Yesterday, I received this encouraging note from a friend of mine who is a very successful entrepreneur:
“Hi Robin, I just read your Eagle Attitude article and you are right on. I always make asset vs. liability calls. Recently one of my staff did considerable damage to our main computer and database by going to inappropriate places on the internet. Certainly grounds for firing, not too mention suing for damages. Instead we are reworking his job description to take advantage of some obvious talents. There are some penalties he is working through, but there should be some substantial benefit to the company long term. It’s nice to read that a risky decision is sometimes the best decision.”
That reminds me of the time I was a manager in a large, resort hotel and we learned that one of the staff members was secretly running his own little room service business inside the hotel. He diverted all the orders to his cousin’s café on the corner. The thing was that he gave excellent service and guests were delighted with the quality (that’s how we caught him compliments from guests about dishes that weren’t on the room service menu!) So instead of firing him, we created a joint venture: we saved his salary, cut overhead substantially and continued to provide the service to our guest, while his own business flourished. Win/Win!
Savvy entrepreneurs look for ways to capitalize on the strengths and resources of their partners, associates, employees and vendors. They focus on what does work instead of what doesn’t work and, most importantly, keep their egos in check. Take the time to listen carefully and discover hidden assets like skills, connections, resources and information. Sometimes, opportunities take a little while to appear and options take time to become apparent. Patience and good communication skills, as well as being prepared to generously share the profits, are essential. Think outside the box and keep your eyes on your common goals. Be flexible and open to new ideas. Good people are hard to find.
Sales Tip
The better you know your salespeople, the better you can channel their energy, interests, skills and time. Don’t make the salesperson fit the job; rather, make the job fit the salesperson. Take time to listen to their opinions and suggestions, encourage sharing and reward innovation and risk.
Management Tip
By clearly defining the parameters of your employees’ jobs, you remove fear. Show them what they have to do to get fired, and you reduce any reticence to innovation. Fear stunts creativity and openness. People who feel secure will be more productive and honest with you. Spend more time developing relationship with your staff than you do with your customers.
Robin J. Elliott
http://www.articlesbase.com/human-resources-articles/optimizing-strengths-65399.html
Creative Thinking, Innovation, Creativity Training
#1 by EJ on October 20, 2009 - 11:51 am
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What is Comcast trying to do when it’s “optimizing” my cable modem?
About a month ago, I replaced my Comcast cable modem with a Motorola Surfboard SB5101.
Recently I got a letter with Comcast that states…
There won’t be a charge for this service.and it says to call them to report a CSG PROBLEM CODE #37.
It also has two checkboxes that are checked, one being LOW INPUT LEVEL (Less than -8 dB) scribbled with the number "-13" next to it, and the other being HIGH TRANSMIT LEVEL (51 or more) with "55" scribbled next to it.
Taken verbatim from the letter…
In conjunction with our signal monitoring equipment and field test conducted in your area, our technicians have determined that there is a problem with the cable signal strength (Too much or not enough signal) within your home that supplies the High Speed Internet (modem) or Comcast Digital Voice (emTA). This usually has to do with the way the cable is split to serve this signal to the various devices (television, modem etc.) within your home.
Since we have determined that the issue is within your home, you will need to be present in order for us to complete the work and optimize the signal to your modem/eMTA so that we may maintain a quality product and ensure your satisfaction with our services.
It has always been our policy to provide the highest quality service to our customers. By having services properly installed with the appropriate connectors, spliiters, and coaxial cable, we can ensure that these standards are met.
Is Comcast trying to "optimize" my modem to a slower speed to fit within my plan? Is this an issue that needs to be addressed immediately? Please help!
Note: I have never experienced any disconnects while surfing the web or playing games ever since I replaced the Comcast modem with my own.
#2 by Wilkster on October 20, 2009 - 4:53 pm
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Sounds like Comcast (used to be in my area until I moved) is trying to get you to use their equipment as it’s not as fast as what you have. Just my guess. I only had TV with them.
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#3 by carndog64 on October 20, 2009 - 4:55 pm
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Ignore Comcast’s letter it is total BS.I am an Engineer and their letter is a joke The -8dB is your lower limits the 55 Db is noise to signal strength your signal strentgh is EXCELLENT cause of your Modem do not let them in to drop it down you have a right to put any surfeboard or modem you want. Also Look at your connection speed if you know how to it is relatively easy. If your downloads or Web surfing is not slow you are just fine. Ignore Comcast, and if they persist tell them you will charge them from making you take off work for their faulty equipment incoming signal, which they will not agree to. LOL Just tell them in short term should they call you can not miss work I am busy goodbye. It will be dropped.
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