Does your Company have Staff Meetings?
We have monthly team meetings with everyone required to attend. When we were a smaller team, we used to have everyone contribute what was going on in their area since the last monthly meeting.
Over the years as we grew, we changed it to the managers/partners sharing what was going on in their area since the last monthly meeting and what was happening in the near future. Comments are added as required and generates good interactive discussions on some topics.
Everyone has an opportunity to share during the meeting. We always ask for a team member to share a saying to inspire us to wrap up the meeting.
Last month, we started the meeting by asking everyone to go outside and form a large circle. It was time for a fun team exercise! We counted together to 10 while we did squats. Even though it was a bit chilly, we had the monthly meeting outside.
The team was invigorated, refreshed and full of energy as we went back inside!
What recommendations do you have to keep team meetings productive?
Connecting professionals to share stories of making new business relationships and creating opportunities.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Top Five Words banned
Top five words banned from daily communications and strive to avoid using them:
1. Busy
2. Me (myself, I, mine)
3. Can't
4. Blame
5. Excuse
#1 and #2 are actually banned from the AlphaKOR vocabulary.
When servicing clients who require assistance immediately, the very last thing they want to hear about is how busy things are and how long they have to wait.
"I understand you need our assistance now, but we are too busy to help you at the moment and you will have to wait" is a recipe for self-destruction. (trigger points: #1 and #2 words were used).
Great teams rarely use the word "I" and always use "We" and "Us" showing our Teamwork in action.
"Yes we understand you require our assistance now and we are working to accommodate you as soon as we can." (virtually the same answer without violating #1 and #2, showing we do care and we are doing everything we can to assist as soon as possible).
The AlphaKORians have done a great job here in avoiding #1 and #2.
Why do we use the word can't? We certainly "can" look to see if it can be done or we "can" offer an alternative. There is always an alternative to consider to keep moving in the right direction.
Playing the blame game is dangerous. It is easy to blame others and convenient for a lot of situations. Stepping up and taking ownership of the issue makes one a better person, excellent team member and a better leader.
"Yes we made a mistake and we are working to correct it. Sorry for our error and thank you for the opportunity to allow us to make it right"
Making up excuses are not allowed. Sharing facts and circumstances while explaining responsibility of yourself and your team provides better clarity. Making up a story as an excuse does a lot of damage and it is banned!
What are your Top 5 banned words to add to our list?
1. Busy
2. Me (myself, I, mine)
3. Can't
4. Blame
5. Excuse
#1 and #2 are actually banned from the AlphaKOR vocabulary.
When servicing clients who require assistance immediately, the very last thing they want to hear about is how busy things are and how long they have to wait.
"I understand you need our assistance now, but we are too busy to help you at the moment and you will have to wait" is a recipe for self-destruction. (trigger points: #1 and #2 words were used).
Great teams rarely use the word "I" and always use "We" and "Us" showing our Teamwork in action.
"Yes we understand you require our assistance now and we are working to accommodate you as soon as we can." (virtually the same answer without violating #1 and #2, showing we do care and we are doing everything we can to assist as soon as possible).
The AlphaKORians have done a great job here in avoiding #1 and #2.
Why do we use the word can't? We certainly "can" look to see if it can be done or we "can" offer an alternative. There is always an alternative to consider to keep moving in the right direction.
Playing the blame game is dangerous. It is easy to blame others and convenient for a lot of situations. Stepping up and taking ownership of the issue makes one a better person, excellent team member and a better leader.
"Yes we made a mistake and we are working to correct it. Sorry for our error and thank you for the opportunity to allow us to make it right"
Making up excuses are not allowed. Sharing facts and circumstances while explaining responsibility of yourself and your team provides better clarity. Making up a story as an excuse does a lot of damage and it is banned!
What are your Top 5 banned words to add to our list?
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Breaking out of your Comfort Zone
This week we welcome Guest Blogger Mark Jason Aguilar, National Coach for Corporate Relations at AIESEC.
Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone. A very difficult thing to do, simply because it is not our “cup of tea”.
A few weeks ago, I was invited to attend the WindsorEssex Circle networking event to represent AIESEC Windsor. AIESEC Windsor is a local chapter at the University of Windsor and part of the world’s largest student run organization that facilitates international internships.
AIESEC has an international platform of helping youth develop and explore their leadership potential. One of the ways of doing this is by networking with our local business community in marketing our Global Internship Program, where local companies can hire an international intern to work for them, thus helping our organization create global leaders.
By attending the WindsorEssex Circle networking event with a couple of my colleagues, we were able to practice our communication skills, enhance our networking capabilities and gain a new perspective of the local business community in Windsor-Essex. We had a mutual understanding, my colleagues and I, however, networking was out of our comfort zone.
Talking to professionals in a formal matter, we wondered how do we market and leverage ourselves to others with more credibility. We were scared, but we knew we had to try, all because it was for personal gain and development. Stepping out of your comfort zone is a good learning experience and a great challenge we were all willing to do. We know by doing so, we are making ourselves better leaders and expanding our knowledge. Now we are excited to attend the next WindsorEssex Circle networking event and any other events in the future.
How will you break out of your comfort zone?
Mark Jason Aguilar, Guest Blogger
National Coach for Corporate Relations
AIESEC Windsor
Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone. A very difficult thing to do, simply because it is not our “cup of tea”.
A few weeks ago, I was invited to attend the WindsorEssex Circle networking event to represent AIESEC Windsor. AIESEC Windsor is a local chapter at the University of Windsor and part of the world’s largest student run organization that facilitates international internships.
AIESEC has an international platform of helping youth develop and explore their leadership potential. One of the ways of doing this is by networking with our local business community in marketing our Global Internship Program, where local companies can hire an international intern to work for them, thus helping our organization create global leaders.
By attending the WindsorEssex Circle networking event with a couple of my colleagues, we were able to practice our communication skills, enhance our networking capabilities and gain a new perspective of the local business community in Windsor-Essex. We had a mutual understanding, my colleagues and I, however, networking was out of our comfort zone.
Talking to professionals in a formal matter, we wondered how do we market and leverage ourselves to others with more credibility. We were scared, but we knew we had to try, all because it was for personal gain and development. Stepping out of your comfort zone is a good learning experience and a great challenge we were all willing to do. We know by doing so, we are making ourselves better leaders and expanding our knowledge. Now we are excited to attend the next WindsorEssex Circle networking event and any other events in the future.
How will you break out of your comfort zone?
Mark Jason Aguilar, Guest Blogger
National Coach for Corporate Relations
AIESEC Windsor
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
What is your Successful Routine?
It seems like a number of people settle in a routine after Labour Day. Summer is unofficially over, kids are back in school and suddenly we focus on our routine getting back to normal.
For People Like Us, we have a Successful Routine, regardless of the seasons and school schedules. Here is a typical routine that works well for me and would like to share it with you.
Early to rise. Yes the early-bird gets the worm. Enjoy the early fresh start to each and every day. The second mouse gets the cheese and wanted to add this for those of you who are not early risers. Beware the early-bird sometimes moves your cheese!
Prioritize the day. This includes reviewing all notes both digital, e-mail, hand-written and social media communications. Review the day's schedule and next follow-ups to create the priority task list for the day.
Off to the gym. Oh before I head out to the gym, coffee goes on. Great balance here with focus on health and having coffee ready for Carmela when she wakes up. Since the day is planned there is nothing to worry about and channel energy into the 30-minute workout.
Back home. There is another benefit of the gym routine so early in the morning. The benefit is spending time in the morning with the Family before heading to the office or appointment.
The Office routine. Arrive with the day already prioritized, updated on the news (thanks to the Twitter feeds) and focus on the priority tasks.
Priority Tasks. Always start with returning messages followed by after-service follow-ups. Preparation for meetings, discussions and opportunities as per the list created earlier. Satisfaction in completing each task as the day unfolds.
Appointment follow-ups, new connection follow-ups (including connecting on LinkedIn) and proposal follow-ups are the next tasks in the routine.
Pro-active communications to stay in touch with clients, prospects and associates are next on the list.
Work on the business, team building and generating opportunities are scheduled for most days or grouped together for longer time slots.
Home. Dinner most evenings with the Family is a priority. Attending the kids' sports and events is important and strive to schedule attendance to most of them.
Read. Strive to read every night. Mostly business topics on a variety of subjects with the goal to always learn from others and see how it can apply to my world. Of course there are non-business books to keep a good balance.
Early to Bed. Don't laugh when I share with you it's lights out by 10:30. Look forward to the next day.
What is your successful routine?
For People Like Us, we have a Successful Routine, regardless of the seasons and school schedules. Here is a typical routine that works well for me and would like to share it with you.
Early to rise. Yes the early-bird gets the worm. Enjoy the early fresh start to each and every day. The second mouse gets the cheese and wanted to add this for those of you who are not early risers. Beware the early-bird sometimes moves your cheese!
Prioritize the day. This includes reviewing all notes both digital, e-mail, hand-written and social media communications. Review the day's schedule and next follow-ups to create the priority task list for the day.
Off to the gym. Oh before I head out to the gym, coffee goes on. Great balance here with focus on health and having coffee ready for Carmela when she wakes up. Since the day is planned there is nothing to worry about and channel energy into the 30-minute workout.
Back home. There is another benefit of the gym routine so early in the morning. The benefit is spending time in the morning with the Family before heading to the office or appointment.
The Office routine. Arrive with the day already prioritized, updated on the news (thanks to the Twitter feeds) and focus on the priority tasks.
Priority Tasks. Always start with returning messages followed by after-service follow-ups. Preparation for meetings, discussions and opportunities as per the list created earlier. Satisfaction in completing each task as the day unfolds.
Appointment follow-ups, new connection follow-ups (including connecting on LinkedIn) and proposal follow-ups are the next tasks in the routine.
Pro-active communications to stay in touch with clients, prospects and associates are next on the list.
Work on the business, team building and generating opportunities are scheduled for most days or grouped together for longer time slots.
Home. Dinner most evenings with the Family is a priority. Attending the kids' sports and events is important and strive to schedule attendance to most of them.
Read. Strive to read every night. Mostly business topics on a variety of subjects with the goal to always learn from others and see how it can apply to my world. Of course there are non-business books to keep a good balance.
Early to Bed. Don't laugh when I share with you it's lights out by 10:30. Look forward to the next day.
What is your successful routine?
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