Where’s the value?

One of the toughest things to do in the middle of our everyday craziness is to ask, “Where is my value?” Much of the time we are adding no value, maybe even impeding progress.

The fewer people involved in any given project or task, the better.

The reason this is true is that the more people involved, the more difficult it is to take ownership. When our company conducts creative sessions, we keep them small—2-4 people. Any more than that and all of the sudden, the intensity and quality are lowered.

It may seem like the more people, the more likely there will be success, but it’s the opposite. Only the people who are adding real value should be involved.

Barry LaBov

LABOV Marketing Communications and Training

www.labov.com

Giving beyond

At LABOV, we involve our entire company in the annual Give Beyond campaign, which awards a local non-profit organization the 12 Hours of LABOV. We come together as a company and dedicate our entire resources for 12 consecutive hours to help the organization. It’s inspiring for everyone involved—not just the organization we’re helping, but our employees and vendor partners as well. We even invite the public to vote on which organization receives the 12 Hours of LABOV, which you can do now through December 18 at labov.com/givebeyond.

If businesses really want to create a culture of trust and safety, I encourage them to hold their own 12 Hours event and see how it can enrich their culture. In fact, our team would be happy to share our experiences and details of the day to help any company interested in holding a 12 Hours event (email us at pr@labov.com). 

Barry LaBov

LABOV Marketing Communications and Training

www.labov.com

Why not?

Why not ask the question you’re afraid to ask? Why not disagree with the assumption everyone is supporting? Why not say the thing that keeps popping in your mind?

If we don’t express what we see as the truth, we are guaranteeing that things will not go well. There’s a reason you’re thinking these things. Speak up.

Why not?

Barry LaBov

LABOV Marketing Communications and Training

www.labov.com

Follow the money

In the movie “All the President’s Men,” a pivotal character repeatedly said, “Follow the money.” Of course, the money led to exposing the entire scandal.

Businesses invest money and resources into certain things, sometimes technology, sometimes machinery, sometimes design. Yet, those companies often fail to realize that those investments are part of their DNA, they represent what they most have passion about.

What does your company invest most of its time, money and energy into, and are you leveraging that?

Barry LaBov

LABOV Marketing Communications and Training

www.labov.com

Easy versus meaningful

It’s actually easy to do a mediocre job. I believe that most of the people who do mediocre, uninspired performances do so because they assume it’s less painful than the alternative.

In the long run, a mediocre job is hard because it leads to stress and a myriad of issues that we can all imagine.

I submit that it is meaningful to do a great job and that when you add it all up, maybe it’s harder in some ways, but the fulfillment you get is uplifting. 

Barry LaBov
LABOV Marketing Communications and Training
www.labov.com

Unsung Hero, Quiet Kate

We work with unsung heroes every day. You know the person—Quiet Kate who always does her work, does it well and seldom makes a fuss. She’s used to doing that, doesn’t expect attention and is, however, very well aware of the Noisy Nigel who is seeking appreciation for his greatness, performance and overall personality.

Noisy Nigel lets it be known how lost we’d be without him and how overworked he is. Quiet Kate is far more focused and usually far more productive.

All companies have their share of Kates and Nigels, but wouldn’t it be interesting to just look at their performances without labeling them with their name? What if we didn’t know who was who when we look at reports and metrics and merely review the numbers as they are? Without the label of Nigel, would he look so strong? Would Kate look far better?

My goal is to treat people the right way, and that means to forget their label and look at how they are as a team player, a valued person to us and to our clients. That often makes for a Nervous Nigel.

Barry LaBov
LABOV Marketing Communications and Training
www.labov.com

A Simple Way to Solve Problems

Remember the space pen? It was the pen that was designed for NASA that allowed you to write upside down. Took untold amounts of research and testing. Viewed as a breakthrough. The Russians took a different route; they used pencils. No research or testing. Pencils write upside down, end of story, move on.

In my visits with numerous corporations as well as my experience at LABOV, we all try various methods and approaches to solving problems. We email, we text, we leave voice mails. There is a simpler, less technological approach that is the “pencil” in this case: Talk to the person now.

Talk to the person now, means if that person is in your building or nearby, physically go there and solve it now. If that person is across the country, the state or the world, then pick up the phone and talk now.

The pencil is a great invention. In fact, it’s the only writing utensil that I don’t mess with and break (I’m a disaster with pens; I play with them till they fall apart). Likewise, talk in-person now is a great invention, and it will be a superior approach that’s not likely to lead to breakdowns.

Barry LaBov
LABOV Marketing Communications and Training
www.labov.com

Change the Diapers

I’m a thrilled and excited new grandfather. My daughter, Laura and her husband, Trever, have welcomed Grayson, a fantastic little boy in the world. This post is not a gushing account of how much I love that little guy (my friends have to muzzle me about that). This post is all about business. And life.

When Carol and I had Laura and Alan, I surprised most of our family and friends by being the “diaper guy.” Every time there was the need to change one, I was up on my feet, talking to the baby, having fun and taking care of business. The baby and I had fun. I’d time how fast we could get the diaper changed and still get back to watch the game, etc.

The first time I saw my daughter smile was while I was changing her diaper (no, it was not gas!). I developed my closeness with our children by doing this and, by the way, my wife loved me doing it.

When Grayson arrived, I entered the room and noticed he needed a diaper change and went into action. The nurse came in and asked, “Who changed this baby’s diaper?” Stunned, I said it was me. She then told me this was the first diaper change of his life, an honor. As Grandpa, I’m going to remind that little guy of that for a long time...especially when he gets a little out of line with his mom or dad.

So how does this apply to business? We have to change the diapers and not leave them to others as a rule. Why not get your coworker a cup of coffee? Why not focus on the details of a project instead of handing it off? Why not clean up the board room after a meeting? Why not check with the client to make sure the invoice looks great? So often we say that “we don’t like the details.” Those details, or diapers, just may bring smiles, closeness and a lifetime appreciation from your clients and co-workers.

Barry LaBov
LABOV Marketing Communications and Training
www.labov.com

Fear and all its friends

When fear visits us, it brings along a bunch of buddies—including rationalization, confusion, anxiety and defensiveness.

Leaders have to fight to have an environment where fear isn’t a factor. That’s not easy, because fear can come from the outside—a customer’s behavior or a supplier’s poor performance that could compromise a healthy situation.

It’s a daily fight to look at every response to challenges closely to make sure fear and its friends aren’t influencing your world.

Barry LaBov
LABOV Marketing Communications and Training
www.labov.com

Job Description versus Job Purpose

Job descriptions have their place in business. But can’t they also impede greatness? If I follow my job description, in essence, I’m following orders.

In addition to a job description, don’t we also need a job purpose? Basically, what is my purpose in all of this? Other than a few pages of verbiage, how do I know that I really am doing a great job and making a difference?

Barry LaBov
LABOV Marketing Communications and Training
www.labov.com

There are two kinds of easy

There’s the “now” easy—I don’t want to be bothered or hassled, so let’s cut corners and make my life as easy as possible this second.

There’s “tomorrow” easy—let’s get this right, make sure we do the very best we can.

The “now” easy is easier immediately but it is fraught with bad things down the road—errors, lack of engagement, mediocrity, etc. After that happens, it is no longer easy to overcome those issues.

The “tomorrow” easy is the opposite—it builds a future that is simple, enjoyable and yes, easy.

Barry LaBov
LABOV Marketing Communications and Training
www.labov.com

Do the best work of your life

There are many factors that lead to satisfaction in the workplace. There’s recognition, salary, benefits, working conditions, flexible schedules and more. But the one I have found to be the most important is to create an environment where a person can do the best work of their life.

Paying people fairly, recognizing them and giving them a great environment is critical. But if you don’t feel what you’re doing is important and that you truly are doing something that excites you, none of the great benefits will matter enough.

Barry LaBov
LABOV Marketing Communications and Training
www.labov.com

What Does It Mean to Go Beyond with Barry LaBov?

I Have an Idea

I love ideas, in fact, to a fault. I tend to think that every problem can be solved with a great idea. I have been proven wrong as often as right on that.

Truth is, no matter how brilliant or mediocre the idea, people will be critical to its success. That's why you see a mediocre product that sells well and why you see amazing products fail.

Without buy-in, the idea seldom matters much.

Barry LaBov
LABOV Marketing Communications and Training
www.labov.com

See what is possible

Its sooo easy to see what won't work or what weakness a person has. In business, we are trained to identify the weaknesses and face them, which can be helpful.

But shouldn't it be even more valuable to spot the potential in a person and urge it on, and spur them to greater heights?

Barry LaBov
LABOV Marketing Communications and Training
www.labov.com

Accuracy

I just returned from a great vacation in Hawaii. While in Maui, which was great, we mentioned to the locals that we were soon flying to the island of Kauai for a few days. I heard numerous times that it rains every day in Kauai, it's the rainiest spot on earth.

Well, the reports were right. It rained every day we were there for about twenty minutes in the morning and thirty minutes at night.

While it was true that it rained daily, it was fabulous. No different than in business or politics, facts can be used to paint whatever picture you want to paint.

Barry LaBov
LABOV Marketing Communications and Training
www.labov.com

Small acts

I recently met a former rock star as part of a charity event. I was excited to meet him and was concerned that he might not end up being there due to the various demands on him.

Much to my delight, he did show up and was very engaging. What struck me most was one small act that one of his people did. I had paid for parking (eight bucks, no big deal) at the location. This was evidently observed and within minutes I was handed eight dollars and told to please, please keep this, you shouldn't have to pay for parking.

While that amount of money is small, I think it was impressive because it easily could have been overlooked. That small act spoke volumes and positively affected my experience as much as any other thing.

I have to think how easy it would've been to do nothing at all; I have been guilty of that.

Barry LaBov
LABOV Marketing Communications and Training
www.labov.com