Category Archives: Leadership

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June 14, 2023

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Leadership

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Solving Problems at an Accelerated Rate

A Week-Long Journey to Success

The ability to solve problems efficiently and effectively is a crucial skill. By following a structured approach and leveraging the power of collaboration, individuals can tackle challenges at an accelerated rate.

The below explores a step-by-step process that can be accomplished within a single proverbial workweek. Each day of the week will focus on a specific aspect of problem-solving, leading to the implementation of a successful solution.

Monday: Select a Problem to Solve

To begin the process, it’s important to identify a problem that requires attention. Choose a relational problem that involves dynamics between individuals or groups. Reframe the problem statement into a question, focusing on the underlying issue rather than assigning blame to individuals.

For example, instead of asking, “Why is John not cooperating?” rephrase it as, “What can be done to improve collaboration in the team?”

Tuesday: Explore a Possible Solution

With a clearly defined problem in mind, it’s time to generate a hypothesis or potential solution. Consider what actions could be taken to address the problem effectively. Ask yourself, “What can I do tomorrow to build more trust than I did today?”

This question encourages you to think about tangible steps to strengthen the relationships involved. Develop a good-enough plan that outlines the key actions you will take to address the relational challenges.

Wednesday: Network for Feedback and Diverse Ideas

Recognize that your perspective represents only a small fraction of the overall picture. Seek feedback from a diverse range of individuals, especially those with different ways of thinking.

Engage in conversations with people who can offer fresh insights and alternative perspectives. Listen carefully to their suggestions and potential adjustments to your solution. This collaboration will help you piece together the puzzle more effectively.

Thursday: Share the New Vision for Buy-In

Successful problem-solving requires buy-in from all parties involved. Acknowledge the complex nature of individual temperaments and tailor your approach accordingly.

Share your vision for the future process using vivid and specific language, painting a clear picture of what it will look and feel like once the solution becomes a reality. Utilize storytelling techniques to create a compelling narrative that connects with the emotions of those involved.

Friday: Implement the Solution

Now that you have gathered feedback and obtained buy-in, it’s time to implement the solution. Communicate the new process clearly to all stakeholders, ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.

Move swiftly but thoughtfully, making the necessary changes to facilitate a smooth transition. Regularly check in with all involved parties to learn about the benefits that arise from the implemented solution and identify any required adjustments or tweaks.

In Summary

By dedicating each day of the proverbial workweek to a specific aspect of problem-solving, you can effectively tackle challenges at an accelerated rate. Selecting the right problem, exploring potential solutions, seeking diverse perspectives, gaining buy-in, and implementing the solution are all crucial steps in this process.

Remember, problem-solving is a collaborative effort that requires continuous communication and adaptation. Embrace this structured approach, and you’ll be well on your way to solving problems efficiently and effectively.

Copyright © 2023 by CJ Powers

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May 25, 2023

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Behind the Scenes, Leadership

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Create Videos that Drive Business Results

In today’s digital landscape, video marketing has emerged as a powerful tool for businesses to connect with their target audience, drive engagement, and ultimately achieve tangible results. With the ever-increasing popularity of social media platforms, creating videos specifically designed to drive business outcomes has become essential. In this blog post, we will explore the key strategies and techniques for creating videos that effectively align with your business objectives and deliver measurable results.

Understanding Your Business Objectives

Before diving into video creation, it is crucial to identify and understand your business objectives. Whether you aim to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, generate leads, boost sales, or achieve other specific goals, aligning your video content with these objectives is essential. Doing so ensures that your videos are purposeful and contribute directly to your business’s success.

Defining Your Target Audience

To create videos that resonate with your audience and drive results, you must clearly understand your target audience. Research their demographics, interests, pain points, and preferences. This knowledge will help you craft video content that speaks directly to their needs and desires. Developing buyer personas can be a valuable exercise in creating highly targeted videos.

Crafting Compelling Video Content

Compelling video content is the cornerstone of any successful video marketing strategy. Utilize storytelling techniques to engage your audience emotionally and create a memorable connection. Authenticity is key – be genuine and transparent to build trust with your viewers. Keep your messaging concise and ensure that your videos have clear call-to-actions that guide your audience towards desired outcomes.

Optimizing Videos for Different Platforms

Different social media platforms have their unique characteristics and requirements for video content. Adapt your videos to suit each platform by considering formats, lengths, and best practices. Incorporating video SEO techniques, such as using relevant keywords, tags, and descriptions, will increase your videos’ visibility and discoverability.

Production and Editing Tips

While professional equipment and elaborate setups can enhance video quality, they are not always necessary. Focus on fundamentals such as good lighting, clear sound, and visually appealing aesthetics. Today, user-friendly video editing tools and software enable businesses of all sizes to produce high-quality videos. Consistency in branding across your videos will reinforce your brand identity and enhance brand recognition.

Distribution and Promotion Strategies

Creating exceptional videos is just the first step; promoting and distributing them effectively is equally important. Leverage social media platforms, email marketing, website embedding, and partnerships to expand your video’s reach. Each distribution channel has its own strengths, so it’s essential to tailor your content accordingly. Additionally, closely monitor analytics to gain insights into viewer behavior and preferences, enabling you to make data-driven decisions for future optimization.

Measuring Success and Iterating

To gauge the effectiveness of your video campaigns, track and analyze key metrics such as views, engagement, conversions, and return on investment (ROI). These metrics provide valuable insights into the success of your videos and help you understand how they contribute to your business goals. Use the data to identify areas for improvement and refine your video content iteratively. By continuously analyzing, adapting, and optimizing, you can maximize the impact of your video marketing efforts.

In Summary

Creating videos that drive business results requires a strategic approach and a deep understanding of your business objectives and target audience. By crafting compelling video content, optimizing for different platforms, and leveraging distribution and promotion strategies, you can enhance the visibility and reach of your videos. Continuously measure the success of your videos and iterate based on insights gained.

With the right strategies in place, video marketing has the potential to deliver exceptional results and propel your business towards success in today’s digital age. So, go ahead, embrace the power of video, and unlock the vast opportunities it holds for your business.

Copyright © 2023 by CJ Powers

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May 5, 2023

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Leadership

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Simplify Your Business Story

Companies are filled with stories that advance their goals or hold them back. The messages that don’t work are typically not simplified so the company’s audience can understand their story and its value. Or, sometimes, the story is understood, but not its value.

As a director who consults in the corporate sector, I’m often called on to streamline complex messages into something that can sell and educate.

While there are many tricks learned from experience, there are a few things each employee can do to help their customer understand their story and its value to them. Here are the three steps for employees that are easiest to implement.

Listen Attentively

When your competitor has an opportunity to listen to the customer, they listen through the filter of how they can angle one of their solutions to meet most of the customer’s needs. They are more about winning than building the relationship through effective answers that help.

To truly serve the customer, the employee has to listen to “why” there is a need. Listening carefully will also give the employee an understanding of several “whats” and “hows” the customer may have already explored. These give the employee clarity on why the customer has a need, the steps taken to date in search of an answer, and why the current answers won’t work.

This information positions the employee to guide the customer into being their own hero.

Float the Ideal

Based on what was learned about the customer’s journey, the employee can suggest or test out what the ideal solution might look like. When floating an ideal solution that may or may not be possible, the customer immediately knows if the employee truly understands the need and the direction they are interested in heading.

No matter how good the listener, the customer usually corrects certain aspects of the ideal. This might be due to the employee missing something, or the customer realizing after hearing the ideal solution, that they want something a bit different than they originally thought. The employee can alter the ideal and float another possible solution.

Focus on Gains, NOT Gaps

After understanding what the customer’s ideal solution looks like, the employee can now determine what products and services the company offers that can give specific gains to the customer. It is critical that the employee also mention what they can’t specifically address in the ideal solution. These gaps can be used for future discovery with the customer and the development of new solutions.

Also, by being upfront with the customer about the gaps, the employee is given more trust, which will help with upselling and any future solutions. Most competitors won’t be honest about the gaps and try to pull one over on the customer, hoping they’ll forget the stunt when future needs arise.

Too Close to See the Big Picture

When employees listen, float ideals, and focus on gains, the customer is endeared to the employee. This empowerment will position the employee for great success. However, not all employees understand the value of their role or know how to adjust for faster growth.

Should an employee be too close to see the big picture and is therefore unable to adjust their next steps, bringing in a director to simplify the message is prudent. Directors are observant, understand the human condition that drives decisions, and are experts at crafting simple messages that will help your audience understand your story and its value.

In summary, the company that educates its employees on the above three steps will see an increase in revenue, trust, and understanding. Training costs are minimal, and the benefits far exceed the revenue that a simple message can drive.

Copyright © 2023 by CJ Powers