Month: January 2015

#954 gradual

January 11, 2015by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

The hardest part of my day is getting out of bed. A friend of mine says that the hardest part for him is putting his boots on. It’s the same idea: once you are ready to go, the “going” doesn’t seem so bad, but it is hard to motivate yourself to get to that point.

What can you do to make getting started easier on yourself?

> Throw the covers off you as soon as the alarm goes off so you’re not tempted to roll over and snuggle in them?

> Have your notes and supplies set out and write a few thoughts in advance so you’re not starting your proposal by staring at a blank page? or plan out the list of blog topics for the week instead of sitting down and scratching your head about what to write about?!

> Have your shoes and exercise clothes with you so you can change in the office and not be tempted to skip your work out and head home?

My screen saver says (and I have written about before): “the hardest part is getting started.” Find ways to merge onto the ramp instead of tackling the task from a dead stop.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#953 visuals

January 10, 2015by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

For Christmas, I received a package of stickers featuring all of the emoji icons. I see them on my phone, but in tiny versions, and have never really looked at the set on a larger scale.

I understand this computer language was developed in Japan so there are some cultural differences, but it is a strange assortment of characters. If you had to think about the 172 icons you would most use in text messages, would you include: an eggplant, a circus tent, an ATM machine, three versions of cows, two camels, a bomb, a shower head, a cactus, a floppy disk, the Statue of Liberty, a lollipop and an octopus?

I am surprised companies haven’t found a way to have their logo included in the list of options. You could type a text: meet you at [Starbucks logo] or [McDonalds] or [the Gap]. I think it opens up a whole new marketing opportunity!

It would be interesting to me to learn what the most used emoji was and what others think is missing. (I could use a turkey that I wanted when I sent a Happy Thanksgiving greeting, a bone or more dog icons, a car and more visuals for weather instead of all the phases of the moon.)

Think about the symbols you use, whether via phone, in your email or through little doodles on notes. Is there an icon you can develop that signifies “you”? Just as a company has a visual identity, you could develop one of your own. And maybe someday, pay to have it included as an option in your emoji choices.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#952 candles and flares

January 9, 2015by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

A friend and I went to one of our favorite restaurants last week, and at one point during the meal, I believe we were the only customers there. This is quite the change from their initial opening, when for the first month or so there were long lines and waits for any table. I know several people who went once and never went back because it took too long to get in. Every time we go, I wonder if they will still be there.

Now a bakery just opened in town, accompanied by the new-place hype that adorned the restaurant above. The bakery was eagerly anticipated, and apparently they ran out of product and closed early during some of their first days. I have not yet been there, because I am hesitant to drive across town in case they won’t be open or well-stocked.

I fear that this is the start of a vicious cycle for them, one that befalls many new ventures. The grand opening brings lots of publicity, word of mouth, and a paid advertising push — and, as a result, a rush of customers. But when the initial demand exceeds the capacity or supply, it creates an irrevocable black mark on the establishment and drives away clientele.

If you are starting something new, be it a restaurant, bakery or more modest project in your organization, take care to modulate the initial hype. ‘Tis better to build your reputation with gradual consistency like a candle than to be like a flare with intense brightness that flames out quickly.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#951 a grape

January 8, 2015by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

In the wild, hunters are known to catch monkeys through a simple scheme. They drop a grape into a bottle and tie the bottle to a tree. Then the monkey comes along, and reaches in for the grape.

The monkey’s arm slides easily through the neck, but in the process of grabbing the grape, the monkey makes a fist, preventing him from pulling his hand out of the bottle. The monkey doesn’t know enough to drop the grape; thus, he is essentially trapped in the bottle and easily captured.

Are there times when you act like the monkey and hold on to something past the time when it is prudent for you to do so? Have you focused so much on the task at hand that you failed to see the big picture and longer term impact of what you are doing?

Sometimes it really is better to follow the advice from Frozen and “let it go.” Don’t be a monkey.

–— beth triplett

leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

Thanks to Curt for the story.

#950 in ink

January 7, 2015October 5, 2016by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

In Sunday’s paper, in addition to a coupon for Bic writing implements was a call to join the Bic Fight for Your Write campaign. It is Bic’s mission to “save handwriting”, and toward this end they have a web page full of facts why handwriting matters. A sample is listed below.

Handwriting:
> improves cognitive development
> helps reading skills
> sparks creativity
> increases memory recall
> sharpens critical thinking skills

Yet, despite the many benefits of handwriting, many children are not practicing the skill on a regular basis. Smartphones, keypads, computer and technology are replacing the pen and pencil and the benefits that flow from them.

Bic also points out that “writing is an important vehicle for communication because it distinguishes us and promotes individuality.” It also assists in helping children become better readers and writers, one of the most important predictors of academic success.

According to the site, experts recommend at least 15 minutes of handwriting each day for students. The Bic ad shows a young boy holding a pen, and I doubt that he comes even close to writing that much. (I am not sure that I do, and I write more than most!)

The site provides a host of tools and tips to inspire writing and to help people overcome writers block. It is true: sitting down with a blank page, a set of colored pencils, markers and stickers is much more stimulating than staring at a blank computer page. Maybe you can try it the next time you’re stuck. In addition to helping the ideas flow, it will help you recall what you do write and sharpen the thinking around your message — even if you do start out in orange ink!

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

BicFightForYourWrite.com

#949 together

January 6, 2015October 5, 2016by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Need more evidence that pets are being considered as a member of the family? Now Target is selling pet-specific medication through their pharmacy, and even offering rewards credit for each prescription. I guess they decided to capitalize on the lucrative pet meds market, all under the guise of convenience and service.

It makes good business sense. Many pets take monthly medication; people pay full price for it; there are no insurance hassles, and a lot of households have more than one pet who needs doctor-ordered scripts. They have an existing infrastructure to dispense drugs; why not make the most of the labor-intensive aspect of their business?

Is there a way for you to expand the offerings of your organization as Target did with their pet pharmacy? Think of an existing service you offer that could be adapted to service the needs of another constituent group. Newspaper delivery to include mail delivery every morning before you rise? Hair salons to include pet grooming so you and your pet can be coiffed simultaneously and save two trips? Lawyers, accountants and estate planners all in the same suite so you could make one appointment to handle your affairs?

Think about the investment you have made in your core infrastructure and challenge yourself to identify who else would find that valuable. Maybe the new year holds new partnership opportunities for you.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#948 recipe

January 5, 2015by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Over the holidays, I made some of my signature cranberry jello for a family gathering. I have made this recipe dozens of times and it is always a big hit.

I correctly assembled all of the ingredients, mixed them properly and placed them in the refrigerator overnight.

Only this particular refrigerator was at “Christmas Central”, and due to the frequent opening and closing of the door, the Jello did not gel. It was more like cranberry soup than the usual wiggly consistency.

A leader is like a refrigerator. You can have all the right people (ingredients), but if you don’t have the right leader, not just a leader, the individuals won’t gel into a team.

There is no foolproof recipe for leadership. Keep in mind that you need the right people, the right leader and the right environment for the desired synergy to occur.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#947 proactive

January 4, 2015by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

I recently ordered some books directly from a publishing company (Hemlock Printers in Canada), and they arrived when expected and in perfect condition.

A week or so after my order, I received a letter from the publisher saying: “I’m writing because a few of the orders we shipped out didn’t successfully make their way to their destination, and we want to be doubly sure that you got the books you ordered. If you didn’t get them, or weren’t pleased with the condition when they arrived [here is the form to] share all the details with us. We’ll make it right.” And then it gave the name and direct number of the customer service representative for this project in case you’d rather call.

How nice that a company is proactive in its service. Instead of waiting for unhappy customers to contact them or responding, they took the initiative (and expense) to check on things.

Their tag line is: Integrity. Innovation. In Print. They certainly lived out the integrity part with their letter.

Take a lesson from Hemlock and do what you proclaim to do — without being asked.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

Publisher for Seth Godin’s book: What to do when it’s your turn

#946 either or

January 3, 2015October 5, 2016by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

My sister received the remains of an envelope from me in the mail. Somehow, in the Post Office’s automated machine, it tore the envelope open on all four sides and the contents were delivered to my sister in a plastic bag.

The bag read: “WE CARE” and went on to “sincerely regret the damage to your mail. We hope this incident did not inconvenience you.” It went on to explain that occasionally damage will occur “because of the great volume handled and the rapid processing methods which must be employed to assure the most expeditious distribution possible.”

What is the appropriate intersection of speed and quality? In their efforts to go fast, the Post Office mutilated this letter. Should they slow down and have better results?

The trade off is a question for your organization too. At what point do you sacrifice one thing for another: speed for quality; price for quality; price for service; speed for personal attention — the list goes on and on.

There is no right answer, but there are right questions. Be sure you know what you’re giving up, not just what you’re getting.

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

#945 white

January 2, 2015October 5, 2016by leadership dots by dr. beth triplettLeave a comment

Do you remember the days when hotel bedspreads were paisley or patterned and slick polyester (in other words: nasty-looking)? Then the Westin chain came out with their “heavenly bed” and transformed the hotel industry forever.

Westin’s heavenly beds had white (!) bedcovers, with cotton duvets and a whole array of decorative pillows. They were inviting and looked like something you would want in your own home. Best of all, they looked clean — there was no way you could hide weeks of dirt on the white comforter the way it appeared you could at other chains.

Over the holidays I stayed in a Hampton Inn. There, too, my room had a white bedspread and a pile of pillows. It even had a Post-it note on the headboard: “duvet covers and sheets are clean for your arrival.” Now it is no longer enough to have the white look clean; the hotel needs to point it out and reassure me that they are.

I am grateful to Westin for forcing hoteliers to banish the nasty linens from beds across America. But what once was a distinctive advantage for the chain has become a standard commodity even in moderate class hotels.

It is not enough to be innovative and then rest on your laurels. If you discover something great, invariably someone will be quick to copy it. You need to work hard to infuse a culture of continuous innovation in your organization. There is no rest for the leader, even in a heavenly bed!

— beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com