Gathering IDEAS There is nothing more exciting than a good idea.           New ideas never bloom in a conforming environment. Imagination is more important than knowledge but it dies under the withering heat of criticism.           When a team is faced with a difficult and complex problem ask for ideas  – as many as possible.…

Build your SELF-ASSURANCE You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. If you have confidence in yourself, others will too.           Life’s battles don’t always go to the strongest or the fastest person, but sooner or later the person who wins is the one who thinks they can.…

Let’s Do Things BETTER!  Today’s business is all about performance, productivity and accountability.  All activities should be evaluated and subjected to questioning about their costs and benefits.           People should have the time to think about the relevance of all events and be given the time and encouragement to give their honest views and feedback.…

  Online MEETINGS Online meetings are becoming increasingly popular.  They save money on travel and they can be called at short notice.           They are simple to run if you have the right tools, the right systems and have a suitable quiet room. They do have their limitations so take care.           They work best…

Do you need a MEETING? Why do you need a meeting? If you have good communication systems in place you will need few meetings.              Your reputation can depend on how well you run a meeting. How many boring, time-wasting meetings have you attended?           Why not make an effort this year to make your…

  Make Memorable SPEECHES Who spoke at the last  meeting you attended? What did they tell you? How much can you remember?           Having carried out well over 100 recall exercises, (in  many countries) I realised the spoken word is a poor way to instruct and to give out memorable information.  But they can be…

Achieving your GOALS Isolate yourself from noise and people and make plans. What would you like to achieve this year? Is it realistic?           An action plan is a step by step approach to achieve a goal or goals. Ideally it should state simply, who does what by when.           A goal is the end result…

Why Am I Blogging?  At the start of a New Year it’s time to stop and take stock. I am retired and I live in Wellington, the Capital of New Zealand. I now have time to share some of the lessons I have learned. * Why am I blogging?             I have had work…

New Year RESOLUTIONS Plan to get some good results this year. Make this an achieving year!           The most influential people are the people who get things done. They are the people who have learned to manage their time by planning and practising good work habits. Five resolutions to get things done * Set a…

Take STOCK – START AFRESH A happy New Year to you!  The end of a year is the time to take stock, to review the past year, erase old habits and begin new ones.             Have a break and return to work fresh, full of vigour and new ideas. Start afresh!             Set your sights…