Bridging finance, also referred to as "bridge loans" and "bridging loans", have nothing at all to do with re-constructing the London Bridge. Bridging finance is typically a short-term loan that a business uses to supply cash for a real estate transaction until permanent financing can be arranged. The word "bridge" conveys the fact that the loan is designed to get you over a temporary obstacle. A typical use for a bridge loan is to cover...more
The single most expensive stock market trades are those made with emotions, but, of course, you are not an emotional trader are you? Before you bought that stock, mutual fund or Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) you did your research to be sure that what you were buying would return a good profit over the long haul. You bought it and over time you look at it less and less. Ask yourself: when you plunked down your hard earned money did you have any idea...more
Towers Perrin, the corporate benefits consulting firm, surveyed over 1000 American workers and found the following: Only 51 percent of all workers trust their organizations to tell the truth in employee communications Only 48 percent of all workers with more than five years of tenure believe their companies are honest in their employee communications Only 44 percent of all workers over age 50 trust their organizations to tell them the truth in employee communicationsOrganizations then wonder why worker productivity decreases, employee loyalty is at an all time low, and human resource situations increase. Your employees see everyday, at least in their eyes, the following: Record profits, yet massive layoffs Hearing how important they are, yet having their jobs outsourced Experiencing changes to their jobs, yet not being asked for their ideas Being told how they are doing a great job, yet being yelled at for mistakes in front of colleaguesNo wonder there is tension in the workplace. When I work with organizations, the following three concerns are the ones usually express: "My supervisor, manager, etc., doesn't know how to communicate with me." "I am the last to hear about bad...more
We consistently face new and ever growing challenges in the workplace such as reorganizing, downsizing, and "left out sizing." We are faced with the question, "How do we lead in this storm of change?" It may seem difficult at times and the decisions we make define our short-term and long- term outcomes. I will share with you five leadership...more
How many times have you heard something similar to this in a customer service situation? Customer: "Why don't you just do it this way, and it will take care of the situation." Customer Service Person: "I understand what you are saying, but we can to do it this way." Then the situation magically goes downhill from there and it is difficult to win...more
Recently, a business associate, Mike, mentioned that he was doing a show at a local university and stopped by the faculty dining hall to get lunch. He said that, while waiting on line, the service was poor. The line moved slowly, the counterperson was disinterested in what she was doing and it showed. It was not a pleasant customer experience. It was Mike's turn to order and the counterperson continued to show her disinterest no eye contact, moving like it pained her, and no enthusiasm in her voice. Then when she finally looked up to give Mike his food, she noticed his nametag with his name and company. She realized that Mike worked for a bank where she just opened an account. Well, she turned into another person. She was excited when telling Mike about her excellent experience at his bank. In an instant she was vibrant, alert, smiling, and alive! The question is, "Why couldn't she behave that way whenever she interacts with a customer?" We can ask this question whenever we interact with people in customer service situations. In many situations, the persons serving us act like they are auditioning for the role of a zombie in the movie, "Dawn of the Dead." Whereas they can use...more
Recently I was facilitating an Outstanding Customer Service program and broke for lunch. Knowing that the restaurants in the area had much to desire as far as service I gave the students an extra fifteen minutes for lunch. Sure enough a group of four...more
Recently on the television reality show, The Apprentice, Donald Trump would give the ultimate winner the dream job of working for him, running one of his divisions and earning $250,000 per year. On the final episode, the choice came down to two...more
Recently, I was watching a rerun of the successful television show, The Cosby Show. The patriarch of this professional family (He is a doctor and his wife is a lawyer.) played by Bill Cosby, was just told by his college-bound daughter that the...more
One hot summer day my daughter and I ventured to our local craft store with one mission in mind - purchase velvet covered coloring panels called fuzzy boards. Little did we know this simple trip would turn into such an adventure. The store advertised...more
December is a month in which many organizations make plans for the coming year. Now is a great time for you to look at your marketing systems for attracting and retaining customers. Although front end systems such as advertising, public relations,...more