Our next FREE Workshop is on August 19, 2009

We have scheduled our next workshop "Layoff During Difficult Times - The End or a New Beginning?"

Did you lose your job?
Are you fearful and stuck, looking for guidance?
Are you ready to be pro-active and make a plan for your life?
Do you need help identifying and setting your goals?
Do you want a confidence boost and create more self-awareness?
Do you know someone who lost their job recently?
Do you want to move forward and find the right job for YOU?
Are you willing to communicate this message to employees who are affected?

We provide a supportive and positive learning environment and empower people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams. It is all about taking action and taking 100 % responsibility for your life and for your results!

What are you waiting for? It's time to sign up.....

Our commitment to you is to give you positive energy, a lot of new ideas and a fantastic workshop without any investment for you, except your time. If you give us your commitment to participate, please do not let anything prevent you from attending. It will be well worth your time and effort.

This attitude alone will separate you from others who are looking a job. I firmly believe, how you do anything is how you do everything!

When? August 19, 2009 from 6 pm - 8.45 pm
Where? Rexall Health Centre, 9625 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill
(south of Major Mackenzie in the Weston Produce Plaza)

For further information please email: karin@karicosolutions.com or phone: 647-401-5274

Where is the human touch?

Part of running your own business is also the business of cold calling. I don't mind it at all and it can be a lot of fun if............. you actually get to talk to someone.

Lately all I hear are these automated voice systems....
If you know the extension you wish to reach, please enter it now..... If you want to speak to customer service press 1, if you want to speak to shipping press 2, if you want to speak to human resources press 3 and if you want to access our company directory, please press the # sign......

Who invented this most impersonal phone system the world has ever seen? It must have been someone who is not in touch with his or her own feelings and emotions.

Yes, we live in a hi-tech and automated world but I can’t help but wonder...... What if you are a customer? What if you are actually faced with a problem or issue? What if you actually want to talk someone to receive immediate assistance? What if you are a new potential customer and this is the first impression your get? How much fun can it be to talk to a machine?

It’s not surprising to me that we are in this economic mess. Everyone is focused on the numbers and on saving money. There is nothing wrong with that but my challenge is..... - are companies saving money in the right areas? I probably make between 90 and 150 phone calls a week and I can truly say one thing - if I speak to a live receptionist who is knowledgeable, shows initiative and is friendly, this company stands out in my mind.......
It is a great way to differentiate yourself from your competitors!

Aren’t there more efficient ways to save money than cutting the job of a receptionist?
Hmmmm, obviously this would require more creativity and resourcefulness!

A general manager in a manufacturing plant told me a long time ago: "I don't have a receptionist; her title is 'Director of First Impressions'." I have never forgotten this statement. Isn’t that so true?

Wouldn't it make sense to pay a receptionist well and shouldn’t the receptionist be willing to go above and beyond in positively reflecting her organization every single day? Why would you place an incompetent person who is rude and doesn't like what he or she does right in front of your customer?

Recently I walked into a company where the receptionist was playing solitaire. I talked to receptionists who were rude. I talked to receptionists who hung the phone up by mistake and I talked to receptionists who don't even know what's manufactured in the plant.

Why do these people still have a job?
Who decides who should stay and who should go?
Is this something companies should take a closer look at?

Another unbelievable scenario is that when you press # 1 on the automated system to get connected to customer service…..guess what...... nobody picks up the phone. Wow! I tried this now so many times and 75 % of the time no one picks up the phone.

Let's just be honest and face it - customer service in Canada sucks and if companies really want to compete globally, this attitude will have to change.

If we speak about companies who are successful, we should never forget that it’s the people behind the company name who make it a success.
Every person puts different effort into their jobs but if you give it your all, then you are doing your part to make the company successful.

I firmly believe that employees deserve to be happy in their jobs but I also believe that companies deserve to have employees who are willing to go the extra mile if they collect a pay cheque. It's all about give and take!

There is no question about it..... times are changing and companies are changing.
I just hope our organizations won't be run by a few well programmed robots one day......- otherwise our CEO's and Presidents may have to fear for their jobs as well. :-)

In my opinion we all have to work harder on keeping the human touch in our organizations - for the sake of our customers, our employees and for the shareholder value.

What do you think?

The Art of Listening

Today in my yoga class I could not overlook how many people have a tough time listening to spoken instructions. Most of the newer members need to see a yoga posture in order to do it. Having said that, I can remember that I had the same problem when I first attended a class but I have learned to listen more actively and that's the main thing.

We live in an information driven world where we are influenced by so many fast pace technologies that it has become really tough to sit still, shut up and listen to what's being said.

Well, what does this have to do with my business blog?

I think I just connected what I observed in my yoga class today with what I see in organizations all the time. I mean I know way too many managers who don't listen and who couldn't care less about connecting with their people. Their mission is simply to create profit and value for the shareholder. Nothing else is important.

Yesterday a manager shared some interesting thoughts with me......... He said that we have too many "nice weather" managers and not enough leaders who are able to lead through crisis. Most of them have never experienced difficult times like these but they are also not open-minded enough to learn new techniques which could help them to succeed.

He stopped for a moment to analyze his response to my question: Why do so many managers stop educating themselves once they reach a certain level in their career? His answer:

• Many think they already have a wealth of knowledge and don't see the value of continuous education (ego);
• Many don't have the time ( poor time management / self management skills);
• Many don't want to take the time because they have already arrived at their destination (how sad is that?!);
• Many don't have a boss who encourages them to take the path of continuous learning/education;

However, we live in a time of change and it is important that we understand that doing the same things every day will NOT deliver new results. To change the results we are getting, we must try new things and/or change the things we are doing.

My view is that learning means growing and if we stop growing, we may as well die.

There is absolutely no question about it that a company will become unstoppable if leaders put a conscious effort into understanding the people who work for them. If leaders care about their people, in turn, the people will care about the company.

In order to get a clear sense of what the environment is like within your organization you have to listen to your employees....., you have to listen to your co-workers......., and you have to listen to yourself. Not an easy task to do but it can be done.

Unfortunately so many managers think that they "have to know it all". Why? If you have an important decision to make - why not ASK? I know that my teachers in school (in Europe) never really encouraged us to ask questions. In school we learned that we have to answer questions, not ask them. Does it now make sense as to why we are so hesitant to ask questions?

Please be aware that you should not have already an answer in mind when you ask a question. Be open-minded and listen to new ideas!

I heard somebody once say "people are not aware because they are not aware that they are not aware." I really like that. I see it as my mission to help people increase their awareness to become the best they can be. What about you?

Carl Jung used to say "To ask the right question is already half the solution of a problem."

It sounds so easy and still isn't done. Why not?

Do you know the dreams, hopes and frustrations of your employees?
Do you know if your employees trust your leadership style?
Do you know how much faith employees demonstrate in themselves?
When was the last time that you have listened to your people with the intent to understand?

In today's marketplace it is essential that you do everything it takes to be a success. Why not enjoy a competitive advantage by doing things differently than your competition? - Ask questions, listen, and...........be courageous enough to take advice!