The agile movement values collaboration among team members, self-organizing teams, and technical excellence. In theory, one would think that everyone would want to be part of an agile team. It just doesn’t work that way in practice and some team members will need additional support to become comfortable with this change. Following are five tips for getting team members on board with agile.

Tip #1 – Listen First

In the world of software development, most people have developed opinions about the agile movement. Unfortunately, those opinions may have been formed as a result of incomplete or inaccurate information. One person may have formed his opinion based on the experience of a friend who participated in a failed agile roll out. Another person may have formed an opinion based on self-serving publications that make agile out to be some sort of silver bullet that s

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You know those types of people we refer to as marshmallows? They have a tough exterior, something about them seems hardened or brusque. But when we get to know them, they turn out to be softies. Actually sweet. They have a squishy inside because they care about people. That’s just not what they show at first to the outside world.

Effective sellers do well to be the opposite of these marshmallow types. If you can be soft on the outside, empathetic and compassionate and interested in your buyers, while being tough on the inside you’ll do well long-term in sales.

Sellers who develop a tough exterior usually do so because they have a defense mechanism. After all, selling is difficult, and you have to develop the strength to be able to hear the word “no” over and over again. But that should be what is happening internally. That toughness should be a fortitude, a determination, a resilience so that you can keep pressin

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The phrase ‘change management’ has almost become a cliché in the business world.  Many companies and consultants claim to be experts in the subject, but indeed, it’s doubtful that any have become masters. Yet why would this be the case?  Because every company, culture, function and situation can be different, and there is not one common recipe for change management that applies to all.  Thus, when thinking about driving change in the contracting arena, it can be even more challenging to drive change amongst processes and procedures that are typically rigid and established as such for very good business reasons.  Contracting processes must be thorough and properly address the business needs, and it is often challenging to convince stakeholders that contracting processes will benefit from any type of modification.  Let’s discuss some effective ways on how change can be success in a contracting environment.

One of

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Most people look forward to Thanksgiving as the kickoff to the holiday season, the festivities and the perspective we tend to gain by being thoughtful about the blessings we have in our lives. Family and friendships, the world around us, we absorb it, we appreciate it, we see the good in each and every aspect.  The mental state we create is a choice. We choose to acknowledge the good over the bad during this time of year. Maybe this year we can choose to extend that acknowledgement to our employees, our coworkers and boss.

How Giving Thanks Can Bring Perspective At Work

What I’m talking about goes beyond wishing others a happy turkey day. Instead I challenge you to sit down, take out a pen and paper and write down the good qualities of each person in your work life. The value they bring to the team, to your efforts, to the organization. Even for those difficult personalities you encounter, search for something you can be tha

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You believe in the potential of thought leadership marketing. You know it can be a game changer. You see it working wonders for businesses all around. But, wait a second: How do you make it work for yourself?

Thought leadership marketing needn’t be an intimidating task. Like much of life, success in thought leadership marketing boils down to having clarity of thought and purpose. Here’s a five step ready-reckoner to help you get started to establish your thought leadership footprint:

5 Steps to a Great Thought Leadership Marketing Strategy

1. Identify your ‘big idea’.

Do you have anything unique to share? If yes, do you think that it can be your competitive differentiator? If yes, again, then do you feel that this specific product, service or ideology will provide value to your target audience? I

You can read the full store at Managing Americans 5 Steps to a Great Thought Leadership Marketing Strategy