In This Issue

News & Notes: Running Diaglogue

Manager's Tip Sheet: Speaking of Success

Personal Tip Sheet:  Top Ten Presentations Ever    

Difficult Conversations: Recommendation Requests    

Workshops, Products, and Services 

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News & Notes:  Running Dialogue

The date is set:  September 9, 2007.  That’s the day I’m running my first half-marathon. I’ve gone from thinking about it to talking about (and around) it, to finally committing.  I’ve joined a training group to support my goal and we run together every week.  Sharing goals publicly makes them grow even more as you are inviting others to ask about your progress.  

 

I’ve noticed a change in my energy since going public.  It’s exciting to share something new.  So what dreams or goals are rumbling around in your head?  What will it take to turn that internal dialogue into an external commitment?  I had to face my fear of failure.  Once I did, I learned how many people were willing to help me be successful. 

Go ahead; announce that goal to the world!  I’ll see you at the finish line.

 

Until next month,

 

Susan Fee

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Manager's Tip Sheet:  Speaking of Success

 

Long before the movie Jerry Maguire shone the spotlight on sports agents, Mark McCormack was working his magic.  In sports circles, McCormack is a legend, but even if you don’t follow sports, his management philosophy has probably impacted you.  He’s responsible for turning sports figures into celebrities.

McCormack, founder of International Management Group (IMG), believed the popularity and marketability of athletes could transcend borders, cultures, language, and even sports itself. McCormack-managed athletes were the first to endorse clothing, watches, and motor oil.  He’s the only man who negotiated deals with a young golfer named Arnold Palmer and a young Tiger Woods.

He died in 2003, but his business savvy is documented in the classic, What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School (Profile Business; New Ed, 1994) in which he discussed the importance of learning to read people and creating impressions.  He offers three powerful phrases that every successful person must learn to use:

 

“I don’t know.”  The faster you can admit this, the sooner you can shift your energy into finding answers versus protecting your ignorance.  This statement is also reflective of people who are willing to expand into unknown areas versus playing it safe.  If you already know everything, you’ve ceased growing. 

“I need your help.”  Strong negotiators have a mindset of partnering with others versus dominating.  Inviting others to participate creates buy in and gives them a reason to stay invested in a project or idea.

“I was wrong.”  In general, people are forgiving of those who make mistakes – as long as they admit them.  It’s the cover up that’s damaging.  In addition to being able to own up, sharing what you’ve learned is what will allow people to trust you in the future.  

 

More tips on creating Positive First Impressions.

 

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Personal Tip Sheet: Top Ten Presentations Ever

 

It’s worth visiting KnowHR Blog to view what they claim to be the top ten business presentations.  In particular, I suggest you watch Guy Kawasaki’s Art of the Start speech at TiECon 2006.

 

It’s a 40-minute speech that hardly feels that length due to his passion!  Notice the simplicity of his PowerPoint slides (and how few).  I support Kawasaki’s formula for using PowerPoint:  10-20-30.

10:  Use no more than ten slides.  This forces you to know your stuff versus read from the slide. 

20:  Keep your presentation to twenty minutes or less.  If you can’t say it in that amount of time, you don’t know what you want to say.

30:  Use a 30 point font on all slides so people in the back can read them.  This forces you to put less on a slide and get to the point sooner

Find 81 more tips for a successful presentation here.

 

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 Difficult Conversations: Recommendation Requests

 

Q:  An acquaintance I know casually asked me to put in a good word for him with my boss.  But, I hardly know this person, and what I do know doesn’t bode well.  It puts me in an awkward position.  Any advice?

A:  Before you risk your own reputation with your boss, be honest with your acquaintance.  Tell him you really don’t know that much about him, and ask him about his work experience.  If, after hearing what he has to say, you still don’t feel comfortable putting in a good word, perhaps you can redirect him to someone who would be a better match for his talents or offer some honest advice on what he would need to change in order to fit into your company.

Here’s an example:  “Thanks for sharing your experience.  Let me tell you a little about the culture and expectations of my workplace.  There may be a few areas you find challenging based on your past experience.  When you feel you’re ready, I can give you the name of our HR Director so you can contact that person directly.”

 

Submit your difficult questions to Susan_Fee@msn.com.  If your question is chosen for publication, you’ll receive a complimentary copy of Dealing With Difficult People.

   

   

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Workshops, Products, and Services

Upcoming Workshops and Appearances.  Engagements are open to the public when noted.

“Maximize Your Interpersonal Skills” and “Coaching Skills”

July 5 & 12

Geauga Park District

Chardon, OH 

Q104 Morning Show (listen online) 5:30-10:00 am EST

July 9

Cleveland, OH

“Mean Girls at Summer Camp”

July 10

WKYC-TV’s Good Company

Cleveland, OH

“Circle of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Summer Camp”

July 16-20, 9-11:30 (girls ages 7-9) and 1:00-3:30 (ages 10-12)

Independence, OH

 

“Surviving College Roommates”

July 26

Family Matters Radio

“Emotional Intelligence”

July 27

Kent State Staff Retreat

Chardon, OH

Products and Services

 

New!  Parent Coaching for Daughters

 

Order a PowerPack and save money!

Interested in booking training or coaching?  Let me know how I can help, Susan_Fee@msn.com. 

Susan Fee is a licensed counselor, business and personal coach, and college adjunct faculty member.  She is the author of Positive First Impressions, Dealing with Difficult People, Building Resiliency, Secrets of Successful Presentations, and the college survival guide, My Roommate Is Driving Me Crazy!  (Adams Media).  She can be reached through her Web site at www.susanfee.com or by email at Susan_Fee@msn.com. 

 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2007