Are you missing something important?

In the end, all business operations can be reduced to three words: people, product and profits. Unless you've got a good team, you can't do much with the other two.

Lee Iacocca

What I do best is share my enthusiasm.

Bill Gates

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.

Theodore Roosevelt

Do you fear feedback?

Most businesses we know are so busy in production mode that they rarely take time to communicate with their employees about what they are trying to achieve and how they are progressing as a business and as individuals.

Avenue Capital Management (Cumberland Branch) recently engaged Susan to facilitate a session with the business principal and staff as part of their strategic planning day.

During this session, we were able to work through a number of issues in a cooperative and non-threatening manner. The benefits of such an approach include:

1. Staff are more likely to provide feedback and suggestions in the presence of a neutral third person who is moderating the discussion.

2. New ideas are more easily generated as part of an open discussion as we build on each others' suggestions in brainstorming mode.

3. Honest feedback to senior management is gathered in confidence and communicated sensitively by the facilitator.

4. Expectations of management and staff are shared for better understanding all round.

5. Commitment to action is stronger when all parties have been involved in the decision process and understand the reasoning behind each others' expectations.

'It is good to take the time out to have a chat about what's happening and gain some clarity through honest feedback and open discussion' said Mark Lewin, Branch Principal. 'We realised we need to do this on a regular basis and one of the outcomes of this session was a commitment to have monthly practice meetings. Susan's approach was so skillful, balanced and perceptive that we will be asking her to facilitate future sessions for us.'

Could we help you conquer your fear of giving or receiving feedback? Let us know!

Other news

A Think Tank for organisations that provide services to businesses in the Penrith area was held last month. Susan facilitated the discussion between representatives of the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, Penrith City Council, Penrith Valley Economic Development Committee, Penrith City Centre, Penritn Business Advisory Centre, TAFE, Department of State and Regional Development, Tradestart, the NSW Business Chamber and local business consultants. We discussed the needs of the local business community and how their organisations could cooperate to fulfil those needs. A very positive and productive meeting! The first outcome from the day was the addition of a Business Training Page to the Chamber website.
Managing people at work is a first year Bachelor of Business course at University of Western Sydney, currently being taught by Susan on Tuesdays, at the Blacktown campus. More information on UWS business courses
Basi Business Advisory Services will commence the Young Entrepreneurs Mentoring Program at Blacktown later this month. Susan has been invited to be a mentor on the program. If you know any young entrepreneurs who could benefit from the program, please send them this Y.E.M.P. link.

At this time of year, it's good to settle in with a good book to read. We are giving away a book every month.

Congratulations to Kathy Williams of Achieve Foundation, who won last month's book prize: Magic Memory by Hanne Christensen (Hanne is one of our multi-talented trainers!) Richard Branson

Read any good books lately? We recommend:

- Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson (a rip-roaring read)

- The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine (a must-read for women and men)

Do you have any reading recommendations to share with other readers?

Please let us know what you would like to read about in these newsletters, too!

Warm regards

Susan Rochester