Manufacturing Excellence - Inspire, Lead, and Succeed with CURIOSITY!

“Sometimes questions are more important than answers.”
- Nancy Willard

Do you think the manufacturing world will continue to be viewed as a necessary evil?
Shouldn't this industry again be viewed as the key building block for a vibrant economy?
How can we get there?

Have you ever noticed how curious little kids are?
They ask one question after another and sometimes we don't have an answer. A little embarrassed we mumble, "well, that's the way it is".
Kids have no fear of the unknown. When they learn to walk, they try, they fall, and they try again..... because failure is not an option and they are curious to see the world from a different perspective.

It has been said that it is better to be interested instead of interesting. Isn't this statement so true?

I cannot help but wonder..... When did we stop being curious?
When did we stop asking if there is another way?
Instead of asking "why", let's ask "why not"!

Isn't it true that so many times when we ask a question we already have the answer....
Why do we ask if we don't want to get a different perspective?
How many of us really know how to ask the right questions?
How many of us use the pull instead of the push approach?
How many of us shut people down by saying "no, but, or however"?

We live in a world of constant change. The business environment is different and although it can be frightening, it's also exciting.

I think it is time to open our minds to new things and embrace curiosity.

Our brain is like a map and sometimes it is essential to build new roads..... When you manage to do that then you have discovered a new way of thinking!

Isn't this what we need in times of change?

Our Next FREE Workshop is at the Richmond Hill Central Library on March 9, 2010

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 thinking about self-employment?

We can help! 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!

Sometimes it's tough to stay positive considering all the fears and insecurities we have to deal with. However, we have learned from own experience that attitude is everything and it is our goal to communicate to YOU how you can turn a positive outlook in your job search into action.

Come and join us! 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!

"The only things that stand between a person and what they want in life are the will to try it, and the faith to believe it's possible."
- Rich Devos

When? March 9, 2010 from 6 pm - 8.30 pm
Where? Central Library, 1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill L4C 0H5 (west/south corner of Major Mackenzie and Yonge)

Manufacturing Excellence - Inspire, Lead, and Succeed with RESPECT!

"If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are."
- John W. Gardner

What does respect mean to you?
Do you ALWAYS treat the people around you with respect?
Do you feel that people respect you?
Do you believe in what goes around comes around?

The great news is that respect is a choice. It's not an attribute that only a a select few have. The choice is yours as to how you will treat the people in your life. I am always surprised how many people in management positions still feel that they have to resort to yelling as a way to communicate. This is an absolute demonstration of disrespect.

If you want to discover the brainpower of your people, you have to pay them respect. This means to make them feel valued, to ask great questions and listen to what they have to say, and to give them undivided attention. If you respect your employees through sincere face-to-face conversation and listen to what they have to say, the sky is the limit.

Manufacturing Excellence - Inspire, Lead, and Succeed with INTEGRITY!

“Efficiency is doing things right; Effectiveness is doing the right things.”
- Peter F. Drucker

What I want to know.....

Do your personal values match the values of your organization?
Have you ever compromised your integrity? If yes, for what prize?
How did you feel after?
Is is worthwhile to choose short term gain vs. long term pain?

Looking forward to hear from you!

I say it like it is! Customer Service in Canada sucks!

You own a business or you manage a department and you want your customers to be satisfied, to come back for more products or services, and to tell others great things about your company. What are the special things you do?

Can you promise first class quality? What about delivery on time? How long does the phone ring before you pick up? Do you return phone calls within 24 hours? Is your receptionist the director of first impression or someone who is barely able to speak English?

I am always surprised how many companies who don't seem to care about the customer still manage to survive?

In some companies it almost seems that they think.... If we don't take care of the customers, maybe they will stop bugging us.
Does this have anything to do with lack of training? Do we hire the wrong people? Is it a lack of understanding that the customer provides us with job security?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj0zsaTM2_4
If you cannot open the link, please copy and paste to your web browser.

How to improve?
1. Get a person to pick up the phone who is polite and knowledgeable.
2. Don't promise something if you can't keep the promise!
3. Listen and show a sincere interest in your customer (even if it is an internal customer).
4. Deal with complaints immediately.
5. Add your personal signature to the job.
6. Be ALWAYS helpful and knowledgeable - customer is always right.

I would like to hear your opinion on this topic!