This slideshow was created with images from the web. I claim no copyright or ownership of any images. If a copyright owner of any image objects to the use in this slideshow, contact me to remove it. This is for a course in Introductory Psychology using Wayne Weiten's "Psychology: Themes and Variations" 8th ed. Published by Cengage
Introduction to Critical Thinking SkillsHanis Razak
Definition of critical thinking, core critical thinking skills, asking questions, characteristics of critical thinkers, standard for critical thinkers and exercises.
What is soft skills training? | Soft Skills Training Institute | Enchore Reta...Enchore Retail Solutions
Business is about people. It is about communication, relationships and about presenting yourself, your company and your ideas in the most positive and impactful way Hence, we at enchore, a soft skills training institue believe that soft skills is required to build a successful career.
http://enchore.in/soft-skill-training-institute/
People management skills_Interpersonal skills, Emotional Intelligence, Employee Engagement, Motivation and Conflict Resolution strategies and techniques
Giving and receiving feedback can be intimidating, but that doesn't make it any less important for leaders, employees and the business. But how do you make feedback discussions an effective driver of employee engagement, retention and productivity?
Join us for this one-hour webinar where we'll share real-world strategies for fostering a culture of feedback in your organization.
You'll gain insights into:
How continuous coaching strengthens work relationships
The role of feedback in ongoing performance management
Tips for giving, receiving and interpreting feedback
According to American Philosophical Association critical thinking has been defined as, “The process of purposeful, self-regulatory judgment. The Process gives reasoned consideration to evidence, contexts, conceptualizations, methods and criteria.”
Analyzing Your Organization’s Risk...
In order to develop a Business Continuity Plan a thorough understanding of your organizational needs and critical
processes is required - This process is known as a Business Impact Analysis:
This involves:-
Knowing your critical activities, the effect of those activities being disrupted and the priority for recovery
of those activities; and
Knowing what events could disrupt your critical activities and lead to a failure of your organisation.
05.21.15 Vanderbilt Presentation on Building Leadership SkillsMichael Burcham
Presentation to Leadership Team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Transformational Leadership. A Discussion of Disruption in the Market, Becoming a Leader in Creating Change, and Tools for Self Improvement as a Leader.
This slideshow was created with images from the web. I claim no copyright or ownership of any images. If a copyright owner of any image objects to the use in this slideshow, contact me to remove it. This is for a course in Introductory Psychology using Wayne Weiten's "Psychology: Themes and Variations" 8th ed. Published by Cengage
Introduction to Critical Thinking SkillsHanis Razak
Definition of critical thinking, core critical thinking skills, asking questions, characteristics of critical thinkers, standard for critical thinkers and exercises.
What is soft skills training? | Soft Skills Training Institute | Enchore Reta...Enchore Retail Solutions
Business is about people. It is about communication, relationships and about presenting yourself, your company and your ideas in the most positive and impactful way Hence, we at enchore, a soft skills training institue believe that soft skills is required to build a successful career.
http://enchore.in/soft-skill-training-institute/
People management skills_Interpersonal skills, Emotional Intelligence, Employee Engagement, Motivation and Conflict Resolution strategies and techniques
Giving and receiving feedback can be intimidating, but that doesn't make it any less important for leaders, employees and the business. But how do you make feedback discussions an effective driver of employee engagement, retention and productivity?
Join us for this one-hour webinar where we'll share real-world strategies for fostering a culture of feedback in your organization.
You'll gain insights into:
How continuous coaching strengthens work relationships
The role of feedback in ongoing performance management
Tips for giving, receiving and interpreting feedback
According to American Philosophical Association critical thinking has been defined as, “The process of purposeful, self-regulatory judgment. The Process gives reasoned consideration to evidence, contexts, conceptualizations, methods and criteria.”
Analyzing Your Organization’s Risk...
In order to develop a Business Continuity Plan a thorough understanding of your organizational needs and critical
processes is required - This process is known as a Business Impact Analysis:
This involves:-
Knowing your critical activities, the effect of those activities being disrupted and the priority for recovery
of those activities; and
Knowing what events could disrupt your critical activities and lead to a failure of your organisation.
05.21.15 Vanderbilt Presentation on Building Leadership SkillsMichael Burcham
Presentation to Leadership Team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Transformational Leadership. A Discussion of Disruption in the Market, Becoming a Leader in Creating Change, and Tools for Self Improvement as a Leader.
Startup Guide - Everything You Need To Know To Start & GrowAamir Qutub
Since the turn of the century, small startup ideas—Uber, Twitter, Instagram, Airbnb, to name a few—have been scaled into technology giants. Could you imagine a day without scrolling social media? Or jumping in an Uber to the airport? Startups have disrupted industries by focusing on cutting-edge technology, the sharing economy, and social media. Startups also have the potential to influence and transform industries of the future. So, leap into the start-up world with fresh ideas and a desire to change the world.
Learn more from the video on my Youtube Page:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmVlN3xei4w&t=80s
The global product lifecycle encompasses a range of principles which truly put the learner and customer at the centre. Using the Agile, Lean And Lean Startup principles, The product lifecycle focuses on learning fast through feedback with the customer and learner, and pulls together all the supporting capabilities behind the vision of a product. This includes looking at Agile beyond technology and considers how you fund and consider budgets, how can teams be rotated with HR to work on the next idea, how can the organisation improve innovation, the importance of culture and more.
For more info follow @leanplc
Provide:
* Business Analysis
* Strategic Options
* Systems and Process Development
* Customized Training
* Business Process Implementation
* Business Process Control
* Brand Management
As a management consultant.
Changing Behaviours For Better Performance GuideDotYou
A collection of presentation materials on a theme of Changing Behaviours for Better Performance, exhibited by GuideDotYou Change Solutions at Castleford Enterprise Show on 11th April 2014.
Includes content on Wakefield Business Programme and Me; Organisational Health Diagnostics; Better Financial Decision Making; Nine Reasons Businesses Fail; Business is a Career Option for Young People; Can You Support The National Enterprise Challenge?; Improving Your Sales; Change Management Isn't Easy - Here Are Some Things To Help
Every three years we conduct global research
into “What it Takes to Win Business” based on
the perspectives of 178 global Buyers and Sales
Professionals from a range of industry sectors.
We use the findings to help our clients understand
how their customers make their buying decisions,
become more customer-centric and improve their
win/loss ratio.
Insight-Led Selling: Taking Theory and Making It Reality (Welch Allyn)SAVO
Nowadays, customers identify their own problems, solutions, and requirements before contacting a sales pro, leaving little else to the seller other than sourcing a price quote. Watch Paul Liberatore’s presentation and learn how a sales person can reframe the entire sales conversation using insight-led selling. See how Welch Allyn is using SAVO’s Sales Content Pro and Mobile Sales Pro to help their sales pros reframe the conversation.
Whether you're starting from scratch or already have an established business strategy and planning process, this session provides practical guidance on implementing a framework that boosts company performance, from digital strategies to overall revenue strategies.
Leading a business can be a challenging endeavor, characterized by long hours, tough decisions, and a lack of clear guidance in today's competitive landscape. This session helps executives understand their unique strategies and develop compelling narratives to drive success.
Compelling statistics highlight the importance for executives to define and communicate a clear business strategy and plan. By doing so, organizations can enhance employee engagement, improve execution capabilities, align projects with strategic objectives, increase the likelihood of successful strategy implementation, and ultimately outperform competitors in today's dynamic business landscape.
The statistics paint a clear picture of the critical role executives play in defining and communicating a clear business strategy and plan.
• Only 22% of employees believe their leaders have a clear direction for the organization.
• 70% of strategic initiatives fail due to unclear goals and execution plans.
• Only 23% of organizations feel confident in their ability to effectively execute strategies.
• Aligning projects with strategic goals increases the likelihood of meeting or exceeding project objectives by 40%.
• Companies with a well-defined and communicated strategy have a 57% higher likelihood of successfully implementing their strategies.
• 95% of employees in organizations with a well-communicated strategy understand their individual roles and contributions to overall strategic goals.
In this 50-minute master speaking session, participants will gain valuable insights into creating real business strategy, defining strategic goals and building a comprehensive plan to achieve them. Sustainable growth in any organization relies on the alignment and effective management of all business processes.
The speed at which a business needs to evolve continues to accelerate. Consumers and employees have increasingly high expectations for how a company should operate and the services it should deliver, while entrepreneurs, business owners, and executive teams are increasingly under pressure on how to meet those expectations. Yet, despite this reality, many organizations continue to fall behind. The mid-market sector, in particular, tends to struggle the most with keeping up with our rapidly changing world. But it doesn’t have to be this way. There
are things companies can do today, right now, that can make a huge difference in what happens tomorrow.
In today’s unpredictable landscape, with so many businesses at a proverbial fork in the road, it is the perfect time to unveil our future-proofing strategies to help you stay relevant, unlock hidden opportunities, and achieve unprecedented growth, all while living a happier and more fulfilled life.
Leveraging the StoryVesting Framework to Achieve Breakthrough Business Transf...RocketSource
Business transformation happens when you're able to provide impactful experiences both to your customers and to your employees. StoryVesting is the framework that guides you to that goal, but if you're looking for a basic roadmap, this isn't for you. This framework is steeped in intelligence, behavioral economics, and journey analytics.
The Angels 8Q: Eight Questions Investors & Startups Should Ask to SucceedJoseph de Leon
This started as a personal guide so I could be a better Angel Investor.
It developed into a Playshop that was first conducted at the Global Seedstars Summit [Lausanne, Switzerland 2019].
Rather than answers, I hope this helps you find your own questions.
Revenue Growth or Cost Control? Strike the Right Balance with S&OP and Demand...Steelwedge
In the years after The Great Recession of 2008, companies focused their energy and attention in driving efficiency and being more cost effective. Forecast accuracy became even more important. However, in the last 2 years the global economy has shown revival signs and growth is now both a possibility and a priority. But, how can companies continue to drive cost efficiency and, at the same time, foster growth?
Revenue Growth or Cost Control? Strike the Right Balance with S&OP and Demand Planning TechnologyThis webinar will discuss S&OP in the context of balancing control vs. growth—with a look at the prospects and pitfalls of balancing global, regional and local planning and decision making. We will discuss how an established S&OP process and the right technology:
Enables top executives to drive their strategic agenda all the way to the operational and transactional layers
Helps companies to maintain financial and operational control while fostering revenue growth
Creates the agility to pursue both external growth opportunities and internal drive for growth through innovation
Join us to learn how to optimize your company’s approach to drive growth, whether you are new to S&OP and Demand Planning or you are evolving your strategy and process.
Why behavioural economics in b2b marketing will change what you do and how you do it. Insight into how the use of buyer psychology is changing how businesses can influence buyers and prospects throughout the buyer journey. For more information or to talk Behavioural Economics in business-to-business marketing email info@earnest-agency.com
Tata Group Dials Taiwan for Its Chipmaking Ambition in Gujarat’s DholeraAvirahi City Dholera
The Tata Group, a titan of Indian industry, is making waves with its advanced talks with Taiwanese chipmakers Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) and UMC Group. The goal? Establishing a cutting-edge semiconductor fabrication unit (fab) in Dholera, Gujarat. This isn’t just any project; it’s a potential game changer for India’s chipmaking aspirations and a boon for investors seeking promising residential projects in dholera sir.
Visit : https://www.avirahi.com/blog/tata-group-dials-taiwan-for-its-chipmaking-ambition-in-gujarats-dholera/
What is the TDS Return Filing Due Date for FY 2024-25.pdfseoforlegalpillers
It is crucial for the taxpayers to understand about the TDS Return Filing Due Date, so that they can fulfill your TDS obligations efficiently. Taxpayers can avoid penalties by sticking to the deadlines and by accurate filing of TDS. Timely filing of TDS will make sure about the availability of tax credits. You can also seek the professional guidance of experts like Legal Pillers for timely filing of the TDS Return.
RMD24 | Debunking the non-endemic revenue myth Marvin Vacquier Droop | First ...BBPMedia1
Marvin neemt je in deze presentatie mee in de voordelen van non-endemic advertising op retail media netwerken. Hij brengt ook de uitdagingen in beeld die de markt op dit moment heeft op het gebied van retail media voor niet-leveranciers.
Retail media wordt gezien als het nieuwe advertising-medium en ook mediabureaus richten massaal retail media-afdelingen op. Merken die niet in de betreffende winkel liggen staan ook nog niet in de rij om op de retail media netwerken te adverteren. Marvin belicht de uitdagingen die er zijn om echt aansluiting te vinden op die markt van non-endemic advertising.
The world of search engine optimization (SEO) is buzzing with discussions after Google confirmed that around 2,500 leaked internal documents related to its Search feature are indeed authentic. The revelation has sparked significant concerns within the SEO community. The leaked documents were initially reported by SEO experts Rand Fishkin and Mike King, igniting widespread analysis and discourse. For More Info:- https://news.arihantwebtech.com/search-disrupted-googles-leaked-documents-rock-the-seo-world/
Skye Residences | Extended Stay Residences Near Toronto Airportmarketingjdass
Experience unparalleled EXTENDED STAY and comfort at Skye Residences located just minutes from Toronto Airport. Discover sophisticated accommodations tailored for discerning travelers.
Website Link :
https://skyeresidences.com/
https://skyeresidences.com/about-us/
https://skyeresidences.com/gallery/
https://skyeresidences.com/rooms/
https://skyeresidences.com/near-by-attractions/
https://skyeresidences.com/commute/
https://skyeresidences.com/contact/
https://skyeresidences.com/queen-suite-with-sofa-bed/
https://skyeresidences.com/queen-suite-with-sofa-bed-and-balcony/
https://skyeresidences.com/queen-suite-with-sofa-bed-accessible/
https://skyeresidences.com/2-bedroom-deluxe-queen-suite-with-sofa-bed/
https://skyeresidences.com/2-bedroom-deluxe-king-queen-suite-with-sofa-bed/
https://skyeresidences.com/2-bedroom-deluxe-queen-suite-with-sofa-bed-accessible/
#Skye Residences Etobicoke, #Skye Residences Near Toronto Airport, #Skye Residences Toronto, #Skye Hotel Toronto, #Skye Hotel Near Toronto Airport, #Hotel Near Toronto Airport, #Near Toronto Airport Accommodation, #Suites Near Toronto Airport, #Etobicoke Suites Near Airport, #Hotel Near Toronto Pearson International Airport, #Toronto Airport Suite Rentals, #Pearson Airport Hotel Suites
Enterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence.pdfKaiNexus
Enterprise excellence and inclusive excellence are closely linked, and real-world challenges have shown that both are essential to the success of any organization. To achieve enterprise excellence, organizations must focus on improving their operations and processes while creating an inclusive environment that engages everyone. In this interactive session, the facilitator will highlight commonly established business practices and how they limit our ability to engage everyone every day. More importantly, though, participants will likely gain increased awareness of what we can do differently to maximize enterprise excellence through deliberate inclusion.
What is Enterprise Excellence?
Enterprise Excellence is a holistic approach that's aimed at achieving world-class performance across all aspects of the organization.
What might I learn?
A way to engage all in creating Inclusive Excellence. Lessons from the US military and their parallels to the story of Harry Potter. How belt systems and CI teams can destroy inclusive practices. How leadership language invites people to the party. There are three things leaders can do to engage everyone every day: maximizing psychological safety to create environments where folks learn, contribute, and challenge the status quo.
Who might benefit? Anyone and everyone leading folks from the shop floor to top floor.
Dr. William Harvey is a seasoned Operations Leader with extensive experience in chemical processing, manufacturing, and operations management. At Michelman, he currently oversees multiple sites, leading teams in strategic planning and coaching/practicing continuous improvement. William is set to start his eighth year of teaching at the University of Cincinnati where he teaches marketing, finance, and management. William holds various certifications in change management, quality, leadership, operational excellence, team building, and DiSC, among others.
What are the main advantages of using HR recruiter services.pdfHumanResourceDimensi1
HR recruiter services offer top talents to companies according to their specific needs. They handle all recruitment tasks from job posting to onboarding and help companies concentrate on their business growth. With their expertise and years of experience, they streamline the hiring process and save time and resources for the company.
Improving profitability for small businessBen Wann
In this comprehensive presentation, we will explore strategies and practical tips for enhancing profitability in small businesses. Tailored to meet the unique challenges faced by small enterprises, this session covers various aspects that directly impact the bottom line. Attendees will learn how to optimize operational efficiency, manage expenses, and increase revenue through innovative marketing and customer engagement techniques.
Premium MEAN Stack Development Solutions for Modern BusinessesSynapseIndia
Stay ahead of the curve with our premium MEAN Stack Development Solutions. Our expert developers utilize MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js to create modern and responsive web applications. Trust us for cutting-edge solutions that drive your business growth and success.
Know more: https://www.synapseindia.com/technology/mean-stack-development-company.html
Kseniya Leshchenko: Shared development support service model as the way to ma...Lviv Startup Club
Kseniya Leshchenko: Shared development support service model as the way to make small projects with small budgets profitable for the company (UA)
Kyiv PMDay 2024 Summer
Website – www.pmday.org
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/startuplviv
FB – https://www.facebook.com/pmdayconference
VAT Registration Outlined In UAE: Benefits and Requirementsuae taxgpt
Vat Registration is a legal obligation for businesses meeting the threshold requirement, helping companies avoid fines and ramifications. Contact now!
https://viralsocialtrends.com/vat-registration-outlined-in-uae/
RMD24 | Retail media: hoe zet je dit in als je geen AH of Unilever bent? Heid...BBPMedia1
Grote partijen zijn al een tijdje onderweg met retail media. Ondertussen worden in dit domein ook de kansen zichtbaar voor andere spelers in de markt. Maar met die kansen ontstaan ook vragen: Zelf retail media worden of erop adverteren? In welke fase van de funnel past het en hoe integreer je het in een mediaplan? Wat is nu precies het verschil met marketplaces en Programmatic ads? In dit half uur beslechten we de dilemma's en krijg je antwoorden op wanneer het voor jou tijd is om de volgende stap te zetten.
Unveiling the Secrets How Does Generative AI Work.pdfSam H
At its core, generative artificial intelligence relies on the concept of generative models, which serve as engines that churn out entirely new data resembling their training data. It is like a sculptor who has studied so many forms found in nature and then uses this knowledge to create sculptures from his imagination that have never been seen before anywhere else. If taken to cyberspace, gans work almost the same way.
Lack of trust in business Constrained credit – changes in leverage Threat of inflation Economic uncertainty Uneasy consumer sentiment and, thus, spending Threat of increase governmental regulations
The business world was changed: A survey of CEOs found their concerns were: Energy blind spot – security of energy supply chain Wanted: Challenging leaders – the courage to challenge Changing benefits of technology – not used to create competitive advantage (<15% in UK) Competing for skills – impact of low cost labor Service, talent, change Change in climate Regulatory overload Growing pains – M&A, debt financing Intangible assets – protecting intellectual property Barriers to change – lack of engagement of middle managers, the core Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you just have to wait for the recovery and you can ride it to success once again. It won’t happen. What Industrialization did for Consumption, the Internet will do now. -- It’s now a Global village.
Consumer Trends Marketing Trends Business Operations Trends
Trend 1: Short-Termism Consumers have become fearful of what might happen next, and they no longer trust that enterprises operate towards a stable, long-term future. “ People are thinking more about the here and now, and less about things that may or may not last a long time,” says noted trend analyst William Higham, author of The Next Big Thing—Spotting & Forecasting Consumer Trends for Profit. “This sentiment leads us to buy based on our immediate needs. It also makes us want to take greater responsibility for ourselves across a range of sectors, rather than relying on media, politicians, professionals or brands, who we feel have let us down. For example, we are increasingly self-diagnosing and self-treating; scheduling media at the times we want; and making our own playlists rather than buying new compilation albums.” Additionally, people now understand that the pace of innovation rapidly outdates expensive technology purchases. The relative usefulness of smart phones, navigation systems, laptops, software, and televisions lasts no more than a year, sometime only months. When it comes to new technology purchases, consumers have learned to adopt a “wait-and-see” attitude. Trend 2: Brand Aid Companies are now building brand loyalty by helping their consumers navigate through today’s complexities and difficulties. “These brands want to be seen as helping consumers through life,” said Higham. Brand aid typically takes the form of advice, information or free services provided to the public. Examples include: Microsoft: Publishes a free online • magazine, Home, offering unbiased Internet guidance Charmin: Offers free public restrooms for shoppers in New York’s Times Square during the holiday season Ameican Express started openforum.com to help business owners find success Higham thinks the trend will expand to an entirely new aid market: “Tomorrow’s consumers will pay a premium for brands that help them avoid activities that are either difficult, time consuming or unpleasant. This will be a particularly strong driver in the luxury sector, as definitions of luxury evolve from ostentation to experience and more recently convenience and privilege.” Trend 3: Conscious Consumerism You know those people who buy something only if it’s organic, eco-friendly or made locally? Soon most of us will make our purchases based on such highly selective, specific criteria. “ Companies should think about their consumers in terms of what, why and how they purchase,” says Higham. Impulse buying is waning, giving way to purchases that are driven by enduring core values. “ With less money to spend, there will be a reduction in impulse purchasing and a growth in conscious consumption: where individuals limit purchases to products that matter to them. Brands will increasingly need to provide a meaningful reason for consumers to buy their products: from strong aesthetics to durability, heritage to sustainability. And they will need to target their products more specifically to particular attitudinal and needs segments.” Trend 4: Simplification One of the key trends of the 2000s was the growth of choice. But a backlash has begun, as more and more consumers suffer choice fatigue. “Consumers will increasingly seek, not unlimited choice, but an edited choice,” says Higham. Simplification creates three distinct marketplace opportunities for nimble companies, including: Recommendation as a service:• Recommendations and shortlists of options that give us the right choice rather than an abundance of choices will become increasingly popular. Additionally, products that reduce the need to make a choice will benefit from this trend. Single-occasion products: • Certain single-occasion products such as birthday cakes, wedding gowns and event insurance have long been with us. Now companies are elevating daily activities into occasions that pair with their products. “You can buy bottles of wine made to be drunk with specific dishes like fish or chicken; or coffee brands that are made to be drunk at specific times of the day.” This pairing serves to simplify choice. Multi-use products:• “If you own a single device that acts as phone, camera and music player, you don’t need to decide which of several single-use products to take with you when going out.” Multi-use products are marginalizing certain types of single-use products. 5: Mobile Purchasing Cell phones are becoming virtual credit cards and mobile credit-card processing terminals. In Japan and Sweden consumers have long been using cell phones to make purchases. The U.S. has been slow to adopt the technology, but currently has four forms of mobile phone transaction in use, and these may become widely adopted, though who knows which technology will ultimately prevail. The four models for cell-phone transactions are: Swipe your phone: • Accept payments with your phone: • Enter your phone number online: • Transfer money via cell phone:•
Trend 6: Emotional Branding “ Companies will increasingly base their brand on emotion, to avoid basing it strictly on price,” says futurist and Vistage speaker David Houle. “Brands with strong emotional content will command the highest prices.” Most successful brands establish a deep emotional connection with their customers, says Vistage speaker Ronald Strauss, author of Value Creation: The Power of Brand Equity. Smaller businesses, he says, think of their brand only in terms of marketing collateral, logos, letterhead, and colors. Many CEOs are not yet tuned in to the emotional aspects of branding. “ Giving your brand emotional content is not easy,” says Strauss. “You must first learn to think of your brand as an organizing lens for how you run your business. You then have to understand how your stakeholders look at your brand and how you create or destroy value as your business delivers, or fails to deliver, on its brand promise.” Strauss offer these tips for small businesses to build an emotional-based brand: Acknowledge and recognize your customers. Have an ongoing relationship or loyalty program with your best customers. The program should make them want to tell their friends about what you do for them. Figure out how to best serve your customers by studying what they do to serve their customers. Help them serve their customers better. Infuse your brand with values that drive • your products or services. People want to feel part of something bigger than themselves, and values such as quality, creativity, luxury, respect and integrity achieve this. At every touch your customer has with your company, treat them consistently well. This makes them feel important. Create satisfying experiences for your customers. People value sensory, pleasurable, intellectual, safe and consistent experiences. For products, these attributes are often achieved with packaging and design. For services, they are achieved by building trust, which comes from consistency of treatment. The most common failure of brand to resonate emotionally, says Strauss, is when customers perceive indifference. Trend 7: Reputation Management Just as you have to keep your credit score in good standing to own a credit card, you’ll soon have to keep you online reputation in good standing if you want to be trusted or have influence online. “Reputation measurement will become a massive economic enabler as we get better at assessing it,” says futurist Ross Dawson, who authors the Trends in the Living Networks blog. Already, within certain domains, user reputations are displayed. eBay displays a “reliability ranking” for each seller based on how much positive feedback they get from buyers, and “Ask Vistage” displays a bar above each user’s name that shows how much they participate. A few sites, such as klout.com, attempt to score reputations. But none yet has cracked the code of offering a comprehensive reputation score. “ Assessing a business’s online reputation is becoming more sophisticated,” says Dawson. “Soon we’ll be able to create measures that tell how trustworthy and knowledgeable a person or business is based on their online networks, as well as positive or negative reviews, information they share, how that information is ranked and which sites link to it.” Look for reputation management to become as important to driving business online as search engine optimization is now. For small business owners, you should start building your reputation and your business’s reputation now. According to Dawson, here’s what you can do to start: Find out what’s being said about you now. There are many free tools to discover this. Participate in social media so that you become more visible and have a “right of reply.” Ask those who genuinely like what you do to recommend you or your work on online sites. Don’t do anything online you wouldn’t want people to find out about—because they will. Start building your reputation early to get ahead of the trend. Trend 8: Behavioral Segmentation Segmenting your customers by demographics will soon be an antiquated practice. Smart companies are building robust profiles of individual customers. You can create such profiles based on what Marketing Trendsyour customers do on your website—what content they view, what offers they respond to, what they buy, what information they enter during registration, which emails they respond to, and any other data you can collect on them. Once you build a profile of your prospect or customer, you can use the information to predict what offers and content they are likely to respond to and thereby increase your sales conversion rates. “ Behavioral segmentation is a more sophisticated way to segment your costumer than traditional demographics,” says Dr. On Amir, Assistant Professor of Marketing at UCSD’s Rady School of Management. An expert in consumer decision-making, Dr. Amir says that many companies don’t have the internal knowledge to build websites that track behavior and present the most compelling offer to users based on their profile. “ The actual back-end programming is easier than figuring out what you want your program to do,” he says. “The challenge is with the goals, not the programming.” One cornerstone of successful profiling is determining how different users respond to different offers. Companies use multi-variant testing (also known as A/B testing) to present different offers to similar customers and figure out which offer has a better conversion rate. The goal of testing different messages can vary depending on what type of business you’re in. For example, publishers may use it to serve the exact content a user wants without them having to go looking for it, online stores may use the information to cross-sell and up-sell customers, while small businesses can use it simply to figure out which web page their customers respond to best. Sites such as Amazon and Netflix are leading the way with powerful recommendation engines based on vast stores of user data. Industry experts use many terms to describe behavioral segmentation; these include psychographic segmentation, customer profiling, web personalization, and behavioral targeting. Could a business practice with this many names be right for you? “ If you think your company can benefit from segmenting your customers,” says Dr. Amir, “then it’s worth the investment.”
Trend 9: Green, The Second Act No business can escape the need to address sustainability as it goes more and more mainstream. Soon Wal-Mart will require all products to have a sustainability rating. “ If you don’t understand green, you’d better get started,” says Vistage speaker David Houle. “Green means saving money and lowering expenses. If you believe in this, you should go green; also, your customers will be demanding it soon. Your customers are going to ask you about your total carbon output, and if you don’t have an answer, they may find a new supplier. A carbon footprint will become part of the business balance sheet in the very near future.” But wait, things get more granular. “More consumers will demand product footprinting—a holistic, lifecycle picture of the climate impacts of your products and services,” says Ryan Schuchard, Manager of Environmental Research and Innovation at Business for Social Responsibility. What can you do to get ahead of the trend? For starters, get a carbon audit performed on your company, so you know your precise carbon output when customers ask for it. If your output is less than industry standards, than make a big deal out of it; otherwise, make the number publicly available with the commitment that you’ll look for ways to start reducing it. If you want to go a step further, get a life-cycle impact audit done on your products. Look to your industry association to publish consensus-based standards for products in your sector. Start reducing your impact and advertise what you’re doing—it’s one competitive advantage of the future. Trend 10: Collective Intelligence “ We are now creating a collective intelligence that will filter and respond to what’s worthwhile,” says futurist Ross Dawson. What does collective intelligence mean for the average business owner? It’s the opportunity to distill the “wisdom of the crowd” in a quick, cost- effective manner and get solutions for your pressing business issues. Here are some examples:When you broadcast a request for work you need done and people online willingly help, that’s “crowdsourcing.” For example, say you need to name a new product or want to rename your company. Go to the site namethis.com and post your request. Users of the site will offer names and vote on them. Once submissions are in, you pick the one you like best. It costs $99 to harness the crowd’s brain—significantly less than recruiting the services of a branding agency—and the money goes to the person who picked the best name. Here are 10 crowdsourcing sites explained. Freelancers on demand: • “You can now access the best talent from around the globe to work on your projects,” says Dawson, who points to sites such as elance.com, odesk.com, freelancer.com and rentacoder.com. On these sites, companies can post job listings and freelancers worldwide can bid on them, usually in an auction-style format. Caution: while this instant job bidding works well for small and non-complex tasks, it’s not always suitable for large or complicated jobs. “ My Ideas”:• Companies are now gathering the opinions, ideas and recommendation of their customers and then surfacing the most popular of those. Mystarbucksideas.com is an example of how to tap the wisdom of crowds to innovate and figure out what your customers want. “ We now have tools to quickly access the knowledge and views of a large number of people,” says Dawson. “Business leaders should think about how they can best use collective intelligence.” Trend 11: Evolution of Traditional Sales Models The traditional sales process is being disrupted and transformed by robust websites, social media, online reviews and customers who value speed and convenience in purchasing. “ For over 100 years,” says Vistage speaker Sam Bowers, “the cold call was the way the potential seller and buyer met each other and where information was shared. The salesperson educated the potential buyer about the features and benefits of the product or service. Marketing was nothing more than the support arm of the direct sales effort.” Smart companies are no longer “selling” goods and services. In the new paradigm, customers do their research online and read user-posted reviews and then figure out what they want. Many companies are dismantling their sales forces and replacing them with marketing teams. Some companies, says Bowers, may have to straddle the old and new sales paradigms for a while and incur double costs, as certain industries still rely on the old sales process. “ Now the process has been reversed,” says Bowers, “We attempt to get the client to come visit us. Pull marketing instead of push selling.” So what are the elements you need to have in place to “pull in” customers? Here’s a partial list: a robust website that offers detailed information about your offerings an easy way to buy your products or services online real (and honest) reviews posted on third-party sites by your customers targeted ads that point to your website a website that is optimized for search terms Vistage speaker Tom Searcy, founder of Hunt Big Sales, agrees with Bowers and adds that the traditional mechanisms that triggered large sales are dying quickly. “The trade show was where you saw big equipment or large capital purchases,” says Searcy. “Trade-show attendance is down 15 to 20 percent year over year.” “ The new initiation points for big purchases take place online in places like Linkedin groups or industry-focused user groups. Now when people look for a solution, they get recommendations from peers, then they read online reviews and view videos, then they go to a company’s website. People don’t call the manufacturer first, and they don’t take cold calls.” “ As you move up in the size of expenditure and complexity of purchase,” says Searcy, “trust and credentials become key influencers. Trust used to be built over 3 to 4 presentations and dinner meetings with a sales person, but we don’t have the time for this anymore. Now the trust curve is built online.” To create trust in the marketplace, Searcy recommends that business leaders take the following steps: Capture your legends, fan base, users 1) and products on video and put it on your website. Build your credentials by actively 2) publishing articles and white papers, blogging, speaking, and contributing Business Operation Trendsto Linkedin groups on your area of expertise. You can also sponsor independent research and publish it. Affiliate your business with independent 3) thought leaders. Sponsor their talks, publish their white papers, and invite them onto your board of directors or advisors. Get prized certifications and credentials 4) in your industry. Partner with organizations that have 5) market mass; for example, become an exclusive territory distributor for a big-name product or service. “ In the new sales model,” says Searcy, “thought leadership trumps personality and even relationships in generating trust. If you focus on that, you will have better opportunities coming to you.” Trend 12: Constant Business Pressure Constant business pressure, due in large part to slow growth, is a hallmark of the “new normal.” Businesses must now focus on creating products and offering services that are better, faster and cheaper than the competition. Trend analyst and Vistage speaker Morris Segall, President of SPG Trend Advisors, notes that several factors have combined to force businesses into the “better, faster, cheaper” paradigm. Those factors include: low consumer spending, high unemployment, low growth in consumer incomes, more restrictive and expensive credit, and an aging population. “ Tight controls on cash-flow have been a requirement for operating during the recession,” says Segall, “and businesses will need to continue operating with tight controls and creative flexible business models going forward.” Segall offers this advice for companies that need to better control cash-flow and manage the balance sheet: Improve working capital by increasing asset turnover, lowering debt, and efficiently managing assets such as receivables, payables and inventory. Compensate for low unit-volume sales growth and a competitive pricing environment by employing stringent cost control and planning practices. Control labor costs by outsourcing, upgrading to new technology and migrating to more creative, web-based marketing and sales. Additionally, businesses can choose to do more with fewer workers by providing more extensive training, allowing them to take on more tasks. Control other costs by revamping processes and distribution systems, and by partnering with other firms to control costs or augment product and service offerings. Seek horizontal business opportunities to generate revenue with moderate additional capital investment. Use a flatter management structure (one that shortens a chain of command and relies more on a team concept) to reduce pure management expense. Incentivize workers to achieve individual and entity goals, thus aligning their achievements with company success. Improve your customer service. Going forward, first-rate customer service and customer service initiatives will define successful companies. Employers should look for workers who can be more complete, more productive and better informed in their jobs to provide great service. “ Being a more productive and efficient firm is not the entire solution,” says Segall. To offset slower growth in traditional business lines, he suggests that companies look for opportunities in industries and sectors that have revenue growth potential. Such growth opportunities will come from: Healthcare and public education reforms that require technological and process revamping Agricultural innovation that attempts to produce more food on less arable land with less water Water development and conservation to manage a shortage of potable water worldwide Energy conservation technology development and expansion Electric power grid and mass transit systems expansion and modernization U.S. exports to fast-growing overseas economies U.S. Government spending and procurement increases State and local government outsourcing of services Government and corporate spending on worker retraining Real estate rehabilitation and recycling in a shift away from traditional and more costly new development “ The new economy,” says Segall, “will require innovation, renewed commitment to customer service and solutions; and, above all, every business owner and manager will have to be an entrepreneur to steer their businesses to success.”
Vistage is the world’s largest CEO membership organization. Because we’re so connected to you and your success, because we’re so committed to you and your success, our vision is to actually change the world -- one by one, through each one of you. As the leader of your business, you have tremendous influence over your employees, customers, vendors, and your families. In fact, you influence all of them of a daily basis. By he Let’s start with the Vistage mission. Our mission is centered on you, the member. Simply put, our mission is to increase your effectiveness and enhance your lives -- each one of you, one by one, more than 12,000 of you around the world. At Vistage, our primary purpose is to help you become better leaders who make better decisions and achieve better results. In doing so, your effectiveness as business leaders is increased and your lives are enhanced. lping you become a better leader through the value created in the Vistage experience, we believe we can change the world.
As a new Vistage member, you’re beginning a wonderful journey -- a journey dedicated and committed to you as a member. The power that exists in a room where all your peers are there for no other reason than to help each other grow is truly amazing. Nobody’s trying to sell you anything or influence you in any other way. It’s all about your growth as a leader and a human being and your ability to help your peers in return. Vistage has a staff of 100, a powerful database of nearly 2,000 speakers, and a network of more than 12,000 members worldwide, and a rich, content-laden Web site to support this process. In many ways, these resources are dedicated to your personal success, but only if you take the initiative to use them.
Why Join Vistage? Sixteen chief executives. Zero blind spots. Vistage delivers the vital perspective chief executives need to see the big picture, test ideas, overcome obstacles and seize opportunities. In groups of up to 16 peers, Vistage members engage in candid and challenging discussions under the facilitation of a highly trained Vistage Chair. The Vistage Chief Executive Program includes: • Monthly, full-day problem-solving meetings with up to 16 chief executives, presidents, or business owners, professionally facilitated by a Vistage Chair • Monthly, two-hour personal coaching sessions with a seasoned business advisor (the Vistage Chair) • Up to eight workshops per year led by a Vistage expert resource speaker • The Vistage Gateway™: Online best practices library; local and regional member events; and access to a global network of 14,500 business leaders. The Vistage Chief Executive Program offers: Fresh thinking New ideas and perspectives are the fuel for any company’s continued growth and innovation. The Vistage Chief Executive Program inspires each leader’s best thinking, challenges their assumptions and provides a platform to implement insights with confidence and precision. Better decision making Vistage provides the most effective sounding board for the chief executive’s toughest decisions—fellow executives who have met and overcome the same challenges. It’s like getting the “trial” without the “error,” and it helps members make better decisions when the stakes are highest. Accountability for success Business leaders have precious few people to turn to for seasoned advice and the plain truth. With no agenda except to help one another succeed, Vistage groups and Chairs test assumptions, uncover opportunities and hold each other accountable for taking action. Improved performance In the end, Vistage is about improving members’ performance so their companies can perform better. It’s about continuous, accelerated, practical learning—more lasting than any one-time workshop, more actionable than any flavor-of-the-day business book—and about turning good intentions into great results. We selectively seek, by invitation only, CEOs with a strong desire to enhance their leadership and business skills while moving their organizations forward. To attend a Vistage meeting in your area as a guest, contact our Member