Enjoy your holidays as it is already Christmas Eve! Many businesses are open until noon today including AlphaKOR.
This is the time to spend with family, friends and those you care most about. We are fortunate to have my family over today as we host our Annual Abbruzzese Christmas Eve dinner.
We are happy to know everyone can make it as we see some of the nieces and nephews only a couple of times a year. It is a great family time doing nothing but eating, chatting, laughing, playing games and eating a little bit more, again and again.
Hope someone brings a new fun game all ages can play. We enjoy Pass the Popcorn and always amazed at how a few people seem to know so much trivia!
Merry Christmas and enjoy the moment. Be responsible and take care of your loved ones to ensure everyone gets home safe.
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Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Balancing Work and the Holidays
How do you balance work and the holidays?
The calendar in December is filled with holiday company events, customer appreciation events, holiday networking events, friends and family holiday events and many others. How many events can you attend and how many do you want to attend?
Finding the right balance between work and holiday commitments can be challenging. When clients and suppliers invite you for their appreciation events, it is important to make the effort to attend. Don't forget to wish them Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays in person!
Glancing at the rest of this month, we will be attending events both professionally and personally. Looking forward to this Holiday Season, saying thanks for your business, saying thanks for your referrals and all your support.
Make some family and personal time during the holidays. We seem to forget this as we get swept away by all the activities and invitations. Unplugging on Christmas Day and Boxing day for Family time.
Happy balancing during the Holiday Season!
The calendar in December is filled with holiday company events, customer appreciation events, holiday networking events, friends and family holiday events and many others. How many events can you attend and how many do you want to attend?
Finding the right balance between work and holiday commitments can be challenging. When clients and suppliers invite you for their appreciation events, it is important to make the effort to attend. Don't forget to wish them Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays in person!
Glancing at the rest of this month, we will be attending events both professionally and personally. Looking forward to this Holiday Season, saying thanks for your business, saying thanks for your referrals and all your support.
Make some family and personal time during the holidays. We seem to forget this as we get swept away by all the activities and invitations. Unplugging on Christmas Day and Boxing day for Family time.
Happy balancing during the Holiday Season!
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
You Go with the Flow or You Rock the Boat
As a Leader, you get to choose for each task and challenge: Going with the flow or rocking the boat.
Which type of Leader are you when it makes a difference?
For most of us, it is easier to just go with the flow, worry about it next time, address it later, procrastinate and let the problem resolve itself. For some of us, we lean towards going with the flow when appropriate, while rocking the boat for more important challenges.
Challenging your Team and asking more questions to continue successful progress is a tough route to take. When it matters it is the correct one. Rocking the boat does not have to be negative and it is all in your approach.
How else do you keep moving forward, keep growing and keep making successful progress in all that you and your Team do? Always sticking to the status quo or standing still watching things sail along smoothly is not the way to do it. There is always a challenge or competitor that comes along and capitalizes on this strategy to take away your "winds".
The key is picking the right challenges to "rock". How do you know? Well sometimes you are wrong, however, the good news is as a Leader you are right most of the time! Stick to your instinct and what feels right. Seek knowledge to fully understand it, make the decision to challenge it and keep everyone moving forward.
Striving for Excellence and working very well as a Team are two key motivating factors we look at regularly to keep AlphaKOR at the top of our game.
Are you always going with the flow or are you sometimes rocking the boat?
Which type of Leader are you when it makes a difference?
For most of us, it is easier to just go with the flow, worry about it next time, address it later, procrastinate and let the problem resolve itself. For some of us, we lean towards going with the flow when appropriate, while rocking the boat for more important challenges.
Challenging your Team and asking more questions to continue successful progress is a tough route to take. When it matters it is the correct one. Rocking the boat does not have to be negative and it is all in your approach.
How else do you keep moving forward, keep growing and keep making successful progress in all that you and your Team do? Always sticking to the status quo or standing still watching things sail along smoothly is not the way to do it. There is always a challenge or competitor that comes along and capitalizes on this strategy to take away your "winds".
The key is picking the right challenges to "rock". How do you know? Well sometimes you are wrong, however, the good news is as a Leader you are right most of the time! Stick to your instinct and what feels right. Seek knowledge to fully understand it, make the decision to challenge it and keep everyone moving forward.
Striving for Excellence and working very well as a Team are two key motivating factors we look at regularly to keep AlphaKOR at the top of our game.
Are you always going with the flow or are you sometimes rocking the boat?
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
How do You introduce Yourself?
How do you introduce yourself at networking events or when meeting someone for the first time?
The classic "Hi it's Frank here is my card, call me sometime" is not an ideal way to introduce yourself. What about handing two cards and asking to refer someone? (Did you have a mental image of the other person running away?).
Let's try this again. How about the method of looking the person in the eye, firm handshake and saying "Hello I'm Frank and you are?" After they respond ask another question "So what do you do?" or "What brings you to this event?". Keep the conversation going by asking more questions and briefly telling your story.
Speaking of handshakes, don't be the "jelly-fish" weak hand-shaking person or the "vice-grip" painful hand-shaker. Find a good balance of a firm hand-shake while introducing yourself and remember to look into the other person' eyes.
If you are not a fan of the hand-shake, make it clear by smiling and nodding your head while introducing yourself. It is OK to not shake hands and helping People Like Us who shake hands to avoid that awkward moment of pulling back our hand is appreciated!
Exchanging business cards is ideal when meeting someone. Ask them for their card first. After receiving it, ask if they would like one of your cards. Special note: Do not attend an event without business cards. This is worth repeating: Do not attend an event without business cards.
Listen, focus and ask questions as you move past the initial introductions. Show the other person you are paying attention and you care. Maintain eye contact. It is natural to want to look around and see what else is happening and who else is around. Most of us are thinking of our responses and next "blurt" topic as the other person talks instead of listening. Listen and focus on the person you just met and will help you remember the person next time you cross paths.
Keep your smartphone out of the conversation. This is one of the biggest challenges especially for those of us who use our Social Media Channels to communicate about the event. Finishing the conversation, excusing yourself and stepping aside are some tips on finding the right balance with this challenge.
So how do you introduce yourself?
The classic "Hi it's Frank here is my card, call me sometime" is not an ideal way to introduce yourself. What about handing two cards and asking to refer someone? (Did you have a mental image of the other person running away?).
Let's try this again. How about the method of looking the person in the eye, firm handshake and saying "Hello I'm Frank and you are?" After they respond ask another question "So what do you do?" or "What brings you to this event?". Keep the conversation going by asking more questions and briefly telling your story.
Speaking of handshakes, don't be the "jelly-fish" weak hand-shaking person or the "vice-grip" painful hand-shaker. Find a good balance of a firm hand-shake while introducing yourself and remember to look into the other person' eyes.
If you are not a fan of the hand-shake, make it clear by smiling and nodding your head while introducing yourself. It is OK to not shake hands and helping People Like Us who shake hands to avoid that awkward moment of pulling back our hand is appreciated!
Exchanging business cards is ideal when meeting someone. Ask them for their card first. After receiving it, ask if they would like one of your cards. Special note: Do not attend an event without business cards. This is worth repeating: Do not attend an event without business cards.
Listen, focus and ask questions as you move past the initial introductions. Show the other person you are paying attention and you care. Maintain eye contact. It is natural to want to look around and see what else is happening and who else is around. Most of us are thinking of our responses and next "blurt" topic as the other person talks instead of listening. Listen and focus on the person you just met and will help you remember the person next time you cross paths.
Keep your smartphone out of the conversation. This is one of the biggest challenges especially for those of us who use our Social Media Channels to communicate about the event. Finishing the conversation, excusing yourself and stepping aside are some tips on finding the right balance with this challenge.
So how do you introduce yourself?
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