3 fundamentals of good stewardship.

The organization’s mission statement is the very first proclamation of any organization. It serves as the central purpose for the organization’s existence, and it is the initial attraction point for employees and customers, alike.  As the years pass, the mission ages: it fades in memory, and mission delivery diverges from the initial intent.  Additionally, the organization begins to face new challenges, as the consumer's...

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9 behaviors small business owners should avoid.

Jumping right in to solve the problem may seem like a good idea at the time.  But, if you haven’t put a comprehensive plan into place, the issue and solution have not been thoroughly vetted, and there could be unforeseen consequences in the end.  Avoid unintended consequences by completing your due diligence, up front. Implement a process or procedure that provides for objectivity, and ensures that...

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Embrace creative failure to realize your best.

We’ve been “institutionalized”: creativity is seen as not required, the rare versus the norm, and a luxury that few can afford. Since industrialism we were taught to suppress our creative selves to become learned worker bees, pooling resources to accomplish a shared goal. We learn a trade, skill, or concept and are siloed off to hone, explore, perfect, and conquer our our craft. Exploit it for monetary gain, no...

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The power of creativity.

I recently attended a course that took individuals with various backgrounds, different organizational functions, and differing levels of autonomy, to explore creativity and innovation in the workplace. Creativity is arguably the spark of brilliance that ignites change and spurs progress.  But where does it belong in the workplace? And if it belongs in every organization how do we foster it? Although participants learned...