Monday Morning Mastermind Podcast

Happiness! August 23, 2010

Joe — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:38:56 +0000

What makes you happy? People often respond: Family, Faith, and if their really blessed, Career. Let’s face it people make us happy. The relationships we have with others keep us in a happy state of mind. We start getting down when we feel like some of the relationships are being jeopardized: marriage, with a child, with a client, with a boss. Appreciation is the key to our happiness. Appreciation leads to respect. When you associates feel that what they’re doing at work means something to someone, they are happy. When you praise them for a job well done, they fill with happiness. Be careful not to just point out what someone can do better. They certainly need to know how to improve, but they also need to hear about the things your noticing them do well.

Think independently and then saying something August 16, 2010

Joe — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:31:28 +0000

We all think independently of others. The sad reality is we don’t share our ideas with others, particularly in the office place. Why is that? Perhaps fear of being shut down or disrespected.

If you consider yourself to be a contributing unique member of any group, you need to speak up. Today’s Monday Mastermind talks about this subject.

In the words of Frank Sinatra:

“To say the things (you) truly feel and not the words of one who kneels. The record shows I took the blows and did it My Way.”

Passion August 9, 2010

Joe — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:57:27 +0000

This word Passion has so many different interpretations. A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed Sean Ryan, Race Director of the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon as well as many others around the area. Sean calls it a Career of Passion when you drop everything to pursue making a living at something you love. He loved running and he has developed steps a person should go through before quitting their day job and pursuing a full-time career of passion. If you are in this situation, look at our past interviews and look for him. Today’s wisdom reflects on passion as it is the essence of purpose. Now you don’t have to work your passion to have passion. I know a guy whose passion is waterskiing and spending time at his new cabin. He works to fuel that passion. To quit his day job and sell ski boats would actually take him off the water on weekends, plus, he makes a great living which gives him the resources to have the boat and cabin on the lake. Enjoy this week’s Monday Mastermind!

Understanding a Higher Math

Joe — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:12:57 +0000

Today’s Monday Mastermind is through the eyes of Dan Sanders in his book, Built to Serve. The crux of the matter is this, “If you subscribe to the belief that everything has to have an immediate return on investment, you will never fully comprehend higher math.”

Enjoy’s the wisdom of Dan Sanders!

My interview with Dave Skogen July 26, 2010

Joe — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:57:08 +0000

My interview with Dave Skogen – Chairman of the Board for Skogen owned Festival Foods grocery stores across Wisconsin.

It is a big honor for me to share wisdom and insights from Dave Skogen. Dave has mentored me throughout my career. I labeled him a Brander-In-Chief. I also ended up using that label for the title of my book, The Brander-In-Chief. He is a Servant Leader and has infused Servant Leadership principles into his organization. Dave will share with you how he defines ‘culture’, what a Servant Leader looks like and his journey in discovering Servant Leadership. He will also explain what it takes to infuse these principles into your organization. Enjoy!

Dave Skogen, a Servant Leader Inspiration July 19, 2010

Joe — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:18:48 +0000

You are in for a really great program next week as I interview Dave Skogen. Dave is Chairman of the Board for the Skogen owned Festival Foods stores. There are Thirteen stores in all across the state with a fourteenth opening in Suamico this October. Dave didn’t discover Servant Leadership until he was 50 years old, which proves you’re never too old to accept and embrace change. Dave is a self-promoted, “Change Agent.” He grew up in Onalaska, WI. His home was connected off the Kitchen to the 3,000 sq. ft. store his father opened in 1946. What a cool pantry! That means Dave literally grew up in the business.

Dave will talk about his approach to nurturing and growing people. He will share is journey of how he discovered Servant Leadership and define for you what Servant Leadership means to him and his company. You will appreciate his candor and no frills approach to leadership. Make sure to visit back next week to hear the full interview with my friend and mentor, Dave Skogen.

Great Leaders put the right people in the right seats! July 12, 2010

Joe — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:33:31 +0000

When I was a TV sales rep, I once called on an interior design company. When I finally got a hold of the owner, he told me that Tracy handled all his advertising. I scheduled a meeting with Tracy. During the middle of my pitch she stopped me, “Look,” she said. “My boss heard that I had one marketing course in college and now I’m handling the advertising? I am an interior designer so put something together and I’ll hand it to him.”

I term a business owner who does this tactic a Brander Phobic. They prefer to focus on one area and they delegate too freely just so they can dump it off their plate. This can cause great stress on the person who is simply not motivated or qualified to be the best in that role. Be aware of who you are asking to do what. It could be causing stress on your associates which costs you money.

THREE for FREE July 5, 2010

Joe — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:22:49 +0000

Today’s topic is about creating effective communication. The words we use are crucial in getting our point across. Unfortunately, we only speak in the words we understand. Although we all speak English it doesn’t mean we always comprehend what another is saying. We have developed software called the About Me Card program. Its release is around the corner. If you would like to experiment with this cool new communication software, e-mail us at info@aboutmecard.com type: 3 for FREE in the subject line. We will follow up with all the details. Enjoy!

Interview with Sean Ryan – Race Director of the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon June 28, 2010

Joe — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:09:01 +0000

Sean Ryan speaks today about a career in passion. He sold his three area restaurants to begin a career in event planning for marathons and other running venues. Today his decision has paid off as he is involved with many area running events. Be sure to listen to my interview with Sean, especially if you’re considering a career in passion. He provides the steps he took in making this life altering decision.

Enjoy!

What is your Customer Experience Factor? June 21, 2010

Joe — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:21:36 +0000

Today’s Mastermind challenges you to think about how your Customer Service compares to anyone in your market area. Traditionally, when businesses would think about customer service, they would compare themselves to others in their industry. What Jim Collins is saying is that anyone who outperforms you in customer service is taking money out of your pocket.

So what is your Customer Experience Factor? The first question you need to ask is, am I consistent? Do my customers experience the same thing every time they interact with my business? Whether you have poor or great service, is it consistent? Consistency builds any brand as long as you deliver the whole package to your customers, quality product, quality service, and fairly priced. They expect it. What they don’t expect is being “wowed”. Look for ways to “WOW” your clients and prospective clients through a system of interaction that you experiment with and then deploy in your company. You need a system in order to create “WOW”.