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Sick and Tired of the Sky Falling!
It's not what is happening -it's how you are responding. The work world is changing. Our Economy is changing. Find seeds of opportunity in the field of uncertainty!

Confusion is a Moving Target – Now What?

Dramatic transitions that occur beyond our control can stir up emotions of fear, doubt, anxiety and uncertainty. Changes persuade us to move in new directions, yet there is hesitancy to risk moving forward into the unknown. The change may even be a welcomed change. But our comfort zones are strong allies in maintaining the status quo. The past, even though it is gone, is where most people live; using it to make assumptions about the future. The future is unpredictable. Now what?

Presentation Anxiety (Part 1): Remove Anxiety and Nerves Evaporate!
- Speaking in public can be an all-in-one fear. - Anxiety is directly linked to the amount of uncertainty we feel. - Deal with the cause (uncertainty), no the symptoms (nerves)!

Lesson #1: Don’t Take ‘No’ for an Answer
“If you have a goal, if you want to be successful, if you really want to do it and become another Estee Lauder, you’ve got to work hard, you’ve got to stick to it and you’ve got to believe in what you’re doing,” said Lauder.

Chris Gardner Story

When you first hear the Chris Gardner story, you might think you were hearing the storyline of a Hollywood movie. In fact, the Chris Gardner story was so real that it was turned into a movie, the recently released “The Pursuit of Happyness” starring Will Smith and his real-life son Jaden Smith. But, before becoming the subject of a major motion picture, the Chris Gardner story was one of uncertainty and insecurity.

Lesson #1: Build Up the Trust Factor for Business

Building relationships is the key to successful sales, and at the heart of any strong relationship is the Trust Factor. Hines may have started his business late in life, but he worked hard at all of the little things over the years to build up a sense of trust between him and his customers. His reputation for honesty and reliability were two of the single most important ingredients in his recipe for success.

10 Rules for Being a Great Panel Moderator
Having moderated many conference panels, and participated on many more of same -- and suffered through even more as an audience member -- I've decided to share some words of advice on moderating a panel (I offered rules for being a panelist in a prior post). Being a moderator is nowhere near as easy as people seemingly think, and most people are crummy at it.

6 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Business
All businesses are having to adjust quickly to some stark new realities. In this current environment of seesawing markets - surging and then sagging commodities, volatile currencies - huge gains... then huge drops in stock prices - it's getting harder than ever to predict what's going to happen.

The Magic Formula to Better Results: It's Your Response that Counts
In today's economic times, when everywhere you look there’s a rumbling of great uncertainty, I think we should all take a pause (and a deep breath) to think about our lives.

8 Must Haves to Make Every Conversation Authentically Compelling
One of the main things that hold people back from deliberately making change is uncertainty around how to communicate change to others. Our communication patterns, like everything else, evolve over time and are prone to habits. This article helps you check in with how you speak with yourself and others and see where you can upgrade and feel even better about how you “talk your walk.”

Executive Coaching Secrets for Socially Intelligent Sales - 9 Sales Tips for Tough Economic Times

It's no new news that we are in a difficult business climate that requires making connections and building relationships more important than ever. We buy from people we know, like and trust. Right know and for the foreseeable future, we are experiencing a business climate where people and organizations are holding on to their wallets. There is a psychological and behavioral contracting effect due to uncertainty about the future.

Balance Self-Confidence and Uncertainty
Researchers have revealed yet another key to flow.

Recovery or Double Dip Recession

Recovery or double dip recession; That issue is sharply dividing many economists, because no one is sure what impact the current nonsense we keep hearing over the airwaves will have on the overall market and the broad economy. What impact will the November elections have on our economy? What about the Bush Tax cuts, Cap and Trade and the impact of "Health Care Change"? These four questions alone represent a lot of uncertainty. Terms like "Jobless Recovery" -- "The Summer of Recovery" and "Jobs Saved" almost make me want to puke.

Overcoming “Game Day Conditions” in Business

In your game plan for business success, there is no doubt that from time to time adverse conditions will appear. How do you respond? We are experiencing times of change, fear, and uncertainty; the likes of which many have never seen before. Discomfort is inevitable, how you respond to it is controllable. Do you “call off the game and head back to the locker room” or do you stick to the game plan and find a way to win the day?

Enough with the Insults Already!

We have seen a social phenomenon of quite ordinary people transform within a short space of time into power-crazed business chiefs who apparently succeed by an ethos which is tantamount to the feudal system. It is the mission of Realize Publishing Co. to facilitate the connection of all entrepreneurs, of whatever scale, wishing to belong to and trade within a system where everybody wins. Our vision is to create a world-class resource base that becomes a recognisable reference for people aspiring to achieve their optimum business and personal potential by trading with integrity and passion.

Focus Speeds Up The Buying Cycle
What we focus on in life expands. Face it, life right now is busy, and with so much uncertainty and fear in our economic environment it is easy to get distracted. If you want to ease the stress in your life, take the edge off the anxiety and just bring the fun back into your everyday life, then learn to focus.

Motivational Tips when You Work From Home
Work from home gives enough opportunities to individuals who are looking at improving their financial situation. Especially in these times of uncertainty and bleak ideas about which direction Obamaís social security taxes are headed too. A little extra income from a profitable work from home opportunity goes a long way in securing your present as well as your future.

Flexi-budget - Planning for uncertain times
During these uncertain times, companies need to maintain the discipline of good planning and budgeting, but how can you plan and budget when the goalposts keep moving? Orchard Growth Partners is rolling out a flexible planning and budgeting methodology which allows companies to prepare flexible and layered budgets.

"If I'm a Self-Starter, Why Aren't You?" Those High in Initiative May Be Challenged as Coaches

Self-starters rarely understand those who are not self-starters, and most individuals are not self-starters. This disconnect creates a barrier to understanding motivation and coaching effectiveness. Validated studies consistenly prove a reverse correlation between high initiative and versatile audience adaptation. With focus on principles herein, the bridge to transformation can be constructed and reinforced.

TRUST

It is popular amongst successful entrepreneurs to talk about certain intangibles that make for good business. Intangibles such as leadership, innovation, persistence and follow- through. I say this, because I too speak of these things, both passionately and often. Their importance goes without questioning. Each cannot be given, and consequently must be earned. Each is intrinsically valuable in and of itself, and may stand as a singular example of character.

I am Not Going to Chase a Woman from Zimbabwe up a Power Pole to Tell Her About My Business Opportunity
Are you in the unenviable position of working for a large company that does not value the employees on it's payroll? Is your situation precarious and are you anxious about the future? There is a perfect solution to this problem and I will share this with you in this article.

Self-Coaching Tip: Pre-Tend to Your Future
From a very early age, we have had the ability to visualize or tap into our kinesthetic body. We called it "pretending."

Coping with Uncertain Times
Hints and tips to help you weather the current economic crises or any unexpected financial downturn.

Workers still concerned about job security
Despite emerging signs that the economy is beginning to stabilize, a significant number of employees remain concerned about the security of their job.

The Stuff That Creates Growth In Your Franchise Biz
I recently read that there are approximately 13.7 million people unemployed as of April 2009. 3.7 million of those have been jobless for half a year or better (27 weeks or more). It is no wonder why so many have begun to turn to franchising or small business ownership as an alternative. We all have grown weary in the workplace of the lack of security and even-handedness in the career market.

Kiosks Offer Advantages in Owning a Franchise
Kiosk franchises can offer a great low-cost way to launch a business and in fact, many owners will leap in with multiple locations. With a low start-up cost and low overhead, kiosks have terrific margins. Add in that the location practically forces a customer to interact and you have a winning business combination.

Smart Women Understand “WIIFM?”
This article gives some insight and tips on how to create a marketing message that clearly and easily lets someone know what benefit your product or service has to offer. People purchase benefits—period. It’s important that we make sure the benefits stand out in our marketing so that people can quickly determine if they need or want what we have to offer.

The Most common Mistakes Made In A Recession
In this short incisive article discover two things that most firms get wrong and four easy ways to put it right..read on

The Most Common Mistakes Made By Businesses In A Recession
There is a huge danger in a recession and that danger is exposed in this incisive short article. Find out four things that will damamge your business and three things you can do quickly and cheaply.

These Are The Good Old Days
Are you going through a time of struggle and uncertainty these days? Are you questioning what tomorrow may bring? Well, realize one thing for sure, you're not alone.

How to Manage Change
There is a frequently-quoted statistic, which may not be strictly numerically accurate but certainly has the feel of truth. 75% of all change initiatives adopted by organisations fail.

How to stay positive in a negative professional environment
Nothing affects employee morale more insidiously than persistent workplace negativity. It drains the energy of your organisation and diverts critical attention from work and performance. Negativity occurs in the attitude, outlook, and talk of one employee, or in a crescendo of voices responding to a workplace decision or event.

Run And Hide
You have choices during these tough times. You can run and hide or be bold, brazen and brave - it's up to you!

Conquering Fear
Fear is our #1 obstacle that prevents us from realizing our true selves and all our dreams. A healthy lifestyle can prepare our minds for success, while diminishing fear based limitations.

Knowing When It Is Time to Close Your Business
Can't seem to get to break even cash flow even though you have given it your best? This article discussed when it is time to "throw in the towel" or when it is worth going on to fight another day.

A Positive approach to the Credit Crunch

Another month and yet again my latest article looks at dealing with the credit crunch. As I have engaged with Managing Directors over the past few weeks I have encountered a range of attitudes to the market. So what attitude should you take? Well as you will see when you read this article I do not recommend being either Optimistic or Pessimistic but Positive. In fact I mention 4 attributes - 3 P’s and a Q.

Strategic Retreat
Having started a business that doesn't succeed is a natural course of event. The hardy entrepreneur must not consider the failure of his business as personal failure. Get a job and wait for the next ripe moment to shine.

April Fools Day: Employee Morale and How to Kill it in 5 Easy Steps

For our first article in April, in recognition of April Fool’s Day, we’ve decided to make light of a serious topic. As an August 2008 Training Trends e-newsletter pointed out, there are “countless articles and books that promise to tell employers how to boost employee morale.” Why not take a shortcut from buying and reading all of those books and take a look at the top 5 ways to kill employee morale?

#1 Reason Top Performers Leave
Survey results.

Title: Buying An Existing Business Part IV of IX
This is the fourth part of a nine part series for buying an existing business. This part is a brief discussion of your small business plan.

Team Building - 5 Tips to Get Everyone On The Bus!

Face it the economy has changed and success now is a moving target. The only thing certain in this economy is uncertainty. Change has become a consistent part of running a business. Today's leaders need to be able to help their teams navigate change with as little stress, anxiety and disruption as possible. While everyone reacts to change differently, there are certain steps that leaders can take that will make accepting change easier for everyone.

Leadership Strategy - Lead The Way With Your Talents

Today, change is showing up globally like a volcano that has been merely spewing smoke and now has erupted. The signs were there. The “too good to be true” mortgages with little or no down payment; credit card accessibility used with promises that the user would pay them off in the future, yet the debt just kept mounting to outlandish proportions; trying to have it all by working harder and longer with little time left over to develop relationships and self care. With all the stress internally and externally it was inevitable for the bubble to burst.

Should `Builders' Avoid Choppy Markets?
Uncertainty has been a part of investing since investing began; and the world is full of people who are always 'waiting to see what the market will do'. Unfortunately for them, it keeps doing the same thing and they never begin investing. The result? Most Americans are unprepared for retirement.

Six Month Plan to Become a Self-Employed Developer
Almost each day someone comes to me regarding just how I got began as a self-employed programmer. Numerous persons acknowledge that they'd prefer to branch off into freelancing, but most do not know exactly where to start. It is this concern and uncertainty that keeps them from taking the plunge.

Surviving an Economic Downturn: Creative Alternatives to Layoffs

It seems that you can't escape the headlines these days about the gloomy economic news. In every media outlet, we read or hear about stock market losses, real estate slowdowns, job losses, bankruptcies and bailouts. These are clearly challenging economic times. One key question for your business is how do you handle the economic slowdown when it comes to your staffing levels? Should you institute a hiring freeze? Can you take advantage of layoffs at your competitors by snatching up strong performers that they've been forced to downsize? Or do you need to layoff employees yourself? In this article, we look at some of the options facing small- and medium-sized businesses when determining how to handle their human resources needs during an economic slowdown.

Leading in Uncertain Times
What happened?! Almost overnight we have moved from a growing economy to uncertainty in direction and solutions. We can evaluate the what, why and how but it leaves us needing to lead and navigate in unchartered waters. There are five key steps that leaders need to take to move through this challenging time.

Thousands are getting fired What are people doing in tough times
Thousands are getting fired; What are people doing in tough times? The nation is being hit with unemployment. We all know someone who has been affected. What are those people doing about it? What is everyone really searching for right now?

On Taking Risks

One of the hardest things in life to do is take risks. Many people tell me they're not willing to sacrifice their security, and find risk-taking to be frightening. But once you realize that everything involves risk, your confidence becomes the cure for risk aversion. One survey showed that in order for people to succeed in business they need self- confidence, drive and energy, the ability to deal with uncertainty and confusion, and finally, persistence. These attributes will come naturally when you are doing what you truly want to do. When you are pursuing Core Desires, you are willing to acquire knowledge, skills, and experience, and you have the will to persist.

Where Do You Underestimate What You Are Capable Of?
Too often we underestimate what we are capable of and wind up settling for less, doing less and becoming less than what we are truly capable of. We need to trust ourselves more deeply and have the courage to take on goals that stretch us in order to know what we are capable of and achieve the success and happiness we truly want.

A crisis is a terrible thing to waste

So what if the economy is hitting a rough spot? Once you’ve invested more in your customers, cut off the dead limbs, watered the good ones, and given your employees a chance to really shine your company is going to be stronger. If you have cash, there are great deals to be had, if you have good credit, banks are still lending. Everybody is willing to negotiate. It is a buyer’s market. Warren Buffet said “be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.” Right now high quality talent is plentiful, there are many exceptional talents looking for work and many that will work at rates favorable to your clients’ new reality. Start the hunt, hire people you couldn’t afford 12 months ago, whether full time, part time or as a contractor.

Alternatives to redundancies have benefits

The overall cost with redundancies is far more than just the initial redundancy pay an employee receives. You will need to add costs for the recruitment when you require staff again and the cost of training new recruits to have them reach the development stage your redundant staff were at prior to being made redundant. How do you place a cost on this? Then there are the negatives that come from any business making redundancies which includes low morale within the workforce which inevitably reduces production, performance and service. Good quality staff can leave for alternative employment due to the uncertainty which may happen after you have reduced to the number of staff you felt appropriate as they have been offered employment from interviews taken during the redundancy process. What is the cost of this?

Leadership Development: FUD to FUN

The FUD Factor tends to sneak up just around the time of the changing of the seasons. This is where at work you may be falling short of what was projected for the first quarter. FUD FACTOR: fear, uncertainty and doubt have a way of making the lights dimmer, the tinsel less sparkly, the bells sound tinny, and the gifts not just right. There is a certain need to be perfect, to be disappointed if we come up even just a few inches short of what we think should have happened. We are hard on ourselves; and way too often, we are also hard on those around us.

What Salespeople Can Learn from a Focus on the Chase instead of the Hammer
What is possible if salespeople began to think of the sales process like the noted automobile restorer Wayne Carini? Just how is the sales process in the top performer’s way like the chase for the finest classic cars?

Smart Women Take the Leap

This article is about how women need to make a decision in their lives to “take the leap” or take action on an important Big Idea, dream or Goal. Sometimes we daydream about what might be possible in our lives and there comes a time when we have to make a decision to turn those dreams into reality and that means by “taking the leap.” “Taking the Leap” to realize a dream means making some changes in our lives in order to accomplish our goals. It means gathering support from people who can champion us and help us.

Riding the Waves of Uncertainty
Doing business in tough times seems to be the major focus of every conversation these days. Three strategies for getting through any economic storm ahead.

Are your goals in writing?
The most PRODUCTIVE people write down their goals.

Dealing With Uncertainty
These are times of growing concern and uncertainty. The article "Dealing With Uncertainty" provides an in depth look at human attitudes in trying times, while providing specific action steps to keep people and organizations focused on the pursuit of their goals.

HR Consulting: Taking The Plunge

So you want to be a Human Resource consultant. And why not? You’ve paid your dues in corporate life. You’ve risen to the top of your profession. It’s time for a new challenge. HR consulting is a great career for the right individual—but the wrong profession for many. If you like predictability, the amenities of corporate life, a steady flow of people to your office, and a regular paycheck with benefits—then keep your day job. But if you’re comfortable with ambiguity, you thrive on change and uncertainty, and juggling multiple projects is what gets you out of bed every morning, then consulting may be for you.

The Marketplace is Changing, Is Your Business Standing Still?
Big shifts are taking place. What does it all mean to you and your business? The strategic planning process offers a set of tools to help you logically think through complex business choices. Read about some concrete ways on how to move forward with confidence

Sales Training Tip – What to say and how to say it
'What's in a word' is a series of words and phrases which will help you put together a well PLANNED Sales Presentation when dealing with customers either face-to-face or over the phone.

Confidence Wins - So Stop Being Tentative in Email
It’s time to inventory your email and see whether you’re communicating confidence or uncertainty with your outreach.

Recession Proof Networking
As we face economic unease, a sure fire way to prepare yourself for potential opportunities is simple: Network, Network and oh yeah, Network some more!

How Not To Succeed In Business
Here it is: the absolutely guaranteed secret of success in business...

Recognizing Uncertainty
Is uncertainly a bad thing? Maybe we just need to view it differently.

Presenting the Solution
Know your audience. Tailor your presentation to your prospective customers. To do that, consider what they are likely to need from you. Use terminology they'll understand and make sure you are familiar with their business jargon. That will help you to establish common ground with them

Presenting the Sales Solution
A good sales presentation has four main sections; each section is described in this article.Tailor your presentation to your prospective customers.. Be sure to play up your strengths

Resistance in Sales
As a general rule we should treat resistance as something you have created.

You Are The Problem

In business you can often think that with better marketing and more capable staff your business and your life will improve. However if you're disorganised and the internal business systems are the same (which is very common), then your ability to cope with additional work and find and retain good people will diminish greatly. Through my work with small business, I find the personal strengths and weaknesses of the owner directly impacts the business... for better or worse.

Death by Assumption: Why Great Planning Strategies Fail

To often, assumptions are not clearly identified or managed so that when a plan goes south, there is no way to go back and reevaluate or manage the original assumptions. The absence of "assumption management" is a common cause of the death of many strategic plans. Assumptions must be stated, debated, and continually reevaluated as the plan goes forward. We've provided three practical steps you can take to manage your planning assumption.

Smart Women are Possibility Thinkers
This article is about how one can determine their outcome in many situations and in life depending on their attitude. When faced with any circumstance, do you live in possibilities or do you automatically go to the downward spiral? Attitude is the key to unlocking a life full of passion, purpose and meaning.

A Day In The Life Of A Rosemary Conley Franchisee

At some point during the researching and preparation that goes into deciding whether or not a franchise business is the right decision for you, the question needs to be asked: what does running a franchise actually look like? While you may be able to find the right franchise information, the right cost, the right financing options, and feel great about your decision to become one of the thousands of people every day who decide to go into business for yourself, there will still be that uncertainty of what your first day, week, and year of running a franchise will actually look like. This is why Rosemary Conley franchise recruitment manager Rose Franses was asked to explain the details of what a day in the life of a Rosemary Conley Franchisee is actually like.

Plan Ahead and Build Your Own Business after Retirement
The process of starting a business can be a challenging, and an exciting experience. It can also be frightening, exhausting, and frustrating. The key to a minimum stress start-up is to plan ahead and build your own business after retirement, in a planned and rational way. Understanding, and planning out, the entire process of start-up makes a huge difference to the end result.

Clearing the Path 4 Ways Fear Wreaks Havoc on Your Dream and What to Do About It
Please take a moment before you read any further and answer these three simple questions: 1. Are you making daily progress towards accomplishing your business vision? 2. Do you find that despite a strong desire to make your vision happen, obstacles always seems to pop up and slow you down? 3. Do you find that doubt is chipping away at your vision, keeping it from ever becoming a reality?

How to Maintain Motivation
The basic key to motivation is to enjoy what you are doing. Sounds simple doesn’t it? One of the major issues, however, is that we have so many options with how to spend our time that it is easy to find something that we will enjoy doing. The challenge is that it is very tempting to go for the instant enjoyment at the expense of the task that will lead to long term enjoyment and happiness.

How to crystalize business growth options through Strategic Planning

What is it? Why do strategic planning? When is the right time for strategic planning? Strategic Planning is a tool to formulate high level business strategy. It sets the table to allow preparation of detailed business plans. Strategic planning is undertaken to define the precise mission of the organization, prioritize opportunities and help manage growth. It is also a very useful tool in satisfying succession planning needs. Most strategic planning is undertaken to establish base guidelines for a business plan. It also provides the benefit of helping maximize resource utilization and prioritize growth options.

Freelancing as a Career Option - Neha Kashyup
A good freelancer must be a forward-thinking, self-motivated leader who is comfortable taking initiative in unfamiliar environments. Freelancers should be able to make new relationships easily and spot potential clients wherever they go. For those of you who want to take the plunge, here are some tips for starting and growing your business:

Eight Attributes of the Successful Business and Executive Coach
This article describes eight crucial attributes that top Executive and Business Coaches possess. Read it to see if you have what it takes.

Clearing the Path 4 Ways Fear Wreaks Havoc on Your Dream and What to Do About It
1. Are you making daily progress towards accomplishing your business vision? 2. Do you find that despite a strong desire to make your vision happen, obstacles always seems to pop up and slow you down? 3. Do you find that doubt is chipping away at your vision, keeping it from ever becoming a reality? Thank you. N*ow let's do something about it.

A New Kind of Resolution for Uncertain Times

“The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them.” (Albert Einstein) At this time of economic crisis, there is a tremendous pull towards making decisions built on a model of data analysis and information gathering. We are, after all, in the Information Age … that period of our history in which there's been a global focus on the manipulation of information. Despite our intelligence and despite the wealth of information available, we seem to have hit a wall on the information highway. Something’s not working. In fact, it sometimes seems that nothing is working.

Double Your Profits and Your Productivity With The Right People
What is the no. 1 asset in your business beside yourself? It's your people. Then why is it they often fall to the bottom of the list when it comes to doing anything to help them improve their performance and look after them? If you want your business to run more effectively and/or make more money then you must invest time and energy into your no. 1 asset otherwise you will eventually lose them.

Unfair Dismissal under Federal Labor Government
As outlined in its policy announcement prior to the election, Federal Labor has proposed changes to the unfair dismissal laws. We expect that the new government will commence to enshrine these changes in legislation early next year. However, things are not certain.

Change: Communicate! Communicate! Communicate!

Change can exhibit itself in many different forms and in many different ways. A thing, system, process, etc., can be altered, converted or replaced by giving it a different form through transformation, reengineering or reinventing. The reason for change occurring can also be reactive or proactive. The point being, change has become our constant companion in many different forms and from many different directions. Those people and organizations that can develop the capacity to undergo spontaneous change will most likely be the ones who will be best prepared for the future.

Stress, Balance and Change Solutions
Stress, balance and change solutions - a "back to basics" discussion to use for yourself, your family, your work environment.

The Leader as Coach: Creating High Performance in Change

Leaders have never been more critical to an organization’s performance than they are today. Continuous turbulent change makes leadership a more demanding role than ever before. We look to our leaders for not only laying out the path into the future but also to engage, inspire and motivate others to join eagerly in the journey. What’s more, we want our leaders to be trustworthy, modeling the kind of character we expect in someone we willingly follow. This is the route to high performance and many of the old rules no longer apply. This article looks at a new leadership style – the Leader Coach© – that is particularly suited to what’s required in leaders now. To lead as a coach today means new skills and approaches – read on to get started!

Self-Doubt -- Motivation
A doubt is just a feeling of uncertainty; it has no proof underpinning it. If a doubt has no basis , then it is a hindrance. Once you have pure and sincere motivation, all the rest follows. The prime mover of every action is the motivation or the determination.

Uncertainty the Unknown As the Doorway To Possibilities
Does uncertainty stir your excitement and positive anticipation or fill you with a sense of dread and foreboding? Learn how to think about uncertainty in a new way.

IN PRAISE OF UNCERTAINTY (AND A CHEAT SHEET FOR ENJOYING IT MORE)
Over the weekend, I saw Point Blank, a French action thriller about a nurse at a Parisian hospital whose very pregnant wife has been kidnapped and will be killed unless he delivers to the kidnappers a thief who’s a patient in the hospital. It was so good. Even as my heart was pounding, I savored the twists and turns in the plot and didn’t want it to end.

Life Transitions
End of a relationship Loss of a loved one Being downsized An empty nest Career change Generalized angst Not living your passion

Five Levels of Decision Making
Clear, helpful advice on how to approach making good decisions as a leader.

Ilusions in Regression Analysis

Soyer and Hogarth’s article, “The Illusion of Predictability,” shows that diagnostic statistics that are commonly provided with regression analysis lead to confusion, reduced accuracy, and overconfidence. Even highly competent researchers are subject to these problems. This overview examines the Soyer-Hogarth findings in light of prior research on illusions associated with regression analysis. It also summarizes solutions that have been proposed over the past century. These solutions would enhance the value of regression analysis.

INVESTING IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY AND VOLATILITY - Part 1 FROM THE GFC TO NOW

People are worried, concerned and yes, even scared. How do you invest in these volatile and uncertain times? The memories of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2008-2009 are still fresh. They themselves may have “lost” money during this period as have many of their friends. They know people or have heard stories of people who “went into cash” at the right time. The global economies and investment markets are again facing new uncertainly and volatility. People are asking themselves and their advisers questions such as: • Will I lose my money? • Is any place safe? • Should I go into cash? • Am I wasting my money by investing now? The purpose of my articles are to answer these questions. This is part one of a four part series of articles.

There Is No New Normal
A friend sent me a description of a speech entitled, “The New Normal.” I’d seen that phrase before. Heck, I’ve used the phrase before. However, although we want to believe there actually is an identifiable normal, there is no new normal. No matter what happens, though agility and speed are tools for dealing with a lack of normalcy.

Environmental Dimensions In Measuring Uncertainties

Integrating the work of previous authors, Dess and Beard (1984) employed three environmental dimensions in their measure of uncertainty. These three dimensions, which were very similar to those developed earlier by Child, were “dynamism,” “complexity,” and “munificence.” The first dimension, “dynamism,” referred to the “rate of change and innovation in an industry as well as the uncertainty or predictability of the actions of competitors and customers” (Miller and Friesen, 1983, p. 222). Dynamism in Dess and Beard’s measure was similar to the stability/dynamism dimension of Thompson’s measure, the static-dynamic element of Duncan’s, and the variability component of Child’s.

Conceptualizations Of Organizational Environmental Uncertainty

In the management literature, the external environment can be broadly defined as “the totality of physical and social factors that are taken directly into consideration in the decision-making behavior of individuals in organizations” (Duncan, 1972, p. 314). Organizational researchers have long theorized that the overall environment consists primarily of several independent components (e.g. Duncan, 1972; Miles and Snow, 1978; Hambrick, 1982). Among the most significant elements that were theorized to exist in the external environment were customers, competitors, government regulations and labor unions. While the individual components that made up each researcher’s conception of the environment were not always the same, each conception agreed that the various environmental elements acted to create uncertainty for firms.

Conceptualizations Of Organizational Environmental Uncertainty

Organizational Environmental Uncertainties

From the genesis of management studies it has been recognized that organizations do not operate in a vacuum. In the seminal work, The Functions of the Executive, Chester Barnard (1938) theorized that an organization’s survival was dependent on its ability to sustain a balance with its external environment by readjusting its internal processes to match the various elements in the environment (Barnard, 1938, p. 6). In recognition of Barnard’s observation that firms must maintain equilibrium in an ever-changing environment, a considerable body of literature has developed that is devoted to conceptualizing and comprehending the external environment and its role in management theory.

Avoid Uncertainty at Your Own Risk
'Uncertainty avoidance' is one of the five scales that are used to define your cultural attitudes. High uncertainty avoidance can sabotage the midlife transition and prevent you from moving forward.

Our Brave New World is No Place for Chickens
The current uncertainty and media overkill fueling economic pessimism has caused some so-called leaders to crawl into their shells. This month, I briefly examine examine some simple ways to lead during uncertainty. Let it suffice to say that uncertain times do not call for uncertain leaders.

A Pro Business Approach will Put People to Work
Business despise uncertainty, and have been faced with nothing but uncertainty for the last two years. Recent changes in Washington will be viewed by the business community favorably, and will help to get us rolling in the right direction.

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