Motivation and Leadership

People can be motivated by such forces as beliefs, values, interests, fear, and worthy causes. Some of these forces are internal, such as needs, interests, and beliefs. Others are external, such as danger, the environment, or pressure from a loved one. There is no simple formula for motivation -- you must keep a open viewpoint on human nature. There is a complex array of forces steering the direction of each person and these forces cannot always be seen or studied. In addition, if the same forces are steering two different people, each one may act differently. Knowing that each person may react to different needs will guide your decisions and actions in certain situations. More

Tips for Writing an Effective Press Release

A press release can be used to announce an upcoming event, such as a fundraiser or public forum, or to inform the press about news you want them to cover. Your press release needs to identify the news 'hook' that will get reporters interested and give them the information they need for easy follow-up. This tip sheet can help you get better coverage. More

Effective Meeting Facilitation: The Sine Qua Non of Planning

Say the word "meeting" and expect to hear sighs, groans, or sarcastic remarks. Yet, planning requires people to come together frequently over a period of time in a word meeting. Well-planned and facilitated meetings sustain participants' energy and allow them to contribute their best thinking to the planning endeavor. The planning process is like a slide show that follows a logical sequence from beginning to end. Each slide represents a single meeting. The whole of the planning process will be greater than the aggregate of each meeting, but only if each meeting is orchestrated to accomplish the requisite function. Like each individual slide, the composition of a meeting is designed to convey a message or fulfill a purpose. More

Reference Checking: Dos and Don’ts

When you contact an applicant's personal references, remember that the applicant selected them for the positive impression he or she thought they would give. Nonetheless, take the task seriously. References sometimes reveal critical information about applicants. More

Overcoming Negativity in the Workplace

It’s 8:00 a.m. The day is new and alive with possibilities. Then it begins. Employees are grumbling. The new guy is missing in action – again. Suddenly the phone rings and on the other side, an angry customer demands to know why the company employs such inconsiderate people. Then your star salesperson walks into your office with that icy-cold gaze and says, "I’ve been hired by the competition ... I’m leaving tomorrow." By 9 a.m. you’ve been drained of your passion, creativity and positive attitude. Irritable and stressed, you may feel like hurting the next person who says your name. Want to conquer negativity? Here are some suggestions. More

Five Steps for Embracing Crisis

With Wall Street and the economy in upheaval, headlines understandably focus on what went wrong and what to do next. But there's another important and generally overlooked aspect of this financial crisis: the unfortunate but clear opportunity it affords to develop better leaders. As this crisis unfolds, the men and women in the middle of it still have the chance to positively influence the outcome. Those of us watching from the outside can pick up valuable lessons on how to lead when crisis comes our way, as it inevitably will. More

10 Tips for Managers

Thanks to a soft economy and widespread lack of job security, a manager's job is more challenging than ever. So it's time for leaders to show their mettle. Here are 10 key principles for building and sustaining an effective team. More

Positive Attitude Vital to Business Success

Successful small businesses come in all sizes and specialties, but their leaders share one essential attitude - a positive attitude that transcends everything they do. Believing in your ability to succeed does more than simply sustain you in the challenges of getting your business started. It also spreads through your company and beyond. When you "walk the talk" and follow through on your commitments, your managers and employees perform their jobs with more confidence. Vendors, customers and prospects know that you will come through for them as well. More

Great Idea from Connecticut: Rockville General Hospital Auxiliary Lighting Ceremony

The Rockville General Hospital Auxiliary is selling tree lights for a special lighting ceremony that will take place in front of the hospital’s Mansion entrance at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1. The lights, which can be purchased in the hospital’s gift shop for $5 each, may be designated in honor of a person or special event, or in memory of loved ones. Could something similar drive sales traffic in your shop? More