What goes around...

There's a saying: "What goes around, comes around"

When you treat people well, eventually you will reap the rewards that go along with being kind, honest, sincere and hardworking. I just saw, first-hand, how this can play out.

We have a client for whom we've been working long hours to try to finalize their financial statements. They know how much time we've put into the project because we've kept in touch with them throughout the process. They've received status updates regularly and have been very easy to work with. In a recent phone conversation when discussing an up-coming meeting, our client mentioned, since he's done with his end he's not sure what to do with his day. My dad's response..."Take a day off buddy. You deserve it. Go play golf."

Now my dad doesn't make a habit of calling anyone buddy, outside our immediate family. Yet, he has built a relationship with our client that is more akin to friendship than just mere colleagues.

That brief exchange reminded me why I work here...I'm treated well just as every one of the team members and each client. Being respected and made to feel part of a team is a great way to encourage staff to put in the extra hours willingly.

Disclaimer: In case I haven't mentioned it before...I work for my dad, John Guelcher, founder and partner in K2S.

iBoard of Directors

I read about iBoards on MarketingProfs. I'm now going to get the book Thinkertoys to see what other marvelous gems are to be found. Now you may ask, What is an iBoard of Directors? It's your Imaginary Board of Directors.

When faced with a challenge you need help to resolve, consult your board of directors. No, not your corporate governance... your Imaginary Board of Directors - your iBoard of Directors.

Your iBoard is your collection of business leaders, role models, and personal heroes who inspire and challenge your thinking. The iBoard helps you discover solutions you may not find on your own.

Building & Accessing Your Imaginary Board

In his book, Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques, Michael Michalko provides a few suggestions for this technique...

1. Select three to five business movers and shakers, living or dead, whom you admire most.

2. Get photographs of your Board and pin them up to constantly remind you of the talent at your disposal.

3. Research your heroes. Read everything about your heroes that you can get your hands on.

4. Take notes on your favorite passages. Pay particular attention to the creative techniques they employed to solve problems.

5. When you have a challenge, consult the members of your board and imagine how they would solve it.

So who is on my iBoard?

Walt Disney is chairman extraordinaire. Other members are: Mother Teresa, Gandhi, the Dali Lama, Michael J. Fox, Richard Branson, Indra Nooyi (CEO PepsiCo), and Rhonda Byrne (author The Secret).