“I admit I was skeptical of the One Page Plan at first. I have an MBA and the idea of summarizing a plan to one page sounded too simple. However, the minute I saw the demonstration I changed my mind. I learned that while the foundation of the plan is on one page, there is…
Compass Strategies Services for executives, entrepreneurs, managers and small and medium sized business owners. Compass Agrifoods Services for clients in the food industry.
(Originally published in Business Fraser Valley, September, 2010) One of my greatest career moments was followed within 48 hours by one of the lowest. I started my career as an order desk clerk for a food company. I was easily thrilled in those days. Having my own desk and telephone seemed like a major achievement….
(Originally published in Business Fraser Valley, August, 2010) The first coach I recall meeting in person was a very positive, rah, rah young woman who thought anyone could do anything. She was very successful. She had a long, prestigious client list, she’d won awards for public speaking and her enthusiasm was contagious. She was a…
(Originally published in Business Fraser Valley, July, 2010) I was a nerd at a time when nerds were just nerds, not future billionaires. I wanted to be one of the cool kids so I emulated kids I thought were cool. Of course, it didn’t work. Everyone saw me as a nerd trying to be cool….
“I couldn’t wait for success… so I went ahead without it.” Jonathan Winters Taking action, being bold, having gumption is usually necessary for success. Placing an ad and waiting for the phone to ring is seldom an effective marketing program. We need to go out and get business. Jim had an unstoppable zeal for finding…
A client recently asked me how I know when it is right to fire someone. She was investing considerable time into a difficult employee with no apparent positive results. Deciding to terminate someone’s employment has always been my most difficult task. I believe sincerely that any employee who does not perform adequately is at least…
“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”– Albert Einstein When Steve Jobs, founder of a small company that produced (what was generously described as) a personal computer, announced his vision of a computer on every desk, IBM executives thought he was daft. He went on to build Apple Computer…
Planning is about managing change. We plan because we want to change something or, something has changed and we need to figure out how to adapt to it. Change management is often treated like a project with a beginning and an end. It is frequently seen by senior management as a tool for driving up…