Constructive Criticism
Albert Einstein wasn't always acclaimed for his scientific breakthroughs, notes physicist Stephen Hawking in his book A Brief History of Time (Bantam Books). "His theories came under attack; an anti-Einstein organization was even set up." But Einstein remained unconcerned about these critics, Hawking writes. "When a book was published entitled 100 Authors Against Einstein, he retorted, 'If I were wrong, then one would have been enough!"
The painter Zeuxis said: “Criticism comes easier than craftsmanship.
And then the famous Charles M. Schwab says: “I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism."
Do Not Lose Your Good People
Do you know how difficult it is to get good people to work for you?
And do you know how challenging it is to have the same good people remain with you when they are offered better positions and better pay somewhere else and when I say somewhere else I mean your competitors? To work abroad where the pay is maybe 5 to 10 times more than you can afford is a no-contest situation but when your good people leave you because you did not handle them correctly, then the fault is yours. And it’s really a dumb thing you did if you allow that to happen. Some sources estimate that as many as 65 percent of people leaving companies do so because of their managers. We may say that people quit their job or their company, but the reality is that they usually quit their lousy bosses.
On Politics and Politicians
It’s election time. Politicians are on the move. They need to win votes. And so as much as they do not like to but because every single vote counts, they had to go to the Indian reservation to do their campaigning. The politicians know that this year’s election will be a close fight and getting the Native American Indian vote will be crucial.
They were all assembled in the Council Hall to hear the speech. The politician had worked up to his finale, and the crowd was getting more and more excited. “I promise better education opportunities for Native Americans!" The crowd went wild, shouting “Hoya! Hoya!” The politician was a bit puzzled by the native word, but was encouraged by their enthusiasm. “I promise gambling reforms to allow a Casino on the Reservation!” “Hoya! Hoya!” cried the crowd, stomping their feet. “I promise more social reforms and job opportunities for Native Americans!” The crowd reached a frenzied pitch shouting “Hoya! Hoya! Hoya!”
I’m INSP!RED 2
I'm INSP!RED 2
May 14, 2010 / 9am - 5pm
SMX Convention Center, Pasay City
For inquiries & tickets,
call 687-2614 and look for Krisselle or Pam.
Or email: inquiry@inspireph.com / Krisselle@inspireph.com.
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What Do Successful Entrepreneurs Do Differently?
Attend the "Disciplines for Breakthrough Entrepreneurs" on April 24, 2010 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati, and learn how to take your business to the next level. Call 996-4610 or visit www.iluvlearning.com to register.
A Letter to Change a Life
Tom Peters in his latest book entitled “The Little Big Things” tells us a story. Retired United States Navy Captain Mike Abrashoff knows the importance of saying “thank you.”
In his first book, “It’s Your Ship,” he related how he sent letters to the parents of his crew members on the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold... Putting himself in those parent’ shoes, he imagined how happy they would be to hear from the commanding officer that their sons and daughters were doing well. And he figured that those parents would, in turn, call their children to tell them how proud they were of them.
Tantrum Words
Call me old fashioned but today I want to talk to business people on the topic of marriage. The Ilocana and I have spent more than half of our lives together. We’ve been through the thick and the thin of life and I don’t mean waistlines. Started life as a couple, had dreams and looked at each other’s eyes in candlelit bistros when we were both single and skinny.
God has been gracious. Blesses us with 3 children we’re proud of, a decent roof over our heads and humble businesses that are growing and debt-free. We’ve had disagreements but we know what to do. When one is flaring up the other one just keeps quiet. Let the “tropical depression” pass first and then discuss the matter. The kids see this. This is why they know how to handle disagreements agreeably.
The Coolest Guard
How important is your customer to you?
Being able to create a customer is great but retaining the customer is more important! Treat your customers right because your customers are important if you view them for their lifetime purchasing power. Stanley Marcus's father, the founder of Neiman-Marcus, gave Stanley some valuable advice early in his career. It was advice that later helped build Neiman-Marcus into a first-class store. A woman ruined a dress she had worn just once and wanted her money back. His father told him to give the woman her money back, and Stanley argued that they shouldn't do it since the woman had obviously abused the dress. Stanley continued to press his point since the manufacturer wasn't going to help pay for it. His father reminded him that the woman wasn't doing business with the manufacturer; she was doing business with Neiman's. His father told him that it didn't matter if it cost $200 to get a customer, and he didn't want to lose her over a $175 dress. He also told Stanley to refund the money with a smile. During the years, the woman spent over $500,000 at Neiman-Marcus. This is an old story and it works in the context of honest customers. And then of course the department store in this case caters to the very upscale market. The point however is that every effort should be made to not just create customer satisfaction but to create customer loyalty.
Giants Begin With Baby Steps
There are celebrity sales people who bring in tons and tons of sales and as a result they make tons and tons of money. They are the giants in the industry. And then there are those who would make a sale once in a while and then wonder, what is it with these people who continually rake in the sales and make the money?
Is it luck? But no one gets lucky all the time the way they do. Is it connection? Maybe. But how do I get myself to increase my own network too? There must be something behind it. And so the question pops out in your mind. “How do these people continue to make six or seven figures and here I am struggling month by month just to reach my quota and make ends meet?”