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Welcome to Vantage Business Support & Insurance Services
We all know how important small business is to the U.S. economy. Some statistics that you may not know are:
(1) they represent 99.7% of all employer firms, (2) they employ just over half of all private sector employees, (3) they pay 44% of total U.S. private payroll (4) have generated 64% of net new jobs in the past 15 yrs.
VANTAGE has been servicing the small business community for over 35 years. Over the years we have accumulated much knowledge, contacts and experience in helping to protecting small businesses and help them become successful and grow. As such, we will be publishing a semimonthly newsletter geared toward providing small businesses with the latest news, products, and guidelines to assist in their success and growth. Please feel free to comment and/or request topics that are important to you for us to research.
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This is just a sampling of what we feel would be important to you. We have much more to offer. If you have any questions or need more information please contact us at 877-886-8277 or click the link below.
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3 Best New Year Resolutions for Leaders
 Connecting with the people around you is the most powerful thing you can do--it can boost success, build teams, and move your business goals forward. Here are 3 ways to establish firm links.
The three resolutions you must make for 2015 are as easy as ABC.
1. Don't come across as Arrogant.
2. Take precautions against being Boring.
3. Learn to clarify your messages so you're not Confusing.
Why are these key? They all stand in the way of your ability to make a connection with the people around you. And making connections is what effective leadership is all about.
1. Guard against arrogance. Arrogance makes us claim for ourselves qualities that we don't in fact possess. To be arrogant is to have unrealistic feelings of superiority. Most of us are turned off by arrogance. We find it offensive.
But let's face it, being in charge is a big responsibility, so some of us either contract psychologically or we puff ourselves up to project something bigger.
Both approaches undermine the essential task of effective leadership, which is to build a personal connection--an emotional connection with a listener. Two things can help you avoid the trap of arrogance.
* The willingness and ability to give people the experience of knowing you.
* Giving them the experience of being known. Nothing is more powerful. Make eye contact when they speak. Listen to their words but note their gestures and facial expressions as well. Repeat ideas back to them to be sure you've got it right.
2. Guard against being boring. Unfortunately, being real does not prevent people from being boring. My goal as president of my own company is to have inscribed on my tombstone, "He Bored Them Less."
Try the following.
* Be funny. Learn a few good, clean jokes. Something you can use to break the ice, fill in awkward gaps in conversation, or lighten a mood in a tense situation. There are plenty of resources--books, websites, radio channels. And don't forget anecdotes--personal stories can do double duty as they are entertaining and invite people in to get a glimpse of your world. It's a fun job because you'll laugh while you're doing your research.
* See things from your listeners' point of view. Question: What are people most interested in? Answer: Their own problems. If you can demonstrate an understanding of the problems people face, your solution to their problems will seem that much more heavenly, and believe me, they will listen.
* Use the right tool. Speaking is not the ideal forum for communicating massive amounts of information: The written word is more suited for that task. The spoken word is best suited for capturing the imagination, weaving stories, and arousing emotion. Use the right tool for the job.
3. Guard against being confusing. In a nutshell, confusing messages and conversations are avoided by having a clear, strong voice and a well-thought out plan.
Here are several ways to approach the problem.
* Boost your vocal presence. Remember the low talker on Seinfeld? Jerry's inability to understand her lands him in a puffy shirt on national television. People like people who are clear when they speak. We don't want conversations to be hard work or rife with misunderstandings. A good speaking voice isn't boring because it sparkles with change, changes of pitch, volume, and speed. And your listeners understand you the first time.
* Keep it interactive. Encourage people to ask questions. I hate it when I don't understand what someone is saying and I'm not allowed to ask questions. I find that I stop listening. It's like having an itch that I can't scratch. Keep your eyes on your listeners. Watch for facial expressions that signal confusion and jump in. But don't say, "Joe, you look confused." Blame it on yourself. Say, "I suspect I wasn't clear enough. What's on your mind?"
* Strike a balance. Wise men and women have said that most of the troubles of the world come from two profane tendencies in human nature: (1) treating as simple, things that are complicated, and (2) making too complicated, things that are simple. Keep it simple. Real simple.
Bottom line? Be accessible, interesting, and clear.
SOURCE: Sims Wyeth
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DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Our firm provides the information in this e-newsletter for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. Tax articles in this e-newsletter are not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided "as is," with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.
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Small Business Products
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VANTAGE has a wide range of products designed to sustain Small Business success and growth. These products include: Health Insurance Exchange Group Medical Group Dental / Vision Disability / Critical Illness Business Liability Directors & Officers Errors & Omissions Business Interruption Key Person Insurance Small Business Tool Box Workers' Compensation Employment Practices Lia Employee Theft Commercial Auto AARP Sponsored Auto & Home Umbrella Property Product Liability Start-Up Assistance Legal Assistance Human Resources Marketing Business Planning |
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