Blogs

How Companies Use Straw Men to Spam You on LinkedIn

Rich Brooks — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:40:04 -0500

The Power of Groups (on LinkedIn)

Groups are one of the best places on LinkedIn for networking. Groups can be formed around specific industries, geographical areas, or social interests. Group members can sign up for email digests of the activity at the group, which basically means when you post a discussion topic it ends up being delivered via email to most of the members in the group.

Unfortunately, this has led to a lot of the "communications" from groups being self-promotional. (In the spirit of transparency, I'm as guilty as anyone else here.)

Getting Your Salespeople Out of the Way of Sales

Reid Carr — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:43:09 -0500

Before you start firing off your counter arguments, let me begin by saying that I’m not against the idea of companies pushing product. Informing and engaging customers in a meaningful manner will never go away. What I am saying, however, is that the a growing segment of consumers are looking for a different shopping experience, and will ultimately mean that the current role that sales people serve will inhibit new purchases – not foster them.

Getting Your Salespeople Out of the Way of Sales

Reid Carr — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:41:50 -0500

New Year’s Resolution – Cleaning the Slate

George Dennis — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:34:09 -0500

For many, 2009 was a year that forced many companies to overcome significant obstacles in order to keep the doors open, the recession being the primary culprit. And while 2010 may not see as much economic bloodletting, no one that I’ve read, watched or listened to has predicted bullish times on the immediate horizon.

Building a Great Network

Robert Wolcott and Michael Lippitz — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:12:11 -0500

Being a successful innovation leader within an established firm requires a strong networking capability. Yet in the Internet Age, it’s easy to forget that “network” originally referred to relationships between people, not computers, and that social networks such as Facebook or Twitter simply enhances our human ability to connect. After all, the network that matters most to you will always be your own.

Chicken or Egg - - Health Care or Climate Change?

Terry Tamminen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:05:17 -0500

President Obama, who will personally participate in the Copenhagen climate talks this week, said last Sunday that he expects to get a health care bill on his desk before Christmas. The barriers to meeting that deadline may revolve around the answer to an age-old question: which comes first - - the health care chicken or the climate change egg?

Tips for Holiday Stress Relief

Carol Scott — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:35:13 -0500

Time, money, personal relationships, the job, shopping, aging parents or relatives, family gatherings, under employment & unemployment affecting you or someone you know. Stress during the holidays this year is inevitable!

Hasta La Vista Baby!

Roberta Matuson — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:29:35 -0500

Usually at this time of the year I am sad to leave another year behind. Not this year. Instead, I'm saying, "Hasta la vista baby!" The younger folks may think that Arnold Schwarzenegger is the one who coined this saying, but I can attest to the fact that this phrase has been used way before Arnold hit the scene. I learned this from my seventh grade Spanish teacher back in the early seventies. In English this means "Good-bye; until we see each other again."

Good-Bye 2009: Reflecting on Meaningful Values & Goals

Dr. Alex Pattakos — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:04:25 -0500

How to Work with More Meaning...and Get Paid

Cali Yost — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:28:52 -0500

Why do you work? As we emerge from the rubble of the Great Recession, more people from a variety of sectors and in different stages of life are searching for a more meaningful “why” behind the work they do.

How Playing Jazz Influences My Consulting

David Gardner — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:34:00 -0500

So, what does my playing jazz have to do with consulting?

When you play a jazz tune, the tune itself provides the framework or essential structure within which you live for the duration of that tune. A tune is played in a certain key, with specific chord progressions, etc. The tune sets the context; it is the target that you have to stay within the entire time you are playing it.

The Governors are Coming

Terry Tamminen — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:24:49 -0500

What do a thousand jailed demonstrators, President Obama, a dozen Fortune 100 CEOs, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and a melting ice sculpture of a polar bear have in common? Two things. First, they are all part of the climate talks in Copenhagen that finally start in earnest this week after ten days of street theatre and roller coaster expectations. Second, they are all the wrong people to watch if you want to understand where the most innovative and successful carbon policies and technologies are coming from.

Video: When Things Get Tough, Loosen Up

John Baldoni — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:24:02 -0500

Tough times call for tough actions. So, ease up on your team. That's right, dispel tension and help your people focus on work, not distractions.

Find Opportunity in a Crisis

Kaihan Krippendorff — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:07:40 -0500

I was in New York this week, running a workshop on “leading innovation” for a group of executives, when someone pointed this question at me: do you need a crisis to convince people to change?