Remember to plan time into your summer for a bit of rest & relaxation. I’ve been running around like crazy lately too………..it can be difficult but it’s important to rejuvenate from time to time. And, most of the time, you actually return to work more productive and focused.

There’s no doubt that focus can achieve significant results - it costs nothing yet, in my experience, it is one of the most powerful tools to success.

© Lisa Anderson 2010. All rights reserved.

I have seen TOO MANY companies not appreciate top talent. In today’s business environment, there is a shortage of top talent - surprisingly, with high unemployment rates, you’d think it would be an employers market. But for top talent, it is NOT. Actually according to an Executive Recruiter’s speech to my APICS (Association of Operations Management) chapter, it is typically harder to find top talent during a recession as most are unwilling to make a change until the business environment improves. In addition, baby boomers are beginning to retire and employers seem to be distracted by a lack of cash and are not appreciating their top talent. Thus, what do you think will occur at the first sight of improvement in the job market? Yep, those who are the underappreciated top talent will go!

I recently wrote a newsleter feature article on this topic. Retaining top talent and why it matters. To read the full article, click here.

© Lisa Anderson 2010. All rights reserved.

I’ve long talked about “catching employees doing right” as a vital day-in, day-out responsibility of a manager. I believe it can go a long ways towards a productive and supportive workplace, which is desperately needed in today’s business environment; however, it should be a priority ALWAYS. Just to clarify, I do NOT support burrying your head in the sand and ignoring behaviors that need to be corrected/ adjusted. It is also important to address these ASAP (waiting for the annual review is USELESS); however, it has proven effective to be on the continual lookout for employees who are “doing right”. Orient yourself to look for progress. You’ll be surprised with the results.

The reason I bring this topic up is that today I saw a Harvard Business Review article on this topic, and it shows that “success gets into your head - and changes it” whereas “failure has no impact”. If you want to change behaviors, catch ‘em doing right.

© Lisa Anderson 2010. All rights reserved.

I was enjoying Costa Rica with my brother and nephew and so I’m just getting back to blogging. Before I post my latest entry, I thought it appropriate to talk about connectivity in today’s world.

I was riding in a van from the active volcano in Costa Rica to a fabulous Pacific coast beach community (Tamarindo - one of my favorites of all my travels), and thanks to modern technology, I was able to send/ receive emails from my Blackberry. Who would have thought? The only downside was that we were running late and so our driver decided to make up time by driving the mountain roads at a quick pace (thank goodness he knew the roads), and so I was limited in sending/ receiving emails as I had to “hold on” to stay in my seat. Forget about reading!

I’ve been to Costa Rica several times in the past. It wasn’t too long ago that I had to walk to the internet cafe in Tamarindo to look at emails. Of course, the downside is that it is a bit tougher to “get away”. Luckily, I don’t mind (and enjoy) combining my personal and professional lives into one life.

In today’s world, we are more connected than we’ve ever been yet the physical mail and personal phone call is still important - perhaps more so….. That reminds me, we were able to call my parents on a frequent basis using Skype. It sounded like we were next door even though we were in Central America in the jungle, sitting next to a howler monkey.

© Lisa Anderson 2010. All rights reserved.

It sounds silly but it can mean the difference between medicore success (or even failure) and SUCCESS. Especially as companies begin to emerge from the recession or at least grow volume, it is vital to be prepared -both from a company standpoint and a personal standpoint. Otherwise, the opportunity could pass you by. After waiting ALL this time, who wants to watch as it passes by? I assume the answer is no one!

I wrote an article about preparing for success for the ACA Newsletter, as the edition was surrounding this general theme. Read the entire article: here.

In essence, I talk in detail about three key steps: 1) First, plan. 2) Flexibility. 3) Communication. Sounds easy, right? Nope - in my experience in working with multiple organizations and with business and community leaders, this somewhat simple sounding process is not only often overlooked but becomes a challenge to implement - if nothing else for lack of time.

Instead of letting this occur, take action to CHANGE the potential course and prioritize this preparation. I guarantee it will pay off down-the-road.

© Lisa Anderson 2010. All rights reserved.

I recently wrote a newsletter feature article on the “Power of Language”: click here.

In today’s turbulent times, it is vital to stand out in the crowd. One way to achieve that is through the power of language. Think about who tends to be remembered - is it those with the interesting ideas? Or is it those who can communicate interesting and powerful ideas? Hands down - it is always those who can communicate the powerful ideas. As my nephew would probably say, “it isn’t fair”. Yet, it is reality.

Thus, it seems to make good sense to continually improve our communication skills. One way to do that is by building your power of language. I discuss several tips in my article; however, the highlights are as follows: 1) Focus your message on your audience. 2) Simplify! 3) Use examples, analogies, etc. 4) Preparation & practice. 5) Speak, write or present with confidence.

There is no doubt that this is a learned skill - after all, many of my former colleagues will confirm my “improvement”. Of course, this is a continual process and it is all relative to where you start, so why not start now - the sooner, the better. It won’t take long before you start to notice a difference if you stick to it. Give it a try.

© Lisa Anderson 2010. All rights reserved.

I was recently quoted in Career Smart Advisor’s article, “The Best Leadership Advice”. My top 3 pieces of advice are as follows:

1. Do what you say you’ll do. This is obvious, but rarely achieved since it sounds much easier than it is to implement in practice.

2. Be consistent and up front with people. This is a key to gaining respect and engagement.

3. Encourage feedback; listen to feedback, but do not assume all feedback is valid or the best approach, even feedback from the CEO.

What have you found to be the best leadership advice? I’d be interested in hearing from you and debaing with you. By the way, my advice comes courtesy of my HR mentor, Debra Daniels. Sometimes it’s not creating new but knowing who to listen to which is most important in achieving success.

Read the full article: click here.

© Lisa Anderson 2010. All rights reserved.

Taking a step back and reevaluating what you’re doing (whether personal or professional) and how it fits into the big picture is unbelievably important!

Just this morning, I thought I was highly organized and prioritized in how I was attacking my long to-do lists and what I focused on……..until I took a step back and brainstormed with a business colleauge. To our shock & dismay (at first), we both discovered that we were moving aggressively and happily down the path in the general direction of our goals but we didn’t realize that we were lopsided in our time allocations/ focus. The good news is that we both were allocated appropriately for the past quarter; however, we missed the boat in terms of the optimal strategy as of the 4th quarter!

Thus, I learned a few keys today:

- First, are your priorities focused on what’ most important in moving you or your business forward? (In this respect, we were both ok)

- Second, when you think about how much time and resources you are focusing on the different priority categories, does it make sense to achieving the overall goal? (We both missed the mark on this one)

- Third, should you reprioritize or reallocate? (Got this one)

Thus, we were 2 for 3 - not fabulous but not bad. The great news is that we realized this while only a month into the quarter and so we can adjust.

CONTINUALLY think about how you are spending your time. What should your priorities be? What are your priorities? (meaning, how do you really spend your time and resources) How can you reallocate? Reprioritize? Use leverage?

Nevertheless, I went home and started deleting items off my calendar and thinking about how to add focus on key items. How about you?

© Lisa Anderson 2009. All rights reserved.

As I’ve discussed on a previous post, continually learning is essential in today’ environment - for business survival, job search survival, personal survival………and go beyond survival to learning to thrive. There is no way to thrive without continual learning.

This subject occurred to me as I’m getting ready to head to Toronto for the APICS (Association of Operations Management) International Conference. There will be learning opportunities of many variations:

1. The latest research on operations and supply chain topics

2. Learning through valuable networking with attendees, speakers and exhibitors with varied backgrounds, experiences, and cultures.

3. Learning through being a mentor of a student - typically one of the best ways to learn!

4. Learning about and experiencing the host city, Toronto - including attending plant tours of local companies.

5. Learning through access to the latest softwares and technologies (through the APICS exhibitors and learning center).

Have you planned any sort of learning into your 4th quarter? If not, what could you add?

© Lisa Anderson 2009. All rights reserved.

I was recently quoted in an article in MSNBC titled “Discouraged? Time to Reignite Job Search” about the frustrating job search process many job seekers are encountering, it’s affect on morale and how to reignite the process. click here to read full article.

Unfortunately, I happen to know several job seekers who are some of the absolute best people in their fields I’ve ever worked with over the past 20 years, across many companies, industries and borders who are having an awful time with the current market and job search environment. After all, California’s unemployment has hit a new high - 12.2%.

To me, it appears as though there is a serious crisis of confidence in corpoate America - in essence, business leaders seem afraid to make decisions. And, this crisis is affecting the job market. On the other hand, those leaders who forge forward and make solid business decisions and investments (whether it’s to hire to support your business strategy or invest in equipment to expand your product offerings etc) will leapfrog their competition. According to McGraw-Hill research, the companies that invested during the 80’s recession were more successful than the rest.

I believe business leaders must stand tall and think about thriving instead of surviving through the current recession. And, although terribly frustrating, the job seekers should not give up. Eventually, the top quality candidates will find the business leader interested in thriving, and it will be a fantastic opportunity for both the job seeker and business leader.

© Lisa Anderson 2009. All rights reserved.