Aug 22, 20191 minWhy doesn't ____ have this problem?Think of a tech situation that’s frustrating. It might be a slow computer, or a network that’s down, or an unreliable piece of hardware. It might be a cumber...
Aug 23, 20182 minDoes double-checking really help?Here’s a thought: make your numbers double check themselves. How often have you noticed a mistake from a coworker and the “fix” is suggesting that they just ...
May 7, 20182 minAre you available, or appropriate?Are you available to help? Being available isn’t enough. Someone is drowning in the middle of a lake. Your taller, stronger friend is available. But he can’t...
Mar 5, 20182 minWhere’s your “ALEXA OFF” ?Have a friend with an Alexa-type device at home? Ever heard them say “Alexa off” and the streaming music instantly stops? It’s not something you soon forget....
Oct 20, 20172 minProject turbulence – find your blue skiesEvery pilot gets to fly in completely blue skies. All they have to do is ascend high enough. Look at a pilot’s pre-flight checklist. It leaves VERY little to...
Jul 24, 20172 minFive reasons to look at EVERY checkIf you run a small business, you should view every check your company receives. Every single one. Here are 5 great reasons: you verify that your bank stateme...
Jun 5, 20173 minWhat’s a safe corner to cut?What aspect of your service changes when you get busy? If you don’t have a clear agreement on your team about which corners get “cut”, you may create a very ...
Apr 20, 20171 minIs a creative solution a good one?“Creative” – the word is universally considered a virtue or compliment. “You were so creative.” “What a creative concept!” “Use your creativity and come up...
Feb 19, 20172 minDon’t thank someone for their timeOn occasion you may have an opportunity to meet with people in positions of “power”. Perhaps in an interview, or you may meet a business leader, or celebrity...
Jan 23, 20172 minThey’re annoyed. You’re annoyed. Why?They’re not upset because you’re not trying, they’re upset because they don’t realize how much you are trying. There’s something fundamentally wrong when you...
Nov 22, 20162 minWorry, be happy.You can achieve a best case scenario if you spend most of your time obsessing over the worst case scenarios. “Don’t worry be happy” may be a catchy song, but...
Nov 17, 20161 minThe BEST email applicationThe best email application for you is web mail. Yes. Web mail. It’s not the same webmail that you used a few years ago. Why? It’s really fast. Many, many com...
Sep 28, 20163 minEverything is urgent. That’s ok.If you’re in the service business, you know the “U” word very well. It’s urgent I get my car from the valet NOW. It’s urgent my brother get this medicine, do...
Sep 1, 20162 minCustomers want easy answersThis is the only easy answer you should give: “It’s not that simple.” Most people want easy answers. They prefer you to simplify decisions and give them a cl...
May 24, 20163 minYour company’s best trainerWho’s the most qualified person to write your training manual? Your most experienced employee? Most senior manager? They certainly know “how we do it” at you...
Apr 21, 20162 minApple Stores have nothingApple stores are remarkable, and have been from their inception. But what’s even more impressive is how they continue to do less. They actually are removing ...
Jan 27, 20161 minAvoid “tomorrow” in email titlesYou don’t know when the recipient will get your message. If they get it tomorrow, you may find that your deadline gets missed. When using asynchronous proces...
Dec 7, 20152 minEvery IT project takes exactly this longOne of the more frustrating parts of the IT profession is project “duration”. Unlike pizza delivery where expectation (regardless of traffic, customer demand...
Oct 20, 20152 minYelp-ify your ResumeHas experience become a liability? “Work on your resumé” – “Gain more experience” – “Get some real-world on-the-job training” – many people were told this up...
Oct 2, 20152 minA special perk for your newest hireAsk your newest hire to be on guard for this expression: “I was told…” – this expression is POISON for your business! It’s relatively harmless, right? Someon...
