John Manning's Blog, page 9

Employee Retention Is Top of Mind. Learn to Communicate With Employees in Ways That Say “You Matter” and Keep Them Working for You.

Heard of the “Great Resignation” or “Pandemic Burnout”? Whatever you want to call it, we all know employee retention is a hot topic right now. Truth is, it’s always been a big deal.

The Society for Human Resource Management estimates employee replacement costs to be six to nine months of that hire’s salary. Do the math. Depending on their income, that could be in the tens of thousands of dollars per every employee you hire.

While there are a number of great strategies around both retention and h...

Communication Habits Slipping Despite Digital Advancements?

For leaders and organizations worldwide, one of the biggest, more recent areas of learning has been around going digital—doing business differently through our screens, apps, online platforms and other electronic and web-based tools. A lot of these changes and “pivots” have occurred out of the need to ensure, among other things, effective communication with our staff and clients/customers. Yet ironically, in the midst of all those fast adaptations, some of our fundamental communication habits an...

Passion for the Job. It’s NOT Enough for Building Business, Sustaining Results

Lots of leaders love their work. They’re passionate about what they do and the “why” behind it, the very reason so many invest countless hours on the job, making every minute count.

But spoiler alert: Having passion for your job can be a pitfall when you, as a leader, rely solely on it to get things done. Over time, it’s not enough. Simply loving what one does cannot create and sustain a successful organization.

Yet many inspired leaders jump into careers, start companies, or take on new busines...

Business Plan Gathering Dust on a Shelf?

Planning. We know it’s important. And whether you’re a business owner or in a management position, the whole notion around strategic planning is likely ingrained in your DNA.

But that doesn’t mean we, as leaders, do it (or do it well). Sure, you may have developed some blueprint for your business. But how often do you really use that plan, referring to it for guidance, upholding accountability around it, and making it a living document that’s truly vital to your organization? And how do you know...

MAP Presidential Award Winner Spotlight – SitusAMC

In June 2019, two companies merged to form SitusAMC, the industry leading provider of commercial and residential real estate finance technology and services. Little did they know, there were months away from a global pandemic that would create one of the most turbulent real estate landscapes in recent history.

Prashant Kothari’s company, String Real Estate Information Services, was acquired by SitusAMC around the time of the merger. He is now Managing Director of a new division of SitusAM...

Leading Teams for the Win

Do your teams really believe in what you, as a leader, are asking them to do? Do they believe in their own potential to succeed, even win?

These are important questions. Why? Because if you and your teams don’t truly believe you can execute against strategy, it’s going to be tough to achieve goals.

Take, for example, that historic moment in time when the fate of Apollo 13 suddenly shifted from a stable mission to one potentially destined for tragedy.

The crew—not to mention all involved in savin...

Teams Torn Down? Three Strategies to Lift Them Up—and Sustain!

All teams are going to experience struggles. There will be internal circumstances, external circumstances and sometimes both kinds of factors coming into play.

So when you, as a leader or manager, notice your teams dragging or coming across as torn down and dysfunctional, the #1 thing you want to do—the most important action you want to take—is to recognize it in the first place.

Because the temptation may be to shy away from this challenge and shift focus elsewhere. Or shirk responsibility, per...

Want Your Accountability System to Be Effective—Even Powerful? Drive Performance With This One, Vital Element.

You’ve probably heard it before. Einstein’s definition for insanity: “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” But how applicable is this definition to your work, your leadership, or even your life, for that matter?

One of the most powerful elements of the MAP Management System is intentionally designed to put a stop to “insanity.” And this element is vital to organizations because, without it, your people can’t really be held accountable to achieving goals or f...

When Your Organization Feels Flawed or Broken, Here’s What You May Be Doing…

Work and life get overwhelming. We get it. At MAP, we coach clients who, perhaps like you, sometimes find themselves losing focus because there’s simply too much going on. Or they’re feeling burned out. Or, maybe simply noticing those well-intentioned goals or strategies just aren’t realistic.

When these kinds of hurdles or hiccups happen, it can wreak havoc to your organization and its bottom line. Moreover, whatever solution or system you’ve been using to drive performance can suddenly appear ...

Want to Get Goals in Gear? Start by Making them Clear!

Leaders struggle with accountability all the time. They know it’s important. But at Management Action Programs (MAP), we find many don’t know where to start, how to build it, and how to execute key strategies with accountability in-tact.

Aside from making the personal and professional commitment to be an accountability leader, it all starts with setting clear goals and getting them in gear through team, if not total organizational, alignment.

But why set goals? Quite simply, it’s a proven way to...