Getting a Second Date With a Venture Capitalist

Simma Lieberman — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:46:42 -0500

I discovered that executive speech coach and close colleague, Patricia Fripp has been helping entrepreneurs perfect their ten minute “speed dating” presentations to venture capitalists, so I asked her for seven of her best tips.

Here is what she shared with me:

Don't Walk on Eggshells During the Holidays, Spread the Culture of Community

Simma Lieberman — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:04:10 -0500

How to Go From Eggshell Walking to Multicultural Festivity Making

Many people feel they walk on eggshells around the holidays, always trying to watch out for and not say the wrong thing to the wrong person, so they say nothing. This is one approach to the holidays, but it's boring and does nothing to create an inclusive, caring culture in the workplace.read more

Five Best Practices for Leveraging Generation Differences in the Workplace

Simma Lieberman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:45:25 -0500

After writing and speaking on the topic of cross generation communication for over seven years, I’ve collected best practices from clients and people who have attended my programs and/or read my articles.

The Silent Epidemic of HIV and AIDS; Why Should Anyone Care

Simma Lieberman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:25:03 -0500

When I told a colleague that today World AIDS Day, and that I was going to attend a panel discussion, she gave me a surprised look and said, " I thought we had solved that problem," to which I replied that while AIDS was no longer a death sentence for everyone infected, there were still large numbers of people infected in the world particularly amongst women and people of color."

Five Ways to Leverage Generation Differences and Create Better Places to Work

Simma Lieberman — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:39:46 -0500

Here are five ways people have told me they were able to leverage generation differences to recruit, hire and retain talent and create work environments where people love to do their best work:

How Sun Microsystems Fans the Flames of Employee Passion

Simma Lieberman — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:34:39 -0500

How Sun Microsystems Fans the Flames of Employee Passion

How does an organization like Sun Microsystems create a workplace where employees love to come to work? Bill MacGowan Chief Human Resource Officer for Sun Microsystems, was gracious enough to share some of their best practices.

Starwood Hotels are Heavenly for Guests and Employees

Simma Lieberman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:20:19 -0400

Does your workplace culture inspire employees to do their best work? Even though we are still in tough economic times do you still provide resources for your employees to develop relationships with customers so they are inspired to return? Do your customers and employees champion your products and services?

Nancy London, the Vice President and global brand leader for Starwood Hotels, which include Westin, Sheraton, and St. Regis, answered yes to all three questions.

Treating Your Employees Like Honored Guests = Outstanding Customer Service = Business Success

Simma Lieberman — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:59:57 -0400

Treating Your Employees Like Honored Guests = Outstanding Customer Service = Business Success

How Cisco Creates Loyal Employees; Life/Work Integration Policies Pay Off

Simma Lieberman — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:17:56 -0400

Loyal employees are not born. Their organization creates them. In searching for some examples, I met Ann-Marie Yap, a senior manager at Cisco. She provided me with some extraordinary reasons why she loves her work and why she stays where she is.

Are Your Employees Also Your Honored Guests?

Simma Lieberman — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:01:17 -0400

If you don't create a culture where employees love doing their best work, why would you surprised if your customers are unhappy?

When I was ordering dinner through room service in a very upscale hotel whose name I won't mention, I asked the woman who was reciting the specials to me to make a recommendation.

She replied, "They're all good." I pressed further and asked her which one of the specials she enjoyed the most.