February 2, 2012 – ISSN# 1545-2646

The Sales Spotlight

Have you ever wondered how your behaviors either position you for success in sales or if they are really a conflict with what motivates you?

Based on validated research and years of analysis, your “Talent Insights” are available for the asking.

For the next 10 days through Monday, February 13 at 5:00pm, JKL Associates is offering you a complimentary report (that is right – FREE*) on your sales talents.  As part of the report you will see how your natural and adapted behaviors align with the selling process.

You no longer have to guess about your strengths.

To get your report – Email your request to partners@jklassociates.com and we will send you the website and access link to complete your questionnaire.  Upon completion, we will email you your resulting Talent Insight Report.

Looking to boost your sales results in 2012? Now is the time to get some executive insights into your success.  Give JKL Associates a call for a no obligation conversation on what we can bring to your business in 2012.

Questions or comments - email us at partners@jklassociates.com or call our Office at (313) 527-7945

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MI 48236

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January 26, 2012 – ISSN# 1545-2646

Having Vision and Passion

I recently had the pleasure of attending a Ice Sculpture exhibit in one of the local towns as part of their winter festivities. The brisk sub freezing weather was great for preserving the ice but a bit cold for the on lookers watching the artists work their magic on blocks of ice.

As I viewed the many various sculptures, it was apparent that these artist each started with a vision of the end product. Each then advanced to completion because of their passion for the art of sculpting ice.

With the coldness of the weather, the wind whistling at their back, they had multiple reasons to toss in the tools and head to the warmth of the fireplace and hot chocolate.  They did not leave their craft.

As leaders in business, the community and our individual households, vision and passion must be part of the key ingredients to current and future success.

How many of you have a defined vision for where your will be in the future – 5 years from now – 10 years from now – at retirement age? Many of us have had to rework our vision due to the changes in the economic work setting.  What and how is your vision being realized now?

Like the ice sculptors, their plan for the swan, car or machine had an initial outcome (their vision).  As they cut and chipped ice from the edges of the block, new opportunities presented themselves as the ice responded favorably or broke off in undesirable fashion.

It was their passion for their vision that kept them focused and helped them respond to the positive and negative elements of the event. That committed resolve to be the best at their craft and to deliver perfection in their results yielded truly amazing works of art.

This week look at your business and your personal life and ask yourself the tough question – am I realizing my vision? Is my passion in alignment with my vision? Am I ready to accept the pain of setback and take lessons learned to create a better result?

Your answers if ruthlessly honest could very well be the key to more energy in 2012.

Give JKL Associates to help you hone in on your vision and passion for your business or work activity. (313) 527-7945

Questions or comments - email us at partners@jklassociates.com or call our Office at (313) 527-7945

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January 19, 2012 – ISSN# 1545-2646

Continuous Improvement

This week we focus on your investment into the business of “YOU.”

In today’s business world, if you are not moving forward then you have stalled and your business will begin to decline.  That decline may take some time to reek havoc on your customers, employees and you but it will eventually put you out of business.  Your asset will diminish in value and even if sold will not realize the true value it could have if you simply would have continued to invest into “YOU Inc..”

I’m not talking about buying new computers, raw materials, other supplies or upgrading your facilities.  I’m referring to investing in the applied knowledge you possess which is the ultimate real value you bring to the marketplace.

For instance, when was the last time you set time aside to attend a business conference either in person or took a session via on-line webinar?

When was the last time you invited your vendors in to update your staff on their latest and greatest improvements in their tools, services etc.?

When the business climate went south a few years back, all business retracted on travel, development, education and many others to survive.  The strategy at the time was required. Now, staying with the same strategy and not re-investing into the future knowledge improvements will place you and your business at a more significant upward journey moving forward. You can’t wait until the market indicators say the climate has changed to invest into your future. You must take strategic steps to bolster your business intellectual assets so they mature while the marketplace is re-fashioning itself to the next level of playing field.

Having a difficult time planning out your investments into the knowledge aspects of your business? Give JKL Associates a call for a no obligation conversation on what we can bring to your business in 2012.

Questions or comments - email us at partners@jklassociates.com or call our Office at (313) 527-7945

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MI 48236

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(313) 731-0626

January 12, 2012 – ISSN# 1545-2646

STARS

So you woke up one morning years ago and wanted to be a Rock and Roll star.  How is that dream panning out for you?

I can’t say I had that particular dream but over the course of time, various other dreams, visions and plans have sculptured my direction and results.

In looking forward into the goals for 2012, you need to make sure you and your team have a few things in place in order to give yourself the greatest possibility for realizing the objectives over the next 12 months.

Think of it as “STARS”

STRATIGIES

TALENT

ACTION

RESULTS

SUCCESS

Are you leaving your STARS to luck? I’ve always liked the definition of luck offered by Seneca, (mid-1st century philosopher) “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

During the next 12 months there will be various opportunities that you and your business will deal with on a daily basis. The outcome will be dependent on how well you and your organization is set up to manage those opportunities into something of value vs. something of cost/expense.

By having defined Strategies, the best Talent, defined Actions to achieve the Results, your luck will deliver Success in 2012.

This week, take time to validate you have in place your STARS.  Make sure your team is not just aware of the STARS but they have embraced them and are engaged to realize the STARS.

If after you review your STARS, you find gaps in your plan, – Give JKL Associates a call to help narrow the gaps and bring your STARS into proper alignment.

Questions or comments - email us at partners@jklassociates.com or call our Office at (313) 527-7945

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18530 Mack Ave #242
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MI 48236

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January 5, 2012 – ISSN# 1545-2646

Off to the Races

BANG! the gun sounds and we are off to the races for 2012. Who will win, who will place, who will show and who will toss in the towel.

In order to be in the winner circle you should have the following in place:

• Business goals have been set and distributed to your team.
• Resources have been allocated to support your plans.
• Sales and Marketing plans have moved from concepts into practice.
• Your people should be motivated to achieve success in 2012.

The energy of a new year is in high gear and as business leaders you must capitalize on this special moment.

Much like new year’s eve resolutions, Business goals  and the energy to achieve them can fade fast if not the center of focus for your organization.

Your company’s strategy needs to be part of all of your daily transaction.  People need to understand their contribution to the plan. They need nurturing and support to be part of the plan.

This year we will watch as world class athletes from around the globe meet in London for the Olympics. Like any world class athlete, your business must constantly train to excel.  You just can’t wake up one morning and decide to run a marathon. Your business success is a crafted effort based on your continuous commitment to improvement and the resources and time to make it happen.

If you have not yet planned out 2012 and engaged your team – don’t let this critical launch time pass you by.  If you are already running down the track, keep sharp to your game plan and realize your true success in 2012.

Is 2012 your year to engage a third set of eyes to look at improving your business outcomes?  If so – give JKL Associates a call to schedule your no obligation meeting. World class athletes don’t get to the peak of their game by themselves.  They have a team of trusted advisors.  At JKL Associates, we stand ready to be part of your trusted advisory team.

Questions or comments - email us at partners@jklassociates.com or call our Office at (313) 527-7945

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JKL Associates
18530 Mack Ave #242
Grosse Pointe Farms
MI 48236

Main

(313) 527-7945
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(313) 731-0626

December 29, 2011 – ISSN# 1545-2646

Happy New Year

2011 is coming to a close. We reflect on accomplishments and learn from past mistakes. We set our sights on good things to come and anticipate the opportunity to fully participate in those events.

We have hopefully set goals and objectives for the coming year and will add a resolution or two on New Years Eve.

Today as you read this, take a few moments from your day and be focused.  Take a deep breath and just pause, give thanks and recognize what you have and what impact you have on those around you.  Consider how that can move you forward or decide to change it so it can bring a greater level of success.

Craft a simple statement or theme for 2012 so it can keep you directed to the results you seek.

2012 will be another year of ups and downs, pluses and minuses, dips, dives and launches.  Ultimately you make the choice of how you will take those moments and convert them into something you can take pride in.

May 2012 bring you the joy of forgiveness, the optimism of hope and the bounty of your talents.

Questions or comments - email us at partners@jklassociates.com or call our Office at (313) 527-7945-

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MI 48236

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(313) 731-0626

December 22, 2011 – ISSN# 1545-2646

It is about Christmas

This weekend the world celebrates Christmas.  For some of us we celebrate based on our beliefs in the birth of Christ.  Others will celebrate for social or commercialized reasons.

At this time of the year, I pause to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas.  It is a time of great joy, hope and positive expectations.  I pray that you and your family are touched by the spirit of Christmas regardless of why you choose to celebrate.

It is by believing in the spirit of Christmas that we may someday share in the common objective of peace among all nations, creeds, races and people of all backgrounds.

Merry Christmas!

Questions or comments - email us at partners@jklassociates.com or call our Office at (313) 527-7945-

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December 15, 2011 – ISSN# 1545-2646

A measure of the capacity to be answerable for personal actions.

Each of us has a personal bank account of accountability.  We fill it with deposit of holding ourselves accountable for our own personal actions. Those deposits grow over time and give dividends when others acknowledge that capacity and it allows us to grow and develop.

We also make withdrawals from our personal accountability bank account when we do not hold ourselves to the standards we should and take responsibility for our actions.

It is simple – holding yourself to high  standards and being accountable regardless of outcome will have its short term setbacks but in the long run your integrity and credibility will stand out like a shining beacon on a foggy night.

So what does personal Accountability mean:

1. Accepts personal responsibility for the consequences of personal actions
2. Avoids placing unnecessary blame on others
3. Maintains personal commitment to objectives regardless of the success or failure of personal decisions
4. Applies personal lessons learned from past failures to moving forward in achieving future successes

This week during the flurry of last minute business efforts in 2011, take a few minutes to re-evaluate your own Personal Accountability in 2011.  How do you stack up? What can and will you do in 2012 to enhance this critical leadership skill?

Interested in knowing what your capacity for Personal Accountability is?

Give JKL Associates a call at (313) 527-7945.

Questions or comments - email us at partners@jklassociates.com or call our Office at (313) 527-7945-

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JKL Associates
18530 Mack Ave #242
Grosse Pointe Farms
MI 48236

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(313) 731-0626

December 8, 2011 – ISSN# 1545-2646

Leveraging

Routine

All of us have various routines we do each and every day. Maybe it is the wake up routine or going to bed routine.  Maybe it is the routine of making your cup of coffee just right – putting in the sugar before the hot coffee or maybe it is that daily jog to keep fit.

When those routines are changed, we struggle with getting them back to that desired consistency that gives us that sense of calm and focus. Sometimes we are successful and other times the routines we once held so close have gone away and new routines must be created to fill the void.

It is this very point of change in routine that gives each of us a unique opportunity to re-evaluate the past routine and capture what was good. We can then add to it what can and will be better moving forward in a brand new routine.

Let’s look at how routines can enhance your business. 

If on a daily basis you arrive at the office and have no routine or plan of work to accomplish then your day starts and most likely finishes as a day of fighting fires.  You move from one event to the next without regard for how they link together. Are they contributing to the objective of the day, week, month, year and overall mission of the business?

If you have some defined routines then you can actually maximize your day. This creates additional available time which gives you more time to deal with the unplanned events each of us experience. Too often I hear from employees that having a routine is worthless as it gets broken each and every day.

I will challenge that by stating that the routine is the defined outline and certain routines need to take precedence over other unplanned events.  Your routines may need you to take certain actions to ensure the routine gets done.  For instance, maybe your routine requires you to focus for 20 minutes to get some invoices prepared or make some collection calls.  During that time, make your work area off limits to others and their questions.  Try to have a set time say 9:30-9:50 for the 20 minutes each day.  Train those around you about your routine and have them develop routines in concert with your routines.  When you need a specific timeframe to get your routine accomplished, they can take your calls or deal with your customers.  You then do the same for them.

By defining and holding yourself accountable to routines you begin to leverage your general time in to very focused time.  Your productivity goes up and your results begin to soar.

This week take a look at your routines.  Do they need upgrading?  Do they need replacing?  Are you using routine to leverage your time?

Having trouble establishing productive routines? Give JKL Associates a call at (313) 527-7945.

Questions or comments - email us at partners@jklassociates.com or call our Office at (313) 527-7945-

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JKL Associates
18530 Mack Ave #242
Grosse Pointe Farms
MI 48236

Main

(313) 527-7945
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(313) 731-0626

December 1, 2011 – ISSN# 1545-2646

Final Four

Well it is December 1st. There are only 4 weeks left in this calendar year and some of those weeks  involve some down time for the holidays.

Is your business prepared for the end of the year and preparing for the beginning of 2012?

The last few years have been challenging for many businesses.  Cash flow, sales, expenses, resources, employees etc. have all been impacted.  Most organizations have reduced expenses to a point where utilization rates are at or beyond full.  This has been required to support continued operation while bridging through difficult economic times.

I have no crystal ball to predict the future or business climate in 2012 but regardless of those possibilities, each business leader MUST take the time to evaluate what did happen in 2011 and what needs to happen in 2012 to be profitable.

Unfortunately lots of businesses start a year with a budget and then do not maintain it as the year rolls out.  As strategic, tactical or other decisions are made, the update back to the budget and how it was impacted by that decision don’t flow along with the action.

As we march along to the close of the calendar year, it is important for you to find the time to look at your financial results and plan your goals and objectives for next year.  Ideally this should have started a couple of months ago but it is not to late to take these steps now.

Do a review of your Vision Statement – Are you living up to the core direction and values?

Review external  elements that impact your business – Market Segments, Competition, Key Trends.

Review internal elements that impact your business – Structure of the organization, Resources – physical and humanistic.

Identify where you are going and the critical goals necessary to get you there.

Establish the budgets for specific areas of development and execution to support and deliver on your goals.

Capture all the assumptions you make as you plan for 2012 so that when something changes in the market you can quickly evaluate the gap between the change and your plan based on key assumptions.

Then it is all about action – Deploy your time and resources to make 2012 a positive result.

Strategic Plan and Business Plan out of date? Give JKL Associates a call at (313) 527-7945.

Questions or comments - email us at partners@jklassociates.com or call our Office at (313) 527-7945-

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JKL Associates
18530 Mack Ave #242
Grosse Pointe Farms
MI 48236

Main

(313) 527-7945
Fax

(313) 731-0626