CEO Business Mistakes

Bob Nardelli, formerly the CEO of The Home Depot (www.HomeDepot.com), was quoted in an interview that “People who do things make mistakes. The biggest mistake is doing nothing.”

This is the first commonly made mistake made by a CEO: doing nothing when action is called for. By waiting, the CEO seems to believe that the trouble will somehow disappear of its own volition. Guess what: it won’t.

The second mistake most often made is not to have a game plan. While having tangible number goals is great, as is a lofty vision statement supported by a clear mission statement and a “main thing,” all of it is for naught if it is not supported at the foundation by a crystal clear strategy, clear roles and specific responsibilities, desired results to the lowest level, simply understood value for clients and a team that can execute.

Being afraid to conduct performance appraisals is the third mistake CEOs make. The ability to speak honestly to those that are performing, those that are underperforming and those not performing at all is a skill that must be acquired and used when needed. On top of that, courage is required; it is not easy to sit down and have a difficult conversation with a top manager that is not making the necessary contribution as a leader, but it must be done. Regular feedback is essential, even if unpopular and uncomfortable.

Not listening, not hearing, not understanding and not caring when spoken to is the fourth mistake made by CEOs. Too many at the top talk to, not with, their people. As a result, people disengage and go on auto-pilot, which increases the resentment, anger and negative morale that is poison to any organization.

How the CEO spends his or her time is a strong indicator of priorities. When the client comes last to him or her, the CEO is sending a message. That is because mistake number five is that the CEO never sees any clients, except by accident. The CEO puts everything else before the one thing that makes his or her organization possible. Here’s reality: No clients, no company, no need for a CEO!

The sixth mistake is when the CEO expresses an aversion to learning. People learn from mistakes, successes, experience, shared ideas and from any number other of potential sources. When the top executive sends a message that they do not believe in their own continuing education, it says that the organization they lead is not a learning organization. In the real world, it means that the organization and the CEO will soon be passed by.

When the CEO gives orders, and only gives orders, two things occur. The first is that the company will be void of those risk takers willing to take ownership of ideas, programs and projects; the second is that the organization will lack excellence because motivation for idea creation and implementation will cease to exist in short order. Mistake number seven will produce resentment, avoidance and the “beaten dog” syndrome instead of what is needed: pride and passion. Who remains at such an organization: the weak and those without options to find employment elsewhere.

The eighth mistake is that the CEO allows disloyalty, incompetence, and the actively disengaged (internal terrorists) to stay employed. This sends the message that the organization will tolerate such behavior, starting with the recruiting practices that allowed these individuals to be hired in the first place, and a lack of an effective performance appraisal program for weeding them out. Every day that these kind of people are allowed to stay employed only strengthens the foundation of a culture that permits mediocrity, or less.

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When an organization has departments that are fighting with one another, often manifested by a lack of communication; when an organization has silos that put a department, division or regional office before the company; when there are competing and conflicting responsibilities, roles and desired results, the concept of a team exists in name only. The ninth mistake of the CEO is allowing the organization to run in a state of misalignment for more time than it takes to correct it.

The tenth mistake of the CEO is a lack of trust in the management team. This manifests itself by assigning multiple people to the same task; by micro-managing tasks and by constant and needless follow-up of trivial matters. Managers with this type of CEO often wonder why they have the title of manager when they have no real authority or responsibility. The good ones leave and go to a place where they will be allowed to put their talents, skills and abilities to use.

One of the best books for a CEO is “What Really Works” by William Joyce, Nitin Nohria and Bruce Roberson. It is a must read.

Super Job Information gives information on how to get a job and how to hire good people. If you are looking for Zinc Die Casting Jobs look at this website. This Zinc Die Casting Blog will give you more information you can use for zinc castings.

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What is Living Trust?

What is Living Trust? In recent years, people have become more concerned about their finances and the proper management of their assets and properties. Because of this shift towards financial responsibility, interest in living trusts has significantly increased as well. Hence, there may be a need to define living trust in a manner that is more understandable by the ordinary, non-legalese individual.

In Valencia California, living trust is commonly defined as a trust that is revocable by the creator or the trust grantor. Ideally, it is used to prepare for circumstances such as death, disability or incapacity. It is, however, more often used simply to avoid the probate process. Avoiding probate normally means saving money and time as well as maintaining privacy in the handling of a deceased person’s assets. In Valencia, California for example, going through probate could mean fees that range from 4-8% of the total value of a person’s estate. To add to that, you would still have to pay appraisal fees and court costs.

There are, of course certain disadvantages in setting up a living trust. For one, having a living trust does not save you from estate and inheritance taxes. The expenses involved in setting up a trust could also be high, and it is an immediate expense, because you have to pay the fees up front and payment may not be postponed until the time of the grantor’s death. In the long run, however, the money, time and hassle that you save by putting up the trust far outweighs the expense involved in setting it up.

A living trust is a private financial transaction and as such, is not subject to the control of the probate court. This is why it is considered as one of the most reliable ways of avoiding probate in time of death. For those considering setting up their own living trust, it may be best to consult an attorney who specializes in this field to get proper guidance. A good lawyer can ensure that your trust is properly set up and the beneficiaries will gain full benefit from the said trust.

Mortensen Law
Tax, Trust & Estate Attorneys, P.C.
24300 Town Center Drive Suite 390
Valencia, CA 91355

(661) 799-8035
(661) 799-8838 fax

Super Job Information gives information on how to get a job and how to hire good people. If you are looking for Zinc Die Casting Jobs look at this website. This Zinc Die Casting Blog will give you more information you can use for zinc castings.

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Employee Business Goals

Hiring a new employee is only the first step of the process. Once they are on the payroll, what do you need to do next?

Your People Should Set Their Own Goals

I believe that one of the reasons I started my own business was because I was tired of answering to someone else. I wanted, no, I hungered for the ability to set my own course and my own destination.

What is to say that just because the people that work for you collect a paycheck instead of profits that they do not want at least some of that same thing?

Research suggests that when given the opportunity to set their own goals, people will far exceed what their supervisor set for them. Individuals will not only set larger goals, but they will accomplish them more willingly.

The truth is that you can make people partners in your business without giving up control, stock, or even profits.

You can get everything you want from your people if you help them get what they want.

It starts with you seeing what your people want, determining what you want, and then developing goals and action plans that allow both parties to win. The larger the goals, the more people will stretch and the more your business will benefit.

Develop “The One Page Business Plan”

Many business owners have stated, “My employees don’t even know what business we are in.” If that is the case, the fault is yours, not theirs.

Start by sitting down and writing a brief description of the company. You may already have done this in a brochure, or maybe it exists on your company web site.

In either event, take this opportunity to put into as few words as possible what your business does, and who the customers are.

It might be helpful to describe the kinds of problems that your business solves or the types of needs, wants, and desires that your organization fulfills.

The next part of your one-page business plan is to outline the goals of your business. While profits may be confidential, people can be given the sales numbers.

Why is that? In our society, people like to “keep score” and they can help your business achieve its goals but only if they know what the score is.

In sports, people always want to know “what’s the score?” so why should business be any different?

The last part of your one-page business plan is to share the strategies that the business will use to achieve the goals.

For example, advertising is a strategy that many brand-recognized companies use. You would be amazed how many organizations never tell their employees when commercials will air on television.

Letting people know helps build an identity as a team. At McDonald’s, the ad schedule is provided to all employees. I remember seeing it in the break room when I was in high school, and I am sure that if I went back to that room the schedule will still be there.

The purpose of a one-page business plan is to communicate information, direction, and goals. Sharing this with all employees will set a tone that this is a “team effort.”

Strive For Employee Involvement

Seek out the input of employees. Ask for it! Say, “The business has a problem. I need your help. Do you have any thoughts?”

I cannot tell how many companies I have consulted to that did not really need my help as a consultant. Owners often feel that they have to go outside for an objective perspective.

Most companies have the answers to the problems and the resources available from their employees, if only the employees are asked!

You see, the employees know both the causes and the solutions for the company’s problems.

As a sidebar to this, understand that the reason many employees leave a company is that they do not feel appreciated or challenged enough.

As an owner, it is your responsibility to provide stimulation and growth opportunities for your employees. That does not mean a raise, or a promotion or a change in title.

It means stimulation of the mind with new and exciting work challenges. This might be the cheapest investment you will ever make in your employees.

Communication is like Water—it is Essential

Talking to employees is like watering your houseplants. If you do not nurture the growth and development of the plant, it will die.

If you do not communicate with your employees, they will shortly start to feel that you do not care about them, or do not care about their livelihood.

An employee or employees with a poor attitude can ruin a business faster than any competitor can.

Research suggests that most employees do not think they get enough communication. As the owner, you need to state, then repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat information over and over and over again.

It sounds tedious and time consuming. It is.

The goal behind this is to establish relationships and trust within your business. It all start and end with communication with your employees; every single one of them.

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Profitable Business of Roofing

Profitable Business of Roofing

The business of producing concrete roof tiles or producing aluminum roof tile molds, then you are embarking on a very profitable business enterprise, indeed. There is a growing demand for this kind of roofing materials around the world, and investing in this type of business does not require a huge capital outlay.

Equipment, machinery, tile molds and supplies for producing cement roofing materials are relatively inexpensive and are easily available. You will get your return in investment fast enough, especially if you are planning to manufacture 50,000 tile pieces every 8 hours. This is true if you have a concrete extruder to create 60 to 150 concrete roof tiles per minute, and a variety of different roofing tile moulds to produce them.

Concrete roofing materials have taken the international market by storm, and if you are a mainstay in the roofing tile business already producing clay or brick tiles, then getting into concrete roofing tiles can be a cinch. Concrete tiles and tile molds are the answer to many of the roofing problems in the market today as they are more durable, longer-lasting, provide more insulation, protect your home from the elements better, and are very attractive besides.

Customers can choose from a variety of different colours and surface designs, and they can be created in many different forms to suit different tastes. You can even decide to patent any new style you come up with to be able to corner the market.

Roofs installed with concrete tiles are the way to go. All you need is good cement, water, quality river sand, and you’re in business.

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Super Job Information gives information on how to get a job and how to hire good people. If you are looking for Zinc Die Casting Jobs look at this website. This Zinc Die Casting Blog will give you more information you can use for zinc castings.

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