Leadershipbydesign
News From LBD
December 2012 Volume 4 Issue 12

 

How to Enjoy Christmas in Your Business   

 

As a person in business, does December become a hectic month for you? Are you trying to clear out everything you have to do so you can enjoy at least a couple of days off? Do you also have to write Christmas cards, decorate your office and buy gifts for special customers? Finding time and enjoying the holidays with family and friends is challenging.

 

Like many business people you will even check emails and do a bit of work when you've promised your family your attention. As a business person, it's easy to feel guilty when you take a bit of time for yourself. Here are some tips to ensure that you enjoy the holidays and your business:

 

1. Take some time off.
    No-one ever said on their death bed that they regretted spending time with their family, so make sure that when you say you won't be working, you're not working.  

 

2. Clear your desk 

    Between now and when you intend to stop working for the holidays, have a clear action plan of all the tasks you want to accomplish.This sounds obvious, but it's all too easy to commit to something the day before you want to stop working and then have to work over the holidays as a result.

 
3. Make some time for you 

    We often forget about looking after ourselves, but the holidays are an ideal time to make sure you recharge your batteries and prepare yourself for the New Year; for example, read a book.

 

4. Tell your employees and customers 

    If you're shutting down over the holidays, tell your customers about your plans well in advance. Make sure their needs are met before you close; they will understand.

 

5. Have a good time 

    Finally, don't forget to enjoy Christmas and what it stands for. It is a time of year to reflect, relax  and have a bit of fun, so make sure that you do. 


    Our Christmas wish to you; relax, enjoy the season and have a very prosperous New Year! 

 

 

What Leaders are Reading
  

Poke the Box by Seth Godin -- Poke the Box is a manifesto by bestselling author Seth Godin that just might make you uncomfortable. It's a call to action about the initiative you're taking, in your job or in your life. Godin knows that the spark of initiative in most organizations (and most careers), is the person with the guts to say, "I want to start stuff." Poke the Box just may be the kick in the pants you need to shake up your life.

 

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Leadership Tip of The Month  

 


 

When you get a "NO" from a customer does it bother you? Perhaps you are taking it too personally.

 

 You see when you are engaging a prospect or customer it's not about you.  

 

Whether you "succeed" or "fail," whether you get a "Yes" or a "No,"  it's not about you. 

 

It's about the prospect and his/her problems, his/her needs, his/her wants.

 

Sometimes a "No" just means "Not now."

 

A "No" might also mean "I don't understand how you are going to help me."

 

There are times when a "No"  means "I don't see the value in working with you yet."  

  

 If you have something that you truly know can help make their lives or businesses better (which WE know you do!), then you are doing them a huge favor by persisting as long as it takes to get to the "Yes" and make them clients.

 

A "No" is not about you; it's about them and what they perceive you can do for them.

  

 

For additional information contact LBD.
John Branstad
John Branstad  

 

Quote of the Month

 

"A business that makes nothing but money is a poor kind of business."
Henry Ford
John Branstad
www.leadershipbydesign.org
763-213-5267