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Text Box: Here are some tips and best practices I hope you find useful especially the first article on simple planning. Too often, business owners don’t do enough planning because it ends up being a grueling process with limited results. Let me know what you think!     - Ernie

Text Box: April 2008

Text Box: See you next issue! Ernie ernest@ealewisconsulting.com

Text Box: Now this is a job where you need a whole lot of trust!

Text Box: Fun Stuff Stephen J., in New York, sent in this hilarious list. Thanks Stephen!   EVER WONDER? 1. Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?" 2. Who was the first person to say, "See that chicken there? I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta its butt." 3. Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer? 4. If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him? 5. Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the car pool lane? 6. Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their crotch when they ask where the bathroom is? 7. Why does your OB-GYN leave the room when you get undressed if they are going to look up there anyway? 8. Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?  They're both dogs! 9. If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that Acme stuff, why didn't he just buy dinner? 10. If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests? (sound it out...) 11.  If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from? 12. If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons? 13. Why do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune? 14. Stop singing and read on.... 15. Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup? 16. Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window? ...

Text Box: Simple Planning That Works! Business plans, strategic plans, implementation plans.  Whatever type of planning you are doing, here are some tips for getting it done effectively:   1) Be clear on the need for planning. The planning and the planning process isn’t always fun but it produces positive results when done properly. Your team will be guided and focused, people will be able to make better decisions, productivity and profitability will improve. 2) Keep it simple! You don’t have to have a 500 page report or a 50 page report just because other companies do. If you can layout your plan in five pages or even one page, do so. 3) Let your staff help write the plan. Each department, team, or manager can write a plan for their area of concern. They’ll better understand the overall plan and how they fit. Just as important, they’ll have better ownership and accountability for the tasks and results. 4) Include budgets and an explanation of how the numbers relate to the goals and objectives. 5) Be specific. Rather than stating a goal of better team communication, state, “Each team will meet for one hour on Monday of each week to report on progress, discuss any problem areas, and share weekly task and needs. 6) Review the plan monthly and include progress and performance reports. Develop measures that will allow you to know how you are doing compared to the plan. Generally, anything that can be seen, touched, or counted can be measured.   Remember, business success doesn’t happen by itself. Do your planning, implement it, improve as you go and keep it simple!

Text Box: Paris in the Spring   Quickly, what do the words in the triangle say?               Quickly again, how many ‘f’s can you find in the box?                       * Answer at the bottom!

Text Box: In This Issue a) Simple Planning That Works! b) Notable Quotes: Henry Ford and Bill Cosby c) Brain Teaser: Test Your Creativity! … Paris in the Spring d) Employee Engagement e) Helpful Tip: Basic Business Etiquette f) Fast Fact: ENIAC g) Fun Stuff: Ever Wonder?

Text Box: KNOWLEDGE   “You must know all there is to know in your particular field and keep on the alert for new knowledge. The least difference in knowledge between you and another man may spell his success and your failure.”   -HENRY FORD Theosophist Magazine, Feb. 1930   From Notable Quotes at http://www.notable-quotes.com

Text Box: Notable Quote

Text Box:   Executive Coaching  · Strategic Planning  · Team Building  · Continuous Improvement  · Professional Development © 2008, E.A. Lewis Consulting          www.ealewisconsulting.com

Text Box: You are receiving this free newsletter at your request or as part of E.A. Lewis Consulting Services. If you have been forwarded this newsletter from someone you know and would like to subscribe, please click here to send an email. To remove your name from our mailing list, please click here to send an email.   This material is provided as general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice or consulting services specific to you, your employees, or your organization. This content may be forwarded in full, without permission, when used in a not-for-profit format. No other reproduction of this publication, in whole, or in part, is allowed without the express written consent of E.A. Lewis Consulting. This newsletter is a free service of E.A. Lewis Consulting, Management Tips and Best Practices Newsletter, all rights reserved. Copyright 2008 E.A. Lewis Consulting. For past issues, please click here   *Brain Teaser Answer:  Paris in the the Spring,   and 8 ‘f’s