Lessons Learned – #6

Counting down the best things I learned this year – #6:

Kind Consideration – In the spring we acquired a license for a team-building simulation. Every client I’ve delivered it to found the approach a terrific way to teach leaders how to be better communicators and collaborators. Surprisingly, the president of the company we purchased it from sent us a thank you card. In this electronic age where anyone can email in 30 seconds, I am a big believer in the importance of taking a few extra minutes to hand-write and mail a note. Add that to your ‘self-improvement list’ for next year and see how recipients react.

Share

Lessons Learned – #7

Merry Christmas. Here is the seventh best thing I learned in 2012:

Writer’s Lock – Angel investor Scott Belsky wrote: “The project plateau is littered with the carcasses of dead ideas that never happened… and that is why there are more half-written novels in the world than there are novels.” Three bestsellers allowed Random House to spread holiday cheer this year by awarding $5,000 bonuses to all 5,343 employees. I didn’t read the books, but a lot of people did. The publisher made $163 million on the efforts of E.L. James, who has 59-million reasons to be glad she had the discipline to complete the “Fifty Shades” trilogy.

Share

Lessons Learned – #8

The 8th best thing I learned during the year:

Terrific Reaction – Go Daddy – which we utilize for Web hosting – suffered a service disruption in September ‘due to a series of internal network events that corrupted router data tables.’ Translation: someone hacked them and knocked out service for four hours. A day later an email arrived apologizing (‘We have let our customers down and we know it’) and gifting us with one free month. Four hours of disruption in exchange for a month of service. That’s a gesture of humility and loyalty that made a great impression.

Share

Lessons Learned – #9

Continuing to count down the top 10 things I learned in 2012:

Weak Response – This was the year newspapers began charging for online access. I subscribed to the electronic version of one and felt the $11 monthly price fair. Then one day a charge appeared on our credit card for $21. I called and discovered the trial period ended. I asked to speak with a manager, who said if we take the Sunday home edition, the cost for online access and delivery would be $18. Think about that: to read on my computer, it’s $21. If someone throws a paper on our doorstep, I could access the Internet edition for $3 less. So I cancelled. Two weeks later an offer arrived by mail: both for $16 per month. Arrgh!

Share

Lessons Learned – #10

During the holiday season I take a break in my monthly e-newsletter from my typical approach to reflect on lessons learned the prior 12 months. Here’s hoping this idea and the ones that follow the next nine days provide insight and inspiration for the year ahead at work and at home.

Compassionate Perspective – In 2012, I weaved in stories about each of our kids in Fast:Forward and provided a recap of our Walt Disney World vacation. You’ve seen firsthand I believe family is the centerpiece of life. Which is why the tragedy of a week ago in Connecticut is so painful. Take a moment to remember the families, teachers and children who are hurting. If you believe in prayers, say some for those folks – and the next time your kids frustrate you, smile, give them a hug and say, “I love you.”

Share