Category Mike Van

The article, The 1 Secret to Employee Retention, hits upon some key points to talent retention in organizations. What I came to realize early in my career was the need to communicate clearly and often with all employees. You will never find out what each employee’s hot buttons are or what motivates them without open and true listening discussions with them. The discussions have to be done frequently and must be done with focused understanding from both sides. If each side is not honest can also be a detriment to the discussion. Team is often overused in the business world, but being able to identify motivating characteristics of all of your employees will bring a team atmosphere that will be challenging and beneficial for individuals as well as the organization. Please read the full article HERE.

When a decision is made to move a career into a whole new direction, you can find yourself exposed to new traits of your chosen profession. When that elected calling is in sales, you are constantly taking an introspective read on a daily basis. The reason may be knowledge based, research, or possible a need for self-assurance. Although sales may look like the primary responsibility, providing consulting with wisdom to clients is the ticket to get the needed trust and respect established and a strong lasting relationship started. As the learning process moves forward, you learn more about who and what your current and potential customers may be thinking or feeling. The need to understand and feel the customer’s pain. Forget about your needs. Listen and most importantly understand the needs of the client. The financial reward should not be the goal. Best to serve the client or customer and the money aspect will work its way out. The thought and approach to seeing sales as just a job. After closing a deal, immediately start on the next one. The job becomes part of life in so many ways. Letting yourself get upset over small things. Rejection and being told no is part of the job. As difficult as it may be, carrying a positive attitude 100% of the time is a must. Preparation, preparation preparation! Do your homework and do the research well. Know not only the answers, but the questions clients may ask before you enter into a meeting or discussion. Practice until your confidence is present. Treat everyone, no matter who or what they do with respect. Before you can gain anyone’s trust, there has to be mutual respect. Relationships take work, effort and do not happen overnight. Over time, relationships grow but you must understand each

10 Things Successful People Never do Again I had a recent business scenario that took me in, and when I look back I  realize I was ignorant of many of the 10 things mentioned in this article.

I am sure some of you will remember how you got your first car. My first car memory is still vividly with me and something I will never forget. Definitely a grandchildren story!

Stephen Covey was a great writer and human and we lost him far too soon. I read a number of his books and found them to be true to life and contained many excellent paths a person can and should…

Two articles attached that caught my attention: Class 8 Orders Continue to Rocket Higher. This is solid news knowing transportation companies are placing orders for new equipment and upgrading as needed to keep current. Now more than ever: Focus eliminates…

You will read a number of words we have heard and used in the business world for a number of years within this article. These words include ACCOUNTABILITY, RESP0NSIBILITY, DISCIPLINE and RELIANCE. What I found and learned from this article…

The paragraph that hit me from my consulting work observations is the following: “When you get complacent, though, that’s where the risk happens. When you become entitled and you say “you know what? I do not want to change. I…

Treat their business like a business – Sounds simple, but removing you as the owner from this equation can be challenging at best. Especially when you consider the high failure rate entrepreneurs experience. The emotional and family aspects are also…

There are a few key points that hit home in this article such as “Nobody cares that our kids are addicted to technology and can hardly hold a conversation”. I am sure many of us could look in the mirror…

As a Business Intermediary, due diligence in the Buy/Sell process brings with it a great deal of importance and need for understanding by all parties involved. As a Buyer you must be astute to the industry you are pursuing to…

In my many discussions with business owners discussing the possibility of selling their business due to burnout it was found that few will actually use the term burnout. They may come across with statements such as: Their age is mentioned…