Go Undercover for the Customer

Many of you have seen the popular new CBS series titled, Undercover Boss. Each episode follows a senior executive of a major corporation who is working incognito as a new entry-level hire for one week. Through the experience they discover how the company really works. The show is well done and sends out an important message to leaders: You need to experience your company through the lens of the employee to truly understand what is working and what’s not.

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Seven Communication Practices for Personal Success in 2010

The arrival of Spring signals an opportunity to refresh skills and try
on new techniques to improve your personal communication.
In a down economy it becomes more important than ever to be at
your best, get noticed and be remembered. In this edition of my
newsletter I will focus on elements of your personal
communication that will help you accomplish those goals. I’ll
review best practices that will get you noticed and remembered
positively after a networking event, job interview or even within
the environment where you currently work.

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Cardio Kick Boxing or Corporate Interview: Make first impressions count

On Saturday I went to take a cardio kick-boxing class I attend on a regular basis. It is normally taught by an energetic and very fit young woman named, Anne. As a bunch of us were mingling and waiting for the class to begin, a rather disheveled man came in to the studio space and appeared to be getting organized to teach the class. He looked as if he had just rolled out of bed, was in need of a shave and could have benefitted from running a comb through his long, stringy hair that seemed be be flying in many different directions. He wore what appeared to be sweat pants and a t-shirt left over from the ’80’s and capped off the outfit by tying a tattered red bandana across his forehead. His t-shirt, likely purchased when he was 20 pounds lighter, revealed a protruding belly. He explained that he was the substitute instructor.

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