Sunday, January 3, 2010
Dan Wertenberg flies in from South Carolina to lead a morning workshop for my C level exectives. His focus in on CEO leverage options in the new year. 8 am start and if you have the time, stay for lunch. This is my gift to you.Location is the Austin Country Club. No cost. Please RSVP ed.stillman@vistage,com.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Mark Wiskup comes to Austin
Our 6th speaker in a series of 8 leads a 3 hour workshop on communication and presentation skills for business owners and CEO level executives on September 17th. Mark Wiskup's - Stop Talking: Start Communicating shares key skill sets that every C level executive should master. Are you conducting client, banking, vendor or direct report one-to-one's - think there would there be a gold nugget or two for you from this workshop?
Sunday, October 5, 2008
ATTITUDE: HIRE THE BEST, FIRE THE REST, AND STAY OUT OF COURT
Hunter Lott is speaking October 15. His talk, “Hire the Best, Fire the Rest and Stay out of Court” has been well received by thousands of small- to medium-size business executives in the US and Canada.
Value to Members: Members will leave with an ability to audit their own businesses for risky practices and cut through the clutter of employment law to improve harmony and productivity. Included is a review of handbooks, a number of sample policies, a summary of key legal issues, tools to think like an outsider along with solutions to nagging HR frustrations.
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Biography: Hunter Lott is a partner in HCap International, publisher of the upcoming Please Sue Me series and owner of HRonCall, an outsource HR support service. For more than 18 years, Lott has given over 4,000 presentations to more than 100,000 managers and owners across the United States.
Value to Members: Members will leave with an ability to audit their own businesses for risky practices and cut through the clutter of employment law to improve harmony and productivity. Included is a review of handbooks, a number of sample policies, a summary of key legal issues, tools to think like an outsider along with solutions to nagging HR frustrations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biography: Hunter Lott is a partner in HCap International, publisher of the upcoming Please Sue Me series and owner of HRonCall, an outsource HR support service. For more than 18 years, Lott has given over 4,000 presentations to more than 100,000 managers and owners across the United States.
Q4 "How's the forecasting going..."
It's that time again...and especially challenging with the financial market in turmoil and the importance of November Presidential elections and the implications for small to medium size business owners. We will be spending time working on our Reflections from 2007 and the your Outlook for 2008 and beyond rough drafts.
1. Several of you are finishing up your performance appraisals in October.
2. Hunter Lott is a very knowledgeable resource to those of you updating your employee manuals. Bring it with you on the 15th.
3. What isn't working right in your organization?
4. if you are having revenue issues, keep focusing on cash on hand.
5. Those of you with 15 to 20% or more growth targets, consider developing a best, good and worst case scenario as you go into 2009.
Our economist is suggesting tough times for most of 2009 and a large part of 2010. Don't take my word for it, just look at the market direction and the world attitude. There is always a silver lining in times like this.
1. If you have the cash, look for new markets for your products or services.
2. How well do you know your competitors? Are their children going to run the business? Is it time to talk to them about a succession plan? You buying them!
Ed Stillman
1. Several of you are finishing up your performance appraisals in October.
2. Hunter Lott is a very knowledgeable resource to those of you updating your employee manuals. Bring it with you on the 15th.
3. What isn't working right in your organization?
4. if you are having revenue issues, keep focusing on cash on hand.
5. Those of you with 15 to 20% or more growth targets, consider developing a best, good and worst case scenario as you go into 2009.
Our economist is suggesting tough times for most of 2009 and a large part of 2010. Don't take my word for it, just look at the market direction and the world attitude. There is always a silver lining in times like this.
1. If you have the cash, look for new markets for your products or services.
2. How well do you know your competitors? Are their children going to run the business? Is it time to talk to them about a succession plan? You buying them!
Ed Stillman
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The CEOs Tool Kit
The TOP 45 Best CEO/Executive Tools
As Selected by Executives and Managers of 10,000 North American Companies
1. Key Customer-Impacting Jobs = Find the key jobs affecting customers, put the right people in
those jobs, and really support them. Then watch profits soar!
2. The "Right" Growth Rate = Every company has a "right" growth rate; pre-determine yours.
3. Big Audacious Goals = Results happen by reaching higher, not just by setting logical goals.
4. CEO's Monthly Letter = Get your message to everyone, building trust, teamwork and results.
5. One-Page Business Plan = Create the one-page plan to plug all employees into a common
direction. Your strategy will be pursued by an army of people!
6. 12-Month Company Calendar = Show future events to all employees, creating coordinated
teamwork; the results will astonish you!
7. Trailing 12-Month Charts = Sum of 12 prior months, charted for 3 years; especially %
gross margin.
8. Regular Recognition = Recognize people for performance on a regular, scheduled basis.
9. Quarterly Priorities Sharing = Encourage managers to share individual goals and then
help each other achieve them!
10. 1:1 with Direct Reports = Prescheduled individual uninterruptible weekly meetings keeps
your team on top through relationship-building and communication.
11. YCDBSOYB = Regularly injecting fun into business keeps it fresh, new, and interesting
(e.g., this riddle).
These CEO Tools were compiled by Kraig W. Kramers, a frequent speaker to management groups on rapid business
growth, acquisitions and business strategy. Please apply these tools in your business! For more information feel
free to call Kraig at (770) 389-8511. (The riddle? YCDBSOYB = You Can't Do Business Sitting on Your Butt!)
Kraig W. Kramers
Corporate Partners Inc.
159 Glen Eagle Way
McDonough, GA 30253
kwker@mindspring.com
Best CEO/Executive Tools
(continued)
12. Goal Writer 101A = Teach "Verb-Noun-Date" to write a goal; simplest example is "Do It Now!"
13. Personal Hot Button = Your key player won't buy it for himself; match it to achieving a key goal.
14. Personal Notes Home = Send individual cheerleading and congratulating notes to maximize results.
15. Celebrate Successes = Report against key goals and regularly celebrate achievement.
16. Focus on Winners = Publicly cheer and celebrate the winners; say nothing about the laggards.
17. How CEOs Spend Time = Hit homeruns with people; spend time on customers/ strategy/tracking.
18. People's BEST Jobs = Identify key people's best jobs and design your organization around them.
19. Monthly Re-Forecasting = Track actual vs. budget; re-forecast next 3 months and act to fill gaps.
20. Backlog Tracker = Build profits by tracking shortfalls in future backlog, then filling the gaps.
21. CEO's Business Cardinals = Your written "business values" will focus your team and attract winners.
22. 7-Step CEO Process = This iterative process will complete the loop in your management system.
23. Recognition Buck$ = Employees recognize each other for positive actions; extends recognition.
24. 35 Executive Success Traits = Use these traits to grow yourself, your team, and to place winners.
25. {Q1 = $1.00} = Use symbolism to communicate (e.g., $1 bill, $ formulas, customer brochures).
26. The Choice Grid = Use this format to assure selection against criteria, not emotion.
27. Executive Development Planner = Easy tool for leaping growth of individual managers.
28. Monthly Operations Report = CEO's personal report card, builds track-record & results.
29. Feed the Effort! = Volunteer your personal support to each person's effort to beat goal.
30. Client Calendar = Really focus your efforts on the customer with this Client version.
31. Lawnmowers vs. Beautiful Lawns = Be sure you know what your business really sells!
32. Communication & Trust = Understand the need to work on both to raise performance.
33. Trade Price for Volume = This can work great if done carefully and selectively.
34. Timing is Everything! = All things go in cycles, so study your industry's & company's cycles.
35. Taking It to the Street = Find every excuse to reiterate goals and direction.
36. Management Cycle = Plan, Lead, Organize & Measure: Work the management cycle.
37. Top 5 Goals = Develop very specific short-term & long-term team goals.
38. Give Customers Profit Information = Give regular information to improve your customers' business.
39. Simple Business Plan Outline = 75% of companies have no plan yet believe they should!
40. Communicate Bigger = Consistency and repetitiveness will dramatically enhance effectiveness.
41. Best Business Philosophy = Monitor details, Measure results, Manage process, and Lead people.
42. Price+Mix+Volume Formula = Tweak these to maximize market share & drive competitors crazy!
43. Daily Cash Report & Re-Forecast = The most important tool for any CEO!
44. Plan Your Exit Way in Advance = It typically takes 3 years to do an exit or company sale right,
so get ready now!
45. Vistage/TEC Membership & Speaking = The best gifts you can give yourself -- try both!
These CEO Tools were assembled by Kraig W. Kramers, a frequently requested speaker on rapid business growth, acquisitions and business strategy. Please apply these tools in your business! For more information, give Kraig a call at (770) 389-8511.
Top45 KWK 3-30-04 Copyright © 1996-2004 Corporate Partners Inc. All Rights Reserved. CEO Tools BOOK 1-800-247-6553
As Selected by Executives and Managers of 10,000 North American Companies
1. Key Customer-Impacting Jobs = Find the key jobs affecting customers, put the right people in
those jobs, and really support them. Then watch profits soar!
2. The "Right" Growth Rate = Every company has a "right" growth rate; pre-determine yours.
3. Big Audacious Goals = Results happen by reaching higher, not just by setting logical goals.
4. CEO's Monthly Letter = Get your message to everyone, building trust, teamwork and results.
5. One-Page Business Plan = Create the one-page plan to plug all employees into a common
direction. Your strategy will be pursued by an army of people!
6. 12-Month Company Calendar = Show future events to all employees, creating coordinated
teamwork; the results will astonish you!
7. Trailing 12-Month Charts = Sum of 12 prior months, charted for 3 years; especially %
gross margin.
8. Regular Recognition = Recognize people for performance on a regular, scheduled basis.
9. Quarterly Priorities Sharing = Encourage managers to share individual goals and then
help each other achieve them!
10. 1:1 with Direct Reports = Prescheduled individual uninterruptible weekly meetings keeps
your team on top through relationship-building and communication.
11. YCDBSOYB = Regularly injecting fun into business keeps it fresh, new, and interesting
(e.g., this riddle).
These CEO Tools were compiled by Kraig W. Kramers, a frequent speaker to management groups on rapid business
growth, acquisitions and business strategy. Please apply these tools in your business! For more information feel
free to call Kraig at (770) 389-8511. (The riddle? YCDBSOYB = You Can't Do Business Sitting on Your Butt!)
Kraig W. Kramers
Corporate Partners Inc.
159 Glen Eagle Way
McDonough, GA 30253
kwker@mindspring.com
Best CEO/Executive Tools
(continued)
12. Goal Writer 101A = Teach "Verb-Noun-Date" to write a goal; simplest example is "Do It Now!"
13. Personal Hot Button = Your key player won't buy it for himself; match it to achieving a key goal.
14. Personal Notes Home = Send individual cheerleading and congratulating notes to maximize results.
15. Celebrate Successes = Report against key goals and regularly celebrate achievement.
16. Focus on Winners = Publicly cheer and celebrate the winners; say nothing about the laggards.
17. How CEOs Spend Time = Hit homeruns with people; spend time on customers/ strategy/tracking.
18. People's BEST Jobs = Identify key people's best jobs and design your organization around them.
19. Monthly Re-Forecasting = Track actual vs. budget; re-forecast next 3 months and act to fill gaps.
20. Backlog Tracker = Build profits by tracking shortfalls in future backlog, then filling the gaps.
21. CEO's Business Cardinals = Your written "business values" will focus your team and attract winners.
22. 7-Step CEO Process = This iterative process will complete the loop in your management system.
23. Recognition Buck$ = Employees recognize each other for positive actions; extends recognition.
24. 35 Executive Success Traits = Use these traits to grow yourself, your team, and to place winners.
25. {Q1 = $1.00} = Use symbolism to communicate (e.g., $1 bill, $ formulas, customer brochures).
26. The Choice Grid = Use this format to assure selection against criteria, not emotion.
27. Executive Development Planner = Easy tool for leaping growth of individual managers.
28. Monthly Operations Report = CEO's personal report card, builds track-record & results.
29. Feed the Effort! = Volunteer your personal support to each person's effort to beat goal.
30. Client Calendar = Really focus your efforts on the customer with this Client version.
31. Lawnmowers vs. Beautiful Lawns = Be sure you know what your business really sells!
32. Communication & Trust = Understand the need to work on both to raise performance.
33. Trade Price for Volume = This can work great if done carefully and selectively.
34. Timing is Everything! = All things go in cycles, so study your industry's & company's cycles.
35. Taking It to the Street = Find every excuse to reiterate goals and direction.
36. Management Cycle = Plan, Lead, Organize & Measure: Work the management cycle.
37. Top 5 Goals = Develop very specific short-term & long-term team goals.
38. Give Customers Profit Information = Give regular information to improve your customers' business.
39. Simple Business Plan Outline = 75% of companies have no plan yet believe they should!
40. Communicate Bigger = Consistency and repetitiveness will dramatically enhance effectiveness.
41. Best Business Philosophy = Monitor details, Measure results, Manage process, and Lead people.
42. Price+Mix+Volume Formula = Tweak these to maximize market share & drive competitors crazy!
43. Daily Cash Report & Re-Forecast = The most important tool for any CEO!
44. Plan Your Exit Way in Advance = It typically takes 3 years to do an exit or company sale right,
so get ready now!
45. Vistage/TEC Membership & Speaking = The best gifts you can give yourself -- try both!
These CEO Tools were assembled by Kraig W. Kramers, a frequently requested speaker on rapid business growth, acquisitions and business strategy. Please apply these tools in your business! For more information, give Kraig a call at (770) 389-8511.
Top45 KWK 3-30-04 Copyright © 1996-2004 Corporate Partners Inc. All Rights Reserved. CEO Tools BOOK 1-800-247-6553
Monday, September 1, 2008
Relationships That Last
One of my founding members, Chuck Thorp, sent over this article with the note below. Together we have made a major impact with his franchisee’s. I'm pleased he's putting our relationship in the company of Mackey and Tindell.
I feel it supports the work that we just did with the DoubleDave's brand and the importance of articulating, educating, and living our brand values in all that we do.
Chuck Thorp
Chief Executive Officer
DoubleDave's Pizzaworks Systems, Inc.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Kraig Kramer comes to Austin
Kraig Kramer, author and lecturer, is coming to Austin on August 20th, 2008. He is our 5th "expert" speaker of the year. His morning workshop has the following segments.
The CEO: Success traits
Which CEO traits are critical?
How do you stack up and what can you do about it?
The CEO as professional manager: Seven critical factors
How CEOs spend their time
The CEO's toolbox
I challenge my members to take away at least two nuggets or action promises on changing one's leadership style and/or behavior.
Ed Stillman
Austin Chair
The CEO: Success traits
Which CEO traits are critical?
How do you stack up and what can you do about it?
The CEO as professional manager: Seven critical factors
How CEOs spend their time
The CEO's toolbox
I challenge my members to take away at least two nuggets or action promises on changing one's leadership style and/or behavior.
Ed Stillman
Austin Chair
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