Happy New Year everyone! As we start off a New Year, I think most of us take the time to ponder and envision the things that are important to us.  Some call them resolutions, or goals, or plans – whatever resonates for you – but they are all about what and where we want to put our focus and precious energy this year. Recently, I was in the company of a group of amazing ladies as we discussed life, what works, what doesn’t and what makes us feel better and how to make that happen going forward! We all had common complaints: lack of sleep, waking up in the night and trying to solve all of our challenges – real and perceived (and realizing the list is very long!); wanting everyone in our lives to be well and thriving, and the lengths we will go to try to make that happen, sometimes to... read more ❯

Note: This article contains 1,240 words and 1 image, with an estimated read time of 5 minutes.   Fear is an emotion induced by a perceived threat; it arises from the ability to recognize a risk of significant loss of wealth, health, power, status, security or anything of value leading to an urge to either flee from it or confront it. Fear has always been a very powerful emotion since the evolution of mankind and has been very crucial in the survival of the human race. It has saved us from predators, disasters and has kept us alive. It’s a primal instinct that served us as cave dwellers and today. There is nothing that makes us more uncomfortable than fear, and there are so many of them from fear of failure, disease, missing an opportunity, being conned and a lot more. Our best experiences are borne out of fear. Think about the happiest, growth-oriented... read more ❯

Note: This article contains 1,453 words and 1 image, with an estimated read time of 6 minutes.   In my role as a business coach, I sometimes meet with well-educated and intelligent people who run businesses but are not very adept at solving problems. Many people start businesses only to find out that it’s quite challenging to solve business problems. As a business owner, you probably believe you should be able to solve all your business problems, but that is not often the case. That’s why it is important to know when you need the expertise and support of others and where and how to get it. This is where business coaching comes in. Business coaches provide the help needed to solve some common problems in business, giving you the opportunity to focus on other important aspect of the business. Most times the underlying problem is that you are too close to the situation,... read more ❯

Note: This article contains 1,365 words and 1 image, with an estimated read time of 5 minutes.   “My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.” - Abraham Lincoln   Sometime ago I came across a portrait taken on the morning of the D-day landings. It pictures an army Regimental Sergeant Major standing courageously while those around him cowered in fear as they try to find cover from the bullets raining down on them. Undoubtedly, he was fearful, but his body language portrays something else entirely. He is seen calling his troops to come with him into battle; without knowing what the eventual outcome will be, and with the odds clearly against them. The aura of confidence around this leader, bravely leading his troops on showed that for him failure is not an option. He made a decision to keep moving forward, regardless of the uncertainty of... read more ❯

Note: This article contains 988 words and 1 image, with an estimated read time of 4 minutes.   The Canadian government recently announced the legalization of cannabis for non-medical use. This significant and rapid change to the legal status of cannabis raises new challenges and questions for Canadian employers. It is expected that there will be a major increase in the consumption of cannabis for non-medical purposes post-legalization. A survey conducted by Deloitte revealed that an estimated 22% of the Canadian adult population consumes recreational cannabis on an occasional basis while about 17% will be willing to try it out if it were legal. This brings the figure to about 40% of the adult population. Furthermore, a significant increase in the number of cannabis users in some states in the United States where recreational use is legal indicates that there’s a possibility that the number of Canadians using cannabis will increase after full legalization. There... read more ❯

Note: This article contains 1067 words and 1 image, with an estimated read time of 4 minutes.   Leaders are bombarded daily with choices; a choice to do right or wrong; a choice to do nothing; a choice to do the right thing or to do the barest minimum required to get the job done. Unfortunately, people have become comfortable with working in cultures where mediocrity and low expectations are the norm. Some leaders have learned to tolerate bad things happening in the workplace because to them "it's has always been that way." They have adopted a hopeless and disinterested attitude and operate with mediocrity as the standard. Sometimes the leader takes the path of least resistance, with the hopes of holding on to their position and employment longer. In time of mistakes, there’s no thorough investigation on the part of leaders to find out how to change processes to prevent further recurrences.  The concept... read more ❯

Note: This article contains 1,656 words and 1 image, with an estimated read time of 7 minutes.   Employee engagement is much more than a buzzword for modern business. In today’s competitive marketplace, employee engagement has emerged as an important component of business success; fostering customer loyalty, promoting retention and improving organizational performance. Engaged employees are fully involved, enthusiastic and committed to their work. Engaged employees are willing to do their best for the success of their organization. Recent studies have shown that companies with engaged employees outperform those without by up to 202%. The United States alone loses an estimated $11 billion on employee turnover, with Canada ranking the 4th globally for highest employee turnover rate at 16% (United States rate at 13%, 5th place, and France being 21% in first place). Employees are more likely to leave the company they work with if they do not feel engaged by or committed to the... read more ❯

Note: This article contains 1,284 words and 1 image, with an estimated read time of 5 minutes. In the 21st century managers are just not managers. As a manager, you may be innovative, analytical and an excellent problem solver, still it is recommended that you should develop and acquire coaching skills that will help you manage and empower your team effectively. Developing coaching skills allows you to be more impactful as a leader and help you get the most out of your team. Another benefit of coaching others is that it allows you to polish your management skills. And it has been proven that when given the opportunity to learn and grow people thrive. Adopting a coaching mentality will help with employee onboarding and retention, skill improvement, performance improvement, and knowledge transfer. A study conducted by Bersin & Associates revealed that organizations that coach their teams consistently experience a 21% improvement in their business... read more ❯

Note: This article contains 1,628 words and 1 image, with an estimated read time of 7 minutes. I have always talked about things entrepreneurs should do to achieve success in business. However, it is equally important to note that there are actually things they must STOP doing. Most business owners may not even be aware that they are doing some of these things.  Contrary to what some people may believe, being productive is a lot more about managing your energy and a lot less about time management. It is basically about spending the least amount of energy to get the most benefits. It’s about working smart, not hard. You cannot focus on something you are not clear about. Shifting your perspective on these choices will help your business to operate at a much higher level. These are the things that smart entrepreneurs never do: Flying by the seat of your pants Never start your day without a plan.... read more ❯

Note: This article contains 1,421 words and 1 image, with an estimated read time of 6 minutes.   "Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden   How often do you get talked into something you don’t’ want to do?  Do you often experience situations that infuriate, annoy or frustrate you but do absolutely nothing about them? Do you find it difficult to say “no” without being offensive? If so then you are not alone. As children, we were usually reprimanded when we expressed ideas or opinions that differed from our peers or parents. We were effectively taught that revealing our true intentions and feelings or thoughts will result in rejection. Therefore, many people have become intent on pleasing others at the expense of themselves. It has gotten so bad that some cannot identify their personal thoughts and feelings. This is where assertiveness comes in. Assertiveness allows you to clearly communicate... read more ❯