The COVID Stress Challenge
We live in crazy times and given the number of stressors flying about us it’s no wonder many of us are struggling to retain a sense of equilibrium. Minister for Women and Gender Equality, Maryam Monsef, recently said, “What the pandemic has done with the self-isolation measures, with the closures of some of the support systems, is create a powder keg.” She was referring to the recent increase in domestic violence across Canada, but it’s not a stretch to imagine business relationships being strained by the stress we are all under with the current situation. And, we need to consider our employees who are working from home cloistered with their spouses, children…
Coach’s Corner – five thoughts on being an effective mentor
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”— Isaac Newton Although this column generally speaks to coaching, it is important to also recognize that mentoring in organizations is a valuable resource. In coaching we assume that the person being coached is the expert and knows their role. In mentoring, however, the person being mentored, the mentee, is an individual who may be “learning the ropes.” They may be more junior in the organization and gaining experience. Mentors provide support because they have the knowledge, experience, and expertise to share with their mentee. “Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a…
3 tele-sales tips
First, should you use a script or not? Rhetorical question: there’s no right answer. On the one hand, if you are supremely confident and know exactly what you want to say, then not using one maybe the best way to go. But if you have even an iota of doubt, a script can sometimes help ensure you cover all the points you need to make, especially when selling a new product or service. The key is, if you do use one, it should never come across as a script and you should allow enormous flexibility so that if the prospect interrupts you, it doesn’t throw you off kilter, or make…
Does your integrity bear scrutiny?
That’s an in-your-face question. It almost slaps you across the face with its audacity. How dare anyone cast aspersions on you or your company’s integrity. Your knee-jerk reaction is to undoubtedly to say, 100%. But, is anyone 100% honest and ethical all the time? Is any company that honest and above board? What about shades of grey? Would every one of your employees score 100% on an integrity meter? What about you or your management team? Now for a scary thought: what about your advertising and promotional literature or your hiring practices? The problem with integrity is that there is no sliding scale, you either have integrity or you don’t.…
