Writing in “The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels” Harvard Business School professor Michael Watkins points out that ‘transitions are periods of opportunity, a chance to start afresh and to make needed changes in an organisation. But they are also periods of acute vulnerability, because you lack established working relationships, and a detailed understanding of your new role. If you fail to build momentum during your transition, you will face an…
Tweak Your Biz » Management
Why are the first 100 days so important?
by on February 3rd, 2010 6 Comments
Manager as Coach (part 5 of 5)
by on February 3rd, 2010 10 Comments
This is the last part of a 5 part series on the the skills of a coaching style Manger Good listening skills – Part 1 Good questioning skills – Part 2 Ability to provide effective feedback – Part 3 Ability to set goals – Part 4 Ability to create action plans and see them through – Part 5 (this post) Part 5 – Creating Action Plans: So now your goal is SMART (see part 4), where do we go from here? 1. A goal gets you from HERE to THERE. Imagine the THERE – picture it 2. Decide…
Interviewing. Failing to Prepare is…..
by on January 29th, 2010 23 Comments
Imagine……..A theatre production with no rehearsals, a dinner party with no planning or even sitting an exam without studying. An image of chaos and even disaster swirls around my head as I visualise the above. It is obvious that we need to plan and prepare before we execute our plans. But do we always plan and prepare as much as we should? In these challenging times it amazes me how often a job seeker turns up for an interview unprepared. There are fewer opportunities out there at…
Avoiding humour in Business or Job Hunting. Then the joke’s on you ….
by on January 28th, 2010 25 Comments
I believe humour has no place in business, careers or job hunting. It is important to be upright, professional and not lower yourself with attempts to win new friends, career or business opportunities through humour. After all it is common knowledge that you cannot be successful if you are laughing too much. It is important that you all (business owners, professionals or jobseekers) act in a serious manner and stop fooling around. Ok enough of that as I am starting to sound like a grown up. For…
A Holiday? Are You Mad?
by on January 27th, 2010 29 Comments
Those of us in business, particularly when its our own, often lose sight of the fact that there is a world outside waiting to be enjoyed. Even when we remember it, we don’t feel like we can take a holiday of any description otherwise the business will collapse. While the first couple of years may be hard, if we are still struggling in year 3 to get some of our time back, its probably time to sit down and have a re-think! So why don’t we take time out? We are often poor time…
The bunny that outran the tiger – lessons in corporate behaviour and image
by on January 26th, 2010 9 Comments
Shortly after I arrived in Dublin, I was sitting in the Queens pub in Dalkey, having a ‘meeting’ with a sharp-suited, tanned and clever man who owns a successful agency here. I was pleased that, so soon after I had touched down on Irish soil, social media had at last actually delivered a real person to me who might help me network my way into Irish business –or even give me some real work! All seemed to be going swimmingly. I had a wide range of skills that he used in his business, and…
Recruitment – 10 Key Steps To Getting The Right Person, First Time!
by on January 26th, 2010 26 Comments
Given the current climate you would be forgiven for thinking I am a bit mad to be writing about recruitment. But the recent survey I conducted amongst SME owners suggests that there will be some shift upwards in the jobs market. Whether this transfers across larger companies remains to be seen but business – and the economy generally – is definitely showing some signs of recovery. Anyhow given that positive vibe I thought it might be worthwhile writing something on how to improve your…
The First 100 Days
by on January 25th, 2010 11 Comments
Accepting the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 1932, in the midst of a global economic depression, Franklin Roosevelt promised: Throughout the nation men and women, forgotten in the political philosophy of the Government, look to us here for guidance and for more equitable opportunity to share in the distribution of national wealth. . . . I pledge myself to a new deal for the American people. This is more than a political campaign. It is a call to arms. On taking…
The Sweet Refreshing and Satisfying Taste of Redundancy?
by on January 22nd, 2010 8 Comments
A Review of Lemonade the movie As a Career Coach I am always looking out for the latest and most creative material that will benefit my clients. So I spend a lot of time reading books and blogs from around the world. I was very excited last week when I finally received the much anticipated “Lemonade” movie in the post. Like many people I had seen the You Tube trailer and knew that the film had to be watched in full. The film was created by Erik Proulx who now runs a very successful…
Are you disturbed?
by on January 22nd, 2010 24 Comments
It’s amazing how a disturbance can unsettle us. I was just admiring my garden yesterday morning while having an espresso. I was noticing the devastation that challenged me for the “Big clean up” after the adverse weather conditions we had experienced over the past 6 weeks. A blackbird caught my eye – he was busily upturning leaves, looking for breakfast. “Ah”, I thought, “things are back to normal.” The air is calm, the garden is green, and the temperature reads a satisfying…
Janine Gilmour of Touchstone Advisory Services coaches business leaders who want to optimize results by amping up…
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