INVEST IN YOURSELF by Robert Finkelstein

You know any good investments? I do. I always do. My answer, “Invest in yourself.”

This is a lifetime investment and it can pay immeasurable dividends. Ask yourself what you do to create a wealthier you…and I’m not talking about money.

If you want to be rich, try some of these investment strategies.
1. Read – Find books that stretch your imagination, challenge your way of thinking, raise your bar and lead you down a path of growth and transformation. Don’t forget to turn of the TV in the background.
2. Exercise – Talk to your doctor. Get a report card. Design a fitness routine that’s appropriate for you and one you’ll stick to. I’d recommend finding a workout partner too. Remember, no pain, no gain.
3. Diet – Again, talk to your doctor. Find out what’s missing and what you might have too much of. You got one body. I suggest you treat it right.
4. Manage your time – Over the last few weeks, I’ve offer some great tools. Re-read them. Keep a journal. Stay organized and on task. Make the most of your day, every day. The feeling of accomplishment is very satisfying.
5. Your Time – Whatever time during the day you can dedicate exclusively to you, make it happen. Perhaps it’s a lunch break, could be your commuting time, you decide. What time is it? Tend to you.
6. Expand your network – This couldn’t be easier. With all-too-addicting social networking websites like Facebook and MySpace, you can find the ones that appeal to you, your interests and career. Of course, the old fashioned, meeting in person, social groups is always nice. Whatever you preference, get to work on that network.
7. Education – As the Managing Director of a seminar company, I’m a big advocate for continued education. Do your research. Find seminars, trainings, online programs and night classes that expand your world. Knowledge is so empowering.
8. Invest in someone else – Take care of yourself first, and when that’s on track, share your transformation and learnings with someone else…and then someone else…and then…. You get the idea.

These are just a few simple ideas. You probably have lots more.

**RING** The market just opened. Start investing!

If you have any questions or comments,
please write them below or email me at Robert@RobertFinkelstein.com.

Sunday Observations – Death in the Family

June 28, 2009. Death in the Family. Last week we lost three well known celebrities. Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon. Clearly MJ was the most famous, but each had an impact on us, our culture and a lasting legacy. How people reacted was quite amazing.

To read the rest of this of blog, please click on the link. “Sunday Observations”

If you have any questions or comments,
please write them below or email me at Robert@RobertFinkelstein.com.

The Value of Great Employees

Do you value great employees? I would assume so. But what are you doing to keep them?

There’s an old saying, “Good help is hard to find.” As someone who’s hired hundreds of people over the years, I can tell ya, that is so true. And when you find a winner, maybe even a diamond in the rough, make the effort to train, support, develop and motivate them. Invest in your team and they’ll invest in you. If resources are available, give them the opportunity to enrich themselves with further trainings that give them tools to improve their work performance and their lives. When an employee feels that their life is better because of the place they work, they will remain loyal. Whether it’s through salary increases, incentives, profit sharing and perks, do what you can. And never forget…respect, rapport and teamwork.

A few years ago, I worked for a company that in one year went through over 800 employees to fill 100 positions. Do you think they valued their employees? Not a chance. Even those who stayed, were miserable, and were made to feel like they had no better options. Very sad. No surprise, I didn’t stay there long.

And keep this in mind: The price of training someone new. VERY costly. Much more than the cost of taking care of those who are valuable.

Monday morning…take time (well spent) to reappraise the value of your team…and then take the necessary steps to keep them.

If you have any questions or comments,
please write them below or email me at Robert@RobertFinkelstein.com.

Building Rapport

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “Lead By Example.” Regardless of your position in a company, be a rapport builder. Quite honestly, it’s easy to do and the benefits far out way the alternative. Being liked is not a bad thing, and that doesn’t mean you can’t be a tough manager of a team. What it does mean, is that to you, it’s not all about work all the time. Your relationships, in and out of work, are what will determine much of your success.

Here a few great ways to build rapport…and put smiles on faces.
1. SMILE more often
2. Don’t forget to use these very important words: Thank you, Please, Good morning, Goodbye
3. Take no one for granted
4. Acknowledge birthdays and special occasions, and when necessary, tragedies as well
5. Watch your language, keep it clean
6. Lend a helping hand when able
7. Don’t speak about other employees behind their back
8. Try to confront issues and not the person
9. Take time to talk to the team, individually if possible
10. Be approachable; doesn’t have to be all the time, but find the time
11. Don’t play favorites

Pretty simple, wouldn’t you say?
Now smile…you’re building your rapport.

If you have any questions or comments,
please write them below or email me at Robert@RobertFinkelstein.com.

In Who Do We Trust?

Some people are very trusting. Others, because they’ve been burned, require a whole lot of effort before they’re willing to let someone in again.

Call me naive, call me crazy, or don’t call me at all, but I generally like to believe that most people come from a good place. Most are not out to get ya. That being said, I’m no pushover either. So I decided to make a list of the some of the telltale signs of someone you just might want to reconsider going into business with, lending money to, or handing over the keys to your new car.
1. Those who blame you for everything, even when they clearly carry some of the responsibility
2. Those who never let you off the hook
3. Those who are chronically late and don’t apologize
4. Those who push their work on you
5. Those who are too busy to help you
6. Those who never return the favor
7. Those who feel that their ideas are always superior
8. Those who don’t look you in the eye
9. Those who always want to work with their vendor, their friends…and not yours
10. Those who seem to have an excuse for everything
11. And above all, those who rarely do what they say they will

Remember: “Trust everyone, but cut the cards.”

If you have any questions or comments,
please write them below or email me at Robert@RobertFinkelstein.com.

Make Sure You’re Aligned

Whether you’re a hands-on or hands-off business owner, a manager with direct reports, or a manager with none, I assume you’re using some method of measuring your team’s performance. But you know what they say about assuming.

You can’t manage what you can’t measure. That will undoubtedly be the subject of a few blogs.

Today, let’s consider Performance Management. There are different names for it, but essentially it’s refers to a system for strategically aligning the goals of the business and the objectives of the employees. Basically, it’s an outline created by the employee which defines their most important responsibilities (five’s a good number) and how (five ways) they’ll be achieved within a predetermined time frame. I would recommend doing these quarterly. Once completed (usually a simple template), the manager should review each one to insure that the employee has accurately and clearly defined what they must accomplish, and most importantly, they are in alignment with the company’s needs. Some tweaking might need to take place. If the employee is way off, then you could have a serious lack of communication going on.

Be diligent about these. They really are a great way to manage, direct and hold your team accountable.

Ah, but there’s more. You could do a personal one too. In the next three months, what do you want to accomplish, and how will you do it? Hold yourself accountable or work with a partner. I also suggest that one section be dedicated to personal growth. Work on the health of your body and mind too.

Start measuring, and you might just grow.

If you have any questions or comments,
please write them below or email me at Robert@RobertFinkelstein.com.

You Are What You Read

It’s just like eating. If you don’t eat healthy, your body will grow weak and starve. I feel the same way about reading. If you don’t feed your mind, it too will starve.

I trust you don’t believe you know it all…right? You certainly don’t know what you don’t know.

Personally, I’ve committed to reading at least one industry-related book every month. For some, that doesn’t seem like very much, for others, that’s inconceivable. Start small, but definitely start. Just to be clear, I’m not talking about romance novels, spy thrillers, or even the latest Harry Potter book. These need to be books on personal development, growth, motivation, inspiration. They need to expand your thinking, your potential…your world.

What do you need to focus on? In what area of your life, personally and professionally, are you not living up to the potential you believe exists within you? What do you need to work on? What tools do you not have now that if you did, would make you more successful? Who would you like to model, learn more about and emulate? What business strategists and technicians have mastered your industry? Ask yourself these questions and anything else that can help guide you to the books that you must start reading.

Okay, lunch time. What are you going to read?

If you have any questions or comments,
please write them below or email me at Robert@RobertFinkelstein.com.

Sunday Observations – Father’s Day

June 21, 2009. Happy Father’s Day…
if you are one, have one, or had one!

This day has always marked the celebration of my father and my step-father. Just eight years ago, I became a dad for the first time, and the day had an even greater significance. Today, unfortunately, was the first Father’s Day since my father passed away in March.

To read the rest of this of blog, please click on the link. “Sunday Observations”

If you have any questions or comments,
please write them below or email me at Robert@RobertFinkelstein.com.

Introducing – Sunday Observations

As a seasoned blogger…well actually I’ve only been doing this a couple weeks, I thought it would be kind of interesting to shake things up a bit. Every Sunday, instead of providing a business or life tool, I’m going to write about a personal observation. It’ll probably be something you’ve experienced too and can relate. As always, I’d love to hear from you – your experiences, insights, observations and questions. So click on the “Sunday Observations” link to the right.

Please take a look at the other pages of my blog too. Enjoy your Sunday!

If you have any questions or comments,
please write them below or email me at Robert@RobertFinkelstein.com.

Lead By Example by Robert Finkelstein

This can be easier said than done…but well worth the effort. As the former Managing Director of a Personal Development training company, I always set the standard high for myself. I wanted my team and our students to believe that we practice what we preach.

I’ve had plenty of experience with business owners and managers who prefer to live by the “do as I say, not as I do” methodology. They’re generally disliked, not respected, experience high turnovers and illicit poor performances from those they manage.

Here are a few thoughts on how to Lead By Example.
1. Treat your team with honesty and respect…just as you would want them to treat you.
2. Watch what you say and what you do. Most leaders are closely watched. Operated at a high level of integrity, and you will be supported.
3. Listen to others. They’ll feel valued. Communication is such a critical factor.
4. Be proactive, not reactive. When the team sees that you’re on top of things, they’ll rally behind you. If you’re not, and they’re constantly dealing with damage control, you’ll lose them.
5. Keep your cool. Losing it shows weakness and insecurity. Be a levelheaded leader.
6. When you make a decision, stick to it. When someone else does, support it. If a decision turns out to be the right one, acknowledge the team. If it doesn’t, don’t point fingers. As a team, correct it and move on.
7. Do what you love. Not always possible, I know. If that’s the case, make the best of it. Don’t complain to your team. Discontent is very contagious.

Remember, how you do one thing, is how you do everything. Hold your head high and take the lead.

If you have any questions or comments,
please write them below or email me at Robert@RobertFinkelstein.com.