by Paul Simister
on July 3, 2020
The full title of this book by Pete Lindsay and Mark Bawden is
Pig Wrestling: The Brilliantly Simple Way to Solve Any Problem… and Create the Change You Need
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a 4 Stars rating. This means it is Good to Very Good.
Here is my book review.
Are you stuck with people problems?
This is a business fable about problem solving. In the book, an old barista at the coffee stall comes to the rescue of a young manager who has become extremely frustrated. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on August 2, 2019
The full title of this book by Gino Wickman is
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a 5 Stars rating. This means it is Excellent.
Here is my book review.
Comprehensive high level view of what to do to grow your business through internal excellence
I can understand why some ambitious entrepreneurs and business owners love this book. Its operating system makes a great deal of sense at a high level. While Michael Gerber’s classic small business book “The E-Myth Revisited” presents some similar ideas, this is much detailed and more of a “how to do it” guide. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on March 24, 2019
At the time of writing, Theresa May is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Rarely has the Peter Principle been so visible, so clear to everyone around.
What Is The Peter Principle?
This is the gloomy but often accurate prediction that people are promoted to promoted to their own personal level of incompetence.
Then they are stuck…doing a job badly.
How Does It Work?
A person is recruited into a lowly position. He (or she but I’m going to keep saying he to stop this becoming irritating) works hard and is considered to do a good job. he understands the role and it suits his skills.
An opening arises in the position above. The organisation looks around and wants to reward people for doing a good job and, will often be unaware of the Peter Principle, and promote the person who is doing the best job at the level below.
The new job has new responsibilities and needs new skills. These may be skills the person has already or they may be skills he can learn quickly. Alternatively they may be skills that will present a struggle to master. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on December 13, 2016
The full title of this book by Ken Blanchard, William Oncken Jr and Hal Burrows is
“The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey: Free Up Your Time And Deal With Priorities“.
In my review on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a FIVE STARS rating. This means I think the book is excellent.
Here is my book review.
If you’re rushed off your feet, this book might be the answer
When I first read read this book in the early 1990s, it was a huge wake-up call.
No wonder there weren’t enough working hours in the day as I allowed my staff’s monkeys to jump onto my shoulders. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on December 13, 2016
The full title of this book by Kenneth Blanchard, Patricia Zigarmi and Drea Zigarmi is
“Leadership and the One Minute Manager: Increasing Effectiveness Through Situational Leadership“.
In my review at Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book the book a FIVE STARS rating. This means I think it is excellent.
Here is my book review.
The third excellent One Minute Manager book
This is the third One Minute Manager book I recommend without hesitation. The others are the update of the original book The New One Minute Manager (The One Minute Manager) and The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey (The One Minute Manager).
The original book introduced a simple model based on management by goals/objectives. The Monkey book stops delegation going badly wrong as you try to e supportive in the wrong way. This book introduces situational leadership although it’s probably more accurate to call it situational management. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on June 26, 2013
Your USP or unique selling proposition is not just a marketing slogan. It is a commitment that needs to be lived and breathed by all the members of your team.
Many people have a direct or indirect effect on how your business delivers its promise and uniqueness. If they don’t, they need to understand that their job is about reducing the costs of manufacture, delivery and service to a minimum.
by Paul Simister
on May 9, 2013
Many people say your employees are your greatest asset and encourage you to be a great manager and evenly more importantly, a great leader.
That begs a question.
What Is The Definition Of A Leader?
What is a leader? What is the definition of a leader?
Is it one of those difficult to describe notions but obvious when you see it?
I’m sure you’ve had bosses who have inspired you to go above and beyond the call of duty. These are the leaders. Others can have the opposite effect and make doing the basics am unpleasant daily grind.
What is The Dictionary Definitions Of Leaders and Leadership?
The Merriam Webster dictionary says that a leader is “a person who leads”.
It then goes on to say that a leader is “a person who has commanding authority or influence”.
That doesn’t describe the notion of leadership for me. It’s not very helpful at all. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on May 2, 2013
The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard & Spencer Johnson
Book Review – 5 Stars
If you have problems managing your team then I highly recommend this short, simple, easy to read The One Minute Manager.
The One Minute Manager – Simple Ideas Make A Big Difference To How Well Your Employees Work
The big ideas in the One Minute Manager book come down to three simple techniques
That is all there is to it. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on October 15, 2007
If you have problems with staff retention and you lose staff you don’t want to lose then you need to read this blog.
In my Partners For Profit newsletter for this week I will be sending out limited time access to a back copy of Better Business Focus from November 2006.
This includes a great article by Ken Blanchard (yes, the Ken Blanchard of One Minute Manager fame) about how to retain your staff called “The Talent Contest”.
In a survey that Ken’s company did, it was discovered that 50% or more of an individual’s job satisfaction depends on the relationship they have with their immediate manager. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on October 1, 2007
Which is your greatest asset – your team of employees or your customers?
Both are vital for any business to succeed.
Both must have a “more than satisfactory” relationship with your business for it to consistently provide a high standard of service.
But have you thought how your team can help win you more sales? [continue reading…]