I love to read the advice columns. “Ask Ann Landers” and “Dear Abby” first appeared in newspapers three months apart in October, 1955 and January, 1956 and immediately gained huge followings. Written by twin sisters Esther Pauline “Eppie” Friedman (“Ask Ann Landers”) and Pauline Esther Friedman (“Dear Abby”), the sisters – who were fierce rivals – dealt with every subject imaginable. After the author of “Dear Abby” died, the column was taken over by her daughter Jeannie Phillips and continues to appear in newspapers today. When I saw this one a couple of weeks ago, my first response was, “This has to be a joke”. And yet, when my clients tell me about the attitudes of some of their employees, I… [Read More]
Asleep at the Wheel
I’m curious. When you saw the title of this month’s e-Tip, what did you think of? For some, it may have been the musical ensemble of the same name. This award-winning band’s music, first introduced in the early ‘70s, has been described by some as country, by others as western swing, and still others as boogie-woogie. (How long’s it been since you heard that term?) If you’re a fan of any of those genres, your mind no doubt went immediately to this Austin-based group. On the other hand, you may have thought of the thousands of traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths caused by sleep deprivation, a growing national epidemic. According to 2017 figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association,… [Read More]
Show Up
A recent article in my local newspaper told the story of three remarkable brothers. The youngest of the three had just graduated from high school, and the article reported that this young man – like his two older brothers – had completed twelve years of school without a single absence. Think about it! These three boys showed up every single day of their entire elementary, middle school and high school careers. No sick days, no “mental health days”, no cutting class. They were present. They were present not only in the sense that they were in attendance but also in the sense that they were involved. All three excelled in both academics and sports, and their teachers described them as… [Read More]
From the Heart
A couple of weeks ago I was in Nashville working with MV2 Entertainment, a talented group of creative people making music and growing a unique business. While there, my colleagues and I stayed at the Homewood Suites Hotel near Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. It was at the hotel that I met Tonni Carter. Tonni works in the food and beverage services division of the hotel, and she was brought to my attention by a member of our party. He noticed the gracious, loving attention that Tonni was giving to a special group of guests — patients and family members of patients who were in town for treatments at the medical center. His comments about Tonni made… [Read More]
Employees Must…
You’ve seen it, haven’t you? The sign in every restaurant restroom. It’s a good sign, and as a customer, you’re glad to see to it and hopeful that employees do as the sign instructs. In your business, what are the “musts”, the things that team members must do to fulfill not only your expectations but also those of your customers and their co-workers? What must they do to contribute to a results-oriented workplace, a workplace that’s a great place to work? Here’s my list. Team members must… Be competent. And, you’re the leader or business owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure they have the skills they need to be successful. Be cooperative. They must be good at working with… [Read More]
