Development Archives - Page 9 of 21

What is the purpose of the business?

I was addressing a business fraternity at a university recently, and I was asked, "What is the purpose of the business?" I shared that my old answer to that question would have been, "To make a profit. Otherwise, why be in business?" But what I have learned is that profits are simply the result of the purpose. I shared that in the simplest terms, the purpose of the business is to create and cost-effectively keep a customer. Because without customers, there is no business. A critical measurement of success in any business is customer satisfaction. Every system, process, and activity must be aimed at satisfying customers in a manner that beats the competition. All successful businesses rely on repeat business, [...]

By Bob Fashano|2022-03-15T18:38:38+00:00March 15th, 2022|Development, Leadership|0 Comments

The trials of time management.

Napoleon Hill said, “ If you do not conquer yourself, you will be conquered by self.” We talk and hear a lot about self-discipline. There may be no other area in your life that is more important than how you manage your time; I believe it is a core discipline that largely determines the quality of your life. I have lived long enough to experience the consequences of not taking charge of “The Clock.” Here is what I know to be accurate: time is perishable; it cannot be saved; once it is gone, you can never get it back. All results require time. Time management is the ability to choose the sequence of events. We have to decide what comes; [...]

By Bob Fashano|2022-03-08T20:38:54+00:00March 8th, 2022|Development|0 Comments

Knowledge is Power.

I learned the phrase, “knowledge is power,” many years ago. Indeed, learning and even mastering a subject is satisfying. My intention today is to remind us that “knowledge without action can be powerless.” We can read volumes, listen to podcasts, audiobooks, attend seminars and workshops, and gain valuable information, only to discover there is very little value, if any, without putting into action the concepts, ideas, or principles you have learned. Being a lifelong learner is critical for leaders. However, unless we COMMIT to an action plan from what we have just learned, I ask you, how valuable was the learning experience? Below are some questions to ask yourself as you seek the power in knowledge: Is what I just [...]

By Bob Fashano|2022-03-01T21:25:51+00:00March 1st, 2022|Development, Empowering|0 Comments

Pay or praise?

Pay or praise? For many years I thought that money was the big motivator. Well, I learned that is not always the case. I read the following quote several years ago, and this quote alone has inspired me to lead differently, “The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated,” William Jones. Research suggests, “pay fairly and competitively.” However, the fundamental factors in keeping the good ones are: Challenge Growth Opportunities Flexibility Meaningful Work A leader who values them They want the (non-monetary forms listed above.) Certainly, perks are valuable; they help in the recruiting process. But, research has proven good ones won’t stay because of perks. Not everyone is motivated the same. As leaders, we need [...]

By Bob Fashano|2022-02-08T20:09:23+00:00February 8th, 2022|Coaching, Development, Leadership|0 Comments

The importance of probing questions.

As leaders, we always want to ask open-ended questions that inspire dialogue and eliminate tension. Here are some strategies to use when asking probing questions. The bridge before the question: "Help me understand." "I'm curious; please share with me...." "Could you tell me more?" The questions designed for the current situation: "What are all the possible solutions you can think of?" "What is stopping you from reaching that?" "What resources could you tap into to help you?" "Who may be affected by this decision?" The questions designed for the past: "Give me some background; how did you arrive at that?" "What have you tried?" (not have you tried A, B, or C) "What do you think went wrong or happened?" The questions designed [...]

By Bob Fashano|2023-03-08T01:49:23+00:00January 31st, 2022|Coaching, Development|0 Comments