We are all engaged in various forms of interpersonal communications on a regular basis. A good portion of the time our communications is fairly effective. But there are times when ‘gaps’ in communication can lead to misunderstandings, inefficiency, and serious problems...
The use of power and influence plays a major role in the negotiation process, and the ability to negotiate is becoming increasingly important. Would you like to pay less for the next vehicle you buy? Do you wish you could get better service or more favorable treatment in hotels and department stores? Would you like to be more effective in coaching or diplomatic settings?...
Do you have a definite plan for your future or are you ‘winging it’? Do you spend more time planning your vacations than focusing on the more critical aspects of your life? In the business world, we all know how important it is to plan ahead. So, why do so few of us use these same principles in planning our careers, our finances, and dealing with our most important life goals? ...
In our roles in Service Management we come up with solutions and solve problems on a regular basis. It’s part of our job and we are quite good at it. There are times, however, when a new problem arises and the usual solutions simply don’t work. The problem could be technical, an inefficient work process, a staffing issue, or the need for a strategic approach because the standard methods are ineffective. In those situations we need to innovate. The challenge is that our normal thought patterns often don’t promote the use of our creative abilities. They tend to confine us. To get better solutions we need to think differently...
In today’s world of cell phones, texting, and ‘tweeting’, we have a vast array of communications methods at our fingertips. Yet with all these modern tools, “crossed signals” still occur. If you have ever experienced “gaps” in communication, you know they can cause frustration, inefficiency, and negative impacts. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The problem with communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished.” ...
