Client and Customer Connection

"It is not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It is the customer who pays the wages."

- Henry Ford, American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company & sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. (1863 - 1947)

While there have been many ideas regarding how to treat each other, especially when it comes to customers and clients, it seems there are far more theories than true application! Whether it is the "Golden Rule", or the rule of "The Customer is always right", please consider embracing the approach of connection in addition to satisfaction.

What I mean by that is:

-Clients and customers have many options

-Clients and customers minimally want to be satisfied

-Clients and customers like great service

-Clients and customers really appreciate a connection (and I don't just mean free Wi-fi!)

So, if you are striving to make a difference, be relevant, especially customers and clients, please consider:

-Telling & showing clients and customers you appreciate them sincerely

-Asking clients and customers what they expect (instead of assuming)

-Offering clients and customers ways and times to connect

-Honoring what was discussed

In our world of speed and social media, looking someone in the eye, asking them a couple of things to enhance their experience, providing what they want, and then thanking them for their time and business, can not only go a long way that day, it can connect you to them in a way a post, blog, survey or coupon may never be able to do on its own...and yet it may create a connection to you and your business that opens them up to those additional things as well. With connection, true connection, instead of chasing the next deal, you are consistently engaging in a way that is lasting and real!

From Loss to Win...

"Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have - life itself." ~ Walter Anderson

In life, we have wins and losses.

A loss is a loss...

A loss of something, someone or some opportunity.

Absolutely, mourn that loss.

And then,

Move to being grateful for what you had and at peace with what you do not.

Appreciate each person, thing, and experience for what is given...not what is taken away.

And while you will still have a loss, you will know that you won in the end with your perspective and gratitude.

From Negate to Celebrate

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."

~ Oprah Winfrey, American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist.(b. 1954)

Today, and each day, there will be things and people to negate, tolerate, appreciate and celebrate.

For those you are tempted to negate, can you tolerate?

Is there something you can appreciate about those you are tempted to just tolerate?

And, can you celebrate each and all you appreciate?

Moving from negate to celebrate may take a few steps, and yet they are yours to make it you want the best in your day!

Welcome Without the "Want to"

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~ Melody Beattie, Author of Codependent No More, published in 1987 by the Hazelden Foundation.

When you are welcoming someone, or thanking someone, skip the "I want to..." part of the statement, and go right to the welcome or appreciation. When you say "I want to welcome you..." or "I just want to say thank you for...", you are making it about you, and not about the grace and gratitude that are conveyed for the other person with

"Welcome to..." and "Thank you for..."

Get out of your own way, your own words, and let what you want to say be what you say!!

Socail Media Connection Direction

“Communication - the human connection - is the key to personal and career success.” – Paul J. Meyer, Founded Success Motivation Institute in 1960

If you really are seeking to connect with new and existing friends on Facebook and other personal media outlets, consider only accepting those types of requests, and instead, for business connections or people you have met at/through work, redirect the requests to either a Facebook business page or LinkedIn since these are designed for business interactions. The verbiage I use in a private message to the requester is below, and over the past year, this has proven to be professional and well-received...and it can be for you, too:

Hi NAME!

Here's hoping all is well!

Thank you for the friend request. Since I primarily connect with family and friends to share personal thoughts and multiple photos of events, you may not want to see all of that...

Instead, you may want to "like" my business page, where I post weekday "Lundbergisms" for inspiration and consideration. The link is https://www.facebook.com/PresentingPowerfullyByDebbieLundberg. Also, if you are on LinkedIn, we can connect there at http://www.linkedin.com/in/DebbieLundberg.

Thanks again, and best to you,

Debbie

Feel free to use or tweak as you deem fit, and best wishes growing your real friend base as well as your professional connections!

Invest in "The BUCK"!

"Successful investing is anticipating the anticipations of others." - John Maynard Keynes British Economist (1883 - 1946)

It's less likely we hear U.S. president Harry S. Truman' s expression "The buck stops here", and sadly more likely we have recently heard or said someone "Passed the buck".

This illusive "buck" seems to be in contention somehow, so instead of just stopping it or worse yet, passing it, let's consider investing in "The BUCK", by spending time and energy on:

B - Beginning with considering what is happening by asking what and how questions instead of just blaming or asking why questions.

U - Understanding who is involved and the consequences by looking beyond yourself and to the family, team, company or client/customer, as well as beyond just the bottom line or personal implications.

C - Clearly articulating what is happening and what will be done by agreeing to deadlines and getting agreement from people who are responsible for what outcomes.

K - Keeping up with the progress and the results through leading by example, interactions and updates rather than through micromanagement and fear tactics.

Times and people have surely changed a bit since President Truman was in office, and therefore our approach can also change in order to "buck"le down and not just "buck the system", but to really invest in "the BUCK"!!

Getting ABLE!

“As for the future, your task is not to foresee it, but to enable it.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupery French Pilot, Writer and Author

How ABLE are you? Are you:

A - Acting and

B - Believing in

L - Leadership through

E - Engagement?

Getting engaged with others, engaging people who may not typically be included, and really creating an engaging environment are all aspects of being

reasonABLE,

personABLE, and

respectABLE...

and who wouldn't want to enABLE all of that?!?

Brighten a Day!

“Sorrow is the mere rust of the soul. Activity will cleanse and brighten it.” ~ Samuel Johnson English Poet, Critic and Writer (1709-1784)

Instead of looking for what or whom will brighten our days, instead, please think of whose day can you make a little brighter today?

If you think of something you can do for someone else, your day will likely brighten as well... possibly as soon as you think of the person, probably when you think of what you'll do, and almost certainly when you do it...

Make it an enjoyable (and brightened) day!

A (Different) Look at the Weekdays!

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go." ~ Oscar Wilde, Irish Poet, Novelist, Dramatist and Critic (1854-1900)

This week's post is about looking at each day with a point of happy and a healthy perspective, so enjoy the Happy Monday, Happy Tuesday, Happy Wednesday, Happy Thursday and Happy Friday!

So many people say "Happy Monday..." with much less enthusiasm, and, dare I say, even sarcasm, that is rarely there when they say "Happy Friday!", and yet if we embrace Mondays as:

M - Make it

O - One

N - Nice

D - Day with an

A - Attitude of

Y - YES!

Our Monday can be an enthusiastic and sincere "Happy MONDAY!"!!

Sticking with the theme each day being a happy one, our Happy TUESDAY reminder is to consider collaboration over the idea of compromise, as:

T - Teaming

U - Up

E - Encourages the

S - Sharing of ideas, where

D - Dividing and distancing

A - Alienates

Y - You

Our Tuesday can be a collaborative and productive "Happy TUESDAY!"!!

Our Happy WEDNESDAY reminder is to please consider the idea that how we anticipate the day is likely how it will play out, so how about you:

W - Welcome

E - Each

D - Day with

N - Non-stop

E - Enthusiasm

S - So that you

D - Deliberately

A - Appreciate all

Y - Your opportunities!

Instead of the traditional "Happy Hump Day" messaging of just getting through the middle of the week, our Wednesday can be a deliberate and appreciated "Happy WEDNESDAY!"!!

What is sometimes thought of as "Friday Eve", our Happy THURSDAY thought is to please remember that things and times are not really so complicated, rather people complicate them, so how about instead you keep in THURSDAY in mind as:

T - Thinking & being

H - Happy

U - Ultimately

R - Reflects in the

S - Simple approach of

D - Doing & being

A - All

Y - You possibly can!!

Keep it up, and simply keep making it a "Happy THURSDAY"!

We do hear "Happy Friday" a lot, it seems we often mean "welcome to the weekend" with that comment. With a little additional perspective, we can think of FRIDAY as:

F - Focus on

R - Really being

I - Invested in

D - Disposition and

A - Action for

Y - YOUR best day!

With this FRIDAY outlook, we can finish the work/school week strong as we start off an outstanding weekend, too. Happy FRIDAY to you!!

Whatever the day, whatever the way...make each of yours HAPPY!

Getting REAL

"Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." - Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States (1809 - 1865)

Expressions like "Fake it 'til you make it", and "Never let them see you sweat" have become not only acceptable for many for being less than sincere with others...they have even allowed some, sadly, to be shallow with themselves.

Instead of being concerned with what others think, or don't think, of us, how nice would it be to be REAL with ourselves...and others as well? What I mean by REAL is:

R - Relevant. The opposite of relevance is vanity. Remember to be aware, stay abreast of what is happening, know you are not the only person who may be experiencing what is great, or challenging, and keep that perspective while being sad, glad, or anything in between.

E - Enthusiasm. The opposite of enthusiasm is apathy. Your attitude is your enthusiasm...it need not be loud or vocal, just yours. Having a belief in yourself and others while knowing whatever attitude you have is your choice, and your enthusiasm can be contagious...and worth catching!

A - Action. The opposite of action is worry. Worry yields nothing positive. Inaction is action,remember to choose wisely, as actions have rewards & consequences. Own your actions!

L - Leadership. The opposite of leadership is pessimism. The followers are not the opposite of the leader, as the followers are part of what make the leaders' leadership grow. Following is a way of leading self. Lead and guide yourself first, and others later. By leading yourself and setting an example is the way to what I call "Micro-leadership". Lead by example, and learn from experience.

As you maintain being relevant, embrace and share your enthusiasm, take action (and ownership of it), your leadership will continue to develop. These things will get and keep things REAL for you...no faking it, just making it...no sweat required!!!

TIME Ownership & Actions

"All that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that." - Baltasar Gracian Spanish Writer (1601 - 1658)

Time is something that is non-renewable, precious, and yet many people act as though it is simply a slippery slope instead of a manageable resource. What causes that? And, how do we overcome that feeling of "no time"!?!

While much attention will not spent on these reasons or excuses, it seems the idea of "I don't have time for XYZ" is simply an acceptable response to someone or something being presented. There is rarely an explanation that is intelligent or encouraging, thoughtful or thorough, rather it just gets blurted as though the person can barely spare the seconds to utter the words, let alone, do whatever is being suggested/asked.

I am not encouraging anyone to say "yes" to everything or fake it on time, or even miss sleep to get things done in order to appear as though you can take on the day with ease and have "all the time in the world"! Instead, please consider eliminating: I'm so busy! I just don't have time for XYZ! You must have a lot more time on your hands than I do! I'm always late! / I'm always rushing! Who has got time for that?

Instead, TIME can be viewed as:

Taking-on, and

Incorporating

Manageable

Expectations

In other words, be focused, be in control, and be appreciative of the time you get. How about: I'm so busy! becomes "It's a full day!" or "It's going to be a productive day!" I just don't have time for XYZ! becomes "No, thank you" or "That's not a good fit for me." You must have a lot more time on your hands than I do! becomes "Good for you that you are dedicating time to what is important to you!" I'm always late! / I'm always rushing! becomes "Because I want to respect your time, let's please meet 15 minutes later." Who has got time for that? becomes a silent smile, rather than judging someone else for his/her choices

By replacing the first expressions that are lifeless and show no control or interest, and even insult the listener by implying you have more things going on than s/he, with these listed above, you will not only communicate more effectively, you will likely feel a sense of management and ownership of your choices, and your actions, which after all, add up to how you spend your TIME!

View, Not for You...

"Courteousness is consideration for others; politeness is the method used to deliver such considerations." - Bryant H. McGill

When you invite someone to your club or a restaurant/bar with a view, leave the seats with the best view for your guest, as you have seen the view before, and in order to host well, allow that person or people to experience that appeal that attracted you to the location/experience.

Hosting and having people enjoy the experience are things that may feel good, even if what you see is less that the best picture outside your table or seat...and yet, the view you really want will be those across from you having a great time!

Name Change

Debbie Lundberg Life & Business Coaching became Presenting Powerfully by Debbie Lundberg in 2013.

The tagline for the new venture is "Partnering with individuals & organizations to enhance communication, behaviors & relationships."

The focus of what is offered has not changed, and includes: - Inspirational & Entertaining Speaking Engagements - Group & Team Training Events - Personality & Interest Assessments - Life, Business & Presentation Coaching

The new logo, with the two Ps, reflects the internal and external aspects of how we present to ourselves and others. After all, how we present is how we are remembered, so whether it is one-on-one, in your writing, for a group or a meeting, continue to be Presenting Powerfully!

Compel to Commit!

"Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision & gives us the right stuff to turn our dreams into reality." - James Womack, Author

Tell someone what to do, and, at the most, you may get compliance.

Compel someone with words and actions, and, at the least, you will likely get commitment.

Compliant people do the minimum.

Committed people give their maximum.

Get compelling...get commitment...get the maximum results!!

Hold On or Let Go?

"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar." - Raymond Lindquist, Author, Pastor

Holding on to people, things, and ideas that are negative and/or keep us feeling down, inferior or wrong, holds up forward progress and growth.

Letting go of people, things and ideas that are negative and/or keep us feeling down, inferior or wrong, opens up our hearts and our minds for progress and growth.

Hold on and be held back...not by others, but by you.

Let go and let yourself live...by you, and for you!!

Commit to Prepare!

"He who is best prepared can best serve his moment of inspiration." ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge, English Poet (1772 - 1834)

Want to improve your personal confidence and effectiveness? Then, commit to prepare!

Preparation is the combination of information, perspective, application and time.

Whether it is for a presentation or project, a job interview, a date, a meeting with a potential client, or any connection with another person or company, being informed, getting insights from others, applying the knowledge to the situation, and allowing yourself time to put it together, will work in concert to serve you well.

Effective preparation equates to empowered, and impressive confidence and effectiveness...and who doesn't want that?!?!?

Year in Review/Preview: Past, Present, Future

"Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now." ~Alan Lakein, American Author, Time Management Expert

Since "Time flies!" and "Where has the time gone?" are likely somewhat common expressions or exasperations in your life, how great is it that we have a chance to look back on time, and unlock the keys to our successes and opportunities to be present in our plans, and look ahead to what is to come! I use what I call The Year in Review/Preview for this fun, reflective, planning activity.

Your Year in Review/Preview is to be done alone, and can be shared with others who complete the Year in Review/Preview or those who do not...it's up to you!

The idea is to go back through your experiences, your memories, and any anticipation or angst in order to ready yourself for each month of the year ahead.

Allow quiet reflection when completing the Year in Review/Preview. Finish each statement without hesitation or concern for how others would perceive it. The "something else" section is for anything else you want to share. Do this for each month as you look back at 2012 and ahead to 2013:

1) My favorite memory of this month

2) The smell/taste I associate with this month

3) The best activity for the month

4) Something I plan to do

5) Something I don't plan to do

6) Something else about this month

7) Someone I will see/outreach to this month

8) Something I will stop or start this month

9) A personal goal/accomplishment for the month

10) Professional goal/accomplishment for the month

The outcome anticipated is to gain perspective, and have a plan when approaching the chunks of time we call months (and years). This is an effective planning tool, a sharing tool (if you make that choice), a balancing tool, and a fun tool for many!

Enjoy! Make it a terrific time in your life for appreciating the past, being present now, and for planning for a great future!

Get Serious About Being SILLY!

“We find it hard to believe that other people's thoughts are as silly as our own, but they probably are.” ~ James Harvey Robinson quotes (American historian (1863-1936)

While you may be "serious" about someone or something, please embrace, and even insist on also being silly for a bit. Being silly doesn't mean you're flaky or dumb, disengaged or distracted, rather silly means:

S - Simply

I - Including

L - Levity &

L - Laughter for/from

Y - You

And, you may be surprised to know that following your "silly" other people and situations often seem a little lighter, smarter, engaging and even command a little more focus!

Celebrating Results and More...

"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it." ~ Greg Anderson, American best-selling Author and founder of the American Wellness Project. (b.1964)

When you are on your way to the "big" year-end, the "big" party, the "big" close of a sale or project, please remember the (seemingly) little efforts and each person and action that lead to that finale as well!

The results and ends to things can be fun to celebrate, and a little more easily recognized, while the "in process" is worth your recognition, too!

The Little Things

“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things... I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.”― Leo F. Buscaglia

Whether it is a Monday, a Thursday, a holiday or any day, it is often the little things that either make someone smile or simply get overlooked. Taking a wee bit of time for the little things is a choice, and one you are encouraged to make...over and over again! What are some of the "little things" to which I am referring? Here are just a few:

Smiling at a stranger (and keep smiling even if s/he does not smile back)

Holding the door for someone who is a bit farther away than a couple of steps (and not getting frustrated if that person doesn't put his/her hand out to support the door instead of just stepping through or doesn't say "thank you)"

Letting someone in on the road/traffic (even if they miss the wave to thank you)

Waving to someone who lets you in on the road/traffic

Sending a thank you note

Complimenting someone for something they did

Calling someone to hear their voice instead of just texting

Saying hello and addressing an issue to a colleague at his or her desk instead of emailing/instant messaging all day

Paying for a stranger's coffee or meal while you are out or they are behind you in the drive-thru

Letting someone tell a story they like telling again (even if you have heard it many times)

Saying "please" and "thank you"...and meaning them both

While these are just a few ideas for this great day, remember that the big things get celebrated, but often the little things are what make a difference!