Now X - January 2020

Now X - January 2020

THE

FACTOR

J a n u a r y 2 0 2 0

FROM THE DESK OF Terri

Beginning with Thanksgiving and continuing through Christmas, we have been conditioned to be lulled into satisfaction, putting ourselves on cruise control and coasting through the New Year. Let’s break that process together and look forward to a fresh start and a clean slate with new goals! You are above average, determined, hard-working, and passionate about what you do, so take life by storm and the bull by the horns! Be intentional in your actions, purposeful in your goals, clear in your direction, and dedicated to reaching your full potential. I was recently with a great group of professionals who were honing their craft, learning new information, and building relationships. It was refreshing to see excitement and smiles on face after face. What does that look like in real life?

MANAGINGTHE MANAGERS I s Y our B usiness ’ s M anagement E ffective ?

Back in 2011, the Harvard Business Review published an article called “First, Let’s Fire All the Managers.” It listed the cons of management, like inefficiency, costliness, an increase in “calamitous” decision making, slower response time, and the disempowerment of lower- level employees. Then, it advocated for an entirely new kind of company: one without titles and promotions, where “no one has a boss.” During the 2008 recession, many companies had fired all of their managers — or at least a big chunk of them. But, while some soldiered on with the new structure when the economy bounced back, many others returned to the old way of doing things, replacing the managers they’d lost. So, if the brilliant minds at Harvard were so against the idea, why did they do it? Well, just like anything else, management positions have pros as well as cons. A good manager can inspire and motivate their team to greater heights, model good behavior patterns, and groom the next generation of leaders. Not every manager is a good manager, but anyone who has secured a skilled manager can tell you they’re invaluable. Whether you’re worried your current management is ineffective or are on the hunt for a new department head, it pays to know the traits of an effective manager. Below, we’ve gathered a few characteristics to watch out for as summed up by experts in the field.

That feeling really is contagious, and I encourage you to reach out and find it for yourself.

What do YOU want to accomplish this year? I look forward to seeing you in action!

Dedicated to your success,

-Terri

Stay in the know : scan now! “Why It’s so Hard to Stop Cybercrime andWhat You Can Do About It”

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“A GOOD MANAGER IS A MAN WHO ISN’T WORRIED ABOUT HIS OWN CAREER, BUT RATHER THE CAREERS OF THOSE WHO WORK FOR HIM.” –H.S.M. BURNS In other words, a good manager is one who is loyal not only to their company but also to their team. They care deeply about the people they work with, including their issues outside the office — like how their family is doing, whether they’re in good mental health, and how they’re coping financially. When employees feel like their managers view them as individuals rather than numbers, they’re more engaged, more productive, and happier. The opposite feeling has the opposite effect. Forbes reports that, according to a Gallup poll, “Among employees who strongly agree that they can approach their manager with any type of question, 54% are engaged. When employees strongly disagree, only 2% are engaged, while 65% are actively disengaged.” “ IF YOUR ACTIONS INSPIRE OTHERS TO DREAM MORE, LEARN MORE, DO MORE, AND BECOME MORE, YOU ARE A LEADER.” –JOHN QUINCY ADAMS Loyalty is a close cousin to this second managerial necessity: motivation. A manager needs to motivate and inspire the people they manage. According to CareerBuilder, a good manager who’s adept at motivating others can boost morale and increase productivity. “The best managers have a keen eye for areas that could be improved and know how to approach these issues diplomatically so workers feel encouraged

to make productive changes, rather than discouraged by their shortcomings,” CareerBuilder reports.

“THE ART OF COMMUNICATION IS THE LANGUAGE OF LEADERSHIP.” –JAMES HUME

More than perhaps anyone else in the company, a manager needs to have top-notch communication skills. Not only are managers the ones assigned to handle the most difficult clients with grace but they also act as mediators in employee disputes. Managers are also tasked with communicating the company’s goals to employees, a charge that can either fall flat or spur action. As Victor Lipman wrote for Forbes, “Simple communication one can count on goes a long way toward building manager-employee rapport. And rapport builds trust ... trust builds engagement ... and engagement yields productivity.”

Chill Out in These Frosty Destinations ESCAPE TO AWINTERWONDERLAND

the local Ladin people. Ricotta and sauerkraut pancakes, anyone?

to be when Bulguksa is at its most pristine. The iced-over lotus ponds and snow-dusted pagodas add to the sense of tranquility this site naturally exudes.

Snow is magical and gorgeous — unless you have to commute in it. If you want to enjoy all the wonder that winter has to offer without the hassle, why not turn it into a vacation? Here are a few breathtaking, snow-covered destinations that any winter lover can enjoy.

THE ANTARCTIC

THE DOLOMITES, SOUTH TYROL, ITALY

This is the one entry on this list that is best enjoyed during the summer months, which is December–February in the Southern Hemisphere, because that’s when the freezing temperatures of the southernmost continent are at their most hospitable. The Antarctic has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, with cruises taking adventure seekers through the vast, untouched beauty of this far-flung destination. Some tourists even enjoy kayaking or cross-country skiing through this icy paradise.

BULGUKSA TEMPLE, SOUTH KOREA

If you want the feel of a ski trip to the Alps without the packed slopes and ritzy resorts, the Dolomites are just for you. Located in northeastern Italy, this stunning mountain range is home to some of the best skiing in Europe, as well as many historical sites. The secluded villages that dot the mountain valleys are an attraction in their own right, especially for the rustic cuisine you’ll find there. Don’t expect pasta though. This region is a melting pot of flavors from Austria, northern Italy, and

Above the city of Gyeongju, this ancient Buddhist temple has stood on the slopes of Tohamsan Mountain since the eighth century. Bulguksa, or “Temple of the Buddha Land,” is South Korea’s No. 1 UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, making it a popular attraction for domestic and international tourism. The crowds and school tours die down during the winter, however, which also happens

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GET YOUR SALES GOALS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME And Make 2020 Your Best Year Yet

No matter what industry you are in, you can’t build a successful business without sales. Making a sale establishes a relationship, almost always yields a profit, and lays the foundation for future growth. When your sales fall flat and you fail to meet goals — or even set them— your business suffers negative consequences. As we head into a new decade, follow these suggestions for short- and long-term goals to guarantee your sales success. THINK LIKE GOLDILOCKS The problem with goal-setting is many people aim too low or shoot too high. Instead, you need your sales goals to be just right. The key is to find a goal that is challenging for your team to reach, but also attainable. Here’s one way to go about creating that Goldilocks goal: Look at the number of sales you made each month for the past two years. Identify the months with the highest and lowest sales and find the average of those numbers. Use this figure as the starting point. KEEP IT PERSONAL There’s no hard-and-fast rule on setting sales goals other than this: The goals need to fit your business. For car dealerships, for example, setting individual goals for your employees may be ideal. For physical therapy clinics and chiropractors, however, it may be best to develop company- wide goals. Regardless of your industry, you must make sure sales goals

support the overall growth goal of your business and keep employees engaged and challenged.

SHIFT, SHIFT, SHIFT Think about the beginning of 2010. Were you the same person then as you are today? There’s a good chance you are not, which means you’ve set different goals for yourself each year to reflect your growth. The same principle applies to business. It’s perfectly okay to shift your sales expectations and end results to better suit your current success and what you need — no matter what you did in previous years. Be flexible and make changes in your sales goals as you see fit. To start off the 2020s strong, you need to create attainable goals that improve your business. Don’t model your goals after another business that seems to be thriving; focus on what you need to achieve success! It all starts with setting the right goals to get there.

Take a Break!

Hoppin’ John Inspired by Epicurious

A traditional New Year’s favorite in the South, Hoppin’ John includes black-eyed peas that are said to represent coins, a sign of prosperity for the coming year. It’s usually served alongside collard greens, which represent cash.

Ingredients

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1 smoked ham hock

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1 cup dried black-eyed peas

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1 medium onion, diced

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5–6 cups water

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1 cup long-grain white rice

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1 dried hot pepper, optional (arbol and Calabrian are great options)

Directions

have about 2 cups of liquid remaining. 4. Add rice, cover, drop heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, undisturbed. 5. Remove from heat and let steam for an additional 10 minutes, still covered. 6. Remove lid, fluff with a fork, and serve.

1. Wash and sort peas. 2. In a saucepan, cover peas with water, discarding any that float. 3. Add pepper, ham hock,

and onion. Gently boil and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until peas are just tender, about 90 minutes. At this point, you should

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Terri PAGE 1 Managing the Managers PAGE 1 Real Winter Wonderlands PAGE 2

Start the 2020s Off Right With Good Sales Goals PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Hoppin’ John PAGE 3 Enter 2020 With an Organized Computer PAGE 4

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

CTRL, ALT, DELETE YOUR CLUTTER Tips for National Clean Up Your Computer Month

Everyone relies on technology. Computers, laptops, tablets, and phones are staples of modern life. However, it’s easy for these devices to become cluttered with old photos, files, and general disorganization. Luckily, January is National Clean Up Your Computer Month and an excellent time to get your technology in order. START BY DUSTING Over time, computer towers can become clogged with dust, which creates additional, unwanted heat within your computer. Regular cleanings will increase the lifespan of your computer and protect its essential components. Compressed air is great for removing most of the dust and other particulates. If the fans or filters are too dirty, you can remove them from the tower to clean them better. If you use water or liquid cleaning products on them, be sure they are completely dry before placing them back into your computer.

ORGANIZE YOUR FILES Naming and arranging the files on your computer in such a way that they’re easy for you to find can end up saving you a lot of time. Declutter your workspace by creating one file for pictures, one for Word documents, one for spreadsheets, and one for programs to eliminate the hassle of frantically searching for the files you need. BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER Be sure to back up your computer before you start deleting things. This acts as a safety net in case you delete something you didn’t mean to.

Additionally, consider installing a second hard drive. The extra space can help with storing important files without having to worry about how much room is left. CLEAN UP SPACE Any files you’ll never use again should be deleted. Likewise, any programs you haven’t used in a while should be uninstalled. Check your hard drive for files that might be taking up unintended space on your computer. And remember to empty the recycling bin — it’s easy to forget just how much goes in there.

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