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Text Box: Hey There,   Happy Thanksgiving!  Here are a few business tips for getting past some common roadblocks and some fun stuff as well.  Enjoy!   Best Regards, Ernie

Text Box: November 2011

Text Box:   Test Your Creativity U2’s Logic Puzzle   U2 has a concert that starts in just 17 minutes and all of the band members must all cross a bridge to get there. The four men begin on the same side of the bridge and you must help them to get across to the other side.   Due the age of the bridge, a maximum of two people can cross at one time. It is night-time and there is only one torch. The torch is always required when crossing the bridge and the torch must be walked back and forth. It cannot be thrown, etc. Each band member walks at a different speed and a pair must walk together at the rate of the slower man: Bono takes 1 minute to cross Edge takes 2 minutes to cross Adam takes 5 minutes to cross Larry takes 10 minutes to cross   For example, if Bono and Larry walk across first, it takes them 10 minutes to cross. If Adam then returns with the torch, a total of 15 minutes will have passed. There is no trick. It is the simple movement of resources in the appropriate order.   How do they do it?   *Answer at the bottom!  

Text Box:   REPUTATION   “Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow.  The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”   - Abraham Lincoln

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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:  Bono and Edge cross - 2 minutes, Bono returns - 1 minute, Adam and Larry cross - 10 minutes, Edge returns - 2 minutes, Bono and Edge cross - 2 minutes, Total – 17 minutes    

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Text Box:     “Do your best every time ... because by doing a thing well you build something valuable into yourself.”   - Henry Ford

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Ernest A. LewisText Box: Empowerment for Business Owners! Workshop Learn why many business owners don’t achieve the success they dream of.  Learn the typical Roadblocks to Success that many owners face and how you can deal with them honestly and effectively to achieve your goals and dreams.  Energize your business, energize yourself, and change your life! Tuesday December 6th, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Limited Seating Call for Details:  419-345-4254, or email:  ernest@ealewisconsulting.com  or Register Online

 

Text Box: Fun Stuff!  Not So Smart Quotes! Terry Venables  -  If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again.   Pat Summerall  -  If only faces could talk.   Linda Evangelista  -  I don’t diet. I just don’t eat as much as I’d like to.   Julian Wakefield  -  I have a God-given talent. I got it from my dad.   Harry News  -  Does the album have any songs you like that aren’t on it?   Dwight Eisenhower  -  The world is more like it is now than it ever has been before.   Denny Crum  -  We’re just physically not physical enough.   Detroit Daily News  -  Weather forecast: precipitation in the morning, rain in the afternoon.   Dennis Rodman  -  Chemistry is a class you take in high school or college, where you figure out two plus two is ten, or something.   David Garcia  -  The only reason we’re 7-0 is because we’ve won all seven of our games.

Text Box: BUSINESS 101 Here are some pointers to get past the three biggest roadblocks to daily success and get more done and in a timely manner.:   Interruptions by Others For meetings, let people know you want to make it a point to set up meetings in advance.  For those times people just can’t wait, put some cushion in your schedule to accommodate them.  Also, you might try to set part of your day for an open door period when anyone can drop in and part of your day for a closed door period when you will be concentrating on getting specific tasks done.  The key is to remember and try to not let other people’s priorities take precedence over yours.   You can handle phone calls and emails similarly.  Use voice mail, screen calls, and answer calls and emails at set times of the day.  Batching these activities will save you time and may allow others a predictable response time which can help in their own planning and activities.   Procrastination If there is something you just can’t get done, list all the pros and cons of doing and not doing that task.  Try to understand what is keeping you from getting started.  Then find some small way to get started to build some momentum!    Once moving, don’t stop until you can’t go any further or until you get the job done!   Inability to Acquire Buy-in or Cooperation from Team Members If you are finding resistance on your team, ask yourself if you have presented your point of view as persuasively and thoroughly as possible.  If not, go back and do your homework.  Also, be sure to show how an initiative will add value to individuals and to the organization.   When people resist, be respectful and empathetic to better understand their point of view and to keep your self from getting defensive.  Try to find common ground.   Follow these pointers and you’ll get more done and you may even get done early!

Text Box:   Keep Your Standards High!   One way to look at your customer service and maintain high standards of performance is to simply ask yourself:   “Would you do business with you?”

Text Box: Year End Strategic Action Planning Session! Kick the New Year off right!  For current and past clients only. A fast paced and effective process to set your 2012 vision and mission, sales goals, target market, marketing strategy, etc., and develop an action plan to grow your business and Rock 2012!  We’ll be covering a lot of ground, brainstorm lots of new ways to grow your business, do some networking with awesome like minded people, and have a lot of fun! Wednesday: December 14th , from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call for Details:  419-345-4254, or email:  ernest@ealewisconsulting.com  or Register Online Planning manual, continental breakfast, and lunch included.