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Item Upon - The Howl Issue #3
George’s high productivity got stopped dead in its tracks. His mother was demanding meeting after time-consuming meeting over the details of how to renovate their new facility. George was making a major expansion in his family-owned business. He was adding a new home care division. The expansion was consuming much of his time. Now mother was telling George what bids to take and what contractors to use. And of course, all those meetings ate up his precious time.George needed additional funds to make the new change. Mother was one of the big investors. Now mother had taken her position as a major investor as permission for her to tell George what to do.George was in a quandary. Mother was undermining his authority as CEO, interfering with his decisions and wasting large amounts of his valuable time. Furthermore, he wanted a high quality facility, not a cheap one that his frugal mother was bent on providing. What was he to do? He couldn’t fire his own mother - could he?It was a tough decision!Finding A SolutionConfused and anxious, he discussed this challenge with his coach. During this discussion, it became clear to George that George had allowed his mother to overstep the boundaries of an investor. Most investors do not have oversight to the running of a business. Their role is passive.George realized he allowed this to happen when he accepted his mother’s offer of help. Mother had offered to help George renovate the new facility. This “help” turned out to be like a lifeguard hitting a drowning victim in the head with the life preserver he was throwing to the victim. This could not go on. He could not afford the time and he wanted a high-quality facility - not the low-quality his budget minded mother wanted.The first thing he had to do was to confirm that it made good business sense to fire her. Secondly, he had to know in his heart that he had the right to do this. He conferred with his brothers and sisters who supported his decision. This would be harder than it was the time he fired his nephew four years ago.He was naturally nervous about confronting his mother. Although he was now a grown man, he had a long childhood history obeying his mother. He certainly did not want to hurt his mother’s feelings or cause dissension in the family.It would be a delicate conversation. Rather than demanding or pleading with her, he decided he would ask for her help in solving this problem.George role-played with his coach the int
Economists also predict that the buildup of unsold homes across the nation would dampen the surge in prices that saw 69 cities report double digit price increases this summer compared with third quarter 2004. Another prediction is an additional ? point increase in
The field of interior decorating is fast changing as many traditional designers have been forced to add interior redesign to their services just to stay competitive. Hiring a decorator is no longer just for the rich and famous! Interior redesign is a credible and affordable service which has opened the decorating market for just about everyone.If you have dreamed of becoming an interior decorator consider entering the alternative decorating field of Interior Redesign. This is a great starting point for anyone interested in learning the basics of interior decorating. Many training resources can even assist you with business start-up basics.Interior redesign is fast becoming a credible alternative to the traditional interior design industry! The professional is not required to complete the costly and drawn out education experience. Many students are starting their new careers within only a month or two of completing training!Redesign professionals are unique in that they have to be more creative in completing a decorating project than the traditional designer. This is due to the fact that they work with furnishings and accessories their client already owns. Concentrating on focal points and architectural details should always be a major consideration when designing a space.By joining this relatively new decorating field now, you should be able to build a business rather quickly. No previous experience is required and there is not much competition. In fact, many areas of the United States have very little if none at all...yet!
If you missed Issues #1 & 2, e-mail: rick@ceostrategist.com for copies of these issues.
This month’s issue contains:
• The Housing Bubble --- Is It Finally Ready to Burst?”
• First in a series on “The Challenges Facing Family Owned Businesses”
--- How can you turn over your business to your children without creating chaos?
• Kids and Guns
• 15 Revealing Questions To Ask A New Sales Candidate
• Client Corner --- “My Kids Can’t Cut It”
The Housing Bubble --- Is It Finally Ready to Burst? ---- Economists have been predicting the burst of the bubble for the past five years. Every year they have been wrong. 2005 was supposed to be the year when things really started to slow down. Low and behold, 2005 was another banner year. Those in the building supply business are sitting around smiling as they count the profits. I am not an economist, thank God, but maybe, just maybe the economists are going to finally be right as some signs are beginning to show that may indicate a slow down in the housing boom. And of course, the auto industries problems, specifically General Motors with their recent layoffs and plant closure announcements just adds strength to this conjecture. What’s the old saying? “So goes General Motors, so goes the economy.”
Sales of existing homes fell almost 3% in October and the decline could have been higher except for the demand created by the surge of Hurricanes, especially Katrina. The level of unsold homes in October was at its highest peak in nineteen years. Some of this may be attributed to the fact that prices have risen at a pace not seen in twenty five years. A chief real estate economist stated; “The housing boom has likely passed its peak. (We have heard this before) The boom is winding down. I expect continued softening in housing.” (David Lereah, chief economist for Realtors.)
Economists also predict that the buildup of unsold homes across the nation would dampen the surge in prices that saw 69 cities report double digit price increases this summer compared with third quarter 2004. Another prediction is an additional ? point increase in i
When preparing for your interview, you need to be ready to discuss your accomplishments. Surprisingly, many people are reluctant to talk about their accomplishments. But this is exactly what the interviewer wants to hear from you.Discussing your accomplishments separates you from the rest of the people applying for the job. It helps you stand out and show that you are more qualified than the others. Remember, the whole point of an interview is to sell yourself to the interviewer. He or she needs to know that you are the right person for the position.Below are some of the subjects you need to be ready to discuss during the interview. Think of what accomplishments you made in each of these subjects. For the last subject, which is about the company you want to work for, make sure you do your research on the company before the interview.If the interviewer asks you what do you know about their company, and you don‘t know what industry their in, their mission statement, who their customers are, then the interviewer will probably determine that you aren’t the right person to represent their company. Here are the subjects:Work HistoryWhere did you work? How long did you work there? How much did you make at your current or previous job? What position(s) did you hold there?SkillsWhat skills do you have? What skills do you plan on learning? How have those skills helped you in your previous positions?Personal Characteristics What are your career short term and long term goals? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are you looking for in a company if employed there?The Company Where You Want To Be HiredWhat is the company‘s mission statement? What is their product or service? What are the requirements for the job? Does the company offer opportunities for advancement? If you want the job, you have to sell yourself. The interviewer wants to hear about your accomplishments because it helps them determine whether you are the perfect person for the job or not.
If you missed Issues #1 & 2, e-mail: rick@ceostrategist.com for copies of these issues.
This month’s issue contains:
• The Housing Bubble --- Is It Finally Ready to Burst?”
• First in a series on “The Challenges Facing Family Owned Businesses”
--- How can you turn over your business to your children without creating chaos?
• Kids and Guns
• 15 Revealing Questions To Ask A New Sales Candidate
• Client Corner --- “My Kids Can’t Cut It”
The Housing Bubble --- Is It Finally Ready to Burst? ---- Economists have been predicting the burst of the bubble for the past five years. Every year they have been wrong. 2005 was supposed to be the year when things really started to slow down. Low and behold, 2005 was another banner year. Those in the building supply business are sitting around smiling as they count the profits. I am not an economist, thank God, but maybe, just maybe the economists are going to finally be right as some signs are beginning to show that may indicate a slow down in the housing boom. And of course, the auto industries problems, specifically General Motors with their recent layoffs and plant closure announcements just adds strength to this conjecture. What’s the old saying? “So goes General Motors, so goes the economy.”
Sales of existing homes fell almost 3% in October and the decline could have been higher except for the demand created by the surge of Hurricanes, especially Katrina. The level of unsold homes in October was at its highest peak in nineteen years. Some of this may be attributed to the fact that prices have risen at a pace not seen in twenty five years. A chief real estate economist stated; “The housing boom has likely passed its peak. (We have heard this before) The boom is winding down. I expect continued softening in housing.” (David Lereah, chief economist for Realtors.)
Economists also predict that the buildup of unsold homes across the nation would dampen the surge in prices that saw 69 cities report double digit price increases this summer compared with third quarter 2004. Another prediction is an additional ? point increase in
Where is your brand positioned in the marketplace? How is it perceived, both positively and negatively? Can you identify your brand's core strength’s and equities? What are the barriers or threats standing in the way? A brand strategy company will provide you with an objective assessment of your brand.They can deliver specific solutions that will allow you to reach your strategic business goals and objectives, and clearly differentiate your brand and identity in the marketplace. Contact a branding company and they'll explore how they can help you develop a "BrandMasterpiece" branding and positioning strategy.Many clients have the mistaken idea that they can't brand their company because it is too expensive. In fact, a smaller business can build a very strong brand in their sales area by being uniform in their image and message through a proactive and consistent campaign.Corporate image and branding are strongly connected. In order for the brand to work effectively, the correct colors, font and design must be used in your corporate identity. It is not enough to say I need my logo to be blue; it's knowing what shade of blue, out of the 1000's to choose from. Remember your corporate identity is designed to attract your target markets, as well as represent your company.Why PositioningWhen people ask a branding company what exactly is it that they do, they unhesitatingly answer, “positioning”. While they also perform other marketing-oriented activities for their clients, their philosophy is that the entire marketing mix hinges upon good positioning. If the client’s product hasn’t been positioned properly, it will fail. Period.The strategies, tactics, messages, and creative are all directly dependent upon the development of appropriate positioning. Unsound positioning will weaken each of these endeavors and yet it’s probably the least understood and most neglected of marketing activities. Many brand positions are hurriedly crafted by committee to placate management with obvious results. A landmark article by HCI once pointed out that fully 70% of new product positions mimic that of an established brand in the therapeutic category. That’s not typically a formula for success.A branding company believes that good positioning is born of thorough market and product understanding. Only then can a diligent, proven process craft the positioning that will drive proper strategic, tactical, and creative work.Positioning DesignPositioning is arguably the most impor
Sales of existing homes fell almost 3% in October and the decline could have been higher except for the demand created by the surge of Hurricanes, especially Katrina. The level of unsold homes in October was at its highest peak in nineteen years. Some of this may be attributed to the fact that prices have risen at a pace not seen in twenty five years. A chief real estate economist stated; “The housing boom has likely passed its peak. (We have heard this before) The boom is winding down. I expect continued softening in housing.” (David Lereah, chief economist for Realtors.)
Economists also predict that the buildup of unsold homes across the nation would dampen the surge in prices that saw 69 cities report double digit price increases this summer compared with third quarter 2004. Another prediction is an additional ? point increase in
Over one-fourth of 2006 is history. What did you accomplished in this quarter of the year toward fulfilling your New Year's Resolution?If you are like most people you will have fallen behind in accomplishing your resolutions for 2006 or abandoned them entirely. That is a harsh reality, not easy to face. But it's not too late to make the effort to turn your good resolutions into accomplishments.A New Year Begins TodayThere are 10 actions you can take to help turn your resolutions into achievements by the end of the year.1. Make certain the goals you have set for 2006 are in fact realistic and attainable. They should be a real stretch, but reachable with your best efforts. It’s fine, for example, to resolve to win a big promotion, but it's not realistic to expect to make it all the way to the top in one leap.If upon sober reflection any one or all of your resolutions seem unrealistic or if your career goals have changed, do not hesitate to make a new set of resolutions for the remainder of 2006. Begin a new year today.2. Take a hard look of what happened to your resolutions in 2005. Learn from your accomplishments and failures.3. Make a plan and work it. Quantify each goal. Be sure to include actions to be taken with deadlines, as well as practical ways to measure progress at least once each month.4. Put unrelenting pressure on yourself to make progress toward your goals every day. Accept no excuses for failing to meet deadlines.5. Treat your resolutions as a binding contract with yourself. Put the contract in writing. Post the document in a prominent place so it will be seen every day. (The bathroom mirror is a good place.) Share your resolves with other persons you respect.6. Reward yourself for progress. Enjoy what you have accomplished.7. Don't be discouraged by the sheer size of the challenges. Think of each resolution as a series of small, manageable tasks to be accomplished one by one.8. Have a low tolerance for diversions. Permit them only if they are advancements toward achievements that are more important than the original goals.9. Start now, this day. Don’t let the time slip by until it’s too late and another year has gone by – lost forever – without measurable progress toward our goals.Take seriously this admonition from Marie Edgeworth: “There is no moment like the present. The man who will not execute his resolutions when they are fresh upon him can hav
Sales of existing homes fell almost 3% in October and the decline could have been higher except for the demand created by the surge of Hurricanes, especially Katrina. The level of unsold homes in October was at its highest peak in nineteen years. Some of this may be attributed to the fact that prices have risen at a pace not seen in twenty five years. A chief real estate economist stated; “The housing boom has likely passed its peak. (We have heard this before) The boom is winding down. I expect continued softening in housing.” (David Lereah, chief economist for Realtors.)
Economists also predict that the buildup of unsold homes across the nation would dampen the surge in prices that saw 69 cities report double digit price increases this summer compared with third quarter 2004. Another prediction is an additional ? point increase in
Jobs and employment on the Costa BlancaThe Council of Europe regulations forced Spain to end all restrictions on the free circulation of European Union workers as of January 1st, 1992 - which means that all EU citizens can work in Spain under the same conditions as Spaniards complete with employment contracts and employers contributions into the Spanish Social Security system on your behalf, giving both yourself and your dependants, access to the Spanish National Health Service. These rights extend even to family members who are non EU nationals.For example, if a Briton working in Spain is married to, say - a US national, the non EU spouse will have full rights to residence and employment in Spain. In addition, children of foreign workers will have the same rights to trade school education and apprenticeship programmes run by the state as nationals of that State. All of these rights, and more, are set out in EU Regulation 1612/68, regarding the free circulation of workers within the European Union.Article 5 of Title I of that Regulation also states that any EU foreigner looking for work in another EU country shall receive the same help from State employment offices as its nationals seeking work, they even mean that the foreign worker, should he/she lose his/her job in Spain for reasons beyond his/her control, providing they have paid sufficient sums into the Social Security system of the said State during their employment, can have access to unemployment payments - the Spanish dole, just like a Spanish worker.If you are considering living permanently in Spain, you must register both yourself and any dependants with the local Police Station and obtain a NIE certificate (Numero de Identificacion de Extranjeros) - Foreigners Identification Number. This certificate should be carried on your person at all times, together with your passport or residents' permit.Once you have this certificate, any EU national looking for employment should present himself to the nearest office of the INEM (Instituto Nacional de Empleo) - Unemployment Office, to register as a 'demandante de empleo' - unemployed. The only problem is - you must be able to speak at least a little Spanish as very few government departments will have an English translator on hand, and the staff will very quickly become short tempered with you if you expect to find employment with a Spanish company without at least being able to say good morning to the boss !Once
Economists also predict that the buildup of unsold homes across the nation would dampen the surge in prices that saw 69 cities report double digit price increases this summer compared with third quarter 2004. Another prediction is an additional ? point increase in interest rates by June of 2006 which could create a slow down in price increases to about 5% next year.
In reference to new construction, it also has shown signs that the bubble may be ready to burst. Housing construction and new building permits were down sharply in October. The Commerce Department reports that construction of new homes and apartments fell by almost 6%, which was the biggest decline in seven months. Applications for new building permits fell almost 7%, which is the biggest decline in six years. Nariman Behravesh, another expert chief economist stated, “We are likely to see a steady downward trend in housing activity over the next few months. Mortgage rates are at the highest level seen in more than two years.” National Association of Home Builders said a new survey showed builder optimism fell in November, the largest amount since the September 11th terrorist’s attacks.
So, is the bubble ready to burst? Many economists seem to thinks so. However, the statistics cited have been cited in the past. The predictions of a bubble burst have been reported in the past. On the other hand, some economists disagree at least partially. David Seiders, chief economist for home builders stated that he believed that sales of both new and existing homes, while still setting records for a fifth consecutive year in 2005, will only see a small 5% decline in 2006. This would represent a very soft landing (5% is not much considering the growth we have experienced over the past five years). Do they really know? Who knows? Maybe that’s why Roosevelt said he would only deal with “One Armed Economists.” So they couldn’t say, “On the other hand”…
Be cautious in 2006. Don’t panic but don’t bet the farm. Initiate a contingency planning process. If you don’t need the plan in 2006, so what, sooner or later the economists might get it right and that contingency plan that you have tucked away will become invaluable.
__________________________________________
First In A Series On Family Owned Businesses------ In 2006 we will try to cover many of the issues and challenges in “The Howl” that face privately held family owned businesses. Every family owned
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