One of the single best habits I’ve developed is challenging myself on “things I know to be true.” It’s amazing to me how often something that was a fact yesterday, is completely false tomorrow. It happens all the time. My favorites usually fall into the realm of technology. It used to be impossible to automate…
There’s a difference between people and institutions.
It’s easy for us to fall into the trap of thinking that one person represents a whole institution. When you get a bad customer service representative, it’s really easy to think that they are all bad. When the cashier who checks you out, doesn’t know the difference between a tomato and a potato, it’s easy…
Can Real Estate really contribute to business productivity? #WorkplaceWednesday
The Holy Grail of real estate strategy is developing a way to tie your real estate and workplace design directly to operational productivity. In so many ways, it is obvious that the design of a workplace has a direct impact on productivity: If space is in the wrong geography, you can’t hire the people you…
The only way you survive life is by using your imagination. Do it actively!
This may be a bit off topic. On a recent trip, I found myself watching The Princess Bride on the seatback screen. It was 98 minutes of bliss. It’s a complicated story but is still fit for kids. It’s got action, adventure, suspense, revenge, heroics, villainy, and yes, love. I probably end up watching The Princess…
The simplest processes are usually the best ones.
I’ve got simple on the brain. KISS is such a great acronym for just about anything in life. Keep it Simple Stupid! I say it to myself all the time. Why complicate things needlessly? Processes are such a great place for simplicity. However, there are two ways to get simple in a process that can…
The simplest outcomes are usually the best ones.
The work we do is usually focused on delivering certain outcomes. Some in finance make sure the right invoices are processed at the right time. Some in IT make sure that business applications are securely available. Some in real estate make sure the right workplace is available. Outcomes with simple descriptions are the easiest to…
Does the story you are telling include the sales pitch?
Anytime you are trying to convince someone of your way of thinking, you are selling them. It doesn’t matter how large or small the decision is. Sales is a natural part of everything we do. It’s the foundation of trust. We tend to trust those who sell to us honestly, and not trust those who…
How do you measure your success?
Success is a tricky topic as I’ve covered here before. It may have even become the topic I write about the most. It’s been top of mind as it’s one of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve gone through going from being a consultant to the corporate side of the house. When you are a consultant,…
It rarely pays to take business personally.
Emotions are often tough to control. If someone pisses you off, it is hard to take that as not being personal. You are now pissed off, does it matter why? It really does matter. Many people have two (or more) sides to their personality. Home version – what they are like with friends and family….
The path you walk today is not the path you will be on tomorrow.
Often times, our experience sets us off down a clearly marked and outlined path. On this path, we can clearly see what the next two or five or more years hold for us. By walking the path, you will get a certain set of new experiences, certain new responsibilities, and hopefully, master a new set…