Archive for the ‘Human Resources’ Category

Now that portable music devices like the iPod and mp3-enabled phones have revolutionized the way people listen to music — more and more people are listening to music (and podcasts like the BusinessCast) at work.

So, where do you stand on listening to music at your work place? Sooner or later, you’ll need to put a ‘stake in the sand’ and define a policy around this practice — particularly, if your team consists of people in their 20s.

Of course, your policy about listening to music at work will vary according to the nature of the work. But, here are some practical questions for you to think through as you pull together guidelines about music at work:

Clients. To what degree does listening to music prevent employees from responding to or interacting with clients?

Deadlines/Concentration. Are there specific times of the day, week or month that require special attention to ensure accurate completion of highly technical and/or deadline-driven tasks?

I.T. Department. Does listening to music cause an unacceptable drain on the I.T. infrastructure – to initiate or support? This can be the case if ‘streaming music’ is being used.

Reputation. What image are you sending to people coming to your place of work when people are seen listening to music at your work place? Is it an image that you’re comfortable with?

Employee Recruitment/Retention. Do your employees look upon listening to work as a ‘right’ or as a privilege?

Management. Do the rules about listening to music at work apply to everyone — including you and your senior management team?

Productivity. Does listening to music at work make for a more pleasant and productive environment?

Finally, whatever your policy, you’ve got to work through how it will be introduced, monitored, measured and maintained.

Remember: Subscribe to the BusinessCast Podcast at iTunes

Make sure you check out the BusinessCast Podcast ‘Blog Review’ Episode where we outline how you can get some practical business – books for free!**

Entrepreneurs have often told Robert and me that they are constantly on a ‘recruitment drive to hire good people’ and get them productive as soon as possible. That’s why Robert and I devoted an episode of the BusinessCast podcast to what entrepeneurs should/can do in order to get new candidates and get them ‘up and running’.

But, in addition to attracting and retaining your next potential employee, your advertised job description — which is very often the only tool an entrepreneur invests in when recruiting — also sends very strong messages to your next customers!

So, make sure that whatever job description you develop also answers — either implicitly or explicitly — the following questions:

• What makes your organization unique?
• Why would someone choose to work with your organization over your competitors?
• What is the personality of your company?
• What is exciting about your company?

Other things to keep in-mind:

• The job description should be professionally written, designed and layed out.
• You should be comfortable with the reputation of the online/offline publication in which you place your job description.
• Your job description also reveals your potential growth plans for competitors.
• Your job description may be monitored (and copied) by competitors.
• Your job description should be memorable and positive.

Because of these marketing-related issues, think of any job description you have posted as just as important as any ad that talks about your brand, your products and your services. In fact, given the various audiences that will review the ad — existing customers, prospects, suppliers, potential employees and potential investors — your job postings are secret and very powerful marketing tools.

Make sure you check out the BusinessCast Podcast ‘Blog Review’ Episode where we outline how you can get some practical business – books for free!**

Remember: Subscribe to the BusinessCast Podcast at iTunes

Well a few weeks ago, we sat down with former Calgary Flames President & CEO, Ron Bremner. The result: BusinessCast Podcast #71 – Part One of Hockey Lessons for Business. His insights and personality certainly sparked a lot of strong emotions.

The truth is that some people appreciated where Ron was coming from, the challenges he faced and his approach to tackling them. At the same time, others didn’t quite see eye-to-eye with Ron’s approach.

Well, Ron had some further business lessons and now they can be heard on BusinessCast Podcast #73 – Part Two of Hockey Lessons for Business.

You’re an entrepreneur so, listen to the shows – and you be the judge. Does Ron have it right? What’s your take?

**Make sure you check out the BusinessCast Podcast ‘Blog Review’ Episode where we outline how you can get some practical business books for free!**

Remember: Subscribe to the BusinessCast Podcast at iTunes

Every entrepreneur instinctively understands the power of good stories.

In fact, chances are you’ve been inspired by a compelling story. Furthermore, the fact that you’re succeeding as an entrepreneur demonstrates that you, or one of your team, have some ability to tell stories.

The truth is that a good story can inspire your staff or capture the imaginations of prospects and customers. Well-told stories shape how people think about you and your brand. And, stories — when originating from the right source — told at the right time and to the right audience, can spur dramatic action.

Here are a few resources to help you hone your story-telling skills:

1. Podcast Episode: How to tell the story about you – one-on-one – to prospects and other likely audiences

2. Podcast Episode: How to tell stories regardless of the venue or number of audience members

3. PDF: Examples of Strong business stories

4. Book: The Leader’s Guide to Story Telling

In a few weeks, Robert and I will devote a special BusinessCast podcast episode on ways to help you become a more effective story teller.

Remember: Subscribe to the BusinessCast Podcast at iTunes

These are the final days of the Summer and yet, Robert and I are still getting hundreds of requests for us to tackle many of the pressing/common challenges faced by entrepreneurs.

So, we’ve identified some of the most popular requests. And, by way of giving you a heads-up, here is a partial list of the topics that we’ll be tackling in the BusinessCast podcast and (on this blog) over the next few/several weeks:

Marketing

• Word-of-Mouth Marketing
• Referral Marketing
• Tag Lines
• Fine Print Marketing
• Luxury Marketing
• How to Leverage Marketing Demographics (Boom, Bust, Echo…Belch)
• Popular Marketing Tools (i.e. Newsletters, RFPs, Email, Presentations, Events)
• How to Acquire New/Right Clients

Human Resources

• How to recruit staff that really works
• Effective and Cost-Efficient training

Finance

• Alternate Sources of Funding

Leadership

• Knowing How/When to Delegate
• Succession Planning

Operations

• Logistics

Finally, we’re also be interviewing a handful of business entrepreneurs and business book authors.

So, keep tuned. Keep listening to episodes of the BusinessCast podcast.  And, keep your comments coming. We’ll be here to help you get the most out of your business.

Remember: Subscribe to the BusinessCast Podcast at iTunes