January 20, 2017 by

Are You Ready For Your Inauguration?

Are You Ready For Your Inauguration?in·au·gu·ra·tion
iˌnôɡ(y)əˈrāSH(ə)n/
noun
noun: inauguration; plural noun: inaugurations
Defined:   the beginning or introduction of a system, policy, or period.

For Example –  

    • a ceremony to mark the beginning of something.

Are you ready to announce and declare your Inauguration?

You are part of a company or large organization – Declare no more unnecessary meetings! Have an inaugural event and make this stick. Define what is a necessary meeting, how it should be structured and how many people must attend. Most importantly how will the follow up and accountability for action steps determined be handled?

You have your own business – Declare you will manage your time better by tracking what you do each day and reviewing at the end of each week where you wasted time and where you optimized your time. Make it your business to spend more time on income producing items and less time on anything else. Announce your intentions with an Inaugural Event! Even if this is only through email. It will serve notice that nonessential emails may not be responded to immediately any longer.

You are in career transition (meaning – you have been let go, you are considering leaving your position, you are able to read the tea leaves and know you will be let go OR you have been out of work for a while) – Declare you are going to be open to feedback and you are going to seek it out. Declare you are going to recognize you are now in marketing and sales – the product is YOU! Declare you will create a strategy and a plan and have accountability set up to hold you to it. Announce your intentions and let people in your network know what you are doing (be careful here if you are still employed while seeking a position elsewhere).

The point is to take action! Kick off with your Inaugural Event and celebrate and announce what you will be doing. There is no excuse. Part of a company or a large organization, in your own business, or another situation… it makes no difference. Only you, yes you, are in charge of taking action.

Use the comments area and make a statement right now what action will you be taking.

Not ready to go public? Fine. Write it out now and then follow up and make it happen.

Watch your email for an invitation to a no cost call on goal setting coming up soon!

Can’t wait any longer and you are ready to take action? Contact Mitch Now!

Mitch Tublin owns a boutique consulting company with a main focus on Business Consulting, Executive Coaching and Career Transition. With clients all over the world the business is based in Stamford, CT.

Filed Under: Accountability, Achieve Goals, Business Planning, Business Strategy, Career Transition Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
December 16, 2016 by

Use It Or Lose It!

check-wenkroyThe month of December brings along much joy, warmth and pleasure to many people. It signifies the end of the calendar year and for a great many organizations the end of their fiscal year.  Corporations, not for profit charities and a variety of associations and other businesses have allocated funds for development, training and materials which if the funds are not utilized by the end of the year they are lost.  

Potentially even more impactful to their budget is the allocation in the budget for the upcoming year or two may be reset to the lower number of dollars actually spent in this previous year for this category.  

When this topic is discussed by me certain people say, “This is not true! Why would this  apply to a Non- Profit Organization?”  

It definitely does apply and here is one small example. From a variety of my contacts on the Board of Directors of certain Non-Profit Organizations, they tell me the business and the people in a Non-Profit may need development and training in leadership, communications, and presentation skills more than some of their corporate sponsors. In fact, they would find the money as long as the Non-Profit would agree to spend the money specifically on it and not something else.

If you are in this type of situation or know of an organization which is please stop right now and contact me with your information or an introduction.

This is an investment in the future of your organization. There are many reports which state that organizations are spending quite a bit on leadership development and training within their organization and they still are not seeing the return on their investment.  

Now this is not to knock the Human Resources folks – and let’s be careful here not to feel offended as this is not the purpose here –  often a training and development workshop or course is brought in with the mindset that it is a one time event.  For the most part this is due to the larger organizations who are hired are set up to deliver their workshops and courses in this manner.  Once the workshop or the course ends everyone goes back to conducting themselves exactly as they did prior to the workshop or course.

The more effective method of delivery to have an impact and to create a change in behavior is through spaced repetition. For example – If you consider marketing and the use of media it is through the repetition of the brand, the message, the reason through a  number of different sources which translates into the attainment of a customer.

By incorporating spaced repetition into the delivery, this continued contact and engagement in a variety of methods keep people onboard and accountable. They are able to grow and their behavior changes along with this process.

The ultimate goal and deliverable must be supported from the top of the organization as well. When a shift in culture or behavioral change is the deliverable the fastest way to undo everything is to have a leader in the organization or a manager continue to present themselves the same exact way they always have while expecting everyone else to change.

There are numerous ways to take advantage of this end of year opportunity. Here are a few examples where either a deposit or a full payment in December 2016 will secure top notch development, training and resources for individuals and/or groups:

  • High Performance Coaching
  • Effective Personal Productivity
  • Effective Personal Leadership

These ALL INCLUDE areas where goal setting and the accountability to carry these through are part of the program. Each of these are from start to finish designed for an initial 90 day effort.

Secure the program now! 

Mitch Tublin runs a boutique consulting firm with a main focus on leadership development, strategic initiatives and executive coaching. Based in Stamford, CT. he has clients all over the world.

Filed Under: Business Planning, Business Strategy, Marketing, Small Business Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
December 9, 2016 by

Hit Any Speed Bumps Lately?

Speed bumpsThe other day my wife and I were driving to a gathering in a neighborhood we had not been to before. The homes were all unique with stone facing and a variety of styles. The landscaping at each home was meticulous.

As the driver what really caught my attention were the speed bumps. Every single street had two or three of these spaced out based on the length of the street. There was not one single street in this area which did not have multiple speed bumps. Yes there were signs to warn you and to note the exact location for each speed bump.

It turns out the speed bumps were placed there for a few reasons.

The first one, which is the most obvious, is to slow down the speed of any vehicles driving through this neighborhood. The second reason was to protect the children in the area who might be either crossing the road or playing in or near to the road. The third reason, which may not be so obvious, is to reduce the road traffic as people who know the speed bumps are there would avoid these roads unless they had to drive into the area for a specific reason or to visit someone.

Isn’t this how it is in our business and our lives? Don’t we hit speed bumps at various times? Now we are not talking about a dead end, we are talking about a speed bump.

So people might just say – “well I know there are speed bumps if I go that way so I am not going that way.”

Sometimes we take note of the warning signs and other times we are totally taken off guard. Yes, of course there are others who will not slow down at all and just plow right through. We all know what that will do to your car if you try that out on the road. Maybe speed bumps in our business, career and our lives are meant for us to slow down and think about what it is that we are doing?

What are we trying to achieve? What are we really focused on?

The road with the speed bumps may be the road less traveled. The road to success in life and in business may be a road like that as well. It seems clear to me we need to recognize the speed bumps when they are present, take note, slow down and consider what are we doing and why are we doing it?

Mitch Tublin runs a boutique consulting firm with a main focus on leadership development, strategic initiatives and executive coaching. Based in Stamford, CT. he has clients all over the world.

Filed Under: Business Planning, Business Strategy, Know Where You Want To Go, Small Business Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
November 18, 2016 by

What Does It Take To Run Your First Marathon?

What does it take to run your first marathon?

Very much like running your first business.

Let’s start with the fact that the assumption is you want to run a business with staying power. Not a hit and run quick buck – which almost always is some type of a scam – business but a long-term real business.

Rule #1 – It is a marathon! Not a sprint! It is my guess almost anyone can sprint for ten meters. A lot of people can sprint for twenty five meters. How about going all out for as fast as you can for 100 meters? Any takers? This is not how to run a marathon and it is certainly not how to run a business.

Unless you are already working in the business you want to run – there will be a learning curve. You must become a sponge for the important information and be able to edit out the noise. Even when you are ready to start your business learning and growing, having a coach to guide you along the way and challenge you at times is going to be critical.

Rule #2 – It is your first marathon! Speak with people who have run a marathon before and ask them questions about everything from nutrition, training programs, pacing during the run, what shoes and gear to wear, ask about anything. Similar advice goes for starting your own business. Many people have been in your shoes before – seek them out and leverage their knowledge in terms of not only the things that worked – the things that did not work too.

Do you have accountability partners and possibly a support network? You do not need to be an elite runner to have accountability partners for your training, your nutrition program and everything you are doing for running your marathon. There are running clubs all over the world who set up and match up people based upon their running pace and goals. A support network may be a coach for running and training and a coach for your mental approach to everything you are doing.

Rule #3 – You do not have to do everything by yourself – other than run the marathon, of course, other people may run alongside you for encouragement! In starting your business let everyone in your circle of friends and family know what you are doing. You never know who they know.

There are many more people who will never even try to run a marathon vs. how many people do at least try. In fact even less actually sign up, train, show up and run and finish their first marathon.

Rule #4 – Your attitude will get you through it. Have the best possible attitude throughout the process. Throughout your training everyday you run. This will further prepare you for what it is going to take to complete your run.

In starting your business you must really want your business to succeed. The numbers are staggering how many new businesses fail within their first three years.

In closing, our entire family is bursting with pride as our son, brother – Bryan completed his first marathon – the 2016 New York City Marathon in a time of 4:32. We all were there to see him run. We each selected different sections and rode the subway to overtake and catch up along the route. Bryan set out a goal to complete his first marathon and he did it!

bryan NYC Marathon

Bryan Tublin

Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified coach, trainer and business consultant based in Stamford, CT.

Filed Under: Accountability, Business Planning, Business Strategy, Inspiration, Mindset, Small Business Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
October 21, 2016 by

Blank Page, Squiggly Lines, One Through Four or Inquire in Advance

How do you do everything?The other day as the facilitator of a group meeting in New York City – the meeting was at the starting point where we were ready to go around the table with brief introductions in order to get to know each other.  As is often my practice this question was asked in order to be answered first prior to their introductory words.

“We will go around the table first one at a time and answer this question and then please do introduce yourself to everyone – before coming to this meeting today would you say you were a –

  • Blank page with nothing written on it
  • A dazed and confused page with all squiggly lines on it
  • An organized one to four ready with your questions and your list of four points to make
  • You had previously contacted me for the agenda and looked up the details of what we were going to be covering in this meeting”

Take a moment and go to the comments section and note which one you would be.

Everyone took their turn and answered the question. Some had a story to go along with their answer and others did not. The answers did cover each of the options with blank page and squiggly lines the clear favorites. Once we went around the table one time. Here is what took place for round two.

“Please consider the following… you were asked to consider these four options for how you considered yourself prior to this meeting. The question now is related to this quote or concept: “How you do anything, is how you do everything.”  With this in mind – do you agree with this statement or not and now how do you show up in life –

  • Blank page
  • Squiggly lines
  • One through four always organized
  • Need to know in advance and do your research”

Take a moment and go to the comments section and provide your answers now.

This time around everyone was more thoughtful. Almost everyone had stories and explanations around their responses.

The wrap up from me is at the end of the day aren’t we all made up of a part of each in our daily lives? We each decide how much of each in what part of our day or our lives. This is the aspect of our awareness of ourselves where we have the ability to claim greater effectiveness, efficiencies and increased productivity in our work and in our lives.

What do you think?

Are you ready to have a person from outside of your company kick off your meeting or facilitate your meeting? Why not wake up your team and get everyone thinking before diving into the tasks at hand? Contact Mitch and let’s make it happen.

Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified executive coach, business consultant, trainer and speaker based in Stamford, CT.

Filed Under: Business Strategy, Habits, Inspiration, Self Improvement Tagged With: , , , ,
October 14, 2016 by

How Do You Deal With Distraction?

How Do You Deal With Distraction?Let’s begin with a definition of distraction – that which distracts, divides the attention, or prevents concentration – A distraction is something that takes your attention away from what you’re supposed to be doing. (dictionary.com and vocabulary.com)

Now the question? What is on your list? How long is your list? How about you take one minute, right now, 60 seconds and write a list of one or two word distractions you deal with on a daily basis.

Here is the thing – regardless of your workplace – by yourself or in a relaxed dress code more casual start up model or in a more corporate environment -we all – every single one of us deal with distractions every single day. And that is only the workplace, how about your personal life!

Distraction is everywhere!

The most difficult aspect of these distractions is the recovery. Some studies report it takes a full fifteen to twenty minutes to regain the focus you had before the distraction to get back on track with whatever you were working on! Four distractions in one day adds up to over an hour a day trying to regain your focus. Worse is most people are distracted way more than four times each day.

Here is a quick review of many of the common distractions. Feel free to go to the comments section and add in your distraction of note especially if it is not mentioned here.

Social Media and direct messages – Text messages – Email – phone calls

Obsessions with sports, politics, music, movies, restaurants, shopping, eating, smoking, your favorite subject of this month

Technology and Tools

The growth of technology and tools and how pervasive they have become in all of our lives has changed our behavior forever. Technology and devices were going to help us to all become more productive. Instead we are now available all of the time. Our work lives really never end. At least this is the expectation we have bought into. Many of us have an expectation of an immediate response to our email to someone – More so of a direct message via Facebook or Twitter or LinkedIn – “it has been almost two minutes! What could they possibly be doing!”  Tell me honestly, you really have never thought this or said this out loud after typing and sending your message?

Online Shopping

The ability to go online to actually purchase with shipping to your home virtually anything has created a 24 X 7 store for anything. From shoes to workout clothes, to homes to cars, to vacations to chainsaws. With a few clicks and some price comparison and reading a couple of reviews – all set – CLICK – PURCHASE CONFIRMED.

The backlash at certain companies is to block the use of the internet in all work areas. No outside access through WIFI or anything – period. Before this was the case you didn’t mind sitting at your desk eating your tuna sandwich or spinach salad with grilled chicken as long as you were able to click around. Now you have to go outside and go somewhere, Starbucks, anywhere where there is a WIFI signal so you may check your personal email and maybe do some shopping or at least window/virtually shopping.

You know, we all know there is much more, let’s stop here.

Ask yourself, seriously ask yourself, what would happen if I turned it all off for a few hours everyday and only gave my focus to my work? Put up an auto-responder message stating from 1 PM until 5 PM (or whatever time you select) no messages will be received or responded to?   What would be the result? Would you become more productive and less distracted? Give it some time as you may have to deal with withdrawal symptoms and you will definitely have to train others to understand and respect your revised work schedule.

Who knows, maybe others will follow your lead and everyone will become more productive together.

Mitch Tublin is a speaker, coach and trainer based in Stamford, CT. Are you looking for Mitch to speak at your next meeting about productivity in the workplace, leadership or more effective communication?

Filed Under: Business Strategy, Self Improvement, Time Management Tagged With: , , , , ,
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