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The Corporate Digest
  
 
Dear David,
 
Here are articles on two interesting subjects that I hope you will enjoy.
Death by Meeting
 

 

Patrick Lencioni brings an element of humor and reality in his book Death by Meeting.

Each of us can remember that meeting that would not end.  Or that meeting where we wondered what we were doing there.

Lencioni takes a novel approach and suggests that perhaps it is not that we have too many meetings, but not enough meetings.  How can he possibly say that? 

He summarizes his thoughts by saying that the main problems with meetings are two-fold.  First, meetings are boring.  Second, they are ineffective.  He believes that the most compelling reason that meetings are boring is that they lack drama and conflict.  The main reason that they are ineffective, he says, is that they lack contextual structure.

This is because we only have one type of meeting.  He suggests that we need multiple types of meetings and that we clearly distinguish between them for purpose, format and timing.

He proposes four types of meetings:

The Daily Check In - a standing meeting lasting five minutes, and definitely not more than ten.

The Weekly Tactical - a forty-five minute meeting that starts with a quick listing of priorities and then follows a real-time agenda, set during the meeting.

The Monthly Strategic - this is a more structured meeting that does not veer off course from strategic items and where the agenda is not overcrowded.

The Quarterly Off-Site Review - Rather than a boondoggle, this includes a comprehensive strategy review, a team review, personnel review and a competitive and industry review.

The book is an extremely easy and quick read and brings a new perspective to the corporate meeting.

 

I want to acknowledge Trevor Klein, the Co-Founder and SVP of Business Development of AutoAnything, a friend and client who first introduced me to Lencioni and his ideas.

Developing Trust

When I say that I trust you, I am really saying that I trust that you will behave in a way that I expect, and that way will be in my best interest.

Trust takes time but it is worth the investment.

Here are some practical suggestions:

  • Act with integrity.  A person has integrity when there is no gap between intent and behavior, when he or she is whole, seamless, the same - inside and out.
  • Take a sincere interest in others.  Beyond the business transaction, try to get to know your clients and employees.
  • Listen to what the consumer or employee thinks, wants and needs.  Frequently invite feedback and survey your customers.  Listen and respond to them.
  • Be enthusiastic about your product or service.  Again, your clients will be able to tell if you truly believe in what you are doing, or if you are only working for the paycheck.
  • Help your clients find solutions to their problems. You do not want your clients to feel or act helpless. Offer reliable assistance, but remember that your goal is to have your clients manage things on their own and not have to call on you for everything.
  • Be honest and upfront.  Do not hide things from your clients. If you are unsure about something, tell them.  But follow it up with research and an eventual answer.  Be clear about what may need to be outsourced to someone else.
  • Always follow up to be sure that your client is satisfied.  The periodic phone call or e-mail after the product or service has been delivered will set you apart from your competition.  Most new business comes in the way of a referral from a satisfied customer.
  • Exceed the customer's expectations.  Make sure that your customer wants to come back to you again and again, because he or she trusts you.

Everyone in a company should work towards the building of high-trust business relationships. When the emphasis is on developing trust, then relationships become mutually beneficial.

_________________________________________________

Consult Levy has worked with many business teams to improve their effectiveness and has mentored and helped grow people to new levels of performance. To discuss any of these subjects including how goals setting can best work for you, call 858-453-3778.  Learn More

April 2010

 
Picture of David Levy 
David Levy
Principal - Consult Levy
                                       
In This Issue
Death by Meeting
Developing Trust
 
 
 
 








































 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Contact Information
  
David Levy

8731 Caminito Abrazo,     Suite 201
La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
 
Phone: 858-453-3778   
Fax:     206-279-1606
 
E-mail:
For more information on these topics - or to discuss any of your business operational needs, contact David Levy or call 858-453-3778

For Full Service Business Solutions by Experts with Proven Success
  Copyright © 2010 Consult Levy/David Levy All Rights Reserved.

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8230 Caminito Sonoma, Suite 102
La Jolla, CA 92037-1601
858.453.3778 763.322.2505 dlevy@ConsultLevy.com

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