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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Let's push off these economic doldrums

by Rick Baker
On Jul 26, 2012

When people talk to me about the economy, I repeatedly hear comments like:

  • times are still tough
  • people are hesitant to spend
  • people are waiting for signs

Let's push off these economic doldrums.

Let's work together to create a list of the ways we can do our individual parts to push off these economic doldrums.

Here's a start...

  1. Buy something: if you've been worried about the future and avoiding spending, cut the future some slack and buy that thing you want now. After all, nobody can predict the future so why believe you can predict it will be a continuation of tough times.
  2. Sell something: I mean, sell something in a new way. Prove to yourself that selling things your old way will not plant seeds for a better future. Get excited about the prospect of a bright future and help a buyer share that excited mindset.
  3. Stop thinking and talking about how tough things are going to be and start imagining and talking about a bright future. Start sharing business success stories...even if they are small ones.
  4. Work at improving at work. If striving for excellence is too big a leap then strive for betterness...doing little tasks a little better.
  5. Mentor a salesperson: mentor a sales co-worker or mentor a sales friend or volunteer to mentor a sales person from another company. Help generate better sales techniques.
  6. Mentor a buyer or purchasing agent: mentor a buyer/co-worker or mentor a buyer-friend or volunteer to mentor a buyer from another company. Help generate better purchasing techniques.
What would you add to the list?

Tags:

Attitude: Creating Positive Attitude | Leaders' Thoughts

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Thought Tweet #520

by Rick Baker
On Jul 13, 2012

Thought Tweet #520 If you are uncomfortable with your work, that's contagious. If you enjoy your work, that's contagious.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

What type of attitude are you spreading?

How much is your attitude affecting the people you work with?

Are you inspiring people & growing profits?

Tags:

Attitude: Creating Positive Attitude | Emotions & Feelings @ Work | INSPIRE PEOPLE - GROW PROFITS! | Thought Tweets

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It only takes 3 little improvements

by Rick Baker
On Jun 14, 2012

In light of the current economic situation, more than ever before, it is essential to perform work tasks as well as possible. When I say 'the current economic situation' I mean, most small and mid-sized businesses continue to face significant challenges in the areas of growing sales and growing profits. These challenges are both people challenges and process challenges.

During challenging times, small improvements in performance of tasks deliver, in relative terms, a large return on effort...including new sales and increased profits.

Also, small improvements in performance pave the path for:

• More small improvements

• Larger improvements

• Job satisfaction

• Workplace harmony and teamwork

These are all good things.

These all lead to increased profitability.

So…here’s a self-help suggestion:

Look at your 'normal work tasks' and work at performing 3 of your 'normal tasks' a bit better.

Measure the results of these 3 little improvements and observe how your business results improve...and celebrate those improvements along the way.

Tags:

Attitude: Creating Positive Attitude | Habits: Good Habits, Bad Habits, & New Things

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Thought Tweet #494

by Rick Baker
On Jun 7, 2012

Thought Tweet #494 'Just Do It'...then do some more!

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

First go through then go beyond the motions.

Go the extra mile; catch someone's attention; impress and amaze.

Tags:

Attitude: Creating Positive Attitude | Beyond Business | Thought Tweets

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Thought Tweet #478

by Rick Baker
On May 16, 2012

Thought Tweet #478 We simply must spend more time imagining Possibilities.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Robert Collier wrote, "Think of things - not as they are but as they MIGHT be." ...'The SECRET Of The Ages', (1926)

If we follow Robert Collier's advice then we will get beyond our personal biases, especially our tendency to judge others harshly. And, we will create.

Robert Collier, 'The SECRET Of The Ages', (1926)

Tags:

Abundance | Attitude: Creating Positive Attitude | Beyond Business | Thought Tweets

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Don't children have a high opinion of themselves!

by Rick Baker
On May 9, 2012

While out to dinner last week, I noticed a young couple at a nearby table. They had a young daughter. I would guess she was a little over two years old. At one point the father tried to spoon-feed the child. As he did this his young daughter quickly held up her hand and turned her head away from her father...clearly signaling she didn't want the food he was offering. 

As the father and the spoon retreated his daughter had a half-smile on her face. With bright eyes, she looked at both her parents, from one to the other, then back. No words. Not defiant. Just confident. Her expression said it all.

This happened in no more than a few seconds...and, for some reason, I thought to myself, "Don't children have a high opinion of themselves!" Even as young as 2 years old, don't children have a high opinion of themselves! 

Tots, possessing that sort of communication ability and self-confidence...what a marvelous gift to have at such a young age.

Then, as Baumeister1 said: "Life is a tempering experience."

 

Footnote:

  1. 'WILLPOWER', Roy F. Baumeister & John Tierney, (2011)

Tags:

Attitude: Creating Positive Attitude | Beyond Business

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Copyright © 2012. W.F.C (Rick) Baker. All Rights Reserved.