Plan for SUCCESS!

We have all heard many tales and experiences about people and businesses rising to the top of their field without much effort. This was especially true during the Internet “craze.” Everyone knows how that ended…BAD!

If you remember one thing from this post, remember this, “The key to goal attainment is planning!” Planning is the key element in anything we do. We are taught this concept from the time we are little children. But still, to this day I meet business colleagues that do not plan for anything!

We are taught that we must attend school and study hard to obtain a well paying position. That’s planning. We are taught to save our money for our first car. That’s planning. We are taught to start a retirement fund. That too is planning. But for some strange reason, I meet business people who don’t plan their business process.

Planning is the most essential part of any process. American author, H. Stanley Judd said, “A good plan is like a road map: it shows the final destination and usually the best way to get there.”

This is the approach I take when helping people plan their business. Creating a clear Vision and an easy-to-follow Mission are the foundation of good planning. After all, if you don’t know where you’re going, how do you get there?

My challenge to you: Figure out the final goals you wish to achieve. Write them down (preferably in Mind map format if you know how), and break out each step. Finally, review this document each day and keep track of your progress. You will be amazed at the SUCCESS you have.

Josh Brody is the President and CEO of Corporate Guidance Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals realize their potential and enhance their performance.

**Disclaimer** This Blog is for informational purposes only! Corporate Guidance Solutions (CGS) or any CGS employee cannot be held responsible for any positive outcomes you may experience

Go For It!

Chances are worth taking!

Do you believe in fate? Or do you believe that each person creates their own history through their decisions, choices, and actions?
As human beings, we are much more inclined to believe fate plays an active role in our lives. However, I believe, and would argue that each person creates their own fate.

John Glenn, American Astronaut said, “To sit back and let fate play its hand out and never influence it is not the way man was meant to operate.”

I believe that we have the ability to create fate. Human beings are the most intellectual, resourceful, brilliant organisms on the Earth. Each one of us has the ability to choose what direction we want to go, how we are going to get there, and what we will do once we get there. After studying people and the circumstances they are faced with, I have come to the conclusion that each person writes their own history. This is a philosophical issue I have questioned since I was a young boy.

We see and hear stories everyday about people making good decisions and bad decisions. Each decision, regardless of being right or wrong can affect the rest of your life. Take for instance the guy you see involved in a high speed chase. He chose to step on the gas instead of the brake…bad decision! Or the woman who is approached by someone she barely knows and is asked if she wants to invest in a new company or product. She decides to go for it and becomes a multi-millionaire…good decision!

We are faced with these types of decisions each and every day. It is up to you to make a critical thinking decision and influence you future in a positive way.

My challenge to you is to go forward each day looking for opportunities to create a positive change for your future. Remember to tell yourself that YOU have the ability to CREATE anything YOU want.

Josh Brody is the President and CEO of Corporate Guidance Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals realize their potential and enhance their performance.

**Disclaimer** This Blog is for informational purposes only! Corporate Guidance Solutions (CGS) or any CGS employee cannot be held responsible for any positive outcomes you may experience.

Are you a Critical Thinker?

Is Critical Thinking necessary in planning?

All too often in today’s business world, planning and other decisions are being made without proper thinking…critical thinking! By definition, Critical Thinking is asking thought provoking questions and utilizing ethical reasoning to obtain all of the information one can so that a decision based on facts can be made. If you look, you will find numerous definitions for this topic, and they are all right.

A true measure of planning success is whether or not detailed critical thinking was completed. “If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.” Confucius

Asking questions about funding, marketing, program sustainment, etc. is critical to the success of your business. An old saying that was often used in the Navy (exhibits a Sailor-like-crudeness) is, “Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance,” or better known as the Seven P’s. If business leaders and planners spent more time planning, there would be less time assessing and fixing problems.

My challenge to you is to learn how to think more critically. Every time you have a decision to make, ask your self at least three questions regarding the impacts of that decision. It may be as simple as “What should I eat for lunch?”

Josh Brody is the President and CEO of Corporate Guidance Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals realize their potential and enhance their performance.

**Disclaimer** This Blog is for informational purposes only! Corporate Guidance Solutions (CGS) or any CGS employee cannot be held responsible for any positive outcomes you may experience.

Is GOOD Customer Service important?

Is GOOD Customer Service important?

"Customer Service" is a term that is thrown around quite a bit. But what does it really mean?

As we have transitioned from a manufacturing economy to a service/technology-based economy, Americans are looking for more and better service. What can help seperate you from the "other guy?" When the Total Quality Management (TQM) movement began in the 1980’s, customer service became the focal point of many organizations. And the public has been groomed since then to look for better customer service.

Some of the questions you should ask yourself, your manager, or the company owner are: How important is customer service to our company? How does our company define customer service? Who are our customers? Do we need our customers? What are our customers worth to us? (This post deals with the external customer, but the internal customer or employee are just as important and should not be forgotten).

Once these questions are answered, a correct problem diagnosis can be made, and a correct prescription can be developed and implemented!

A good friend of mine, Mr. Phil Terry is the CEO of Creative Good Inc. This company is dedicated to helping companies and organizations develop or improve the “good experience” customers receive. Phil and Creative Good founder and President, Mark Hurst have re-designed the customer service landscape. They believe that “service” isn’t the driving factor which determines whether or not a customer will return or refer another customer. They believe (and have proven) that customers should “experience” good things. Of course, good service is involved, but it is not the only point.

I touched on this a couple of months ago in my Blog entitled, “Are YOU the best at what YOU do?” I wrote about Thomas, the Sav-on Drug Store clerk. He doesn’t provide a service, he provides an experience! Customers know that when they go to HIS store, they will enjoy their time there, especially upon entering and checking out. Customers will not remember how fast the line moved, or how knowledgeable the stock clerk was. What they will remember is how they FELT while they were there.

Some key points to remember is that your customers maintain your existence! Without a customer, your business would not have anything to offer. So why not make it a great experience for them? We know that human beings are emotionally-centric creatures. We remember our feelings and act upon them. It is not rocket science, it is just plain ‘ol down home courtesy!

I have written about Starbuck’s before and how they aspire to be “the third place.” They do this because they want us, the customers, to FEEL GOOD! Starbuck’s does not rely on marketing or advertising campaigns. They built their brand on the way their customers FEEL while they are in their stores. Sure they have great products, but it is the atmosphere they create that makes people go back time and time again. They have friendly staff, comfortable furniture, nice music, terrific lighting, and great aromas throughout. The Starbuck’s stores grab all of your senses and keep you coming back because it is a nice experience and makes you FEEL good.

My challenge to you is to create an atmosphere that your clients will enjoy. Even if you are a consultant and travel to your customer’s location, you can find creative ways to increase their experience. If you can do that, you will increase the number of return customers and referrals, and enjoy your work much more.

Josh Brody is the President and CEO of Corporate Guidance Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals realize their potential and enhance their performance.

**Disclaimer** This Blog is for informational purposes only! Corporate Guidance Solutions (CGS) or any CGS employee cannot be held responsible for any positive outcomes you may experience.

Fear? YES!

Fear? Yes!

I decided to take “the leap of faith” as a small business owner in August of 2006. I did this for two reasons. 1) I felt that I was not doing what I really enjoyed doing, and 2) I wanted to help people work together better through individual commitment.

Leadership and being positive have come natural to me during my adult life, and like many people, I learned from past experiences. I realized that I had more to offer my family, society, and moreover…MYSELF!

Stepping out and taking risk is not a natural thing for humans to do. We as a human race have grown to be bigger risk takers over the last 20 years. Remember when Evil Knievel was the only “crazy” person jumping motorcycles over buses and crevasses? Now “crazy” people have competitions to see who can do the craziest trick without dying.
The same thing holds true for life in general. It is so easy to rest on our laurels and take the easy way out. I mean, we get up, go to work, come home, go to bed, and repeat. Albeit, the job may be satisfying and well paying, but many of us feel locked-in because of a false sense of security.

My experiences have led me from private industry, to the military, and the federal government. I have seen the people who go by, day-after-day, week-after-week, waiting until the day they can apply for retirement. No risk, no energy, no mission, no goals. I decided that I did not want to be one of those people. After all, if I am not happy, how can I project a positive outlook and motivate others to be happy?

General Douglas MacArthur made this point, “You win or lose, live or die – and the difference is just an eyelash.”

I agree with MacArthur, but I profess to be an advocate of thought evolution, better known as personal growth. At first there is usually a fear of risk; as we age we begin to fear regret. I was always afraid to venture out and take that “leap of faith.” Now, I don’t want to be the one that says, “I wish I would have done that.”

My challenge to you is to set safe, personal goals and go for them. Make sure they are attainable and quantifiable. Make a plan and keep track of your progress so you always know where you stand. Also, don’t tell anyone at first. Make a positive personal commitment to work toward goal attainment and GO FOR IT! Personal satisfaction, regardless of what you’ve been told is the greatest motivator.

Josh Brody is the President and CEO of Corporate Guidance Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals realize their potential and enhance their performance.

**Disclaimer** This Blog is for informational purposes only! Corporate Guidance Solutions (CGS) or any CGS employee cannot be held responsible for any positive outcomes you may experience.

Your people are your most valuable resource!

Involve and believe in your people!

Many companies and corporations rely solely on upper-level management to solve their problems. After all, isn’t that what these “C-level” employees are for…problem solving?
We have been lucky enough to witness corporate turn-a-rounds in our lifetime of epic proportions…from leadership paradigm shifts.

A great example is Johnsonville Sausage LLC. In 1980, Johnsonville Sausage President, Ralph Stayer knew he had a great market share, but didn’t like the way his operation was functioning within. He knew that Johnsonville could handle there current market share at the time, but major players like Oscar Mayer and Armour were a big threat. He knew that if management was improved and internal issues were solved, Johnsonville would thrive beyond his wildest dreams.

After reading books and articles on management techniques, Slayer was approached in 1981 by a communication consultant from the University of Wisconsin, Lee Thayer. After the consultation, Slayer’s thoughts changed from, “How do we expanded our market share through competition with the big guys,” to, “if we concentrate on our people, our products will be better.”

The turn of events that followed:
The changes began small, and gradually encompassed the entire way of doing business. For example, workers had complained to Stayer that they did not like the food in the factory's vending machines. Stayer had them research competitors and find a new vending machine company. Ordinarily, Stayer or another manager would have dealt with this. But Stayer felt that it was not his problem, and he trusted the people who used the vending machines to make the best decision about them. Next came more complex problems. The sausage makers often had to work weekends in order to meet delivery dates, and they resented this. Stayer prodded the workers and plant managers to figure out how they could avoid weekend work, and soon equipment downtime was revealed as the problem. Slipshod work practices had led to a lot of stalled time on the production line. When it was up to them to change it, the Johnsonville workers made many improvements that kept the plant going, and soon they were able to get their weekends free. The workers eventually took responsibility for traditional human resources roles, hiring, firing, and training. Lateness, absence, and maintenance problems declined, and the plant became much more efficient. Workers were compensated for new roles they took on, and they also earned a share of the company's profits. Stayer put 28 percent of profits into a pool that was divvied up every six months. This greatly increased motivation at Johnsonville.
Quality control had been a major issue at the company. Though Stayer had hired more quality control people since 1980, he found that quality had actually gone down. Finally he took a crucial step. He decided that top management would no longer taste the sausage. He asked the people who made the sausage to taste it in a daily session. This seemed to make all the difference. Quality went up as the line workers got to eat and critique what they made. Eventually customer complaint letters were funneled directly to the production workers. They responded to customers and used customer input to find ways to make the sausage better. The quality control department became a new animal at Johnsonville. Instead of checking the quality of the sausage, the quality control department began providing technical support to the line workers who wanted to improve quality. Terminology also changed throughout the company. Workers became "members," and managers became "coordinators" or "coaches." (FundingUniverse, 2004)

Johnsonville has been the center of many management speeches and talks since this radical change. Stayer proved that investing in and listening to the people would increase the business at all levels. He gambled and won! He trusted his people and believed what they were telling him. He realized his thoughts were not the be-all-end-all.

My challenge to you is to ask your people what they would do about a specific problem the company may be experiencing. Let them know that you value their thoughts and opinions in that specific matter, and they will become “owners” of that process.

Source: http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Johnsonville-Sausage-LLC-Company-History.html

Josh Brody is the President and CEO of Corporate Guidance Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals realize their potential and enhance their performance.

Ethics Awareness

Your ETHICAL style

When you make a decision or analyze a situation, what matters most to you? Is it the final outcome? Is it how the majority of people will be affected? Or is it the character of certain individuals? How do you approach situations? When making those difficult decisions, what is the most important aspect to consider? Only you know the answers to these questions.

In this post I will scratch the surface of the Ethical Awareness Inventory. I will give brief definitions of what each person thinks of while making a decision or utilizing any thought process.

There are four major components (Character, Obligation, Results, and Equity) to the Ethics Awareness Inventory. If you took an Ethics Awareness Inventory or survey in the past you know what I am talking about. If not, that’s okay. The results of an inventory would be listed within one of the aforementioned.

They are:

If Character is the overwhelming factor, your perspective leans toward what it is good to be, rather than what it is good to do. You believe that moral excellence should be achieved and look beyond an individual’s actions and into his/her character.

If Obligation is what drives you, you look toward duty, or obligation to do what is morally correct. You believe that ethical principals should be respectful of human dignity, be universal, and promote individual freedom.

If Results are most important to you, the consequences of actions usually take precedence. Ethical judgment must be based on concrete, factual evidence. Talking is not good enough, action is what matters.

If Equity is what revs your motor, you look for stability. Pragmatism and normal day-to-day experiences are usually the only real guide to action. You believe that no set decision is adequate for all time.

You will notice that the acronym for the above categories is C.O.R.E. It is fairly simple to remember because your CORE values guide your ethics and decision making skills.

What are your thoughts on ethics? When do ethics play a role in your decision making process, and do you think about others, respect, outcomes, or yourself? What is the difference between right and wrong, and how often do you battle with making a decision because of fine line between right and wrong?

My challenge to you is to figure out what the most important factor to you when making a decision. Ask yourself these questions: Who will my decision affect? What will the ramifications be? Is it right or wrong? Is a person’s character more important than the outcome they produce?

Josh Brody is the President and CEO of Corporate Guidance Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals realize their potential and enhance their performance.