The Benefit of Honest and Timely Performance Appraisals

Staff can be the greatest asset in your business, but for any service based business – they typically will be the greatest expense – whether they are an asset or not.

Perhaps its my corporate background, my genuine desire to improve things (people and businesses), or it might simply just be my objective to see a larger number at the bottom line – but regardless of the driver, I have consistently found that well delivered performance appraisals work AND….that most small and medium businesses don’t do them.

Well performing and engaged staff are truely a great asset to any business. … Read More

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Tailoring Your Business Communication for Success

Have you ever read a business note, perhaps an email or a letter and thought – huh, what’s that about…..as the tone or content of the note is as if its been written for someone else? Well perhaps it has!

In business I have found that the principle of writing for a “third party” audience, is actually not that uncommon. Often these days its in email format, with the note written more for the benefit of the person checking or reviewing the document than the recipient. The third party could be the boss, a manager, … Read More

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Impactful Close Line Communication for Business Results

In business, communicating your “close” line for impact is often a crucial factor in success or failure.

The right timing for a marketing advance, to lodge a finance application or even enter a queue……all appear to have timing influencing the outcome.

The reality is that there are a number of factors at play, however good preparation is able to guide you to the right time for optimal success. 

There is no better example of this than the right timing in either dispute resolution or negotiations. Preparation to ensure that you pitch your point at the right time – … Read More

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It’s Never the Message, Always the Delivery: Secrets of Business Communication

How many times have you been given some news and reacted badly; triggering a sudden or violent reaction, not gaining an understanding or getting the full message?

In finance, most bad news revolves around loans – the words that most clients don’t want to hear from their Banker include;

  • No!
  • Declined. 
  • …there’s a problem….

These are of course simple words – nothing more, but we tend to attribute lots of meaning to them and often far more than the actual message intended. Equally the shorter the message, the less context comes with it – so our minds … Read More

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