france?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

Fire at a Water Park?

Are you prepared for the unexpected? By watching the news around the world – even if it’s just where friends live or former classmates now reside – you can see how things change.   With an unending supply of water (this park isn’t in California), and seeing real-world events, you may be able to look around at home or your office with “new glasses” to identify risks… and opportunities!  


http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2015/06/accidental_explosion_sparks_fi.html

Same dog, new trick?

We can get so familiar with something that we just "know" what will happen.  It could be a television show's plot, a child's behavior, a friend's order at a restaurant, or how a new novel will unfold.  But, what happens when we stop guessing and we look at the facts?  Can you see something new with that old trick? 


http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/06/the-secret-power-of-moocs/396608/