by Scott Steinberg | Jan 8, 2015 | General
What do hugely successful people do differently that allows them to win in their business or career time and again, even in the most uncertain and unpredictable of environments? The answers may surprise you. In our latest video, we take a closer look at what it takes to excel in the modern workplace – and just how simple it is for anyone to put themselves on the fast-track to success. A few simple tips include: Make yourself so valuable you’re impossible to replace. Constantly be learning and adding to your professional toolkit. Create your own opportunities instead of waiting for them to come to you. Go above and beyond, and see hard tasks through that others avoid due to their difficulty. Never stop reinventing yourself and finding ways to improve. Use off-the-clock-hours to pursue projects that will help you stand out. Take smart risks in your career and business. Check out the clip for a complete rundown of what it takes to succeed in the new normal:...
by Scott Steinberg | Dec 17, 2014 | General
As both individuals and organizations, we all need a better way to solve business problems in an age of constant uncertainty and disruption. As we discovered while researching Make Change Work for You, just such a system exists – and, in fact, is already being used to devastating effect by the world’s most innovative companies, and business leaders. Better yet, you can use the same simple, four-part model that leading innovators use to succeed in highly unpredictable marketplaces to succeed more frequently in your life, your career, or your organization as well. Like we explain in the following video, the process of future-proofing oneself and successfully addressing any challenge or concern that the future brings becomes far simpler when you put the F.E.A.R. (Focus, Engage, Assess, React) framework to work for you. Just click the link below to quickly discover how to turbo-charge your business or career today by applying its simple shifts in...
by Scott Steinberg | Nov 22, 2014 | General
Of all the buzzwords utilized in business today, innovation and disruption rank among the most popular. What you may be surprised to learn is that they also rank among the most widely misunderstood. Were you to look up either term’s definition, you may be surprised what you’d find – and just how simple and straightforward it is for anyone to disrupt and innovate. Case in point: Disruption is simply defined as a disturbance or problem which interrupts current events, or throws normal routines into chaos. In essence, when we speak of disruptions, we’re actually speaking about novel or unforeseen difficulties. Similarly, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, innovation is simply the introduction of something new, such as an original idea or way to reposition your business. So really, when we talk about innovation, we’re just discussing creative and resourceful approaches to productivity or problem solving – i.e. practical ways of dealing with all the disruption that confronts us. Moreover, innovation isn’t always about cutting-edge breakthroughs or game-changing technologies either. In fact, simple shifts in business strategy or outlook can be every bit as powerful as new technology and groundbreaking discoveries. But most importantly, as research shows, innovation is simply a matter of perspective, and process of constant reinvention. And organizations of every size and background have the ability to leverage its core principles to succeed more frequently going forward. Consider that every year, Booz & Company studies hundreds of the world’s top innovators—companies like Google, Amazon, and Samsung—to see what gives them a competitive edge. Shockingly, market leaders don’t have more time, more money or greater resources to throw at...
by Scott Steinberg | Nov 22, 2014 | General
The most successful people share a striking number of similar habits. Regardless of whether they’re the CEO of a technology startup, or a passionate educator, their reoccurring patterns of behavior often pave the way to ongoing levels of achievement. Below are seven habits that hugely successful people use to maximize productivity, effectiveness and success – by following them, you can also catapult yourself further, faster towards achieving your own personal or professional goals. Minimize Distractions According to Basex, a management science company, it’s estimated that distractions cost U.S. businesses $588 billion per year, a number that continues to grow. Besides costing businesses billions in resources, these sneaky time consumers undermine concentration and can make it hard to stay focused on a task or consistently follow important train of thought. Learning to ignore these nuisances can help you create less stress, improve productivity, and enjoy a happier workday, so put your phone away, log out of your social media accounts, and close your office door during your most productive hours. If you’re not quite sure which distractions eating up your day, try tracking what you do each hour by creating a running diary for two to three weeks to find out. Get Enough Rest Productivity can suffer if you don’t feel your best, and one of the most important factors of feeling up to par is maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Getting enough rest is one of the easiest things you can do to revitalize your mental clarity, passion and energy. The National Sleep Foundation states that there’s no magic number when determining the right amount of sleep needed, but...
by Scott Steinberg | Nov 20, 2014 | General
So much for the status quo… As we discovered by studying scores of leading experts and innovators, research confirms what most already suspect: Continuous change is the new norm in business. Happily, in today’s highly-disruptive world, innovation is just another word for improvisation—and anyone can adapt to new and novel problems the same way leading innovators do: By studying problems, brainstorming original solutions, then steadily trying and improving as they go. Looking to stay ahead of the curve in your career or business? Doing so may be simpler than you suspect. The answer: To thrive in fast-changing times, change with them; to future-proof yourself, become more flexible. Organizations like Amazon and Google create competitive advantage by consistently experimenting with and learning from new ideas. Individuals succeed more frequently by thinking fast on their feet and resiliently forging ahead despite setbacks, not possessing greater IQ or inborn talent. As becomes more obvious when you take a closer look at how modern leaders succeed, winning isn’t about having more resources these days, rather being more resourceful; getting ahead not about being a genius, but more ingenious instead. Keeping this in mind, to succeed in fast-moving and highly unpredictable environments, you’ve got to find the courage to take chances. In uncertain times, everyone wants to be risk-free. Instead, you can create competitive advantage by being risk-averse—recognizing that change is coming, and making smart, calculated, and cost-affordable bets that can help you gain the insights, talents or capabilities today that will be in-demand tomorrow. Whatever your stated goal, pick a portfolio of promising growth activities to try—launch a new product line or re-launch...
