5 D's of Decision Making

 Our goal is to help you to make a better quality decision. We know that it is impossible to get all decisions right. But we can make better decisions by following the 5 C's of Decision Making as set out below:

1. Define it - What exactly is the problem. Time spent in clarifying the exact problem will help enormously
2. Data gathering - Find feasible alternatives for solving the problem. Think innovatively and creatively at this stage. Remember that you will not know the solution otherwise you would not have to decide.
3. Deliberate - Evaluate the alternatives. Discard the non-starters. Then choose the top two or three best solutions
4. Dwell time - Allow some time to elapse to let the sub conscience do its work.
5. Decide - Make the decision. Having gone to all the trouble to make this hard choice, implement it and make sure it sticks. If you hit trouble, get help

For more information, or if you would like to attend our Who Decides Wins Decision Making Course in Bristol and London, then link here.

"Who Decides Wins" - Business Decision Making Course

Improve your Business Decision Making skills.

Are you looking to enhance your value to your business?

As you may already know, good leaders make good decisions.  Now, I know what you are thinking. You are good at decision making; after all you do it every day.

Well I’ve got news for you. That just might not be the case. As natural as decision making appears to be, there are many ways to improve this vital business skill. In fact, we guarantee that we will transform the way you tackle decision making.

Don’t take our word for it.
“Brilliant! I use the techniques and skills in my personal as well as my business life. It has made such a difference”.

Following popular demand, we are offering another “Who decides wins” decision making course. We would like to invite you to attend the half day course in either Bristol or London.

· Do you spend hours worrying over your decisions?
· Are you decisive, but worry that you may not have included enough information?
· Do decisions come easy but feel uneasy about the way the decision is made?

Unlock the decision maker in you. Packed with benefits, it's the one course that every business manager should attend.

Here are some of the benefits:

• More time – Less wasted time procrastinating.
• More right decisions - means more money.
• More energy - reducing anxiety.
• Improved promotion prospects.
• Enhanced management and leadership skills.
• Invigorated creativity in problem solving situations.
• Amplified value to your organisation.

Registering

Register now, as places are strictly limited to ensure you get that personal experience. Click on the link below to register or RSVP.

Here’s the bottom line. This half day course will change the way you “do” business. We guarantee that you will approach decision making in a new light. You will be a powerful asset to your business.



The Course

The interactive nature of this event means a flexible approach to the programme. It is not a flat pack solution to decision making. We want everyone to benefit and flex the content and schedule around the attendees needs and wants.
Thank you for reading about the Decision Making Course, we look forward to seeing you at the event.

Ps – Can’t decide if this is the course for you. Book here right away and start being more decisive!

How do you decide?

Most senior business people take decisions, it is part of their job. Some decisions are mundane, routine and demand very little in terms of brain bandwidth. Others demand much, much more. Think about the BP problem in the Gulf of Mexico to get some scale of the decisions they have to take. Even the President of the United States is watching the outcomes.

Sadly, very few managers ever get to learn exactly how to improve their decision making skills. Most rely on their personality or their innate skills. That is fine, until you go back and “interrogate” the process, and then the flaws become all to obvious.

If you want to improve your decision making, then have a think about coming on our “Who Decides, Wins” Decision Making Skills Course.

 

We are running it in Bristol on the 16th September from 12.30 to 4.30.

 

Go here to book your place

 

Or call me on 0117 230 3166 to discuss your requirements

Why sales programmes fail

Why do many of new business programmes fail to deliver the much promised steady stream of new clients?

The answer lies in the new business generation planning and implementation process. For many companies, the new business programme are generic, short term, passive,or hesitant.

• Generic programme promote the company's entire range or describes it in terms that lack specificity.
• Short term campaigns assume they can work through the entire buying cycle in under three months or less.
• Passive programmes rely on using the media to encourage their target audience to make the first move.
• Hesitant programmes stop and start according to the prevailing emotional or cash flow conditions at the time.
  

The way out of this vicious circle is to write a sales plan with a SLAP!

• Specific - one product to one market through one channel. Avoid confusing the customers
• Long term - The plan needs to take account of the buying cycle and how long it typically takes.
• Active - getting customers to take action must be the aim of the programme
• Planned - avoid hesitancy by committing to a long term plan.

Call us on 0117 9047874 if now is the time to move out of first gear and really motor.

The telephone number again is 0117 9047874.

When times are hard

I met this morning, an old friend from many years back over a very fine full English breakfast. We meandered gently over times past, successes and failures, near misses and direct hits as one does. We thought about how good it was in the "good old days" and reflected on how our paths had originally crossed and others we had met along the way. All good convivial stuff.

Then he turned to me and said "But don't beat your self up! It’s tough out there".

I was a little taken aback as I was not aware that I had either been beating myself up or reflecting on how tough it was. I suspect he had one of those conversations going on in his head that did not require an audience.

But he is right. Business is very tough right now for a whole lot of businesses. No matter what sector, what target market, what size, turnover and market share, there is not enough money to go round to feed everyone.

So what do you do?

I reckon that we should follow natures reaction to a famine. Slow down the metabolic rate to conserve energy and resources, eat what ever you can when you can, hide your assets to prevent them being taken and finally use the time reflecting on what to do when the famine ends.

That advice works for me - I am spending much less money and energy to ensure I can survive for as long as I can. I am seeking work where it is to be found and not waiting for the phone to ring or waiting in the dried up watering hole that has served me so well for many years. And I am rethinking my vision, goals, strategy and tactics for when the economy picks up.

What about you? What are you doing that might help us get through the famine?

Strictly 6 Strategies for Success

Featured Article: Strictly 6 Strategies for Success

From Jennifer Hampson, a good friend of mine who embodies the traits set out in her article below.

Someone once asked me what the best present I'd ever received was. Only the day before, two tickets from the Strictly Come Dancing random draw had landed on the mat. I was going to be in the audience for a live recording! I was ecstatic - the sequins, the glamour, the celebrities, the stunning dance moves - everything lived up to my expectations.

Now, as you can probably guess, I'm a bit of a Strictly fan. Have you been following it? Are you supporting Team Cola or Ricky 'back-flip' Whittle? The more I've watched it, the more I see business lessons that can serve us all well going forward into a new year.

1. Be open to new opportunities

When Brendan and Anton, two of the longest-serving professional dancers, were originally approached to appear on this newly devised dancing programme they admitted that their immediate reaction was a definite 'no'. However, once they realised the BBC was serious about it they agreed (albeit with some reservations), and that one act of saying 'yes' has had life-changing significance for them. They told Claudia on 'It Takes Two' that it has changed their lives completely, and opened up new possibilities for them, such as TV presenting, that they would never ever have envisaged or had the chance to do otherwise.

2. Work hard

Although the celebrities all start with different levels of dancing ability, the one thing the winners have in common is hard work and dedication. Literally, they often work until their feet bleed (or far worse) and then keep going. Erin Boag, the professional dancer known as Miss Whiplash, lives up to her nickname when she says, "When my guys complain to me that their right leg is hurting I say, 'Well, let's make the left one hurt to match'".

3. Listen

Sometimes others do know best. In Strictly, the professional dancers teach, demonstrate, guide and encourage. In business, seek out people who can help you achieve your goals for they will inspire you to do your very best, share their talents with you, and help you on your journey.

4. Accept feedback

It's striking to see how people react very differently to feedback. This series it's been a pleasant change not to have all the tears (think Penny Lancaster) but Brendan, of course, has been true to form and even exceeded himself by marching offstage, defensively protecting his partner. On the other hand, Chris Hollins has reacted brilliantly, with respect, humour and a sense of perspective. He has also worked to address their concerns so, fingers-crossed (mine, not his!), he will have sorted out his spatula hands by Saturday.

5. Have fun

Chris and Ola are the embodiment of a couple having fun while they work. They have formed a brilliant partnership and are taking pleasure in the journey, day by day, rather than working themselves into a frenzy trying to win. They have grasped that life is for living, and each day should be savoured as they strive to achieve their goal.

6. Visualise success

For all 16 Strictly couples starting out this year, getting their hands on the glitter ball signified success. And, like Brendan and Anton have said, success on Strictly can lead on to even bigger and better things. So, what will constitute success for you in 2010?

Jennifer always encourages her clients to think big and bold. "Define clearly what you want to achieve. Find someone who will encourage and push you to believe in yourself and realise your dreams. It might be a friend, partner, manager or coach."

Now is the perfect time to stop, take stock and start making some big decisions about the future. I'd be privileged to help you. Just allow yourself the time to focus on you and where you want to be this time next year. Then you can enter 2010 with unwavering focus, determination and desire to have your best year yet.

Copyright - Jennifer Hampson, 2009

Jennifer Hampson is a certified coach, inspirational trainer, and speaker. She helps organisations create a coaching culture with wide-ranging impact on all who work there. Her online newsletters for HR Managers, Learning & Development Managers and Line Managers is crammed with useful tips, strategies and 'How to...?' Guides, to keep you informed, enlightened and inspired about how you can use coaching to make a real difference to YOU and YOUR ORGANISATION. Sign up for it now at http://www.creatingacoachingculture.co.uk

Building relationships to win the jackpot

Premium Bonds - building relationships to win the jackpot.

Building relationships, or bonds, with your potential target clients is the best way to build your business.

To guarantee your long term success, make them "Premium Bonds".

"I don't know your company, who you are, what you make, or why I should buy from you. Now, what do you want to talk about?"

Sound familiar? Probably not, as most buyers are too polite to use this when they meet you. But it just might be what they think or feel when you are doing your pitch.

Don't be surprised at this. Buyers or budget holders spend most of their time trying not to rock the boat. In their busy worlds, they are focusing most of their energy on easing short-term pressures, reducing risks to the business, fire fighting and keeping their world turning. They are also human and hence they are simultaneously ensuring their career remains firmly on track.

What most of them want is their suppliers to deliver what they promised, when they promised it, and at the price that they promised it.

Fortunately for them it works for enough of the time to keep working with the people they already know. Most of the time buyers and sellers manage the process reasonably well. Over time, businesses adapt and change to enhance the inter business exchange processes to their mutual advantage. The individuals in the buying chain or the key decision makers (KDMs) resolve their issues by interacting with all the various "actors" involved in the various transactions. At each interaction, whether positive or negative, the individuals learn about the others in the network and use this information to smooth things out.

What they are developing are interpersonal bonds that enhance the relationship. These bonds allow for the flow of information, innovation and insights. As the communication flow increases and becomes more value added, the level of trust increases. This in turn strengthens the bonds. Managed well they eventually become premium bonds.

All fine and dandy if you are in the lucky position of being on the inside track. But how do you break through to build these Premium Bonds if you are on the outside the circle of trust?

Here are a few ideas that might help:

• Target your resources - they are scarce, so use them where they count the most. Aim to build relationships with those most likely to work with you in a way that you appreciate.
  

• Do not sell - let them buy. Package up what you do in such a way that they do not have to decipher the sales pitch. Always use their language and avoid industry jargon.
  

• Give away your insight - you build trust by increasing the value of the exchange. Tell them everything that you know about what you do and how it adds value to them.

• Take your time - be aware that accelerating the "clock speed" when building trust can damage the bonds. Many small interactions are better than few big ones.

• Hire the smile - employ good people that understand the value of relationships. Business savvy people bring in and retain great relationship builders.

• Get it right first time, every time - make it easy to do business with your company. Monitor your OTIFIC. That is the number of transactions where the outcome is "On Time, In Full, Invoiced Correctly"

• Keep it simple - remove barriers to communication. Avoid the hierarchy. Let your potential client talk to the people that matter to them the most.

If you want to hit the jackpot, then Premium Bonds are the answer. Call us on 0117 9047874 for a free update on how to build Premium Bonds.

Click here to link to the website to find out how we help our clients.