Celebrating my 12th Anniversary of writing the Kole Hard Facts, and #300, I am reposting my first attempt at blogging and adding some additional thoughts at the end. You can listen to the podcast version by CLICKING HERE I'm sitting in my office, and "ding," the email icon appears, and for one time …
Training
Finding the perfect candidate
I hope you all enjoyed the Labor Day Weekend. I know we call it the unofficial end of summer, but I personally am not ready for what comes next! For those that don't know, I live in Michigan - our winters are sometimes 8 months long! At the end of a recently completed team building session, there …
3-2-1 Grow
Most of us can't remember what we had for breakfast yesterday; how can we be expected to remember all our victories and challenges? So this week's blog is a short and simple exercise that I've used for years. I call it the 3-2-1 Grow Program. I usually do this on Saturday or Sunday morning, spending …
Ready for the revolution?
While attending an event last week hosted by Automation Alley, a report was revealed discussing Industry 4.0. Industry experts, and seven leading academic institutions compiled this reveal. This report, nearly 100-pages of findings, discusses the critical areas of Industry 4.0. It is no surprise, …
The “Wimpy Syndrome”
This is probably one of the most overused negotiation tactics by buyers and purchasing professionals in history. I call it the Wimpy Syndrome. You all remember “Popeye the Sailor man” and his friend Wimpy. Wimpy always wanted the immediate satisfaction of a hamburger today, with the promise of …
Tips: Closing the Deal
Going into this meeting, you know you have this deal. You have been in this position 10 Time’s, and you have your script ready. Your preparation for that objection is beyond reproach. Just at the moment you were going to say something, the prospect throws a curve. Jose Valverde, Detroit Tigers …
Tips: Are you building fires? or putting them out?
It is the end of a very busy day. You are tired. In fact, you are exhausted. All day long you have moved from item to item on your task list. Things are being crossed off that long list. There is that wonderful pillow, as you lay down ... and a thought goes through your head: “Why am I so …
Tip: Hard Work is Irrelevant
If you could design the best compensation plan, would it be based on hard work, or output? I once heard a story about a locksmith. During his apprenticeship, he would take hours to work on a project. His customers would come and see him pour his heart and soul into his work. Quite a few would …
Getting Nervous About Your Evaluation?
You've just received an email from the HR department. They want to see you before you go home this evening. What are you thinking? You've been at this job for exactly 89 days, you are on a 90-day probation. Is this my formal evaluation? What do you do? What are you feeling right now? Are you going …
Getting to the Zone
That zone ... you know when you are there. Everything comes natural, time flies by, and you get 10x more accomplished. This is when you are firing on all cylinders, you do no wrong, and when you are finished, you don't feel like you have even worked. It is natural. In his best seller "Deep Work" …