February
2006
By aspiring to leave a positive legacy, T.G.I. Friday's manager Dennis Greer took a restaurant his company wanted to close and made it the most profitable in his region. Along the way, he changed some people's lives for the better. Greer's successful management makes for a turnaround story of the most inspiring kind.
Too often, new-product announcements from banks' corporate offices precede the training that the front-line staff needs to sell or service the new product. As a result, there's a gap between what a bank's staff should know and what they actually do know. This hardly inspires bankers' -- or customers' -- confidence in the product.
There's nothing more crucial to success in business than being able to influence other people. Salespeople must influence customers; executives need to influence their workforces. But rather than insincerely "laying on the charm" to influence people, try using your innate talents instead.
Even as the oldest of the baby boomers near retirement, too many executive teams are neglecting to have thoughtful discussions about their leadership pipelines. Yet forward-thinking organizations know they need leaders and a leadership succession plan that deliver results.
Live bands and latte bars have become all the rage at retail stores that are trying to add hype to the shopping experience. These bells and whistles may draw shoppers in the door, but do they really strengthen customer relationships?