Author Archives: Harry K. Jones

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Change Will Never Change!

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There’s a funny thing about change. It never will.

As is often the case, I find myself once again at my computer in the early hours of the morning. This time I’m researching material for an upcoming seminar. A portion of that day-long program will focus on the subject of change. This particular subject seems to arise in a vast majority of our program offerings of late. In fact, our most requested seminar and keynote for the past few years has been “Productive Chaos: Riding the Wave of Change!” I think people want to learn more about coping with change because we have so little choice in the matter. We’ve been riding that wave of change for as long as I can remember.

In the midst of my research tonight, I stumbled upon some interesting data that provided me with a different take on this powerful subject of change. We often hear concerns from clients that dealing with constant change is a true challenge for their staffs today. Many seek new coping skills and strategies as chaos seems to increase in today’s challenging world.

The simple truth I realized tonight is that the majority of us already have those skills and strategies and have been using them successfully most of our lives. If you would pause long enough to realize how many changes you’ve experienced in your life thus far, I’m certain you would first be somewhat shocked and then very proud of your ability to cope and adapt.

Although a majority of these changes have been small, they have been numerous and constant. I was so overwhelmed at my discovery that I felt it crucial to share some of it with you. For most of your life, you have been faced with constant change, and the pace is rapidly increasing. For those of you who may fear or dislike change, you really must realize how often and how successfully you’ve dealt with change in the past.

In this article, I’m going to share some examples of the changes you’ve witnessed over the years. However, I can only scratch the surface in this format. Therefore, starting tomorrow I’m going to provide additional examples every day on Twitter and my Facebook page for what I’m sure will be many weeks.

Although these examples may seem insignificant at first, realize that each is one of hundreds, if not thousands, of changes that you’ve dealt with in the past and survived quite well. Each may very well have strengthened your tolerance and ability to deal with constant change. Remember these changes … relish each for its value … and take great pride in your growing strength to cope and conquer.

Do you remember these national brand stores?: Montgomery Wards, Kresge’s, Woolworth’s, Cunningham Drugs, Shopper’s Fair, Topps, Korvette’s, Zayre’s, Mervyn’s, Steve & Barry’s, Circuit City, Gimbels and Arlan’s … to name just a few.

How about airlines? Remember any of these?: Eastern, Pan American , Frontier, Ozark, Braniff, Piedmont, Republic, Western, AirCal, ValuJet, ATA, TWA, and North Central.

Remember those popular car brands?: DeSoto, Hudson, Packard, Pinto, Studebaker, Dodge Dart, Nash Rambler, Gremlin, Corvair, Edsel, K-cars, Trans Am, Plymouth, Dodge, Mercury, Delorean, Pontiac, Buick, and the Oldsmobile.

Watch Twitter and my Facebook page starting tomorrow for examples from other categories such as fashion, fads, expressions, people, edibles, toys, books, TV shows, sports, dances, music groups, pop culture, ad slogans, electronics, technology, medicine, transportation, environment, places, and politics. I think you’re going to be overwhelmed at the number of changes you’ve been required to deal with in your lifetime. You’re quite the pro … you just weren’t aware of it until now!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Three Words That Could Change the World

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The title of this article is a little misleading. Let me correct that immediately. I want to share three words that, IF EXECUTED, could change the world! It, of course, requires that we close the proverbial “Knowing-Doing Gap.”

We’ve all been exposed to these three words for decades. Everyone knows what they are, everyone knows what they mean, and everyone knows how to execute them. However, in today’s rapidly changing, ever-chaotic environment, very few people attempt the actual execution. And that could very well be why this country is in the shape it’s in today.

By now, you may have figured out that the three words are: WALK THE TALK!

The following three-minute video explains it much better than I can. However, as you watch this moving message, I want you think about the impact which might result if it were mandatory for all members of the following organizations to not only watch the video but also execute the message!

  • All Washington Politicians
  • All State Politicians
  • All Members of Law Enforcement
  • All Wall Street Executives
  • All Wall Street Employees
  • All Medical Personnel
  • All Business Executives
  • All Business Owners
  • All Board Members
  • All Athletes in Every Sport
  • All Coaches and Staff
  • All Religious Leaders
  • All Members of the Entertainment Industry
  • All Members of the Military
  • All Parents
  • All Family Members

I hope by continuing this list to the extreme, I’ve made my point! Children no longer have role models to look up to. No one trusts anyone. A handshake or verbal agreement is laughable today. Marriages don’t last. People have lost faith in the greatest country in the world! What’s next?

Trying to solve the above challenges seems insurmountable. And yet, if each of us, individually, could focus on the execution of the message in this video, you would see massive change take place almost immediately! Take a look, see what you think, and begin today!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Remember When Personal Values Meant Something?

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Read the following short story and see if it doesn’t bring back a few memories:

Two Nickels and Five Pennies

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less than it does today, a 10-year-old boy entered a drug store and took a seat at the soda fountain. As the waitress set a glass of water in front of him, the polite young man asked: “How much is an ice cream sundae?”

“50 cents,” replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied a number of coins in it. “How much is a dish of plain ice cream?” he asked.

Some people were waiting for their order and the waitress was a bit impatient. “35 cents,” she said briskly.

The little boy recounted the coins and said, “I’ll have the plain ice cream.”

The waitress soon brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The little boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier, and walked away.

When the waitress came back, she began wiping down the soda bar and then swallowed hard at what she saw. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies—her tip!

What are the chances of seeing this scenario occur today?

Back in what we fondly call “the good old days,” we learned true values from our parents, grandparents, teachers, and religious leaders. A few words and continuous examples taught us what we needed to know to succeed. We learned manners, respect for our elders, fairness, and beliefs and values from those we loved, trusted and respected. What happened?

Today, you can’t pick up a newspaper or turn on the television without learning of another scandal of some sort. Actors, athletes, politicians, religious leaders, teachers, business icons … the list goes on and on. It’s rather frightening that we’re banking the country’s success on a generation who has few, if any, role models and less support than ever before. In addition, we’re bequeathing them the largest deficit in the history of our country and an education system which falls far short of what is necessary to prepare our children for the future challenges they will soon face.

We’ve proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that throwing money at the issue has had no effect. Rather than feeling overwhelmed at the enormity of the challenge and simply throwing in the towel, maybe, in this case, we should turn back the hands of time to an approach we know makes a difference. Maybe it’s time that we, as parents, grandparents, teachers, and other respected members of the community returned to our rightful responsibility as role models.

How big an impact could we make if each of us devoted 30 to 60 minutes a day simply sitting and chatting with a member of a younger generation? Share stories, ask questions, exchange knowledge, explain today’s world, explore family history, and simply communicate at a time when it can make a crucial difference. If we ALL would strive to mentor just a few of those who could benefit, you’d see a phenomenal difference. Do you have a better alternative? No one else has come up with one as yet. Give it a shot!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Get Fired and Prosper!

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Today’s category title (Is It Just Me?) is an excellent bridge from the business world I once thought I understood to the chaotic madness which produces what could easily be mistaken as fantasy headlines almost daily.

Consider the following facts and see if they make sense to you considering today’s economic challenges.

  1. General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson, who led the company for a brief period shortly before and after it declared bankruptcy last year, “resigned (or was forced to, depending on what story you believe) from GM on December 1.”  Don’t forget, post-bankruptcy, taxpayers own more than 60% of GM causing many to rename the automaker “Government Motors.”
  2. General Motors has now re-hired Henderson as a consultant to advise on its international operations.
  3. The Associated Press reveals that Henderson will provide about 20 hours of consulting work each month and participate in ONE meeting per month with the president of GM’s international operations OR his designated representative.
  4. Henderson will be paid $59,090 per month, plus expenses!
  5. That’s equivalent to $709,000 per year salary or about $3,000 per hour!
  6. Not bad for government work.  Especially for a man who this company recently fired.

Immediately upon reading this press release, I sent a telegram to the GM Board Chairman offering my services as a consultant. I suggested they hire me, fire me and rehire me at just one-half of what they’re paying Henderson. I thought that was a terrific offer as it would provide GM with a 50% savings and almost double my current salary … an obvious win-win situation and how could I do any worse as they continue to lose money and market share?

I have yet to hear back from them.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Book Reviews Return

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We’re well aware of the fact that leaders in every field of endeavor find a way to read. If they can’t find the time to physically sit and turn the pages of an actual book, they’ll listen to a CD, utilize their Kindle on an airplane, or browse an Executive Book Summary.

As time restraints and busy schedules increase, it’s very easy to simply stop reading. Successful people know this is not an acceptable alternative. Stop reading and you stop learning. Stop learning and you stop growing. Stop growing and you lose your competitive edge. While this is a Universal Truth which cannot be denied, many people have actually reduced their reading time or simply eliminated reading altogether. Let’s hope they realize the error of their ways before they suffer the consequences of that choice.

For years now, we have provided book reviews for our clients and blog subscribers in hopes of assisting them in choosing the authors and content which may best service their needs. As we approached 200 book reviews, we were forced to create an entirely new format dedicated exclusively to this section.

Creating this new book reviews format turned out to be a much greater challenge than first anticipated. In fact, it took a full six months to complete. Melanie L. Drake, who focuses on the publishing and marketing sides of our business, has done a fine job of creating a much more reader-friendly format, offering many more benefits. Not only can you now view more than 200 book reviews but you can now also:

  • Find book reviews on a specific topic.
  • Comment on book reviews.
  • Search for book reviews.
  • E-mail a book review.
  • Share a book review with friends.
  • Share a book review on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Subscribe to the RSS feed.
  • Subscribe to the book reviews mailing list.

You can find the new book reviews section on the AchieveMax® website at http://www.AchieveMax.com/bookreviews/ or simply go to our blog page and click on Book Reviews in the column on the right-hand side of the page. You’ll find more than 200 reviews divided into the following categories for your convenience.

Our first book review in this new format is now available. The strong influence of the Social Media wave has grown from being primarily a pastime for kids and teens to becoming a major influence in today’s competitive business world.

For this reason, we’ve chosen this category for our first review in our new format. A book review of Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Social Media, but were afraid to ask … by Hilary JM Topper, MPA, is now available in our new book review section.

Take a look and learn how to build your business and personal knowledge by using consumer-generated media. In this intriguing book, the author provides some insight into a host of various web sites … many you have probably never heard of. She describes each site and, based on a great deal of research, shares the pros and cons of each as well as techniques to best tap the full potential of every site.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

One Step at a Time

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In a previous blog article, I shared the definition of the perfect storm. A “perfect storm” is an expression that describes an event where a rare combination of circumstances will aggravate a situation drastically.

Ironically, I recently experienced my own personal “perfect storm.” We all have problems … always have and always will. Dealing with negative circumstances is something we all learn to do … problem solving if you will.

However, there can be a situation when you have a number of negative circumstances occur at the same time. Under normal conditions, you can successfully deal with a problem and move on. However, when they suddenly arrive in numbers, you can easily become overwhelmed, finding yourself having to deal with that “perfect storm.”

I recently experienced this situation and, quite honestly, reached the point where I was prepared to simply “quit” … throw in the towel if you will. Prior to doing that, I simply paused and reviewed my situation and the options I had at my disposal. I sought some advice from a trusted friend, did a little necessary research, and took that difficult “first step” to resolve my dilemma.

It was easy… it certainly wasn’t pleasant. However, the “perfect storm” has passed, and I’m much better off having handled it the way I did. I also reminded myself of an age old strategy that has always seemed to prove successful—”One Step at a Time.” It’s a fantastic strategy for any and all for facing the many challenges of today’s chaotic world.

I couldn’t think long term as hard as I tried. I could recognize the first step which I had to take. That, of course, lead to another and another until momentum increased and clouds seemed to part, exposing me to the light I so needed at that moment. I won’t soon forget the importance of mustering the strength and courage to deal with challenges “One Step at a Time.” Of course, it’s that first initial step which is most critical! It’s that “first step” that begins any voyage, long or short. The important thing is to make certain you “don’t quit.”

Take a look at this short two-minute video which is a great reminder that we just can’t quit.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Would You Ignore a Prescription?

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In these days of increased health costs, consider the following questions:

  • How many people do you think invest the time and money to consult a doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist every day?
  • How much money is invested daily in having prescriptions filled by the above professionals?
  • Once you receive a prescription, do you have it filled and do you follow the instructions as prescribed?

Well, here’s a prescription for reducing stress, increasing productivity, and insuring success. In addition, it will cost you nothing other than a few minutes of your time and a little dedication on your part.

Listen closely to the wisdom and advice in the following short video. The gentlemen conveying this valuable message is Earl Nightingale, famed motivational speaker and author, who passed away in 1989 at the age of 68. If you’d like to learn more about Earl, simple check the article we posted on our blog last year. Nightingale has positively impacted millions of people worldwide over many decades. This is the kind of message we Boomers need to pass on to the younger generations.

Strangely enough, this video was record 40 years ago, but it’s truth and relevance is as powerful today as it was at that time. Earl shares a story told to him years earlier by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, famed author of The Power of Positive Thinking and many other best-sellers.

Listen to the four simple steps of this powerful prescription as described in Gone with the Tide … apply them yourself and feel the immediate positive impact on your outlook on life! Read it, heed it, and seed it to others. You’ll feel much better for doing it!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Questions Evoke Powerful Response

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A few weeks ago I wrote “To Ask or Not to Ask … That Is the Question!” which offered a dozen questions you might want to consider asking yourself in a refreshing exercise of truth and revelation.

I received some interesting e-mails and even phone calls providing very positive feedback as a result of this challenge. So much so, in fact, that I’m expanding the list of provocative questions.

As in the initial exercise, find a comfortable seat and make certain you have a legal pad and pen at your disposal. Take a look at the following questions and choose a few which you feel might address a current challenge in your life. While doing this alone, you should have no fear or reluctance in answering each question truthfully. Failure to do so would certainly defeat the purpose of this exercise.

Read your question of choice, think about it for a few moments and then jot down all thoughts which may come into your mind. Don’t evaluate your responses at this point, just record them. Upon completion, you may want to add additional notes or revise some content upon further thought.

If you are perfectly honest in your answers, I can assure you that you’ll discover some personal insight you might find not only find revealing but, in some cases, even surprising. Your data may lead you to additional research, conversation with a trusted source, or even more professional counseling should you feel it necessary.

Here are some additional questions you might want to consider:

  1. How much time are you actively spending to increase your knowledge?
  2. What is it you’ve been putting off and KNOW you should do right now … before it’s too late?”
  3. What is one thing that I can do for someone else who has no opportunity to repay me?
  4. Have you seriously considered where you want to be and what you want to be doing five years from today?
  5. Would you be willing to allow someone to videotape your personal life and then use that tape as a training resource for others?
  6. What are the most important characteristics you would like to be remembered for?
  7. Must your children, grandchildren, and/or spouse fight to get your attention?
  8. If I neglect taking action on my most critical challenge, will it get better or worse?
  9. Have you clearly defined your personal and/or professional goals? (Don’t discount this one … it can produce life-altering results!)
  10. Who could you write to or phone this weekend to give a “boost of encouragement” to?
  11. What time-wasting activities can you eliminate or drastically reduce?
  12. When was the last time you complimented your family or staff members?

By the way, you may not like the answers … but you need to hear them!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Do You Need to Push and/or Need to Be Pushed?

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Having the privilege to be a father of three wonderful children and the grandfather of nine cherished grandchildren, I have witnessed an interesting phenomenon as it applies to the need to deal with growth. It holds true in your experiences with family, friends, loved ones and those we associate with in our workplace.

Everyone needs a PUSH!

As I look back on my personal life, I can easily remember many times in which I needed a PUSH to attempt a new challenge, accept a new technology, or realize the need for growth at a time when I may have felt I wasn’t ready. CHANGE doesn’t wait until you’re ready. I’m thankful to those who were placed in my life at the right time to enthusiastically provide that PUSH when I needed it most!

I then think back to each of my three children and warmly revisit those critical moments in their growth that required me to provide that PUSH. Many times I found it both difficult and challenging and actually questioned whether it was the right thing to do at the time. I was indeed fortunate that most of my decisions were correct.

I can make that statement because I now take great pride in what my children have accomplished and even greater satisfaction in watching them provide the PUSH for my grandchildren. There is little more gratifying that hearing your own words coming out of the mouths of your children decades later. Especially when you remember your children telling you how crazy you were at the time. Now I just smile and make eye contact with them as they pass on that “crazy” wisdom to my grandchildren.

You NEVER outgrow your need for a good PUSH. There is always a need to tackle new challenges in your pursuit of success and happiness. So whether you happen to need a PUSH or provide a PUSH … keep an open mind and do the right thing. You know it works!

Here’s a short but powerful video based on the book by David McNally, Even Eagles Need a Push. I think you’ll identify with the mixed feelings of that this concerned parent faced with the need to push the young eagles out of the nest.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Rise Again – You Can Overcome!

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I spent the better part of last week in the Gulfport-Biloxi area of Mississippi on what was once the beautiful coastal beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. I had the distinct privilege and unforgettable pleasure of working with the incredible staff of the HOPE Community Development Agency.

On August 29th of 2005, the entire 60-mile coastline of the Mississippi Gulf Coast suffered 10 hours of unequaled destruction by Hurricane Katrina, resulting in such cataclysmic loss of life and obliteration of homes and possessions that the entire area eerily resembled dawn after a nuclear winter.

Just two days after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, in response to dire and immediate need to coordinate and support relief and recovery efforts, the East Biloxi Relief and Coordination Agency was created with the goals of sustaining hope and providing relief and comfort through synchronized action and helping the community regain control over its future. This group later evolved into the HOPE Community Development Agency.

Partnering with local churches and local volunteer organizations, it provided immediate food, shelter and basic medical care to the thousands of families whose homes were destroyed by the hurricane. In the following months, the event and those involved faded from the national headlines and many across the country wrongly assumed that everything was back to normal. Not true … by a long shot!

Five years later, I found myself piloting my rental car through various neighborhoods stunned by what I saw. While all of the casinos have been restored, I found many homes, retail establishments, fast food locations, and concrete bridges looking as though the initial devastation had occurred yesterday! I was astonished to say the least.

HOPE eventually evolved into a full-service resource center for residents—a place where residents come to share their aspirations and concerns regarding the rebuilding effort, to participate in planning for both the immediate recovery and long-term prosperity of their community, and create a shared vision for the future of their community.

This extraordinary team has rehabilitated more than 650 homes, with roughly 200 salvageable homes remaining; new construction of homes totally destroyed by the storm lags behind, though Hope has rebuilt approximately 35 new homes and has more than 70 in the pipeline. The homes themselves have been rebuilt in standard design while others boast futuristic designs perched high above the sands on steadfast stilts. The rental units have yet to receive attention.

In short, much has been accomplished and yet much has yet to be done five years after the initial tragedy. Talking with local residents you can sense the spirit of love, teamwork, respect and sense of loss they have shared in their quest to rise again from the mass destruction brought about by that massive force of nature. The unbending spirit of generations of shrimpers, fishermen, and other coastal families will insure the rebuilding of their homes as well as a limitless future.

It was indeed an honor to meet and work with those who have survived such devastation and emerged to rise again with an undying spirit. In a very short span of time, they taught me lessons I’ll never forget. For doing so, they have my undying gratitude and heartfelt thanks.

Our country has experienced many challenges over the past few years and many have lost much. We must endure a variety of obstacles and rise again to regain and maintain the greatness we know we possess.

Share this short video with friends, family and associates to realize the challenge we face, the potential we possess and the rewards which await us.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.