Leadership

Will My Life Make A Difference?

November 14, 2017 By kwmccarthy

One of Life’s Great Questions is “Will My Life Make A Difference?”

It is an important question because it generally reflects an early mile-marker on the road toward a life of meaning, significance, and purpose. Realistically, it is a road filled with character-building potholes and detours for all but the fortunate.

Asking the question is an indicator of getting beyond oneself and thinking about the well-being of others. Here’s the beginning of maturity.

Age is irrelevant because the desire to make a difference is an attitude of the heart.

The decision to make a difference with one’s life is a choice toward becoming a leader.

While a heroic act may have a defining element of difference-making and reveal strength of character in a moment, true difference-making is a way of life being lived in service.

2-Word Purpose Statements begin with a generic set-up of “I exist to serve by …” in order to help us realize that the flow and development of our “difference-making” capability and delivery matters as much over time as it does in a single act.

In fact, failing to act or to be the hero can be devastating to our psyche. Playing games of “what if” and “if only I had” are inevitable but ultimately counterproductive. Instead of being riddled with guilt or despair, prepare for the next moment, the next and the next to be difference-making in the best sense of the concept.

Over the years, many a person has told me, “At some point in my life, I figured I needed to make a change in my life. I’ve discovered that my purpose is to make a difference.” And they’re incompletely right.

While celebrating this important statement, I’ll ever so gently press and ask, “Have you considered how you are uniquely called to be a difference maker?” My hope is to move them toward a more specific understanding and depth of seeing their greater contribution in more precise terms.

Of course, the next logical question is, “How will I make a difference?”

When it comes to answering the question, here are three morsels of advice:

1. “Don’t should on yourself!”

2. Visit ONPURPOSE.me. Thanks to ONPURPOSE.me, within minutes of starting you can discover your purpose in just 2 words. Knowing your purpose is life changing!

3. Your 2-word purpose provides the specifics to and uniqueness of your difference-making endeavor. Without it, you’re at a strategic and practical disadvantage.

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Bonus Resource: Here’s an added resource to today’s topic. This is written by my friend and colleague, Tana Greene, CEO–CLO of Blue Bloodhound. Read her remarkable story in Inc. Magazine. Click the cover to purchase the book.

Is It Lonely At The Top? Delegation Can Help.

November 2, 2017 By kwmccarthy

Chapter 20 of the 1998 version of The On-Purpose Business is titled The Micro-Business, a term I coined then to describe a growing trend of the workplace moving into the homestead. SoHo is a subsequent term that means “Small Office, Home Office.” In the updated version of The On-Purpose Business Person, I decided to go with a new term: Solo Owners. This term includes the one person shop as well as the single owner or couple with employees.

All of these terms describe a growing percentage of the working population who are setting up business from their home either by design or by necessity because of being out of work. These are the brave men and women who tackle the many challenges of owning a small business.

Typically, it is best to think of Solo Owners as one-person shops with support that is either virtual or in close proximity.

Professionals such as doctors, lawyers, CPAs, architects, and engineers
Skilled trades like carpenters, plumbers, and landscapers
Independent cottage industrialists, inventors, counselors, coaches, consultants, and salespersons
Creative persons like artists, musicians, writers, and songwriters

Many operate micro-franchises such as those found in the direct sales industry with MLMs and party plan companies.

Solo Owners are diverse, but their challenges are actually quite predictable.

They share a common ailment: what they imagined it would be like and what it is really like are different from what they anticipated.

If you are a Solo Owner, you’ll probably relate to the challenges of getting things accomplished, managing your time, and the constant learning process. The absence of co-workers and mentors is frequently mentioned as well.

What to do? Here’s a simple business leadership growth plan:

Learn about business
Learn to lead yourself and others
Learn how to cooperate and work with others

Solo Owners easily fall into the trap of what I call Hellegation™ – the inability to delegate that creates a living hell on the job. You have a choice: delegation or Hellegation! Follow the advice above and you’re on your way to salvation.

If you’re really stuck, then invest in On-Purpose Executive Coaching to find the freedom business ownership promises to provide.

So, what are your challenges with being lonely at the top and the bottom?

Please share a tip for other Solo Owners below in the comments section. Or ask a question and I’ll add what I can to answer your questions, direct you to resources, or point you toward someone else who can assist you. Others may help you as well. We solo owners need each other. Let’s start now.

Be On-Purpose!
Kevin

Creating Customer Service Excellence?

June 8, 2017 By kwmccarthy

Customer service is first an attitude before it is a behavior. Too often we focus on creating excellent customer service skills but we neglect the well-being and perspective of the person delivering it. How a customer is treated makes all the difference to their impression, experience, and promotion—yes, promotion—of your business.

Treat your customers right—first, because it is the right thing to do in a civil society. Second, treat them right because it is really smart business.

Do you have a concerted effort to improve the customer experience? If not, why not?

Customer service would appear to rest mostly on the shoulders of the front-line person interacting with the customer.

But does it really? Long before the customer relationship begins the top leaders of the organization hire the employees, set the standards, make investments, train managers, and create training programs.

The front-line employee is an easy target when things go wrong with customer service complaints. Admittedly, the front-line person does have a high responsibility. The fact is customer service improvement is a joint effort unified and girded by the strength of personal leadership across the entire team.

If your customer service levels have plateaued below your standards, then consider that you might have a systemic problem rather than a people challenge. Look to your business strategy, departmental cooperation, hiring, technology, training, or any number of issues under the purview of the “Customer Service” department.

Customer service skills training may provide a quick fix, but it is rarely a long-term improvement in the customer experience.

Watch this On-Purpose Minute, “Do Good Manners Matter?” about the importance of manners and the Ritz-Carlton approach to serving “ladies and gentlemen.” Having recently stayed at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead, GA I can tell you that this approach remains alive and well.

How On-Purpose Partners can help you

If you lead the company, you may need an assessment and recommendation to shift your corporate culture toward customer service excellence. We also offer one-on-one executive coaching as well as training and development programs designed to help your team members become TOP Performers and excellent in their customer service. Email us to arrange an appointment.

How Do You Get the Job of Your Life?

May 9, 2017 By kwmccarthy

Note: This On-Purpose Minute first posted on Nov. 27, 2009, and remains relevant today to finding meaningful work.

This On-Purpose^® Minute is geared toward helping you find meaningful work where you can be real, prosper, and make a difference regardless of your employment situation. For coaches, consultants, and solo owners — with some translation — what you learn here is also true for finding meaningful “client work.”

Recently, a corporate recruiter I met shared that for every job her company posts there are 300 applicants. In the face of such competition, how does one sparkle like a diamond?

It breaks my heart when I see job seekers playing the numbers game of firing out resumes and job posting on bulletin boards for any job opening there is. While I agree that any income is better than no income, they are playing a very low percentage game that far too often produces a less than desirable outcome for everyone involved. It is a poor investment of their time.

In this On-Purpose Minute, this “backward” approach is illustrated with the tennis balls as 3–2–1. Conforming oneself to fit the job may be an applicant’s sincere and hopeful effort, but it is generally an un-strategic and unproductive activity.

Chasing a paycheck and benefits while ignoring who you are, sells everyone short—especially you. It is likely you’ll too soon find yourself on the job turnover cycle unhappy, defensive, and shrinking in your role. The effect is a depreciation of who you are and a growing loss of confidence.

Instead, the 1–2–3 strategic plan builds upon the On-Purpose^® Approach by beginning with your purpose (who you are and becoming) and then adds searching for the best places or opportunities for expression. Rather than a job, you’re looking for a position. A position is a proper fit, a launching pad, and a meaningful place where you can make a difference.

Yes, in searching for a position, it is demanding to have to think through who you are and what truly matters. It is even more demanding to do the research on employers where you are a better fit. And just because you’ve found what appears to be a great fit doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get hired. Admittedly, because of our investment in researching the company and position, the rejection stings all the more.

Despite all these hurdles and emotional risks, you’ll gain a lot. You’ll learn more about yourself and how to market and position yourself for a higher probability of success. You are more likely to make a positive impression and build a relationship that just might open the door to your next opportunity. Of course, the ultimate reward is finding a position where you are valued and expanding into your promise and possibilities. The effect is an appreciation of who you are.

If you must play this numbers game, don’t do it exclusively. Know who you are and target your search to your heart’s desire, your head’s understanding and vision, and your skill set.

Need some help sorting it all out? Check out MyWork-ONPURPOSE.com.

Here are some tips for positioning yourself for your next best employment situation:

Know your 2-word purpose. Go to www.ONPURPOSE.me and in just a few minutes you’ll know your life purpose.
To find the “job” of your life, your first job is your life. Be a personal leader of your life. Take responsibility for your attitude, appearance, and presentation. Have you written your personal purpose, vision, mission, and values? Given age appropriateness, do you really know who you are?
Think in terms of how best you can help the employer accomplish their goals. For example, figure out ways that you can help your potential employer to: make or save money, grow sales, create a better working environment, improve customer service, or innovate.
Use the Think Inc! mindset (read The On-Purpose Business Person). In other words, approach the open position as if it was a business, not a job. And you are the president of the business. For example, if you were applying to be a receptionist for a company, pretend that you are a “receptionist consultant” who comes in and looks for ways to improve the performance of the job so the company and people around you are benefited.
Add value to the relationship. If in your research, you’ve found a potential employer that offers acceptable pay and benefits, then take the focus off of what you can get from the job and immediately look for ways where you can make a difference on the job. Oddly, this means you’re going into the process asking most of the questions instead of answering them. Uncover where you fit and can contribute.
Have your LinkedIn profile up to date and written in such a way that it is a marketing piece, not a resume. Have a friend who actually hires lots of people review it and take their candid feedback about what works and doesn’t.
When you find a target employer, research them. Go online and read their strategic statements of purpose, vision, mission, and/or values. Dig into their culture. Scan the Annual Report. Understand their strategic initiatives. Find the names of people who work in areas of your interest paying particular attention to VPs and Directors. Research their industry. Understand trends, jargon, terms, and what the hot topics are. Be knowledgeable, but don’t try to fake expertise or pretend you know more than you do.
Leverage your social media connections like LinkedIn to find people who work in your target company. Don’t call or connect with them about needing a job. Instead, pick up the phone and say something like, “Can you offer me some insight about your company?” Listen for them to say yes or ask how. Then say, “I’m considering coming to work for your company. I want to know what kind of place it is to work for before I go any further with my position search.” Have a couple of company-specific questions to ask and then listen. For example, “Your annual report says you’re expanding your XYZ product lines into the ABC market. If you’re free to discuss it, what are the opportunities and challenges associated with this strategic move?” Another question: “Your online career center says your company offers ample training and upward mobility; please share with me, what has been your experience?” Create a sincere relationship, not a ploy to ask for a job. In fact, don’t ask for a job. Respectfully and politely ask for insight, guidance. If you make a great impression, you might have an internal champion. Close the call by asking for permission to call back again if you have more questions.
Be bold, not brazen. Once you’ve determined through your research that you can truly add value to the company, then go in with confidence versus your hat in your hand desperate and begging for a job. Confidence matters. In your preparation, you’ve figured out how you can make a difference in their area of interest. Therefore, ask hard questions to confirm or adjust your understanding of your positioning.
Express your sincere interest in the position backed up with genuine reasons why you fit their culture and strategy plus how you can contribute. For the receptionist example, “I’m very interested in the receptionist position because I can already see ways that I can organize and streamline the flow of people and information that comes in and out of the company front door. Meeting new people is something I love to do and just sitting in the lobby I could see the interesting mix of people who come to the business.”
Have fun. Researching and learning about companies via their public and private personas is interesting. Remember there are no perfect companies so you’ll learn the good and the bad. Your knowledge is power.

So let me know how your “job search” goes.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Are You Managing Your Profits?

March 9, 2017 By kwmccarthy

Profits are the lifeblood of any business. Without them, the business dies. However, the body of the business is your strategy, structure, and systems that are organized and managed in such a way that profit is the natural outcome.

It is so easy to get focused on managing to a profit that we forget the body of profit creation. Avoid falling into the pit of managing numbers and forgetting that profits are the result of a team of people being well led and organized to serve a customer base with sufficient value to produce a profit.

Your profit and loss report makes a statement about what matters most in your business leadership. “Follow the money!” was the advice of Deep Throat, the Watergate secret informer. Following the money reveals much about the priorities of the business leaders and managers.

Your definition of profit frames your leadership and management methods. If net profit is only about the dollars and cents, then your cost of doing business is likely too high because you’ll have high turnover of team members and customers. Profitability is a financial as well as a human measure for adding and creating value. Ignore either one and your P&L will suffer. Invest in both and you’ve increased your probabilities for profiting.

Everyone profits when we recognize it is profits AND people, not profits or people.

Yes, financial profits matter. Integrating people and profits is the role of leadership and management, respectively. So how are you doing?

In the long run, your business’s valuation will reflect the attitude and excellence of the corporate culture you’re establishing. Short-term fixes (coupons and discounts) to stimulate profits are drug-like highs and can often undermine or compromise the core values of a business. This sends your best employees scurrying to the doors because it signals leadership panic plus a loss of stability and commitment to the people and brand promise.

Want to increase your profits? Increase your contribution, capacity, and capability to add value to your employees, customers, and stakeholders. Always look for substantive ways to create fundamental improvements in profitability. Everyone profits when we recognize it is profits AND people, not profits or people.

Is Your New Year’s Resolution To Get To A Healthier Place?

January 3, 2017 By kwmccarthy

Do you identify with any of the reasons in this video for being at a healthier place?

A Weighty Conversation is a short 3 minutes packed with inner thoughts. Consider all you have to gain by losing weight. Don’t go it alone! Get a proven system. Get help, and get to a healthier place.

In the New Year, many of us ponder this fresh start with an eye toward the bathroom scale and losing weight. I called this condition “my fat suit” — an extra layer of Kevin over the top of my inner athlete.

Weight loss for many of us is a place in our lives where we’re struggling. Refusing to be resigned to the extra pounds is one thing; raising the bar on what it is costing you is another. Awareness and goal setting are important, but a system makes all the difference for success.

If a health coach forwarded this message to you, then by all means get back to that person to help you.

If you don’t have a health coach, we offer an affordable solution to help you keep your New Year’s Resolution to lose that 10, 20, 30 pounds or more … and keep off the weight. This is a health gain approach rather than just weight loss. This glass half-full approach is positive, proactive, and proven if you’ll allow us to coach you and do the program as it is designed.

We lead a dedicated team of health coaches, who come alongside of you so you can experience weight loss success and health gain using the Take Shape For Life system. For most people, this approach is cost neutral relative to your current food intake and the coaching is free. You may even save money!

Invest in a free consultation to explore what’s possible for your health and well-being. Call Judith at 407.927.1642 or drop me an email via this blog and I’ll forward it to her. I lost 50 pounds on this program in 2008 and have kept it off. I fully endorse it because it helped me to be on-purpose in my health.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

P.S. The music in the presentation is from Dan Lewis, a musician friend in the Asheville, NC area.

The On-Purpose President

November 12, 2016 By kwmccarthy

Christian Chamber presentation.003 November 10, 2016, two days after the historic election of Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the United States, I was the scheduled keynote speaker at the Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce. I also serve as the Board Chair for the Chamber.

Based on the nasty political rhetoric in the campaign waged between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the President of the Chamber and I anticipated the need to refocus Chamber members on the creator of the universe.

I took the opportunity to remind the Chamber members of three simple points of how to be:

Standing in Victory
Presiding in Victory
Clarifying Who You Are to Be In Victory

Below (click on the graphic) is a 27-minute keynote speech with both the audio and my slides used. Some minor editing of the audio has taken place, but otherwise the content is as it was presented that day.

On-Purpose Peace: Articulate Your Purpose, Vision, Mission, and Values

If you are a Chamber Member and want to take advantage of the special On-Purpose Peace online learning experience discussed at the end of the video, then please go to www.ChristianCoach.me to be taken to The On-Purpose Shop where you can learn more and enroll.

Non-members of the Chamber are welcome to participate at our regular price of $195 per person. Click here to enroll.

Right Business Strategy

November 3, 2016 By kwmccarthy

Strategy& (Formerly Booz & Company and part of PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)) does for large businesses what On-Purpose Partners does for small and mid-market companies. As you watch the video above listen as they describe in their words the pillars of The On-Purpose Business Person:

Do More of What You Do Best More Profitably
Strategy is about the business being (purpose) with aligned execution (missions)
Answer important questions at the core of the business and culture
The Service Model to execute the strategy

Learn how to instill purpose into your business strategy (being on-purpose) by watching this 9-minute video called The On-Purpose Business Plan.

Here are some of the highlights of this Strategy& video that hit me:

80% of value destruction has come from bad strategic decisions
Competitors are coming from all corners so differentiation is important
Companies go chasing growth by letting a thousand flowers bloom only to have fields of weeds to clean up later
60% of C-suite executives have no confidence in their strategy
Fundamental questions are not being answered — being best and better than anyone else
Double down on differentiated capabilities and competencies
Who are we going to be? — the most important question (purpose, vision, mission, and values)
Strategy provides the advantage to win

Here you can watch a series of these brief video commentaries on business strategy and leadership.