Category Archives: Managing Employees

Turning Plans into Realities

Posted on December 25, 2011 by John F. Dini

We’ve discussed some simple steps to getting started on your annual business plan. (see previous post: The Seven Questions of Simple Planning). Once you have the questions answered, you can begin moving towards the actions that transform your plans into … Continue Reading →

Posted in Business Perspectives, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Managing Employees, Strategy and Planning | Tagged business planning, business strategy, management, small business advice | 1 Comment

When is a Bonus not a Bonus?

Posted on November 20, 2011 by John F. Dini

“And yet, you don’t think me ill-used, when I pay a day’s wages for no work.” That statement by Ebenezer Scrooge to Bob Cratchett in 1843 recognized the then relatively new custom of letting wage-earners have a day off for … Continue Reading →

Posted in Incentives, Leadership, Managing Employees | Tagged business ownership, employee performance, employees | Leave a comment

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

Posted on October 30, 2011 by John F. Dini

This past week I’ve been interviewing prospective participants for our new “Noise Reduction System®” training which was created by Larry Linne. It focuses on teaching Second-In-Command (SIC) managers (anyone who answers directly to the owner, the First-In-Command or FIC) how to … Continue Reading →

Posted in Leadership, Managing Employees | 1 Comment

Never, never, never, never give up.

Posted on October 23, 2011 by John F. Dini

I kind of see everything as connected. Last week we hosted Larry Linne, author of “Make the Noise Go Away,” a book about the roles of first-in-commands and second-in-commands. I will be writing about a couple of things Larry said in his … Continue Reading →

Posted in Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Managing Employees | Tagged business ownership, entrepreneurship, leadership, management | Leave a comment

Being Brave in a Brave New World

Posted on October 12, 2011 by John F. Dini

In the first three posts in this series I’ve outlined a number of reasons why the American economy is unlikely to grow in the next few years. All of my reasons are factual. The numbers don’t lie, and these numbers can’t be … Continue Reading →

Posted in Economic Trends, Managing Employees, Technology | Tagged business ownership, economy, leadership, small business advice | Leave a comment

Raises and bonuses- sharing a recovery

Posted on September 4, 2011 by John F. Dini

Your business is starting to recover. You are again profitable. If you were smart and agile, you remained profitable or perhaps even increased margins during the downturn by being “lean and mean.” One advantage of a financial recession is that … Continue Reading →

Posted in Economic Trends, Incentives, Managing Employees | Leave a comment

“Intuitive” Doesn’t Work for Organization

Posted on August 13, 2011 by John F. Dini

Apple Computer has become the most valuable company on the planet by making products that are “intuitive.” Most Apple fans brag that you don’t even need a user’s manual to get started on their products. Intuitive is a relative term. … Continue Reading →

Posted in Leadership, Managing Employees, Technology | Tagged business planning, employees, management, small business advice | Leave a comment

The Man (or Woman) Who Knew Too Much

Posted on August 6, 2011 by John F. Dini

Most businesses need salespeople. Most salespeople need to know what they are selling. This leaves many owners on the proverbial horns of a dilemma. Should they hire a great salesperson and teach him the business, or should they take someone who … Continue Reading →

Posted in Customer Relations, Managing Employees, Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Sales | Tagged business ownership, employees, marketing, sales, sales management, small business advice | 1 Comment

Leadership vs. Management

Posted on July 30, 2011 by John F. Dini

What is the difference between a leader and a manager? We talk a lot about managing employees, but no amount of management will direct employees who don’t know what they are supposed to be doing. Simon Sinek on TED.com talks about the … Continue Reading →

Posted in Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Managing Employees | Tagged entrepreneurs, leadership, management | 1 Comment

Performance Reviews- Best Practices

Posted on July 23, 2011 by John F. Dini

Performance reviews are a pain. In my nearly 40 years in business they have always generated the same complaints. Managers hate to do them. As a consequence, they are frequently over due. They provide the employee with little information on … Continue Reading →

Posted in Entrepreneurship, Incentives, Leadership, Managing Employees, Strategy and Planning | Tagged business ownership, employees, entrepreneurship, leadership, management, small business advice | 2 Comments

Credibility in the Lobby

Posted on July 10, 2011 by John F. Dini

I typically visit over a dozen businesses a week. Only a few have media articles about themselves in the lobby. When I ask the others, they typically answer “Oh sure. We were written up a few years ago. I have … Continue Reading →

Posted in Customer Relations, Managing Employees, Marketing | Tagged marketing, media, news, promotion, public relations | Leave a comment

Employee Communication- “Why is it so difficult?”

Posted on July 5, 2011 by John F. Dini

I facilitated a recent meeting of business owners where the conversation turned to internal communications. It was a hot button for everyone in the group, and most of them expressed considerable frustration. “I do everything I can think of to … Continue Reading →

Posted in Leadership, Managing Employees | Leave a comment