Swallow the Bullfrog
Posted on | May 17, 2012 | No Comments
Clearly I’ve crossed the chasm over to ancient sage as recently a member of the Devon team suggested that I start to share the tips and techniques accumulated over the years. On one level, I can appreciate her observation. Being able to run a high-tech PR firm for almost 20 years means one is either as tough as nails, an über-people pleaser, or as nutty as a fruitcake. The reality is that most days involve balancing all three, as well as being able to wax eloquently on a host of topics extemporaneously, handle the unexpected highs-and-lows that come with working across global business and media communities, and remain incredibly organized.
So, the first part of this series focuses on getting organized. This isn’t a skill where the nature versus nurture argument comes into play: anyone can increase their productivity by learning how to prioritize and organize. That said, being methodical across everything you do is a multi-faceted endeavor. There’s no silver bullet here; you need to cultivate a series of behaviors that will enable you to chip away at the piles of paper on your desk and be able to truly leave the office at the end of a day.
The first tip? Start each morning by swallowing the bullfrog. Swallowing the bullfrog means that regardless of how easy or appealing other projects are, tackle the hardest one first. Cycling through your email for an hour might seem practical but it pales in comparison to writing the 2,000 word article that’s been languishing on your “to do” list. Standing in line at Dunkin Donuts for 30 minutes might seem like an appropriate morning ritual (a big sorry to our New England friends), but skipping the trip and taking that time to return yesterday’s voice mails is far more valuable. Locking yourself behind a closed door and delving into that three hour research project that is now three days overdue will mean that you can move onto easier, more pleasurable projects knowing you’ve satisfied a commitment.
Swallowing the bullfrog extends to other parts of life. Faced with the choice of watching TV, dining with friends, or tending to the now grossly overdue oil change and tire rotation, guess which one needs to come first? We all have our preferences and priorities but by tackling the toughest first means it becomes history. A sense of accomplishment aside, you’ll be alleviating anxiety, management and peer pressure, and potentially unhappy customers. Just do it: figure out what your bullfrog is today and make it go away.
Tags: content development > customer satisfaction > entrepreneurs > Marketing > PR > professional development > social media > speaker bureau
Five Lessons from Five Business Leaders
Posted on | February 20, 2012 | No Comments
The best and most recognizable business leaders of our time have much in common beyond the mansions and expensive cars: they all have made it to the top of their industries through a combination of determination, innovation and an unending desire to learn. And for anyone who wants to thrive in business, there are many lessons that these successful business leaders can teach.
Persistence Pays Off – In the days before the dot com boom of the late 1990s, Jeff Bezos struggled to secure funding for his concept of an Internet-based bookstore. Investors were skeptical of the idea and of the amount he was asking for. Still, he believed in his vision and didn’t give up. Using a business plan he developed on a laptop during a cross-country car trip, he was eventually able to secure the $1 million necessary to launch Amazon.com, the world’s largest online retailer.
Bezos teaches us the importance of not giving up. If you have an idea that you think will change the world, you must do everything you can to convince others to believe in it. And if the idea doesn’t sell at first, there’s nothing wrong with taking some time to improve the plan and try again.
Every Penny Counts – Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA with the purpose of offering consumers ready-to-assemble home furnishings at affordable prices. Kamprad realized that selling furniture items unassembled would reduce shipping and packing costs, and thus minimize costs for customers. Cost control remains crucial to the company’s operations today, and IKEA has been able to lower its prices by 2-3% over the past decade as it expands around the world.
While it’s certainly true that you have to spend money to make money, paying close attention to costs, and determining where they can be reduced, can mean the difference between profit and loss. By looking for innovative ways to reduce costs for both the company and the consumer, the organization can be more cost-effective and develop a loyal following.
Let Nothing Stand in the Way – As Oprah Winfrey may be in the spotlight much more than the others on this list; it’s easy to overlook just how much she has accomplished behind the scenes. Routinely listed as one of the most powerful women in business and media, Winfrey knows how to achieve results and continuously build her business empire. What’s even more impressive is how she overcame poverty and abuse in her childhood to become one of the most successful people on the planet.
Winfrey demonstrates how important it is to not let adversity hold you back. Whether challenges stem from personal life or hurdles in the business climate, it is important to never back down from the dream and to do everything possible to achieve success.
Love What You Do – As a young adult with a love of music, Richard Branson started selling records by mail-order out of a church basement. This successful business led to the establishment of a chain of record stores and the creation of a record label. Since those early days, Branson has created more than 400 businesses under his Virgin brand, many of which are based on his interests: airlines and rail companies, a mobile phone company, a comic book label, a video game company, and even a space tourism firm.
The key lesson learned from Branson is that it’s important to let your passions determine your pursuits. Without a firm interest and understanding of whichever industry you’re in, it will be difficult to develop a prosperous and thriving business.
If You Build It, They Will Buy It – As people are still in mourning over the loss of Apple CEO Steve Jobs, his contributions to the world are clear. Listed as either the primary inventor or co-inventor of nearly 350 patents, Jobs certainly knew how to think outside of the box. And, based on the excitement and fervor with which each new Apple release has been welcomed by the public, Jobs’ ability to create innovative products that people wanted is apparent.
While not everyone has Jobs’ keen sense to develop products that consumers didn’t realize they need, Jobs still teaches us the importance of building a brand. By thinking differently, you can develop unique solutions and products that set your company apart and build customer loyalty.
Although replicating the success of these five business leaders may be tough, it isn’t impossible. Each person on this list started from humble beginnings, but they all ended up creating some of the most loved and recognized brands in the world. So, whether you’re browsing Amazon or IKEA on your iPhone, or reading O magazine on a Virgin Airlines flight, remember the lessons you can learn from the pioneers behind these products in order to create your own success.
A Carnival as Diverse as Any Other
Posted on | January 18, 2012 | 1 Comment
As we take time to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this week, this Carnival also focuses on the need to respect and nurture diversity. Diversity of gender, thought, skills, ethnicity, cultural background, language and talent contribute to more than just an inclusive place to work. Our experiences, culture, religion, sexual orientation and work history, among other factors, come with us to work each day and affect how we contribute to our organization’s success. 
While Dr. King led the climb to the mountain top, all of us are an integral part of the journey. In this diversity-themed edition of the HR Carnival, the industry’s always-prolific thought leaders share a range of experiences, perspectives and progress. The Devon Group is thrilled to host this edition of The Carnival and appreciates the range of topics and posts that were contributed.
Without further ado, we present the latest HR Carnival:
Naomi Bloom, at In Full Bloom, shares Ruminations on Being Overweight and Smoking, reminding us we’re all a work in progress.
Prasad Oommen Kurian, at Simplicity @ the other side of Complexity, is busy Decoding the ‘IR mindset’ and provides 10 defining features of the IR mindset.
Mark Stelzner, at Inflexion Point, draws an analogy from travel to one’s career path in 5 Career Lessons from the Road and reminds us it’s important to know where we are going and to have a plan for getting there.
Ian Welsh, at Toolbox.com, asks whether organizations benefit from diversity in the workplace. He answers the question and provides practical advice in Diversity is Simple – Objectivity Essential! – The Benefit is Clear!
John Kotter, guest blogger at Great Leadership, invites readers to consider the danger of getting too comfortable in Success: A Breeding Ground for Complacency. He explores the value of diversity in thought and recommends bringing the outside in by listening to customer-facing employees.
Ben Eubanks, at UpstartHR, touches on diversity in his review of Field Tested: Recruiting, Managing and Retaining Veterans and uncovers different ways to better meet the needs of employees who are former military service members.
Paul Smith, at Welcome to the Occupation, notes that each of us individually has to strive for equal rights and opportunities on our own terms. He advises readers to become the Captainess of Your Own Ship by deciding our own definition of success and power.
Mike McCarty, at SafeHiring Solution, discusses Pepsi Employment Background Checks and the adverse affects background screening can have on minorities.
Chris Young, at the Human Capital Strategy Blog, checks in on the progress of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Dream – Changing Company Culture and reminds us that employers should choose employees based on their character, qualifications, and job fit – and that skin color not be a factor.
Through this edition of the Carnival of HR, we are treated to not only to some of the best advice HR professionals have to offer, but the community’s commitment to advancing the dream and creating inclusive workplaces where individuality and respect thrives. Thank you for stopping by. Come again soon and be sure to follow us on Twitter @devongroup, @melissaprusher and @jeanneAchille.
A View from the Top
Posted on | January 6, 2012 | No Comments
Is your CEO active online? If not, he or she should be. Authentic communication from the top of the organization is rapidly becoming a requirement, not a nice-to-have feature. Employees and customers want to hear from corporate leaders, whether that’s by following their Twitter stream or reading their personal or company blog. CEO blogs – even if they’re authored by other people – are increasingly important in a world where decisions are made in groups and buying decisions are influenced by online interactions. 
Arguments such as “Our CEO doesn’t have enough time” or “All content needs legal approval prior to being posted” no longer fly in today’s transparent business climate. And, with the rapid rate of change, even organizations with well-defined social media policies should allow for appropriate caveats.
Besides being swamped, CEOs tend to be most interested in those initiatives that contribute to the bottom line. As social mediums continue to mature, tracking and analyzing social content can deliver up-to-the-minute feedback on a brand or company reputation, allowing CEOs to see exactly how social media influences product development and corporate strategy and strengthens customer relationships. But, organizations that dig their heels or wait for legal to approve every single tweet, blog post, or comment will never be able to execute a successful social media strategy.
Delivering fresh content from the company’s leaders benefits an organization in multiple ways. CEOs that share the company vision in an authentic and real way can increase customer engagement and attract high-quality talent to the organization. Content written by high-profile members of the organization can help put company-sponsored information on the first page of search results, as Google and other major search engines continuously “crawl” for new content. CEO blogs can also demonstrate thought leadership, increase credibility and showcase the capabilities of the company – all elements that not only look good from the customer’s perspective, but also help keep employees engaged and in tune with their own organization.
Conversing in the digital arena is a powerful tool for telling the company story and driving brand engagement. But, for those worried about giving away trade secrets or freaking out their legal counsel, take a look how some CEOs have made blogging work:
Showcase a human side. David Kirchhoff, Weight Watchers International’s CEO blogs at Man Meets Scale. He lets readers know that the blog contains his personal views on weight loss and fitness, and not necessarily his perspective as a company employee. Yet, the blog taps into the vital components of successful business: making emotional connections, demonstrating an understanding of the customer’s pain points and offering solutions.
Communicate company progress. Blogs don’t have to reveal sensitive information, but they can provide customers with insight into new developments or strides the company is making to deliver better products or service. Comstock Mining’s CEO uses blogging to answer customer inquiries and provide status updates on company initiatives.
Connect with colleagues. Forrester’s George Colony uses his blog to share opinions and analysis on events of interest to other CEOs. High-level networking can help executives share experiences, fine-tune strategies, stimulate innovation and drive competition.
One key, no matter what your approach: understand that executive time is valuable and should be used on moving the needles that matter – whether it’s customer engagement, bottom-line sales or other metrics. Rather than a general approach to blogging, start out with an analysis of what you’d like to accomplish and build an editorial calendar based on your CEO’s pet projects and topics. With the right infrastructure in place, blogging can be systematic, achievable and increase interaction and loyalty with business stakeholders.
Tags: brand building > content development > social media > social networking
Seven Leadership Lessons from Seven Sports Figures
Posted on | December 23, 2011 | No Comments
The wo
rlds of sports and business have a lot in common: pressure to always be the best, the need to take big risks for high rewards and the constant battle to remain ahead of the competition. Despite the cutthroat nature often associated with both realms, there are plenty of valuable lessons corporate leaders can learn from athletes and coaches from all different sports. What follows are some proven methods for success taken straight from the field (as well as the court, track and pool) that can be applied in the office environment.
Give it your all – Legendary long-distance runner Steve Prefontaine was known for the famous quote, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” With a career record of winning 78% of the races he entered, including being undefeated in NCAA races at the University of Oregon, Prefontaine certainly knew how to put his best into everything.
Each member of an organization has a unique skill set and experience that they bring to their job. To remain competitive, it is important encourage each member of the company to apply their individual gifts to achieve the common goals. When everyone is committed to giving their best, the company will thrive. Read more
Tags: entrepreneurs > hiring > HR > leadership > professional development > talent management
Ten Minutes with Kathi Graham-Leviss, Industry Expert
Posted on | October 26, 2011 | No Comments
Kathi Graham-Leviss is author of The Perfect Hire: A Tactical Guide to Hiring, Developing and Retaining Top Sales Talent and founder of XB Consulting. Combining its proprietary technology-based assessment solution, XC Insight, with years of sales and leadership expertise, XB Consulting shows organizations how to select employees and optimize employee development and productivity. Essential to measuring and predicting human performance risk and potential, XB Consulting’s XC InSight assessment system brings unrivaled clarity and specificity to pre-employment, selection and the development and improvement of the existing workforce.
Your new book, The Perfect Hire, provides a tactical guide to hiring, developing, and retaining top sales talent. What can readers expect to learn?
The Perfect Hire identifies the biggest mistake that companies make when hiring sales leaders and executives – hiring mainly based on technical skills and experience – and outlines a hiring methodology that will help them avoid making that mistake.
In the absence of a selection strategy, most companies rely on resume screening and an applicant performance review to make hiring decisions. As a result, their interview processes are unstructured and can result in loose discussion that focuses on a candidate’s personality and/or listed experience, rather than their soft and problem solving skills. For example, an extrovert may engage interviewers quickly and be charming without having the critical thinking skills needed to succeed in a position. Ultimately, businesses lose a lot of time, money and other resources when they hire poor-fit candidates.
A Room with a View
Posted on | October 17, 2011 | 1 Comment
As the agency of record supporting one of the industry’s largest and most exciting events, The Devon Group has the distinct pleasure of managing The HR Technology Conference & Expo press room and its activities. Year after year, the energy found between its four walls can be inspiring, electric, exhilarating, and yes, at times, exhausting. This year’s press room – sponsored by OneWire, to whom we extend our most sincere thanks – delivered on all fronts. Busy and buzzing from open to close, each of its many tables and designated overflow rooms were filled with registered press, analysts and the blog squad who engaged in highly interactive briefings, demos, discussions and deals each day.
As careful observers, whose ears were perked for feedback, we’d like to highlight several tools and techniques for effectively getting news and messaging out at the conference, especially as your competitors attempt to do the same: Read more
Tags: bloggers > content development > HR Technology Conference > industry analysts > networking > PR > Press Kits > Press Releases
Push and Pull: Social Media and Marketing
Posted on | August 23, 2011 | No Comments
As the company’s messaging machine, marketers communicate to current and potential buyers and ultimately generate sales leads in two high-level ways. Traditional marketing measures (direct and HTML mail, advertising, telemarketing, etc.) are considered a push where information about the company and its services and products is pushed directly to customers and prospects. But as spam-filled inboxes go ignored and buyers better-trust information researched, marketers have adapted and adopted social media marketing to generate leads with an inbound marketing pull, where online educational content and discussions live and become the information researched. Read more
Tags: inbound marketing > Lead Generation > lead nurturing > Marketing > metrics > sales leads > SEO > social media
Make an Impact with Swag
Posted on | July 29, 2011 | No Comments
Marketers, start your engines: the fall tradeshow season is quickly approaching, and while you tackle big picture event strategy, don’t forget the devil is in the details. What are we talking about? Swag, and the impact it can have on tradeshow success.
Hiring & Online Image: The New Background Check
Posted on | July 26, 2011 | No Comments
It’s no secret that in a tough job market every aspect of an application counts. What you might not know is that employers are leveraging new techniques to research potential candidates to get sense of who they really are online.
Tags: hiring > HR > online image > social intelligence > social media