| | | |  | Greg Smith
Lead Navigator
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PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM THE CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP  It's been a busy two weeks at Chart Your Course, packed with travel and some great speaking engagements. On the horizon, a mission trip to Diriamba, Nicaragua, Nov. 2-8, with my son. We will be working with a group of 18 men to build 12 houses in four days for people in need. It's an exhilarating, tangible way I enjoy paying forward the blessings I've had in my life. If you would like to learn more about the trip or to contribute, click here. If you haven't already, consider "liking" us on Facebook to receive blog post alerts and other management tips in your Facebook feed or notifications. We'd love to be part of your social network! Here's a link to our page. Also, we continue to enjoy the greater functionality and streamlined appearance of the new Web site. If you haven't had a chance to check us out, please stop by and let us know what you think. You can access hundreds of free resources, previous articles and other tips, as well as browse our tools and resources. Helping you Chart Your Course! 
Gregory P. Smith President and Lead Navigator 
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| Three Steps to Create Optimism in the Workplace If you talk about optimism, you'll find no shortage of quotes, clichés, proverbs or stories to guide you. Optimism is the original American dream: the hope of every student, new parent, entrepreneur, fledgling small business or politician. It's why we root for the underdog or follow a good football, baseball or soccer game. The belief that "Excellence is not a skill; it's an attitude," said Ralph Marston, or "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty," said Winston Churchill. So where does optimism fit in your business? How can it help you be a better leader, or to motivate your employees? Science has shown that optimistic people heal faster, perform better, live longer and report more happiness and fulfillment in their lives. Optimistic employees work harder, longer and with a more innovative spirit. Optimistic customers believe in the value of what you are selling, and make the purchase. Optimism frames and fuels decisions, and in the modern workplace, it fosters solid work, innovation and sales. So how do you harness Optimism for your business? - Lead by example. Since Steve Jobs' death, experts have mulled the incredible success he brought to Apple as its co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer. There are the technical aspects - the first portable MP3 device, the first smart phone, the first tablet. But it's more than that. Microsoft has no shortage of firsts for technology, but they fail to generate the same buzz. Jobs succeeded because he valued design and salesmanship as much as function. It's not just an MP3 device - it's an iPod. It's not a smart phone, it's an iPhone. It's not a tablet, it's an iPad. In branding, Jobs understood the power of optimism. He was also famous for the enthusiasm he brought to Apple's annual meetings, where he would herald "the next big thing." In "Marketing for Scientists" Marc Kucher listed words Jobs used to describe his products between 1998 and 2008: stunning, revolutionary, awesome, beautiful, best, tour de force, cool, remarkable. You get the point and Apple's employees and America did too.
- Promote your company's values. There is no shortage of access to bad news in our culture. Technology has connected us, but has also saddled us with 24/7 coverage of controversy, crimes, natural disasters and wars. Infuse optimism in your workplace through your company's values. Be clear about what your company stands for and why you are in business. Consider a tagline or phrase that employees can easily refer to and believe in. Facebook recently released a commercial that revolved around the meaning of a chair - and how chairs were made for people and connected people. It seems trivial, but it communicated the company's core values with great effect. Facebook connects people. Focusing on that simple principle unleashed the optimism of both employees and consumers alike, making them proud to be part of Facebook.
- Remove obstacles. Now this is huge. Optimism cannot thrive when employees feel stuck. Consider: are you holding potential leaders back in your company? Is bureaucracy weighing you down? How can you enable future leaders to rise? How can you encourage innovation? I cannot answer this for each business. What I can do - is compel you to ask the questions. As a leader you know what can be done. Do it!
For additional articles and resources click here! |
Three Words Every Salesman Should Practice
Here's an interesting story. In a study conducted at the Boston University School of Management, researchers found how powerful the words, "I don't know," could be for someone in sales. It seems counter intuitive - the salesman should be the expert and know his product, so admitting ignorance could hurt his credibility. On the contrary, when a salesman was faced with a question they couldn't answer and admitted it, it inspired trust in the customer plus time for the salesperson to search for the correct answer. To read the full report entitled "Does it Pay to Beat Around the Bush? The Case for the Obfuscating Salesman," click here.
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Is Greg Speaking at Your Next Meeting?  Do you need a speaker, trainer or facilitator for an upcoming meeting or conference? If you want to ensure your next meeting is a huge success, consider Greg Smith! Call or email us today to discuss your program needs. And, don't forget to check out our new Web site for a list of dynamic keynotes, workshops and other resources. More information |
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 Boosting Employee Engagement 50 Ways to Motivate and Unleash Employee Performance
Engaged employees stay with their employers, have higher levels of job satisfaction and make significant contributions. This e-book provides over 50 tips, strategies and employee engagement techniques to boost motivation, teamwork and engagement.
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 Service First Video Library The Service First Customer Service Video Library is a powerful video-based training system founded on group interaction and designed to train the entire workforce on the art of exceptional customer service. The Service First Video Library helps employees become the best they can be! Service First Video Library-12 DVD's and Free Bonuses $1497 FREE SHIPPING More information |
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