A big mistake business partners can make during their first meeting is trying to accomplish too much in what is just the first of many planning meetings. So what should you try to get done in your first meeting?
Discuss what each of the business partners has to offer, what unique skills or experience do they [...]
Though most people probably think of using negotiation tactics during formal negotiations, the following strategies can be used in any situation where there is a disagreement.
1. Reduce tension with time
If discussions are getting heated, considering separating the parties for a while so that tempers can cool. When both parties return, make sure each party is [...]
Believe it or not, I have never owned a Mac. I know, it sounds pretty crazy (if you are a mac user it does, anyway), but I have always just ended up using Window’s-based PCs. I have always considered getting a mac, but early on was turned away by having to choose between a mac [...]
The following poor decision-making practices were identified by the authors of Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths, and Total Nonsense.
Casual Benchmarking
Often companies will benchmark against practices at their competitors, and will imitate the activities that seem successful at another corporation. However, before imitating other’s practices, or comparing one’s own company to another, management should ask if [...]
I’ve now been using SugarSync’s multi-computer sync software for about three days now, and, after spending some time playing with it, I have to say I love it! There are some things I recommend they improve upon, but all-in-all after you start using it you’ll wonder how you ever got along before SugarSync.
What it does
As [...]
As mobility and seamless communications become part of our every day work lives, we will begin to notice that there are a lot of empty cubes and offices in our office buildings. While I was working at Accenture many years ago, they implemented a system by which we would simply reserve space for those days [...]
Those of us who frequently switch between different laptops (you know you’re one of us!) have always had to make sure that the files we need for that day are on the laptop we are bringing with us. Well, we finally have a solution that will work for us! I just got a message from [...]
From the Blackberry to seamless and intelligent communications
One specific change that will affect the information worker of the future, and which was alluded to in my last IWF post about mobility, is the rise in seamless, and increasingly intelligent, communications. Most of us who are constantly “plugged in” are familiar with the short buzz or [...]
Conflict can be used to get all the ideas out on the table
Make sure everyone’s opinions get expressed
Good results come from a good process
Use conflict to explore all options
While some may think that conflict in a group setting is counterproductive, research has shown that a little bit of conflict, whether intrinsic or manufactured, can [...]
In September of 2007, I joined a phenomenal group of professionals as we all embarked upon three years of study in the Fully-Employed MBA (FEMBA) program at UCLA’s Anderson School. I have been impressed by the intellectual diversity of the school, and the variety of experience each person contributes to the conversations we have.
I had [...]