Have you met anyone who enjoys being a road warrior? George Clooney in Up in the Air aside, most people don’t really enjoy slogging from airport to airport and hotel to hotel. Air travel is unreliable with constant delays. Security is tight with restrictions that make it difficult to get basic supplies on board. And …
Have you ever wondered where common sense comes into play in decision making? I once encountered an executive who believed that if he could just explain to his customers why he has to charge what he does to make a profit they would understand. In a role reversal exercise, when he was the customer, he …
This is part 2 of a two-part blog. To read part 1, click here. The number one goal is to understand the importance of leadership and spend time leading the organization, not just running it. In my thirty years of business management experience, there is a list of leadership “sins” committed every day by well-intentioned …
This is part 1 of a two-part blog. To read part 2, click here. Why do some companies succeed and others fail? Sure, part of it is the state of the economy, may be the industry they are in, could be how deep their pockets are. How much of it is leadership? Are we ready …
Banking is a dirty word in some circles. The recent economic challenges have galvanized the public’s negative sentiment toward those greedy “Wall Street bankers”. What you may not know is many banks would agree with you. The cliché, “a few bad apples spoil it for the whole bunch” applies. Most banks are trying hard to …
Top leaders agree, exceptional leadership has no room for ego. Since we started this blog in February we have interviewed top leaders around the country and they all concur. Leaders of great performing companies can’t do it alone. They put the spotlight on their employees. Jim Collins introduced the concept of Level 5 leadership in …
A common question is: “How much is a brand really worth?” No one wants to hear “it depends,” but like so many other things, your brand value escalates with how much you invest in it. According to BrandZ, brands account for about 1/3 of the value of Fortune 500 companies. The combined value of all …
The definition of a brand is “everything that gives an entity its recognition, meaning and value.” The brand perception held by the public, your customers and others familiar with your brand may or may not match the intended brand image. Crafting a brand blueprint is the process of identifying all the touch points your brand …
Everybody knows what branding is, right? I used to think so, but I am no longer convinced. The definition of a brand is “everything that gives an entity its recognition, meaning and value.” Seems simple enough but there are many misunderstandings that inhibit branding execution and reaching the full potential of brand value. Here are some …
Just back from a trip with a new dose of customer service frustration. I am reminded of the book by Ted Cohn, Why are you making it so hard for me to give you my money? His point isn’t that companies don’t want your money—they just don’t want to serve you to get it. No more …
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