personal growth

CUSTOMER SERVICE IS KING

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:53:36 -0500

I just finished reading the book Trust Agents from Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. Obviously it is a must read for everyone in the business world.

When I reflected on the content I had some kind of epiphany. Most corporations and organizations do think that when the crisis is over that they will return to the previous state of ‘business- as-usual’. We just have to focus on some more cost cutting and then we will be good for the next phase. Not much will change.

COMMAND AND CONTROL: INNOVATION NEEDED!

Arnold Beekes — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:04:49 -0500

HOW TO GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS-AS-USUAL TRAP

Arnold Beekes — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:32:04 -0500

One of the main constraints that managers and executives face is time and related to that priority. The day-to-day business and its challenges, small fires and other problems are consuming all their energy and time. They are always so busy and their agenda’s are fully booked. There is hardly any time left to get lunch or even to go to the bathroom.

HOW TO GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS-AS-USUAL TRAP

Arnold Beekes — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:31:39 -0500

REFRESH YOUR BUSINESS PARTNERS

Arnold Beekes — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:44:08 -0500

Most organizations do have a fix set of partners. They cover many area’s:

-
Accountants

CHANGING? YOU FIRST……….!

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:16:28 -0500

It is an open door to talk about all the change that is necessary and all the change programs that are work in process.

However, there is also plenty of evidence (McKinsey, IBM) that the majority of the changes do not deliver the required results. There are two main reasons for this issue.

WHAT KIND OF INNOVATOR ARE YOU?

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:59:51 -0400

In the book ‘Old Masters and Young Geniuses’ by David Galenson there are two types of innovators researched. His analysis of the life cycles of creativity has considered painters, sculptors, poets, novelists and movie directors.

HOW TO CLOSE THE CORPORATE GAP? BRIDGE BUILDERS NEEDED!

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:33:37 -0400

It looks like the gap, the divide is getting bigger instead of getting smaller.
Which gap? Well, between on one hand the Corporate leaders and managers who are not open to change, who continue to do business as they have done for many years now and on the other hand mostly the consultants, bloggers and entrepreneurs who know that the 21st century requires a new way of doing business.

So, what is needed are bridge builders. People who can bridge the gap and thus connect the merits of both approaches.
What is needed to be a great bridge builder?

HIRING FOR AWESOMENESS OR FOR AVERAGENESS

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:00:13 -0400

Most recruiting companies list in their job requirements exactly what experience the candidate should bring. They prefer to hire someone who has done exactly the same job in another company, but in the same industry.

They think that they play it safe in this way. When there is a fit, they think that there is hardly any risk, as the person has done that particular job before.

MARKET SAVVINESS IS CRUCIAL FOR A LEARNING ORGANIZATION

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:15:01 -0400

On one hand it is clear that changes are speeding up, in business, technology, the market, legislation, demographics and so on. It is a challenge to keep up to date with all these new developments.

On the other hand there is an increased focus on the inner workings of an organization. Most of the attention is directed towards restructuring, lay-offs and financial survival.

How Can Positive Affirmations Work?

Ray Williams — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:18:35 -0400

Positive affirmations can be a benefit to personal growth, if done in the right context, thus avoiding the damaging consequences of the wrong approach, as shown in recent research.

LISTENING: THE FORGOTTEN BUSINESS SKILL

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:03:04 -0400

More and more we are busy, very busy. As a consequence we read and write quickly and superficially, because it seems that we are always in a hurry.

HOW TO ORGANIZE AN INTERNAL INNOVATION TEAM?

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:49:24 -0400

More and more organizations are becoming
convinced that innovation is no longer a nuisance, but that it is the only way out of the misery.

Once you have taken the decision the next
step is to think about how you are going to organize that activity (if you haven’t done that already). There are four keys to organizing innovation:

HOW TO ORGANIZE AN INTERNAL INNOVATION TEAM?

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:49:24 -0400

More and more organizations are becoming
convinced that innovation is no longer a nuisance, but that it is the only way out of the misery.

Once you have taken the decision the next
step is to think about how you are going to organize that activity (if you haven’t done that already). There are four keys to organizing innovation:

(UN)PROFESSIONAL SERVICE IMPACTS YOUR BRAND

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:55:06 -0400

(UN)PROFESSIONAL SERVICE IMPACTS YOUR BRAND

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:54:53 -0400

INNOVATION AND CONTINUOUS LEARNING ARE INSEPARABLE

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:52:07 -0400

The enormous amount of change requires an
almost equal speed in learning. Changes are in so many areas like new
technologies, new government guidelines, global markets or social
media/networking. Also it is crucial to not only check your competition and
your customers, but also noncustomers (if you are interested in creating blue
oceans…). Fortunately there is so much knowledge available on or via the
internet.

HOW STIMULATE IDEAS

Arnold Beekes — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:00:19 -0400

In earlier posts I did mention the
importance of using your own employees as a valuable source of new ideas. They
can for instance come up with ideas for new offerings based upon changed
customer needs, and also ideas how to speed up internal processes.

How can you stimulate ideas?

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHANGE AND/OR INNOVATE

Arnold Beekes — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:22:46 -0400

It was Anthony Robbins who said that people
would only change through pleasure or through pain. Pain is the strongest
trigger of these two. This is the case at the personal as well as on the
organizational level.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHANGE AND/OR INNOVATE

Arnold Beekes — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:22:46 -0400

A CREATIVE WAY TO ENGAGE YOUR OWN EMPLOYEES: “INCROWDSOURCING”

Arnold Beekes — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:49:52 -0400

More and more
organizations are looking outside for solutions to some of the challenges that
they are facing. That is an excellent way of getting in touch with experts, who
are the frontrunners in their
particular subject.

WHAT CAN AMAZON AND ZAPPOS LEARN FROM EACH OTHER?

Arnold Beekes — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:10:18 -0400

There is already a lot written about what
will happen to the culture of Zappos. Will it remain separate, will it be
integrated or will it be the ‘norm’ also for Amazon? I don’t know what will the
plan.

From a services point of view, it is also
very interesting to see what both companies can learn form each other.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT LEADER? THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL PROFICIENCY.

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:27:26 -0400

It's a question that has been tackled by thousands. In fact, there are literally tens of thousands of leadership studies, theories, frameworks, models, and recommended best practices. But where are the clear, simple answers we need for our daily work lives? Are there any?

14 ways to employee engagement and involvement

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:04:28 -0400

There
are numerous studies which have shown the positive impact on the results of
employee engagement and involvement.

To ROI or not to ROI

Arnold Beekes — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:46:13 -0400

The current structure and way of managing
our companies is basically the same as when the first companies started in the
beginning of the 1900’s.