Comments for The Thoughts And Ideas Of The Efficiency Coach

Comment on Why can’t I get the partners to see the need for change? by Heather Townsend

Heather Townsend — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:33:56 +0000

Thanks Andrew – I may use your comments for how NOT to engage staff!

Comment on Why can’t I get the partners to see the need for change? by Andrew Tomlin

Andrew Tomlin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:08:59 +0000

At least one firm I worked for had the following mechanism of change:

1. Hold a big meeting with all the professional staff (and probably a seperate meeting with the admin staff) chaired by the staff partner.

2. Ask for ideas on improving the firm, its services and its client base. Potentially offer cash rewards for the best ideas.

3. At the next meeting, Staff partner records ideas down, promises to bring them up at the next staff meeting.

4. At the third meeting Staff partner reports back. Staffs ideas are too expensive/ too time consuming/ inappropriate for a firm with our image/ unworkable/ anyother reason not to do them.

5. 12 months later Senior partner holds meeting for all partners and staff at which he unveils his plan for moving the firm forward. A number of ideas sound strangely familiar….

Comment on Getting dumped by your company is no fun by Heather Townsend

Heather Townsend — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:11:56 +0000

Thanks Clare for your great comments. As someone who a year ago today set up her own company as a result of redundancy, it was the opportunity and push I needed to follow my dream of running my own business. No-one, apart from myself, can make me redundant any more.

I agree with you, you do need to have savings put by of about 3+ months. My advice to anyone setting up their company, is to plan to live off savings for at least 6 months, as it probably will take that amount of time to replace your monthly wage cheque with business profits.

Comment on Getting dumped by your company is no fun by Clare Evans (The Time Management Coach)

Clare Evans (The Time Management Coach) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:39:17 +0000

The majority of people who get made redundant find it’s a great opportunity. They may not have made the jump if they hadn’t been pushed. It can be hard to come to terms with at first – going through the inevitable shock and adjustment but there is life after being dumped.

One of my money building tips is to have enough money saved that you can survive for a minimum of three months should the worst happens. Ensures all your bills and basic living requirements can be met if you find yourself out of work through either being fired, made redundant or illness.

Comment on How does frog eating help me be more productive? by Toni Hunter

Toni Hunter — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:44:40 +0000

Perhaps you need to lend me that book Heather )

Comment on Ten things you MUST do before starting a business by Heather Townsend

Heather Townsend — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:58:57 +0000

Lorin, I agree with you. I tend advise people to plan to accumulate enough capital/savings to be able to survive financially without the new business earning anything for 6 months.
Heather

Comment on Ten things you MUST do before starting a business by Lorin Mask

Lorin Mask — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:42:08 +0000

I would add, “Don’t quit your day job.” lol

I’ve seen people quit thinking that they would strike out on thier own, only to find themselves deperate. You HAVE to know how much starting a business is going to cost. Do some financials – such as how much do I need to bring in to survive or thrive?

Thanks for the article. I’ll forward!

Comment on I’m just misunderstood by Heather Townsend

Heather Townsend — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:00:39 +0000

Hi Chris,
I’m not aware of any research that examines this sort of experience.
Heather

Comment on I’m just misunderstood by Heather Townsend

Heather Townsend — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:59:50 +0000

Thanks Simon… it’s amazing how many people think that just because we have talked, I want to be on their e-mail marketing list…

Comment on I’m just misunderstood by Simon Roskrow

Simon Roskrow — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:07:58 +0000

Good stuff, and it’s particularly good to read how a simple, pleasant approach to things can be so directly rewarding.

As an example, I send out an e-mail newsletter about our training business once per month. It’s not about filling people’s inboxes…just about keeping in touch. Occasionally though, I’ll admit, I’ll e-mail a business, by accident, that hasn’t asked for the newsletter and doesn’t want it.

Compare these two (reproduced in full) replies:

“I’m not sure why I’ve received this message, therefore could you please remove my contact details from your circulation list.”

“stop wasting my time”

The former: well, I’m not sure how he got onto my list, I’ve removed his e-mail address, and wrote a quick personal note to apologise.

The latter: I know how he got on the list. He is on a social distribution list for a swimming club, to which both of our children go. We meet, casually, once a week at the swimming pool, and I train his son in waterpolo.

…he was rather embarrassed when he put 2 and 2 together!

Treating people with respect, on the phone, by e-mail, or face to face can be hugely beneficial, and also be entirely in your own self-interest!

P.S. I wasn’t sure if I’d already commented on this blog – the “other” Simon’s points on the misuse of Mehrabian’s work was the subject of one of my blogs:

http://www.trainingreality.co.uk/blog/non-verbal-communication.php

Thanks, Simon (number 2…!)