Building Better Bridges: Networking for Personal Productivity

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Harry K. Jones

Please STOP. Prior to reading on, pause for just a minute re-read the title of this article and truly think about what it might mean to you in the next few years.

Do you think you’re going to need better bridges to overcome the ever-changing barriers we’re going to be facing, to move on to unknown opportunities and take advantage of the great potential which awaits us?

I can’t think of a more appropriate time than right now to be Networking for Personal Productivity! That’s why we chose that title for our seminar … a training session that’s growing in popularity and demand as more and more people acknowledge the tremendous potential in People Power!

Over the past few months, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of speaking to a number of networking groups, some informal and some professional. I certainly expanded my own network by meeting a number of great people from which I learned a great deal.

Over that same time period, I’ve realized how many people in the business world know very little or nothing about the fine art of networking. They’ve never been exposed to the amazing benefits, the numerous and growing number of accessible strategies, or the process which will lead them on their journey to success.

Zig Ziglar, legendary author and speaker, has always shared the following wisdom: “You can get everything you want in life, if you just help enough other people get what they want.” That, of course, is the true value of successful networking.

Harvey MacKay, noted author and business guru says: “If I had to name the single characteristic shared by all truly successful people I’ve met over a lifetime, I’d say it’s the ability to create and nurture a network of contacts!”

That’s a powerful statement in today’s challenging times.

The following leaders all credit their phenomenal success to the networks they created during their careers:

In addition, study after study has determined:

A referral generates 80% more results than a cold call!
Approximately 85% of all jobs today are found through networking!
Most people you meet today have at least 250 contacts!

Now you can understand how crucial it is to take advantage of the many benefits of Building Better Bridges by Networking for Personal Productivity!

Contact us today at 800-886-2629 to learn more about scheduling a seminar or keynote presentation to enlighten your entire staff, enhance performance, and enjoy continued success!

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.

E.T.D.T. Spells Success

Posted on October 20, 2008 by Harry K. Jones

What comes to mind when you hear the name Sam Walton? No, I’m not talking about recent visuals like giant superstores, falling prices, or a smiley face. I’m talking about the Sam Walton of old … the traditional baseball hat and tie, the down-home wisdom, and that old pick-up truck he drove from store to store to support his employees and customers. Those were the good old days of hard work and basic principles.

Sam Walton and his family built an empire that today rules the retail industry worldwide and sees little or nothing that will stifle that growth and success in the near future.

However, that empire started with one store, a few dedicated employees and a man who knew how to inspire, teach and lead his employees. He established goals and knew what he had to do to reach them. He also knew how to convey those special talents to his staff and he did so regularly.

One of the first and most effective principles he established within the culture destined for growth and supremacy was very basic indeed. It was introduced to his employees as E.T.D.T. … an acronym created to remind everyone to “Eliminate The Dumb Things.”

A new employee—a bit unclear of the battle cry—once asked Sam what a “dumb” thing was. Sam’s answer was clear and precise: “A dumb thing is anything that impedes our progress, the progress of our customers or vendors.” He went on to explain “anything” might be a policy, procedure, rule, regulation, process, strategy, idea, tool, etc.

Sam went on to say: “If and when you see a dumb thing, bring it to our attention, explain how and why it’s impeding progress, and suggest a better way to do it.” That’s how he achieved critical employee involvement, received many more suggestions than any of his competitors, reached tremendous customer satisfaction levels, and grew to be larger, more productive and more profitable than his next ten competitors combined.

It’s interesting to note that leaders in every field of endeavor seem to encourage the respect and support of the “basics.” Tom Peters, famed author and consultant, says: “The older I get, the less boring the ‘basics’ become!” Maybe more of us should consider that revelation. It does have a successful track record.

Would your organization benefit by a greater focus on the concept of “E.T.D.T.”?

About Harry K. Jones

Communication as a Strategy

Posted on October 6, 2008 by Harry K. Jones

In my role as a speaker/trainer/consultant, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a large number of organizations across all industries. Each has a tendency to think that it is genuinely unique in its pursuit of success. However, over the years, I have found it to be quite evident that where you find people, you find common threads. It’s the nature of the beast … regardless of the size of the organization.

Most companies divide their leadership into three groups.

Upper Management—top leadership, decision and policy makers.
Middle Management—those who act as a buffer between the other two while trying to execute strategies.
First-line Supervision—those who act as an ambassador between leadership as a whole and the front-line staff who actually carries out the tasks.

If you could sit down with members from each group and discuss the challenges and short comings of the organization, I’m certain you would find a major common thread. In most cases, the group you are talking to will readily admit that any blame and/or faults which may exist can be found in the other two groups! It never fails. Here’s a sample of many of the comments I hear from each of the three groups … regardless of their age, size, industry, product, or service.

Upper Management

Supervisors and managers are not communicating effectively.
Supervisors are not providing leadership on management issues.
They are not confident they know the vision/goals/objectives of the corporation.

Middle Managers

They are not sure of corporate direction.
They are not sure they can trust information provided to them.
They are not sure what to communicate.
The tend to treat supervisors as just another worker.
They are working extremely hard—making little progress.

First-line Supervisors

They feel unempowered.
They are disenfranchised—not members of management.
They are not sure what is really expected.
They are not sure they can trust information provided to them.
They don’t trust upper management (two levels above).
They don’t feel they have answers for subordinates.

Having heard that kind of feedback, what conclusions might you come to?

The list could easily be a long one, but you would have to agree that the majority of the items on that list should be classified under the title of communication. However, in most cases, the organizations either don’t recognize the common denominator or fail to address it as a critical issue.

Tom Peters, famed author and consultant, says, “The older I get, the less boring the BASICS become!” Maybe the problem arises in the fact that good communication is no longer considered a basic.

About Harry K. Jones

The Power of Thought

Posted on September 15, 2008 by Harry K. Jones

It’s quite obvious that we, as a nation, are exposed to more stressful situations today than at any time in recent history. At the same time, we have more information and coping strategies available to us as well. However, availability means nothing. Utilization means everything. It’s that knowing-doing gap all over again.

William James (1842-1910), the American philosopher and psychologist known as “the father of American psychology,” once shared this wise observation: “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”

The true challenge, of course, is to make that choice. History reveals countless scenarios where a choice would have made all of the difference and yet no choice was made. Choosing not to choose is a choice!

It’s also quite obvious that the more information you have at your disposal, the wiser the choice you will make. Consider this shocking fact: “A weekday edition of The New York Times contains more information than the average person was likely to come across in a lifetime in 17th century England.”

Thomas L. Friedman, author of the best-selling The World Is Flat, states that “Never before in the history of the planet have so many people—on their own—had the ability to find so much information about so many things and about so many other people.”

While both of these observations are indeed encouraging to our effort to combat the many stresses we face today, the fact remains that we, as individuals and organizations, must exert the effort to seek out, absorb, and apply this necessary information. More than ever before we must research, read, benchmark, seek mentors, ask and observe. Everyone has equal access … not everyone pursues it. The responsibility is yours.

About Harry K. Jones

Wal-Mart – A Learning Experience

Posted on May 19, 2008 by Harry K. Jones

In an effort to keep our seminar, keynote and website content current, we often examine people and organizations that are currently in the news. It seems easier to relate to strategies and concepts when we can connect them to something we’ve recently seen on TV or read in a newspaper. This media connection seems to enhance the learning experience.

Some of what we learn is very positive.

Some of what we learn is often negative.

Both situations can be very advantageous if we keep an open mind.

Don’t allow your personal preferences about people or organizations to cause you to miss a valuable learning experience.

There’s always something to learn.

Often we learn something we should emulate.

Other times we learn what NOT to do.

For instance, in my travels across North America, I have learned that half the population hates Wal-Mart while the other half loves Wal-Mart. Both groups feel fully justified. Obviously, the half that loves Wal-Mart must have more money than the half that hates Wal-Mart. Of course, I say that in jest, but it’s hard to argue with the fact that Wal-Mart has once again emerged in the number one position in the Fortune 500 with revenues of $378 BILLION dollars!

To put that figure in perspective for you … if you were to combine the revenues of the following Wal-Mart competitors, you would arrive at a total of $376 billion.

Home Depot, Target, Sears, K-Mart, J.C. Penney, Lowe’s, Macy’s,
Nordstrom, Gap, Kohl’s, Toys “R” Us, Office Max, Staples

Not a bad year for the giant Smiley Face!

The on-going love-hate relationship we share with Wal-Mart actually provides us with a tremendous learning opportunity. However, many people dislike this retailer so much that they simply refuse to acknowledge them as a source of learning.

History tells us that Wal-Mart has made many poor decisions. They’ve tried many things that simply didn’t work. In fact, they’ve suffered some classic debacles that made headlines world-wide. However, they continue to top the Fortune 500, they continue to experience rapid growth, and they produce breakthrough in many areas.

The reasons are obvious:

They acknowledge challenges.
They embrace change.
They encourage creativity and innovation.
They advocate calculated risk taking.
They don’t fear failure.
They learn from their mistakes.
They keep on keeping on.

Regardless of that admirable performance, Wal-Mart has blundered time and time again. Study the mistakes in detail and learn as much as you can at their expense. Then take the time to study their successes and choose those you wish to emulate.

Take a look at a short list of what Wal-Mart hopes to be future successes. Some will pan out and result in news-making advances. Others may fall by the wayside and soon be forgotten as another poor choice. The important thing is they keep trying something new in the hopes of coping with an environment that is certainly challenging for them as well as their customers. Can you say the same?

Wayne Gretzky once said: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!” Think about that as you browse the shots Wal-Mart is currently focusing on.

Dr. Sam?
The first of the new Clinic at Wal-Mart walk-in centers, as they will be called, is to open in Little Rock, Arkansas, in April and be run by nurse practitioners. Wal-Mart said it plans to brand 200 of the new clinics with RediClinics. RediClinic, which already operates 13 clinics in Wal-Mart stores, plans to open one of the new units in Atlanta in April and another in Dallas next summer.

“Toy Safety Net”
Last fall, Wal-Mart implemented a “Toy Safety Net” program after the slew of toy recalls and toy safety concerns that plagued parents and retailers. These new toy safety guidelines include more independent lab tests, new standards on heavy metals (including lead), new guidelines on Phthalates and encouragement of date codes.

Check-cashing Expansion?
Aiming for consumers who don’t have bank accounts, Wal-Mart still wants a piece of the bank biz. Last year Wal-Mart cashed 45 million paychecks collectively worth $17 billion! It promotes the MoneyCard, which can accept direct deposits, when customers cash paychecks. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart is expanding the number of stores with “Money Center” areas near the front of the store. Some 494 stores had them at the end of fiscal 2008, and 15 more opened in March.

Gourmet Grounds?
On April 1, Wal-Mart announced the launch of six coffees under its exclusive Sam’s Choice brand. Three of the brands are Fair Trade Certified, while the other three are certified by the Rainforest Alliance and USDA Organic. Wal-Mart’s aim was to appeal to consumers with an affordable line of gourmet coffee that has a positive environmental and social impact.

Energy Focus Continues
Wal-Mart Stores has announced the introduction of its most energy efficient U.S. store, the HE.5 prototype that will use up to 45% less energy than the baseline Supercenter. The HE.5 begins a new series of prototypes designed for specific climates, the company said.

Wrangling Profits
In March, Wal-Mart announced plans that it would begin selling milk under its own private label brand (“Great Value”) that is not sourced from cows that have been treated with growth hormones.

Another Shot at Furniture
Wal-Mart recently announced it is rolling out a new home furnishings brand, “Canopy,” as it tries to get lagging sales in that division back on track. The line will include bedding, furniture, bath accessories and dinnerware. Wal-Mart said the brand is designed “with a budget-wise customer in mind.” It said prices will be up to 40% below those of competitors.

Keep an eye on Wal-Mart and discover what works and what doesn’t in hopes of finding something you can apply to your own business … not their products or services but the way they search for ways of solving problems for their customers.

You don’t have to shop there.

You don’t have to buy their stock.

You don’t have to like them.

However, you can certainly learn a great deal from both their failures and successes.

About Harry K. Jones

Shock Your Customers

Posted on May 9, 2008 by Harry K. Jones

I received a pleasant surprise recently that led to a very unique opportunity. I was asked to speak at a local athletic awards banquet which is always a special treat. After the banquet, I unexpectedly ran into a previous client who I haven’t seen for almost 20 years. At that time I was working as a consultant for a local community college and was assigned to a national client for a two-month project that required travel from coast to coast. Much of my time was spent with this particular gentleman.

Long story short, our after-banquet chat led to an informal offer I simply couldn’t afford to pass up. I was invited to spend a half-day with my old friend as he wanted me to witness something he thought I’d enjoy. I accepted his offer, and we agreed on a mutually convenient date.

When I worked with him years ago, he was a prominent supervisor with his company. Today, after several promotions, he’s a vice president of what is now an international organization. It didn’t take long for me to understand why he’s been so successful.

We met for breakfast and then I joined him for a half-day of visiting clients. Yep, it was that simple. This is something he has placed on his calendar every month for years. He said he wished he could do it even more often but his travel schedule currently prohibits any more than a day a month.

He wanted me to see what has resulted from a book we both read and enjoyed very much decades earlier. It was a Tom Peters’ classic, In Search of Excellence, in which he encouraged MBWA (Management By Wandering Around). My friend applied this strategy within his organization and was so pleased with the results that he decided to extend his execution to his client base. That’s what he wanted me to see.

Once a month, he unexpectedly drops in on a number of his clients to do nothing more than say “Hi,” ask how things are going, and inquire as to what he can do to make his client’s life a little easier. His questions and comments are very informal and conversational. His visit is short and pleasant. He claims to walk away from every client feeling he has learned, through casual feedback, something new about the client, his product and service, and/or their relationship.

During our half-day adventure, we chatted with five clients, and I couldn’t help but recognize the fact that each of the five seemed pleasantly surprised to see him. One even mentioned the fact that my friend was the first vendor that had ever taken the time to stop by, much less inquire as to how they might be helpful.

After each visit, he jotted down several notes on a legal pad … all of which I was certain would be put to good use with disciplined follow-up. After lunch I thanked him for the experience and told him how much I appreciated the opportunity to see someone actually applying, with enthusiasm and obvious success, something he had learned. He informed me that he thought I might find it interesting because we shared a respect of both the author and the concept.

He said he makes these visits religiously when he’s in town as well as while on the road throughout the country. He swears his ROI (Return On Investment) is incalculable and encourages everyone to make such activity a critical part of their schedule.

Situations such as this one are indeed rewarding and even more so when totally serendipitous. Why not “Shock a Customer” by calling or stopping by for a visit? You may be pleasantly surprised as well.

About Harry K. Jones

The Miracle of You – Part II

Posted on January 30, 2008 by Harry K. Jones

I hope some of the data provided in Part I of “The Miracle of You” may have opened your mind to the tremendous potential you posses and the unlimited possibilities which await you. If you missed that first article, take a moment now to look it over before going on.

Now let’s take a look at even more great news.

Even though you may consciously forget more than 90% of what you learn during your lifetime, your brain will store 10 times more information than can be found in the 20-million volumes within the Library of Congress!
There are at least several trillion hard-working cells inside you, some so small that it takes 250 of them placed side-by-side to equal the diameter of the period at the end of this sentence.
No single scientific instrument has been developed yet that is as sensitive to the light as is your eye. In the dark, the sensitivity increases 100,000 times so that your naked eye is able to see a faint glow, which is less than a thousandth the brightness of a candle’s flame, yet it can see the light from stars, the nearest of which is 25 billion miles away!
Your ears are as much acoustic marvels as your eyes are optic phenomenons. The inner ear can detect 15,000 different tones. Not only do these ears perform hearing, they control your equilibrium as well.
Your heart beats an average of 75 times a minute, 40 million times a year: that’s nearly three billion times in a lifetime! At each beat, the average adult heart discharges about 4 ounces of blood, nearly 3,000 gallons a day, and 650,000 gallons a year: enough to fill more than 81 gasoline tank trucks! Your heart does enough work in one hour to lift an average-sized man to the top of a three-story building, creates enough energy in 12 hours to lift a 65-ton tank one foot off the ground and generates enough power in a lifetime to lift the largest battleship completely out of the water!

Feel important? Feel amazed? Feel obligated to appreciate, pamper, and care for those astonishing gifts you’ve been blessed with? Can you honestly say that you’re living up to the extraordinary potential you possess? Whether you realize it or not, you are an amazing person! You are important! You have great value!

Can you imagine how much stress and worry could be removed from your life by realizing your true importance? Worry comes from the belief that you are powerless. You are not powerless. You are here for a reason. You possess more than enough natural intelligence and ability within you to reach any goal you want to achieve.

If you had been exposed to these facts at a young age, would it have made a difference in your self-image and your attitude toward your ability to reach your personal goals? Is there someone you know right now that might benefit from realizing how important they really are? If so, consider the priceless gift you provide to them by taking five minutes out of your busy day to sit and share this information?

Start today. Make a difference in your own life as well as the lives of others. Live up to your potential! You’ll never regret it!

About Harry K. Jones

The Miracle of You

Posted on January 14, 2008 by Harry K. Jones

I’ve had the privilege and opportunity of working a great deal with high school and college students. Over the years, I’ve identified a trend that I feel has a great deal to do with leadership potential. The age-old argument of whether leaders are made or born will generate controversy for years to come.

I’m a firm believer that many are born with a greater proclivity to learn, adapt, and pursue excellence instinctively. They are truly blessed with high energy, exceptional intelligence, extreme persistence, self confidence and a yearning to influence others. That doesn’t insure they will become a great leader.

A decade of research by the Center for Leadership Studies has proven that even those who weren’t prepared early in life to be a leader could definitely benefit from techniques designed to develop and master leadership skills.

Many other aspects such as experience, environment, culture, and self-esteem play an important part in the leadership formula as well. I’ve personally witnessed the power and results of strong self-esteem as well as the devastation which can result in the absence of this critical element.

For decades I’ve been sharing information with young people who have demonstrated a desire to pursue leadership roles in various aspects of their lives. One of the key elements I focus on is that of strong self-esteem. Young people seem to naturally fall into two distinctive groups: those who seem to feel very confident in their abilities and potential for greatness and those who struggle intensely with identifying their self-worth. The latter group, of course, will find great difficulty in achieving their leadership aspirations.

In an effort to establish a firm foundation of self-worth, I encourage young people to pause for a moment to realize how significant they really are. Reflecting on the successful outcomes of this exercise, I began using it with adults as well. I have an e-mail in my files from a middle-aged chemical plant supervisor who proclaimed that had he been exposed to this way of thinking 25 years earlier, he would certainly be much more successful today than he currently is. I was pleased when he closed his message with the observation that he realized it wasn’t too late to make a difference in his next 25 years! That’s a powerful message to share with a younger generation!

Some of the thoughts I share on this crucial subject of self-respect / self-worth / self-esteem is paraphrased from a book that has occupied a special spot on a shelf of my personal library for many years. The Power of Positive Doing by Ivan Burnell shares 12 strategies for taking control of your life. One of his many areas of focus is self-respect.

You may find it indeed rewarding to share the following observations with your children, grandchildren, students or employees. I’ve witnessed a wide variety of reactions over the years and the vast majority have been very positive and gratifying. I’ve seen people change their view of themselves after hearing this message. For some, I’m sure it was short term, for others I feel it truly had a lasting difference. What do you think?

Do You Know You?

You wake up each and every day in the driver’s seat of a modern miracle. It is your sole privilege and responsibility to direct that miracle in the right direction to achieve the personal success you desire.

Your mind, body and spirit form a exquisite organism—one which is capable of achieving almost unimaginable feats! Your body’s entire structure, from head to foot, is a miracle of precision engineering and production.

If you are an adult of average weight, this is a portion of what your body accomplishes every single day:

Your heart beats 103,689 times!
Your blood travels 168,000,000 miles!
You breath 23,040 times!
You inhale 438 cubic feet of air!
You eat 3 1/4 lbs. of food!
You drink 2.9 quarts of liquids!
You speak 25,800 to 30,000 words!
You move specific muscles 750 times!
Your nails grow .000046 of an inch!
Your hair grows .01714 of an inch!
You exercise 7,000,000 brain cells!

A number of years ago a group of prominent scientists were asked if they could create a computer that could perform all of the functions of the human brain. After exhausting research and a great deal of theorizing, these experts came to a shocking conclusion. To reproduce the actions and components of a human brain:

They would need to build a structure the size of the United Nations Buildings in New York City.
They would need to fill that building with the latest technology.
This massive, complex machinery would require a cooling system with an output equal Niagara Falls.
It would require a power source that could produce as much electricity as is used by the entire state of California!

I’d like to leave you with this information in the hopes that you will consider the true power you possess. Are you utilizing it to its fullest extent? Do you truly realize your value and potential? What are you going to do about it?

Watch our blog for Part II of “The Miracle of You,” which is coming your way in the near future. In the meantime, create an action plan to capitalize on that extraordinary potential you know you possess. Drop us a note and keep us posted on your progress and growth as you inspire others as well.

About Harry K. Jones

Think About Perspective

Posted on November 19, 2007 by Harry K. Jones

In this vast world and these hurried times, it’s sometime very challenging to truly put things in perspective. I sometimes attempt to do this in hopes of making better day-to-day decisions. It usually occurs soon after returning home from one of my many road trips.

For instance, while in the midst of thousands of people in Times Square in Manhattan, I stop to think about what may be happening at that moment back in my small, quiet Midwest home town. Upon returning home, I’ll relax on my deck overlooking the lake as I visualize what might be occurring at this precise instant in the heart of New York City where I was just a day earlier.

It’s difficult for anyone to realize how many people might exist in this world, how many cars are maneuvering our highways and byways at any given moment, or how many events may be taking place simultaneously around the globe.

Maybe the following data will help put things in better perspective for you. Think about it!

If the population of the Earth was reduced to that of a small town with 100 people, it would look something like this:

57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 Americans (northern and southern)
8 Africans

52 women
48 men

89 heterosexuals
11 homosexuals

6 people would own 59% of the whole world wealth and all of them would be from the United States of America.

80 would have bad living conditions.

70 would be uneducated.

50 would be underfed.

1 would die.

2 would be born.

1 would have a computer.

1 (only one) will have higher education.

Kind of an eye-opener isn’t it! Think about it!

About Harry K. Jones

Low Cost of Creativity

Posted on September 26, 2007 by Harry K. Jones

This past year we’ve observed a significant increase in the number of requests for creativity training. I’d like to say it was to due to the sudden realization that a creative staff provides a decisive edge in this very competitive global environment. I’d like to say that, but I don’t believe it.

While the observation is indeed true, that’s not why most organizations are finally facing the fact that they should provide creative tools, training and strategies for their people. They’re doing it out of desperation. They’ve run out of options, and they’ve seen the positive return on investment for others who saw the light early on.

One of the concerns I hear from time to time involves the high cost of adapting and maintaining a creative culture. This of course is a misconception. In fact, the opposite is true and has been proven time and time again. Let me share an example.

I just returned from a weekend at Big Cedar Lodge located 10 miles south of Branson, Missouri, on the 43,000 acre Table Rock Lake tucked into the wooded hillsides of the Ozark Mountains. This popular luxury vacation paradise is like none other I’ve had the opportunity to visit. Our client brought their entire leadership steering committee to this scenic vista to enhance their team skills. Those in attendance had a wonderful experience and constantly voiced their appreciation for the opportunity. I’m certain the price tag was substantial although the organization viewed it as an investment rather than a cost.

It was quite obvious to even the most casual observer that Big Cedar Lodge was a contradiction in creativity. Over the years, they’ve spent millions of dollars to create this Utopia. You can see the evidence at every turn:

A Jack Nicklaus signature golf course.
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.
Waterfalls at every turn.
Table Rock Lake and its 745 miles of shoreline nestled into the Ozark Mountains.
Swiftly moving streams designed to flow across the winding roads of the property.
A full-service marina, spa, and gift shop, and several choices for fine dining, along with horseback riding, pontoon boating, canoes, paddle boating, carriage rides, live entertainment, basketball, ping pong, tennis, bass and trout fishing and trails suited for walking, biking, or hiking. Tours are available by bike, jeep or horseback.
Choice of tastefully decorated lodges staggered throughout the Ozark Mountains, cozy cottages nestled in the dense forest, or rustic log cabins decked out with the latest technology and authentic wilderness decor.

I was assigned to an exquisite log cabin which gave new meaning to the word “rustic.” Constructed of rough-hewn logs, these comfortable retreat cabins offer the ultimate in personal space and total seclusion. Tucked away amidst the dense timber overlooking Table Rock Lake, the interior design of this unique cabin offered a lavish wilderness atmosphere. It came complete with a beautiful limestone fireplace, a large Jacuzzi bath, a bed the size of a football field, a full kitchen with refrigerator, stove, microwave, and dishwasher, a large 50+ inch flat screen TV, high-speed Internet access, a gigantic gas grill on a wrap-around deck, a FREE over-stocked mini-bar and a dozen very realistic looking animals placed strategically around the cabin and highlighted by recessed accent lighting.

Believe it or not, I’m trying to make a point here other than the fact that a situation like this causes one to pray for a flight delay, preferably a two- or three-day delay. This place offers anything and everything money can buy. However, it balances your experience with a large number of things that money can’t buy! Each of those particulars are a by-product of “creative thinking.”

While every attendee I chatted with sang the praises of this fabulous resort, I seldom heard the above amenities mentioned. I’m certain, beyond the shadow of a doubt, all of the above were greatly appreciated. However, what I did hear mentioned over and over again were experiences which I’m certain will be repeated to others as they return home. For instance:

Rustic signs displaying a 12 1/2 mph speed limit.
Immediate no-cost transportation all over the extended property.
Singing around cozy bonfires offered nightly.
Gingerbread Wish cookies left on your bed stand each night with a copy of a local custom and instructions on how to have your wishes granted through a cookie ceremony.
A beautiful complimentary gift basket in every cabin containing 4 large bottles of water, two bags of chips, a bag of popcorn, caramel corn, and several other snack foods.
The most pleasant, polite, informed, guest-focused staff I’ve ever encountered. After placing my wake-up call, the very pleasant operator requested my permission to call me right back to make certain the phone ring was loud enough for me. In 40 years of coast to coast travel, I have never had that happen.
After my program on Saturday, I stopped by the executive offices to let them know how pleased I was with their property, staff, culture and environment. In chatting with one of the managers, I learned that the majority of the novel practices I mentioned were created and initiated by staff members. The costs were very minimal, the response was phenomenal, and the return on investment immeasurable. Creativity, brainstorming, and innovation were obviously intricate ingredients in this very unique culture.

Those returning home from Big Cedar Lodge will have tremendous memories of an unforgettable experience. While the beauty and ambiance will not be forgotten, they will be sharing with others the creative differences they encountered … the unique remembrances which made this particular getaway stand out from all others. The “creative edge” provided by the involved staff deserves much of the credit for providing those distinctive memories … recollections which will translate into much free advertising and marketing as well as what I am certain will be a great deal of repeat business.

Does that “critical creative culture” exist within your organization? It could very well be the decisive factor in achieving future success in today’s competitive marketplace. Take a moment to visit our web site to review the following program content which may be useful in the development of such a culture for your organization:

AchieveMax® Blog

Business articles on change, creativity, customer service, leadership, motivation, teamwork, and time management, written by AchieveMax® professional speakers.

Category Archives: Look-Listen-Learn

Building Better Bridges: Networking for Personal Productivity

About Harry K. Jones

E.T.D.T. Spells Success

About Harry K. Jones

Communication as a Strategy

About Harry K. Jones

The Power of Thought

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Wal-Mart – A Learning Experience

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Shock Your Customers

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The Miracle of You – Part II

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The Miracle of You

About Harry K. Jones

Think About Perspective

About Harry K. Jones

Low Cost of Creativity

About Harry K. Jones