Leadershipbydesign
News From LBD

December 2011 Volume 3 Issue 12

     LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM CHRISTMAS

    The first Christmas provides us with leadership lessons because it totally redefines the thought process for finding great leaders!

 

    That Christmas story itself is one where a young woman gives up her spotless reputation to become a mother. A young man believes so much in an angelic dream that he marries a pregnant girl (that he's never slept with) and spends the rest of his life mentoring a child born to lead. Even the CEO of this story (GOD) decides it is time to enter the rank and file to lead humanity out of the devil's grasp.That brings new meaning to the phrase, "If you want something done right, do it yourself!"

 

   Jesus, considered by many as the greatest leader that ever set foot on the earth, was born in a barn to unwealthy parents, never became financially rich, and spent the last 3 1/2 years of his life building a network of prostitutes, thieves, liars and cripples, to market His message. His life alone is an example of reverse marketing. How many leaders do great things for others without seeking or claiming recognition? Jesus did such things simply to benefit others, thus creating a loyal customer base that willingly refers Him to others.  

 

    A true leader knows how to give NEEDED gifts. The Christmas story is an example of how a little love, a little thought, and a whole-lot-of challenge can turn the outcast, weak, and forgotten into leaders who can speak to thousands with confidence, conviction and drive results.  

 

    Be a Christmas leader year round, sacrifice a part of yourself in hopes of making the rest of the world better. Model your leadership in a way that most people never experience. It will be received a whole lot better than a fruitcake.

 

                      MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

 

 
What Leaders are Reading   

Flip the Funnel: How to Use Existing Customers to Gain New Ones by Joseph Jaffe -- If there's anything the recession of 2009 taught us, it was the importance of investing in our customers, but when was this any different? So says Joseph Jaffe, a leading expert and thought leader on new media and social media. In most businesses, it costs roughly five-to-ten times more to acquire a new customer than it does to retain an existing one, and yet companies continue to disproportionately spend their budgets into the "wrong" end of the funnel -- the mass media or awareness side. What we haven't paid enough attention to is the "right" end of the funnel-the word-of-mouth component that essentially acts as a multiplier for future business. The economic impact of an active, engaged and loyal customer is tremendous.

The Bible: The Book of Luke --Luke wrote this Gospel so people would have the true and complete story of Jesus. The theme of joy is felt throughout this book from the song of Mary and later the angels at birth of Jesus to the good news of Christ's ascension.  Chapter 2 tells the beloved story of the first Christmas, Jesus birth. Leadership lessons can be learned from each chapter.
Join Our Mailing List
 
Leadership Tip of The Month  

 

 
Where is your 2012 business going to come from?

An often overlooked component of business growth is turning satisfied customers into loyal customers.

Is there really a difference? When you think of the term satisfaction it is only a measurement of mediocrity. "I am satisfied" just says my experience with you wasn't bad; however, it also was not exceptional.  Research from the Gallup organization concludes that no matter how satisfied an organization thinks their customers are, if they haven't made an emotional connection with their customers to develop a long term relationship, their satisfaction will be useless.

  

A customer is more than just someone who wants and needs your service. A customer is also someone with whom your organization is attempting to create a unique and positive experience for which they will repeatedly purchase your product or service and refer others to you. 

 

For 2012, revisit your customer's experiences with you. Are they experiences that will drive repeat business and referrals? 

    

For additional information contact LBD.
John Branstad
John Branstad

Quote of the Month

"Quality in a service or product is not what you put into it.  It is what the customer gets out of it."

    Peter Drucker 

 
John Branstad
www.leadershipbydesign.org
763-213-5267