Ranking and Executing Initiatives (Planning Cast, 6 of 6)

March 25th, 2008 by Sean Burke

Ranking and Executing Initiatives

In this podcast, Jeff and Sean discuss the process of ranking and executing on Corporate Initiatives.

Their discussion points are:

1. Why ranking Initiatives is important
2. How to rank Initiatives
3. What’s next, once they are ranked
4. Suggestions on when to start working on Initiatives
5. Updating progress on deliverable attainment
6. How to get Initiatives back on track if they fall behind schedule
7. Tips on executing them

Please share with us your comments on our casts…we’d like your feedback!

Starbucks – Back to Basics

March 25th, 2008 by Sean Burke

By now most of you have likely heard that just recently Starbucks closed it’s doors to customers for a few hours in order to do something very important – train it’s team. This very public event got me thinking about what they were doing so I asked Julie at my local store what happened.

She shared with me that the training focused on how to deliver the perfect beverage. So they reinforced – how to make a shot of espresso, how much to pour in the cup, what type of experience each customer should have – you know the basics.

I was encouraged that Howard Schultz is getting back to the roots of the company – coffee and clients. I’m pretty sure they didn’t talk about music labels and upcoming artist releases.

In fact it reminds me of the TV ad, where the CEO brings in his entire management team and shares with them that they just got fired from their oldest client. He then proceeds to hand out airline tickets for each person to go visit their clients – leaving one for himself – a ticket to go see the client who just fired them. Remember that one?

Don’t forget the basics.

Service Design Movement – Are you in it?

March 25th, 2008 by Sean Burke

Last Friday, I got to interview one of the more interesting people you could meet. Dr. Thompson is the President of the Ringling College of Art and Design. A recovering lawyer, founding father of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and now President of one of the premier Colleges in the US for Art and Design.

During our interview, he spoke about a field with emerging popularity called Service Design. Have you heard of this? It is the process of using design principals to create customer experiences. So when you go into Starbucks, the travel mugs you buy are designed in a way to create an experience. The music is tied in to give you a certain feel. The layout of the tables and chairs are to promote casual conversation.

I’ve noticed in many places that I visit – the layout of the space seems well thought out – very purposeful – must be service design right?

What you know about this area…?

Know your interest – Frank Sanchez

March 23rd, 2008 by Sean Burke

I attended an event yesterday where I got to hear Frank Sanchez speak – Frank is an engaging public speaker. In his discussion he shared a thought provoking story of “two sisters and the orange.” The essence of the story is this:

  1. Two Sisters are fighting over an orange
  2. Their mother frustrated with the bickering cuts the orange in half
  3. She then gives 1/2 to each of the girls
  4. One girl cuts out the inside and squeezes it into juice to drink
  5. The other girl uses the peel of her half to bake a cake
  6. The moral – if you take the time to learn each others interest – the more likely that both parties will get a better outcome

It’s a very simple story but it hits home the importance of patience, asking questions and understanding others interest.

Win Your MP3 Player Here

March 22nd, 2008 by Sean Burke

For the attendees of the Asian American Business Chamber of Commerce Forum this morning, the first 5 who post a comment below that includes:

  1. Your great client profile
  2. Your two-word (two-themed) strategy

will immediately win a portable MP3 player…

Best,

Sean

Interview – Andrew Cohen

March 20th, 2008 by Sean Burke

Andrew Cohen

Andrew Cohen – President & CEO of Vertical IT Solutions.

In this interview, Andrew shares with us:

  1. What is happening in the IT Industry
  2. Where the IT industry is heading
  3. Vertical IT’s role in the future of business
  4. Connection between people, processes, technology and value
  5. The importance of developing good processes
  6. Technology, Sales and Leadership
  7. The differences between an Entrepreneur and a CEO
  8. His tips to those who would like to start their own business

Listen in…enjoy…and comment.

Creating a Vision – Mise en Place

March 20th, 2008 by Sean Burke

I recently interviewed Maryann Ferenc the proprietor of Mise en Place here in Tampa. Her restaurant has been in business over 20-years which is a remarkable accomplishment in the finicky restaurant industry.

But in talking with her what really stood out to me was how passionate she is about creating a vision for her company/team. In her words (not exactly but close) – “I try to show my team where they should walk; what direction they should head and more often then not…they walk farther, faster then I expected.”

Great insight Maryann…thank you! Stay tuned for her cast in our CEO Insights area.

Zip Car – Smart New Service

March 18th, 2008 by Sean Burke

Every so often a new product or service comes to market that is just plain smart. The latest service that I have found that fits this tag is delivered by a company called Zip Car.

Here is a brief description:

Zipcar, the Cambridge-based company that lets urban dwellers rent cars by the hour, has sped past older car-sharing businesses to become the world’s largest. The seven-year-old company recently fast-tracked its growth by striking deals with colleges, corporations, apartment and office complexes, and most recently its US rival, Flexcar. Read the full article

I wish this was available when I was in college…no mountain biking to the grocery store in the middle of winter. If anyone has used this service I’d love to hear your impressions.

Use Google Alerts – Don’t Miss the Conversation

March 17th, 2008 by Sean Burke

If your business has reached a level of popularity that you are getting consistent referrals or when you meet people at events and they say – “oh yeah, I know about you and your company.”- then the conversation has begun. What do I mean by this? People are talking. Good or Bad – they are talking about you and the work that you do. Many of these conversations you hear, because you are there (physically) – many you aren’t.

One way to tap into the conversation is by using Google Alerts. Google Alerts is an easy to use tool to track online interest and conversations about topics important to you. Merely type in the term – say in my case “Sean Burke” – and daily you will receive an email alerting you to discussions about that term. Warning…think through the terms that you want to track. In my case, Sean Burke, well that may seem to make a lot of sense but the most talked about Sean Burke isn’t me – it is the former hockey goalie Sean Burke…so be specific.

Mama Maria’s – Family Business at its finest

March 16th, 2008 by Sean Burke

There is nothing in the world like a family run restaurant

My family got to experience one of the treasures of business today… sharing a meal at a family-run business. The name of the restaurant is Mama Maria’s. The restaurant is located in Tarpon Springs and can be found on the main street that cuts through the town.

The food was authentic Greek and the atmosphere was like home. Michael, Mama Maria’s son, I believe, stopped by and talked with us for a good 15 minutes. And not just the normal chit-chat…we actually got into where we grew up…the history of the town…how they just remodeled the place…how Governor Crist (from Florida made good on a promise to him)… good stuff. He genuinely seemed interested in us…the patrons. I felt like I could go back and he’d remember me.

When was the last time you went to a chain restaurant and felt the same way (first time out of the shoot)?

Please visit this great place if you ever can:

503 Alt 19N (N Pinellas Ave.) Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Make sure to try the Keftedes…umm