STOP! CHANGE PERSPECTIVE AND START LEADING

By Pablo J. Perez, Executive and Business Coach

During the last weeks, our economy has been facing a great challenge which has affected our thought process about the future. We have been surrounded by bad news and negative thoughts, feeding the fear of the unknown, which could inhibit leadership behavior. Our need to be safe causes us to be fearful in those uncertain situations. This is the right time to make a pit stop, refuel, and clean the windshield to get our business or career ready for the next race.

A classic characterization depicting our current situation is a drawing by Dr. Scott Simmerman (www.squarewheels.com). The drawing shows a man pulling a big heavy wagon by a rope from the front. In the back of the wagon there are a couple of guys pushing as hard as possible to help from behind.

If we take a look at the picture from a different perspective, from the viewpoint of where we are, we see that there is a significant impediment. The wagon has square wheels. Unfortunately, from the leader’s location, at the front of the wagon, he or she can’t see the square wheels. Likewise, the people in the back who are pushing the wagon can’t see the square wheels either. Ironically, in this drawing, the wagon is loaded with round wheels. If they discover those round wheels, they will be able to take those wheels out of the wagon and replace the square ones.

Stopping our daily activities and changing our perspective allows us to have a different view of problems. Consequently, the new perspective presents a chance for a wider array of potential solutions, usually better ones than our originals.

When I say you should change perspective from time to time, I am not suggesting you should reinvent your business or your career. You need to assess and maximize your strengths in order to take advantage of the opportunities that are present. Part of my mission as a coach is to help clients embrace change, and to use the resources they already have inside the organization to produce a higher quality of results. In doing so, we work on improving teamwork and aligning everyone to mutually committed goals. However, I cannot command my clients to change. I only provide a proven process that provides a path toward change. The process not only positively affects the individuals involved, it improves organizational results.

Most people avoid change because they don't like being changed. When change comes into view, fear and resistance come along, often despite the change’s obvious benefits. People fight change because they:

· Fear losing something they value, or
· Don't understand the change and its implications, or
· Don't think that the change makes sense.

Some people believe that no change = security. I would say that no change = no potential.As Albert Einstein said, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” And if you do what you've always done, you will get the same results!!

It is a great time to STOP and take another look at your organization or career. A pause in your daily activities to recognize the impediments is the first step in addressing them. Once you acknowledge the impediments, you can create a new roadmap to your success.

Contact me today to learn how Activate Group helps individuals to increase their success and works with organizations to attain consistent revenue and profit growth rates of at least 20% annually. Call (305) 722-7215 or e-mail me at pjperez@activategroupinc.com.

THE POWER OF EMPOWERING YOUR EMPLOYEES

by Pablo J. Perez, Executive Coach

The term “employee empowerment” has been regarded by critics as an exercise to change the attitudes of workers, so they can work harder rather than giving them any real power. In other words, empowerment was linked to "attitudinal shaping." However, recent research suggests that people empowerment is a key element contributing to employee engagement and well-being.

Empowerment is a global term which includes many ideas regarding employee power and responsibility; but in general, it means giving employees the power to do their job better. It is providing the right motivation at the right moment, giving the employees the necessary alignment to the organizational goals, and make them feel that their work is important.

Does higher employee empowerment improve productivity?

The answer is yes. Empowerment = motivation = action = results!

There are 4 factors that should be considered in order to generate and maintain empowerment among employees:

1. Strong leadership and accountability
This starts with the executive leadership and extends to all management levels, supervisors and people that work for them. If all members of the organization play by the same rules and to achieve aligned goals can only be a positive end result .
2. Trust and communication
Management must develop trust and good communication with employees. High levels of trust and communication are the strongest signs of employee empowerment.
3. Create the right work environment
It is responsibility of the company's management to create the environment for employee empowerment. If employees are in an environment where “joy” is part of the formula, motivation and retention will increase dramatically.
4. Action
It has been said, “that you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.” The same can be said for employee empowerment. Once leadership takes action to encourage empowerment, it is up to the employees to take the opportunity.

To truly motivate your employees to perform at their peak, you must provide an adequate level of:

• Training
• Communication
• Personal and professional growth
• Ability to be creative
• Recognition and rewards
  

If you want to measure the level of commitment your organization has to develop employee empowerment, just survey employees as to how well they think you are doing in the above 5 areas. If you score poorly in more than two items then you have a lot of opportunity to increase organizational performance.

Remember, management has the obligation to create the environment that fosters employee empowerment and employees have the duty to accept the opportunity.
If you want to create and deploy a strategy to increase employee empowerment, please review our website at www.activategroupinc.com, call Pablo J. Perez at (305)722-7215 or send an e-mail to pjperez@activategroupinc.com.

Positive Marketing Creates Customer Loyalty

By Pablo J. Perez, Executive and Corporate Coach

Nowadays, in order to attract and maintain customers and open new markets, offers must go beyond products and services. People want to add positive things to their lives, buying products and services which will satisfy their needs and bring value to their daily activities.

Communicating positive messages that connect potential customers to their current goals and values furthers the goals of sustainability. Addressing these values connects them to what they care about and provides the impetus for innovative business practices.

During the last decade there has been a positive trend in business: Many companies now address corporate social responsibility (CSR), which is a concept whereby organizations consider the interests of society, taking responsibility for the impact of their activities on customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders, communities, and other stakeholders, as well as the environment. CSR is a voluntary effort to improve the quality of life for employees and their families as well as for the local community.

These positive efforts create a feeling of joy among employees, creating a positive energy which will be translated into more and better customer loyalty.

Recent reports indicate that communicating positive messages of a company’s actions to address environmental, social, and economical issues, favorably affects that company’s bottom line and produces good business opportunities.

More and more consumers want to buy products and services from companies that support their values, care about the environment, and can offer shareholders a solid return. Whole Foods, for example, promotes organic products grown by local farmers by inviting customers to learn about the farm and the farmer through colorful displays positioned near the products. Patagonia connects lifestyle and values by offering customers a recycling option for some of its clothing choices. Whole Foods and Patagonia connect to their customers by using positive messages to address issues of care: values and community. Other companies produce positive messages of sustainability, based on their business goals or mission.

Another example of how a company incorporates corporate social responsibility is Starbucks. Its social responsibilities are part of their mission statement.

A good marketing campaign needs to recognize the importance of communicating positive messages by making offers and developing trust and relationships. By connecting to people's cares, we affect outcomes – especially important when addressing sustainability.

We live in a world where the negative aspect of life and its consequences drive the buying or selling decision-making process. However, companies who not only say they care, but actually demonstrate caring about their employees, customers, and communities have a great competitive advantage.

Consider the saying, "People want to know you care, before they care about what you know." As human beings, we have a natural desire to belong and feel valued. It's the reason why people hate to be sold to ... we don't feel understood or valued for who we are.

Why do people want to hear positive message for their lives?

• They have the desire to do more and be more.
• They are looking for effective ways to make their dreams reality.
• They need motivation and accountability to truly accomplish their goals.

Motivated employees will motivate customers to become loyal to your company. Likewise, motivated customers not only will continue buying from you; they will invite their friends and families to buy your products and services.

Using positive messages in your internal and external marketing campaigns, and caring about your community and its environment, will bring your company a competitive advantage and sustainable growth.

Contact me today to learn how Activate Group helps individuals to increase their success and works with organizations to attain consistent revenue and profit growth rates of at least 20% annually. Call (305) 722-7215 or e-mail me at pjperez@activategroupinc.com.