Business Insights

Microsoft OneNote

Do you ever have a problem staying organized?  Have you created some systems on your computer (like folders and such) but still have some projects or things that have to be saved/stored in multiple places because of software limitations?  Microsoft has something that might be helpful in getting you over the hump and on the way to being "completely organized":-)!!  It is called Microsoft OneNote!

OneNote is a complimentary piece of software for Microsoft Office.  It comes in both the 2003 and 2007 versions.  I downloaded the free trial version last week and love it!  It allows you to pull things from the web or any software program and store it in an intelligent, simple way.

I could go on and on about all of the neat features, but I think it would be easier for you to "see for yourself".  Listed below is a link to a demo of how Jeff Raikes, a President of a Microsoft Business Division, utilizes OneNote to stay organized and keep track of multiple people/projects.  The demo, called "OneNote 2007 - An Executive's Best Practice" is a great example of how to utilize a lot of the features of this software.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!  Now go get organized!

When Short Term Hires Can Be a Good Thing

I was speaking with a good friend who owns a small business in California.  This gentleman recently bought into this business as a partner and is in the process of trying to strengthen the team and its operations so he can grow the business.

He was very excited about a recent addition to his company.  The young man was energetic and had a great attitude.  The only reservation the partner had was the young man wanted to be a fireman and would only be with them for about a year to eighteen months as he finished up school and began the process of applying for an opening with the fire department.

Many small business owners might not have hired this individual because they figure "why go through the hassle of training this guy when I will just have to replace him in a year...then I will have to find and train someone else".  Believe me, passing on an individual like this would be a mistake!

If you are in the process of turning around a business or trying to build a stronger team, you should always try and strengthen that team with stronger players...even if you know they will only be with you either part time or for a short period of time.  Adding "the right people" to the bus (as Jim Collins would say in "Good to Great") is ALWAYS the right choice.  These people have a rippling effect on your current team members and add to or reinforce the positive attributes you want to see reflected in your team.  Whether knowingly or unknowingly, these types of additions help raise the bar for all team members (including you!!) and will help you move the team forward.

So take that chance on that short term, great addition to your team!  Plus, you never know...you might be able to provide them with an opportunity or working environment that causes them to change their mind and stay!!

Good Luck!!

Passionate Communications

I had a number of driving trips on my schedule recently so I wanted to pick up an audio book to help make the drive time a little more productive.  As I browsed the possible titles, I selected the timeless business classic "Good to Great" by Jim Collins.

I first read this book about six years ago and loved it so I was very excited to revisit some of the principles that I learned and began applying in the business unit I was running at that time.  As much as I loved the book, there were times where the book seems a little slow and seemed to drag from time to time.  While the book was first published in 2001, the unabridged audio wasn't recorded until 2005. 

As I listened to the book, I was struck at how Jim's passion came through very clearly and found myself even more engaged than the first time I read the book.  I was also struck by the fact that the audio book did not seem to drag at all!  I wondered why the book seemed slow at times but the audio book didn't?? 

The conclusion I came to was the fact that the written word simply could not capture the full intensity of Jim's passion for the subject!

As I thought about this revelation, I began thinking about how many emails, letters and other written communications I had sent that probably didn't have the effect I wanted because they simply could not capture my passion or intensity for the subject matter. 

With the vast array of technological improvements, there is really no reason to make that mistake again!  You can now send out voice mails via distribution lists, podcasts and such.  The next time you have an important message you want to get out to a group of people, don't rely on the written word to convey your passion.  Consider your options and choose the option that will best convey your full passion and get the message across clearly and fully!!