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  productivity update

business tools for the 21st century May 2008
In This Issue
Upcoming Workshops
Mission Control Update
Cutting Cost in Western Mass
212 -...The EXTRA Degree
productivity tip
Motivational Quote
Upcoming Workshops in the US
 
 

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Greetings! Eb signature

This is your May 2008 productivity update covering:

1) Ways to become more productive with the award-winning Mission Control Productivity System and

2) Strategies to save cost with the proven 10-step ERA process.

I highly encourage you to view the EXTRA degree video clip. It is very inspiring and highly motivating to say the least.

Enjoy the reading.

Warm regards,

Eb Schmidt Unterschrift

 

Mission Control Update

I am just back from my second Mission Control workshop in Germany. It was in Frankfurt, attended by five people, one of whom had travelled from Amsterdam the night before to participate.

Most people would agree that Germans have a reputation for being really organized. They usually get a lot accomplished--how else do they manage to be the world's export champion for five consecutive years? The participants in this workshop were certainly no exception, but they were, nonetheless, more than stunned by the shift in mind set that they experienced after hearing about the Mission Control approach to productivity.

The study of context and work habits makes up a significant part of the first day of the workshop. Participants learn how much their own habits inhibit their productivity and how little training most of us have in dealing with the overwhelm in today's workplace. It's also true that most of us don't properly use our 21st century productivity tools.

It was very rewarding for me (as it has been many times before) to see how much value people get out of a Mission Control workshop and how inspired they are to really make a leap in their own productivity. If you do speak some German, have a look at the short video clips of people's responses after the workshop. If you prefer some English comments follow this link. In either case let me know if you have questions.
 
Cutting Cost in Western MassEb Schmidt Unterschrift
 
Here's a quick update on the local/regional front. I have finished two Merchant Card Fee projects averaging an overall savings of 16% (which is four points below the ERA average of 20%). And I am working on several utility projects, as well as a health insurance project.
Obviously these topics cover a wide range of expertise. Before you get too impressed with my background, let me tell you that ERA is so successful because we have an growing group of specialists all over the country who work on various projects as needed. So when it comes to the necessary industry knowledge, we have the resources and expertise to find the best and most cost-conscious solution for our clients.

While many people (certainly our customers) would agree that engaging the services of ERA for cost-cutting purposes is a "no-brainer," it is not always easy to get enough attention from C-level executives to start a project. Very often they don't have the time to deal with cost savings in non-core business areas. Far too often, they assume they have a good handle on non-core business cost.

But this is rarely the case, so we usually manage to find an additional 20% savings when we are asked to help.

Having said all of this, I am actually going to ask you for help: I would like to exceed the ERA savings average of 20% and need YOU to give me a project.
Why should you do that, you might ask? Well, obviously you can only help me if I manage to help you and can find some extra profit for you. In return you might get some valuable savings to increase your bottom line--without any risk to you. In the worst case scenario, you will find out from an industry specialist that you are getting the best prices already!

In either case, the outcome is peace of mind, isn't it?
Why not give it a try?
 
 
If you consider you're doing a great job, but don't yet think of yourself as excellent--check out this video. It takes less than 3 minutes to watch and is a guaranteed kick! If you feel unsatisfied afterwards, give me a call (413) 441-5718.
Enjoy!
 
productivity tip 

Start to do some planning. However hectic your days and weeks might be and whatever system you are using--planning pays off!

Why? If you do not plan, you are reacting to circumstances and emergencies, or you're just doing what you like most. If you do plan, you are forcing yourself to express your goals and priorities thereby aligning your inner forces with them--and that makes a BIG difference.

As we all know, the day may unfold very differently than planned, but through your planning efforts, you have a much better chance of responding in an appropriate way that does not compromise your concerns.

As General Dwight D. Eisenhower put it: "Plans are nothing; planning is everything."
 
 

Motivational Quote

"Start by doing what is necessary, then do what
is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."


St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
Italian friar, founder of the Franciscan order