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Text Box: Hey There,   I can’t believe it’s August already.  Summer is half over but there is still so much to do.  Below are some tips for meeting management, improving quality, and plain old success!   Best Regards, Ernie

Text Box: August 2011

Text Box:   Test Your Creativity   A steam shovel digs up 500 cubic yards in a certain length of time, while a man takes 25 times as long. How much quicker will it be for the steam shovel to dig half a hole than for 12 men to do the same job?     *Answer at the bottom!  

Text Box:   BUSINESS   “Drive thy business or it will drive thee.”   - Benjamin Franklin

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Text Box:     Executive Coaching  · Strategic Planning  · Team Building  · Continuous Improvement  · Professional Development © 2011, 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 2011 E.A. Lewis Consulting.   *Brain Teaser Answer:  This is a trick question because of its play on words. You can't dig half a hole!  

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Text Box:     “In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.”   - Warren Buffett

E.A. Lewis Consulting

Text Box: Helping You Achieve Your Personal Best!

Text Box: Three Success Concepts!   Here is UCLA Bruins Basketball Coach John Wooden's simple yet powerful list of 3's that helped him and his teams succeed:   · Don't whine, complain, or make excuses. Just do the best you can. · Don't lie, cheat, or steal. · Don't swear, lose your temper, or speak from anger.

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Ernest A. LewisText Box: The Next Small Business Boot Camp starts August 23rd!   We’ll review the fundamentals of effective business growth including having the right business model, effective marketing, efficient systems, sales goals, and much more.  Discover the power of peer support and learn how to grow your business right!   Starts Tuesday August 23rd, 5 Weeks, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Limited Seating Call for Details:  419-345-4254, or email:  ernest@ealewisconsulting.com  or Register Online

Text Box: Why Don't Employees Provide Better Quality Service?   Sometimes, it's a matter of knowing what "better quality" means.  Believe it or not, everyone has a different idea!   For example, if we say we want 99.9% quality, is that good enough?  It sounds great, but it would mean 2,000,000 more documents lost by the IRS this year, over 300 words spelled incorrectly in Webster's dictionary, 20,000 prescriptions filled incorrectly this year, and imagine what happens to the lost luggage rate at the airports!   It can be helpful to talk with employees about what “quality” looks like specifically.  When employees don’t have a clear understanding of what quality means, mistakes are made, work often needs to be redone, and frustrations mount.  When employees have a clear understanding, they have a better chance of meeting expectations and performing at a higher level.   Have a talk with employees about what quality means to you and to the organization.  It's an easy way to improve performance, productivity, and profitability with relatively little time and effort.  The return on your investment could be huge!

 

 

Text Box: Fun Stuff!  Famous Last Words - One of my favorite kinds of lists! · It’s perfectly safe! · I hope they speak English. · I'll get your toast out. · Just take whatever you want, they won't mind. · It's strong enough for both of us. · This doesn't taste right. · Nice doggie. · I can do that with my eyes closed. · I've done this before. · Well we've made it this far. · That's odd. · I'll just slip into the commuter lane for a second. · You wouldn't hit a guy with glasses on, would you. · OK this is the last time. · Don't be so superstitious. · Now watch this. · This planet has an atmosphere just like on earth.

Text Box: BUSINESS 101   Don't Walk Out Without It! Before you end a meeting or planning session, make sure you have the following items in place:   · An action plan with tasks assigned, start and finish dates, and other relevant information.  Participants leave the meeting with a greater sense of accomplishment and know what they need to do specifically to really make a difference. · A defined agenda for the next meeting.  This helps to ensure people know what to expect and what to prepare for next time. · A set day, time and place for the next meeting. · A person assigned the responsibility of sending a meeting reminder, meeting minutes, etc.   All of this leads to greater accountability and better performance!

Text Box: Making Someone's Day … doesn't have to be a grand gesture! Often, it's the little things that have more meaning.  Saying thank you, sharing a smile, a sticky note saying “great job on xyz task,” are little but great ways to make someone’s day by simply making their moment!  Go ahead...try it now!