Randy Clark's Blog, page 7

11 Steps to Owning a Virtual Interview

Owning a virtual interview is essential. After slowly reopening after the COVID-19 quarantine, we faced a new world. Some things will never be the same—some for better others for worse. One of the positive takeaways from all this is that businesses are learning that not every interaction needs to be face-to-face. And one of those is the interview process, but how do you go about owning a virtual interview?

For many years established organizations have used telephone interviews for the initial or qualifying job interview. Others have stayed with in-office interviews. I understand this. When I was conducting interviews, I was never a big fan of phone interviews. I wanted to see the person, watch their body language, and see how they dressed. None of which can be done over the phone. However, it can be done virtually.

In some areas the virtual interview has become a standard part of the interview process. With that in mind, preparedness is critical.

11 Steps to Owning a Virtual Interview Be prepared 

This is no different than being prepared for an in-person interview. Research the company. Know what the job expectations are and be able to talk intelligently about it.

Also, prepare yourself for interview questions. Here are a few of the most common questions.  Inc.com — 27 Most Common Job Interview Questions and Answers

And finally, part of your preparation is knowing what you will ask the interviewer. Here are some meaningful questions.  Glass door — 8 Questions You Should Absolutely Ask an Interviewer

Test Your Equipment

Regardless of the app used for the virtual meeting, you should try it before the interview. If nothing else, sign up for a Zoom or Goggle Meeting account and try it on for size. Take it for a test drive. Chat with a friend.

Dress Appropriately

Even if you think no one will see your PJ bottoms, don’t do it. What if, heaven forbid, you get up to get something? And besides, clothes change how we feel about ourselves, for example, put on the gardening clothes and you’re ready for yard work, wear professional garb and you feel professional.

Limit Distractions

I recently talked about how important this is during a virtual meeting, when a friend asked me to tell that to her one and four-year-old daughters. So, yes, it can be difficult, but do your best to pick a time and place where  distractions are limited and let others know you’re on DND (do not disturb)!

Frame Your Image

Focus the screen on your head and shoulders, not the top of your head or your entire torso, as seen from 10 feet away. Think, professional headshot when setting up your image.

Avoid busy backgrounds. I like to show my bookcase behind me in friendly meetings, but I wouldn’t in a virtual interview. It’s much too distracting. I’m sure I’m not the only one who tries to see what others are reading.

And …lighting is critical. Be sure the lighting is in front of you, not behind. I turn off the overhead light in my office and then point a desk lamp, which sits in front of me, in my direction.

Make Eye Contact

So, how do you make virtual eye contact? It’s simple. Concentrate on looking at the lens. Do not look at your image, others in the meeting, or across the room. Keep your eyes on the prize – the camera.

Make a Personal Connection

This isn’t always possible, but listen and look. For example, if you notice a family photo, ask about it. If the interviewer mentions where they attended school – ask a couple of questions about school. Like I said, it doesn’t always open up, but if it does, be ready. It’s easier to dismiss you if you’re just number and more difficult if you make a human connection.

No Task Switching

Do not stop and look at your phone, turn and look at your calendar, or take time away to check … whatever. Stay focused on the interview. There is nothing more important than the interview. A lack of focus is not a good message to send.

Speak Clearly with Confidence

Speak in a strong and clear voice. Don’t shout but speak to be heard and speak with confidence. You sound confident when you use lowered inflection. What is lowered inflection? Think of a sheet of music where the notes start high and descend. When you speak with lowered inflection, you sound confident. The opposite, rising inflection (upspeak) sounds unsure, questioning, and shows a lack of confidence.

Be Aware of Your Body Language

For example, crossing your arms can be a sign of defensiveness, touching your mouth as you speak might be taken as you’re holding something back. Look into the lens, keep your shoulders straight, posture up no slouching, and smile. Yes, smile. Business Insider — 12 body language tips to use during an interview. 

Follow Up

Ask the interviewer what the best method of follow up is, and then as soon as the interview is over – follow up.

Are You Ready to Own a Virtual Interview?

It’s not that difficult. So, don’t make it harder than it is. Prepare just as you would for an in-person interview, limit distractions, present a good image, and then follow up.

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

So, does your business have a management training plan? Because if not, many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out.

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

The post 11 Steps to Owning a Virtual Interview appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Not Doing this Could Destroy Your Small Business

If you want to destroy your small business, stop learning and start dying. When you and your leadership team stop learning, it’s the death knell for your business. Holding on to doing business the way you’ve always done will eventually lead to a time when those methods are no longer viable; just ask Blockbuster, Polaroid, or Borders. The only thing that is constant in small business is change, and if you don’t keep up with the changes in your industry, you’ll soon be passed by and eventually forgotten. So, where does learning begin? It starts with you.

Not Doing this Could Destroy Your Small BusinessYou Can’t Know it All So Don’t Be One

No one person can know everything, and that holds true for small businesses today. So, do you believe you know everything about your small business? You might, but it also might be that your accountant, attorney, insurance carrier, marketing manager, installation crew, and facility maintenance crews know things you don’t. So, stop talking and start listening. Quit telling and begin asking. You never know what you might learn. You don’t know what you don’t know. If you want to destroy your small business, keep believing you know everything.

The 5-Hour Rule

Have you heard of this? Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, and Oprah Winfrey ascribe to it. It’s a simple plan—commit to five hours of learning per week. One hour a workday. The five-hour rule isn’t new; it was Ben Franklin’s plan, “Throughout Ben Franklin’s adult life, he consistently invested roughly an hour a day in deliberate learning. I call this Franklin’s five-hour rule: one hour a day on every weekday. Franklin’s five-hour rule reflects the very simple idea that, over time, the smartest and most successful people are the ones who are constant and deliberate learners.” — Inc.com: Why constant learners all embrace the 5-hour rule. 

A friend listens to podcasts on her daily 30-minute commute, and another reads business books five or more hours per week. You can take an online course, attend a seminar, or go to class, but commit to and follow through with the 5-hour rule. How I Stopped Putting Off What I Wanted to Do.

Teach, Coach, Mentor

If you want to learn a subject inside out, teach it. Anyone who has responsibly taught, trained, or coached has learned this. Preparing to be a good instructor teaches trainers more than their students learn. A good mentor not only shares what they’ve learned but also learns from their mentee. Mentees often share new perspectives and ask questions that mentors may have never considered.

Fail

Wait What? Yes, fail. If you never fail, you’re not trying hard enough. The key to failing is to learn from it. Failure might be the greatest teacher there is, and the fear of failure is a close second. In his book Failure: The Secret to Success (which I highly recommend), Author Robby Slaughter quotes John Powell, “The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing”

Leading Your Business in Learning

If you’re not leading your small business in learning, then who is? Hopefully, someone on your team is, because if not, you might be in more trouble than you know. I’m reminded of an owner an offset print shop. Although he delivered a good product, the business failed after more than 25 years. He sat down with a few friends shortly before he closed his doors and shared that he didn’t know what to do because online stores were putting him out of business. He didn’t have a website. It’s easy for all of us to identify what he should’ve done, isn’t it? But consider this: if you don’t commit to continuous learning, you might end up exactly like the print shop owner and never see the end coming until it’s too late.

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

So, does your business have a management training plan? Because if not, many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like, 10 Business Social Media Good Manners to Follow

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

 

The post Not Doing this Could Destroy Your Small Business appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Yes, Randy What’s that Word?

The story behind what’s that word goes back ten years. Since 2014, I’ve been privileged to explore New York City one or two weeks a year. My wife has been a delegate and then a trustee on the board of a NFP with offices in NYC. I, along with several others, call ourselves plus ones.

In my first year, 2014, a pair of local members guided us around the city and offered options. Among other things, I walked around the Statue of Liberty with a plus one from Vancouver in a storm (it was a cold October day), biked around Central Park, and went to a couple of Broadway plays.

Several of us with similar interests, or at least we chose the same options, hung out together. We became friends for the week. My friend from Vancouver was there with her husband as was another from New Mexico. English was a second language for the girl from New Mexico. I speak only English, and sometimes poorly, so I have much respect for anyone who is multilingual.

Let’s Go See a Play!

The three of us went to see a new play titled “It’s Only a Play.” We were in the mood for a comedy. The cast included Matthew Broderick, F. Murray Abraham, Stockard Channing, and Nathan Lane. The play was about a first-time wealthy producer throwing an opening night party for the cast and crew. There was gossip, arguments, drinking, and drugs as they waited for the overnight reviews. As you might guess, the reviews weren’t great.

Just before the intermission, Stockard Channing walks center stage to berate someone. I think it was a reviewer or a columnist. As the curtains close, a cast member asks what she really thinks of the person. Channing says, “She’s a C-word.” Except she didn’t say the C-word. She said the word. The audience is stunned and then breaks into hysterical laughter.

Yes, Randy, What’s that Word?

When the laughter quieted down, our friend from New Mexico, who was sitting in the middle, asked Vancouver and me in a conversational voice, “What is this C-word?” She was unfamiliar with it. Vancouver and I just sat there for what seemed like an eternity when finally Vancouver said, “Yes, Randy, what is this C-word?” I gave her an evil look and said something witty like, “You Know.”

New Mexico looked at me and repeated the question, “Yes, Randy, what is this C-word? Now remember, these two friends aren’t saying C-word. They’re saying the word while sitting in the audience as others watch and listen. I recovered and told her to ask Vancouver at, which Vancouver whispered in her ear. She gasped, turned red, and said, “Oh my.” I‘ve never been asked to define the word since then. I couldn’t make this stuff up.

And There’s a Book of Humor

Want to read a collection of humor pieces? Writing I Think I’m Funny: and it gets me in trouble all the time has been a labor of love. Of the 47 stories in this book, more than 30 are true tales from my days on this planet. Most of those make it clear how my warped sense of humor gets me in trouble.

If you enjoyed this you might like, My Zoom Meeting Background Story

Photo by Liam McGarry on Unsplash

The post Yes, Randy What’s that Word? appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Is There a Place in Business for Politics?

So, is there a place in business for politics? A lot is going on in the world—wars, terrorism, and a myriad of issues on the home front. I once tweeted, “Repeat after me, tweeting about politics will change no one’s position. It will only polarize those who disagree with me… I mean us.” This tweet was meant for me. It was tweeted to me, from me, as a reminder to stay out of the fray. Controversy is not a branding opportunity; I’m part of a brand.

The tweet was naïve because it ignored the fact that controversial social media posts not only polarize those who disagree but also attract those who share your opinions. My wife anonymously tweets and shares her opinions on controversial subjects, attracting like-minded followers. But she’s not in business; she’s not building a brand. That’s all good, but I haven’t answered the question, have I?

Is There Place for Business in Politics?

Yes, there is. Businesses have supported politicians and parties since government was invented. Industries create and finance lobbies to protect and advance their interests. Organizations contribute to politicians who accommodate their needs. Is it selfish and self-serving? Most likely, but not always and not entirely.

For example, I worked with an organization that supported the trucking industry. They’d worked with and made friends in the industry for more than 25 years. So, they openly endorsed legislation that advanced the trucking industry’s interests. Is this self serving? Yes, it is, but it’s a lot more. It’s true these were their customers, and restrictions that affect the industry also affected the business, but it was more than that. They cared about trucking because they cared about their friends. They wanted what was best for trucking and believed what was best for trucking was almost always what was best for America.

However, It’s Not the Place for Personal Opinion

Business isn’t the place for sharing your own beliefs unless they match your organization’s. I strongly supported the trucking industry, as did the company I worked with, so we were aligned. I wrote about trucking and shared pro-trucking platforms on social media. I didn’t share my personal non-industry related politics.

Last week, I distributed political information at a local college. I was nameless. I wasn’t part of a business brand. When you represent your brand, you should avoid controversy. A business is responsible to its customers, vendors, and employees. Sharing controversial opinions and political beliefs could hurt the business, which in turn can affect everyone.

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

Does your business have a management training plan? Many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out.

If you like this post, you might also appreciate, Words to Avoid on Business Social Media.

Photo by Hunters Race on Unsplash

The post Is There a Place in Business for Politics? appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

What is Customer-Centered Content?

So, what is customer-centered content? I remember reading an excellent post from Story Needle Sincerity in Content Marketing, which led me to ask what do content consumers want from content marketers. What is sincere content marketing? It’s certainly not the many Ad-polgies I see everyday. The Story Needle post hits the nail on the head with, “The path to sincerity involves clarifying what the customer wants. Too often brands assume customers will share the same outlook that they are promoting. The goals of building an audience for a brand can get warped into making the audience into the brand.” The question is, what content do customers want? What is customer-centered content?

Customer-Centered Content Explain the Benefits 

When it comes to product content, most consumers don’t want to know how the product was built. However, I’ve seen post after post that share product details, from design to the materials used in the manufacture of the product. What people want to know are the benefits—what it does for them.

Don’t confuse sharing the advantages of a product with the benefits. If you outline the advantages, you might assume that consumers will understand the benefits, but why force readers to take that leap? For example, I could say the advantage of a programmable thermostat is that once set, the consumer doesn’t have to do anything, but that’s not the only benefit. The benefits are that it’s a time-saving device that can be used to lower utility bills while making the home more comfortable. The benefits are it saves consumers time and money while improving home comfort.

Share Your Audience’s Pain

A few years ago, my teammate at the time, Eric Benge, wrote a series of blog posts titled Tech Talk. The posts were primarily about vehicle graphics design. One of his first posts was Tech Talk: Outlining Text.  

Eric explains how customers can save or “outline” a font during the artwork submission process to get precisely the font they want. The first draft was well-written and Eric did an excellent job educating non-designers in simple terms that anyone could follow, but it was missing something. It didn’t have a human connection. I asked Eric why he had written about the topic, and he explained it was a common problem that caused pain for both customers and providers. I advised him to begin the post by sharing the pain. He added, “If you’ve ever experienced a print provider unable to convert text to artwork because the font wasn’t on file, you know it can be a frustrating process to remedy. The good news is — this can be avoided, and here’s how.”

Solve Problems

To do this, you need to know your audience and understand the most common and frustrating problems they share. The obvious next step is to offer a solution.

Every minute of every day, people search online for solutions to their problems. If you understand your target audience’s problems and have the solutions, don’t wait for them to find you. Don’t assume that they’ll magically appear at your door (website) and purchase your offering.

Use content to promote your solutions. Write blog posts, shoot videos, offer a free e-book, post case studies, create infographics, and do all the above if you can. When consumers search the internet for answers to their problems, have the content that shares the solutions.

Make Your Clients Feel Special

How do you make someone feel special? One way is to include them in the conversation. For example, run a survey and ask their opinion.

Write about your customer. One of the things people like most to discuss is themselves and their organizations. So, why not feature your top customers in content?

Let your audience in through the back door. Share behind-the-scenes and insider information with your clients and potential customers.

What is Customer-Centered Content Marketing?

The easy answer is any content that puts the customer first. You do that by sharing the benefits, not the features, of your product, by making your prospects feel special, by sharing their pain, and by solving your audience’s problems, finally, by asking yourself who you’re creating content for. Too many content marketers create content for themselves or their organization, not for their customers.

 How Can I Help?

Let me know if I can offer any help or advice. If this post struck a nerve, you might want to check out my book, How to Stay Ahead of Your Business Blog Forever. The book is full of action plans to create a blogging/writing system that works for you.

If you enjoyed this post, you might like How to Make the End of Your Blog Post a Beginning.

Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplas

 

 

 

The post What is Customer-Centered Content? appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Do You Know Why Your Social Media Promotion Didn’t Work?

So, do you know why your social media promotion didn’t work? In your mind, it should have. You planned and executed this super social media campaign, only to fail sharply at generating the slightest buzz. What could’ve gone wrong? Could it be your call to action (discount, coupon, or contest) didn’t work because you confused social media with advertising? If social media marketing isn’t advertising — what is it?

Social media marketing uses the current and ever-changing social networking platforms to promote calls to action and brand organizations, products, and services. However, this is done by ATTRACTING followers, not by exclusively broadcasting promotional campaigns. As counterintuitive as it may sound, if you use social media as advertising media, you most likely will fail. Think about it — attraction, not promotion. For any social media promotion to be successful, you must first appeal to the demographic who will benefit from the promotion. You need a following.

Why Your Social Media Promotion Didn’t WorkHow Do You Attract, Keep, and Grow a Following?Solve problems and relieve pain. Millions of people use Google daily, searching for answers to their concerns. Give them the answers — be the fix.Share useful and interesting information. What might appeal to your audience? For example, if you market safety apparel, would your prospects find the latest OSHA regulations useful? If you marketed tomato paste, would product recipes be attractive to your customer base?Promote dialogue. Social media is not a lecture. You are talking with people, not AT them. Ask for opinions, experiences, and suggestions from your followers.Be real and have a little fun. Coming off as too corporate and cold will not make you attractive. Look at what major brands like Ford Motor Company, Oreo Cookies, and many others have done.Never take sides on politics, religion, or any controversy Unless it supports your following. For example, if your primary customer is the trucking industry and legislation may affect them, a case may be made for discussing the legislation.Grammar counts. This isn’t texting, and you don’t want to look unprofessional. As a content provider, know the language.Communication should always be respectful. You should abstain from cursing or abusive language and refrain from attacking others – even your competition.Do not oversell. It’s OK to offer promotions, discounts, and specials, but it should be done carefully, usually around 1/5th of what you broadcast.Don’t Give Up 

Companies often give up on social media before they understand it. The only action taken is pushing and promoting special offers or “look at me” posts. And when that fails, it proves to them that social media doesn’t work for their business. Too many businesses’ Facebook, Twitter X, and LinkedIn accounts sit unused, and blogs are forgotten. If you want social media to work for you need to be social. Solve problems, listen and converse, share valuable information, have fun, and be authentic. Social media marketing foreshadows the future of marketing — when consumers have more of a say and a time when consumers have a voice and are heard. Ain’t it great?! How do you use social media in marketing? What’s worked for you? What hasn’t worked?

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

Does your business have a management training plan? Many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out.

Are You in Sales Management?

Are you leading people or managing projects? Do you set goals based on activities to continue, eliminate, or improve or do you strictly look at the results? Do you believe one sales strategy fits all your clients and all your sales team? If so, you’re walking the streets I paved, and those streets lead to disappointment. The good news is if you recognize these behaviors in yourself, you can change. I did. I eventually became a highly effective sales manager and so can you. This workbook is the place to start. The New Sales Managers Workbook

If you like this post, you might also appreciate, Words to Avoid on Business Social Media.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

 

The post Do You Know Why Your Social Media Promotion Didn’t Work? appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Identifying New Markets

The first step in identifying new markets for your business is understanding your product and customer. Who does your product serve? What problems does it solve? Who uses your product, and how is it used? Knowing the answers to these questions is only the beginning of identifying new markets. Uncovering and discovering new markets begins with understanding your business, followed by continuous research.

Identifying New MarketsStay Informed Read industry periodicals, study market research, and stay abreast of the business climate. By understanding how the economy will affect your business you can better predict when to enter a new market and when to wait.Survey your satisfied customers and prospects who decided not to use your product. Ask for suggestions on how to improve your offerings, customer service, and what products or services you should consider adding.Study competitors. Look for trends. Did your top three competitors recently add a new product or service? Follow them on social media, subscribe to their blog, and pay attention to their marketing, special offers, and other calls to action.Join industry groups in person and on LinkedIn. Participate in discussions and monitor industry trends.Beta Test

Try new products and services on a small sample. Offer them to your existing customers and seek their feedback. If they are appreciated and profitable, they are marketable.

Solve Problems

Search for problems in your industry’s marketplace. If you find a common problem and can offer a solution, you have a ready market.

Ask your Team

What are your team’s FAQs from customers and prospects? What opportunities does your team recognize?

Look for a Fit

If you’ve established a customer base of loyal clients, what else can you offer them to make their job easier? As VP of Operations for a large home remodeling company I was involved in plans to grow the business. Our philosophy was that there was no such thing as stagnancy. It was grow or die. One of our early attempts at growth was adding new locations. We had a system that worked, and we grew through this expansion. However, our most significant growth was accomplished by surveying our customer base and adding new products and services that fit their needs. We had a large base of loyal customers who knew and trusted us. When we added products and services that fit their needs, it was an immediate success.

Expanding your market, finding new audiences to target, and offering additional services are common sense. A mentor once shared with me, “Common sense isn’t common; it’s genius.” With a bit of research, forethought, and common sense, you can become a genius in your industry. How have you found new markets and audiences to target?

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

Does your business have a management training plan? Many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out.

Are You in Sales Management?

Are you leading people or managing projects? Do you set goals based on activities to continue, eliminate, or improve or do you strictly look at the results? Do you believe one sales strategy fits all your clients and all your sales team? If so, you’re walking the streets I paved, and those streets lead to disappointment. The good news is if you recognize these behaviors in yourself, you can change. I did. I eventually became a highly effective sales manager and so can you. This workbook is the place to start. The New Sales Managers Workbook

If you like this post, you might also appreciate, 5 Things Top Consultants Do. 

Photo by Melanie Deziel on Unsplash

 

 

The post Identifying New Markets appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Getting the Most Out of Your Stand-Up Desks

A few years ago, I bought stand-up desks for my co-worker and friend Nancy Jarial and myself. Nancy had done the cover and interior artwork on two of my books and wouldn’t take one cent. So, I bought her a desk. It’s something we’d talked about and were both interested in. We had installed shelves next to our desks with the idea of using them to set our laptops on for some stand-up work. Although it sounded like a good idea, it wasn’t very practical regarding moving cords and devices. My shelf became a place to stack my obsessive supply of Keurig cups (I had more than 20 boxes). After one more cup of coffee, it was time for me to research how to get the most out of your stand-up desks.

Getting the Most Out of Your Stand-Up Desks

After the stand-up desks were set, hardly a day went by that we didn’t both take advantage of them. Some days, we would stand more than sit. The next step for me was to take their use further. One of the reasons we wanted the desks was the health hazards of sitting for eight or more hours per day. “Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns, including obesity and metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions that includes increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels. Too much sitting also seems to increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.” Mayo Clinic: What are the health risks of sitting too much?

The Next Step

For me it was deskercise. I find it difficult to hold still when I’m standing; the truth is I don’t sit still very well either. There are hundreds of examples and illustrations of stand-up desk exercises from aerobics to yoga — all you need to do is google it, and you’ll find what fits you best. I began with a few simple exercises, most of which I’ve done for years.

Hamstring Curls

Ten years ago, when I was running 15 to 20 miles a week, hamstring stretches were part of my pre-jog stretch routine. I find the exercise easy to do at my standing perch.

Calf Raises

This is natural for me. Stand on your toes, then return to flat-footed, and repeat. I often do this while standing in a line at the store.

Side Lunge

This one was new to me, but it’s easy and effective. Lunge your left leg out as far as you can safely, then return to the middle and stretch your right leg.

Desk Push Up

I’ve done something similar against the walls of my shower at home for several years. Instead of pushing off from a wall, you push off from your desk. However, test it first to be certain you won’t push the desk off its support.

Shoulder Stretches

This is another part of my pre-jog and pre-hike warm-up. My method is to fold one arm and then another across my chest and stretch. Next, I raise one arm over my head and then stretch it across my head. I also stretch my neck by moving my head as far as is comfortable in each direction, right, left, up, and down, and then holding it there for a five-count.

What’s the Next Step for Getting the Most of Your Stand-Up Desk?

I  looked at devices for stand-up desks such as treadmills (a little pricey), a miniature elliptical (under $100, but my wife had one and found it challenging to use and squeaky – she gave it to Goodwill), and there are even devices to make your bicycle stationary (getting it up the stairs every day would be a nuisance). The next step for my stand-up desk and me wasn’t adding accessories but to getting organized. I created a checklist of daily exercises with times throughout the day. Do you have a stand-up desk? How are you getting the most use out of your stand-up desk?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post Getting the Most Out of Your Stand-Up Desks appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Engaging Your Audience

Do you have a speaking engagement on your calendar? Whether it’s a seminar, presentation, or meeting engaging your audience can make a huge difference. An engaged audience is more receptive, can help you decide what’s best to focus on, and will make your talk easier to do.

3 Easy Ways to Engage Your AudienceArrive early and mix with the crowd. Introduce yourself and ask what attracted them to attend and what they hope to gain from the presentation. Ask specific questions about your presentation; if their answer fits, ask if you may call on them. Identifying several people to call on paves the way for others to feel comfortable participating and will add another level of engagement to your presentation.Ask open-ended questions throughout your presentation. Don’t settle for closed-ended leading questions like, “You know what I mean, don’t you?” Call out questions such as why you do this, how you use it, and what you have found. Ask the audience what, why, and how.At the end of your presentation, after Q&A, it’s crucial to ask the audience what they got out of the presentation. Their feedback is not just a formality, but a valuable insight into how your message was received. Set it up by asking the group near the beginning of your talk to think about one takeaway from your presentation they will embrace. Then ask them to share what they learned and how they plan to use it.Engaging Your Audience

There are many ways to involve your audience in a presentation. You can give assignments, hand out action sheets, or a social media call to action. All these strategies can help you connect with your audience. By taking proactive action, you can impact how your audience engages with you and not leave it up to chance. Remember, your audience is not just a passive listener but an active participant in your presentation. So, let me ask you what did you take away from this post?

How Can I Help You?

I’d love to meet you and your team virtually. I like to help people and organizations, but I consider three criteria before taking an assignment: I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, contact me. 

Does your business have a management training plan? Many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. I’m also available to conduct training.

If you enjoyed this post you might like How to Add Action to Your Next Presentation (even if it’s virtual).

Photo by Antenna on Unsplash

 

The post Engaging Your Audience appeared first on Randy Clark Leadership Training.

Randy Clark Quotes

Here are a few of my favorite Randy Clark quotes taken from my writings. I hope you enjoy. (I don’t think I stole any of these. At least I hope so.)

Randy Clark Quotes Don’t make people fit a plan, make a plan that fits them.

 

The more you help teammates the more cohesive and loyal the team will grow.

 

Help others get what they want by giving them what they need.

 

The important thing isn’t which worthy charity you support, it’s that you support a worthy charity.

 

You can learn a lot about someone by what they won’t do.

 

Negative people are energy vampires. They’ll suck the life out of you if you let them.

 

Give thanks by giving back.

 

Share your talents, give your heart, be courageous, and make a difference.

 

The people in any organization are its most valuable commodity.

 

Who someone is may be more important than what they know.

 

Talent without character, passion, and drive can be destructive and even toxic to an organization.

 

The most important quality anyone needs to help others is the desire to do so.

 

It’s not who’s  right, it’s  what’s

 

People reveal themselves in their expectations of others.

 

Hate guised as religious belief or politics is still hate. Try love.

 

Never share negative comments about competitors. Accentuate the positive by showing the advantages of your product or service without downgrading others.

 

It’s not only OK to say, “I don’t know the answer to your question, may I get back with you?” It’s the only professional answer when you don’t know or aren’t certain.

 

People enjoy working with people they enjoy.

 

Help comes from empathy not sympathy.

 

Someone’s character is more important than their skills or knowledge.

 

Don’t make your problems your customer’s problem. Under-promise and over-deliver.

 

Don’t dwell on what can’t be done; concentrate on what can be done.

 

Don’t dwell on what you cannot control; concentrate on improving what you can control.

 

If people did not need leadership, guidance, and direction, no one would need managers. Don’t expect your team to do it on their own without leadership and direction.

 

Don’t base communication on the assumption others think like you do – most don’t.

 

Don’t assume others learn like you learn. Learn how they learn. Train how they learn.

 

Replace the word “worry” with “concern.” Concerns fit one of two categories; you can do something about it, so do it, or you cannot so move on and get over it.

 

If you continue to set yourself above others, sooner or later you’ll be alone.

 

If you only talk about yourself eventually, you’ll be the only one listening.How Can I Help You? 

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

So, does your business have a management training plan? Because if not, many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out. It might help you stop putting off what you want to do.

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy Leaders vs Commanders: Which Approach Drives Success?

Photo by Thom Milkovic on Unsplash

 

 

 

 

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