Where do you belong?

My years in Corporate America felt empty. Management battled with the unions. Competition was often intense.
Not much socializing nor team spirit.
Turnover was high.
There was an occasional Christmas party. But it was rarely attended by the suits.
They usually had their own Christmas party.
Suits, like the Cabots, only mixed with suits.

It's different working in family-owned businesses.
We feel respected, appreciated, even loved.
We have a feeling of being part of something bigger.
It’s the foundation of all religions.
The foundation for civic and social clubs.
The foundation of successful organizations.
At our little family-owned businesses:
• We often get together for a cook-out.
• We make lasagna, spaghetti or chili for lunch.
• We do 99% of our planning together.
• We wind down together at 4:30 each Friday.
Beer, Cokes, wine, popcorn, small talk.

We work to create a sense of belonging.
We have low turnover. People help each other.
Our sales people even trade accounts.
If you get nowhere with one, someone else may.

Competition is aimed at our competition.
We don’t compete with each other.

Make sure your teammates feel that way.
You can’t put a price tag on high morale.
It‘s the secret to peak performance.

Want a free peek at my new peak performance book?
"What It Costs to Be the Boss" may change your life.
Just email me at this address.
Please send mailing address and phone number.
I’ll send you a four-chapter sampler from the book.

What’s your plan?

Good morning, East Coast fans.
Good evening, West Coast fans.
Hello to those of you in between.

Today's big question is:
Are your weekly goals in writing?
Or are they just a dream still in your head?
An unwritten goal is still just a dream.
You need to put it in writing.

List your Big Frogs and give them priority.
Post it where you will see the list every day.

We need to be reminded of what’s important.
Otherwise busy little stuff will take our time.
Our in-box can distract us from the big goals.
We go home feeling harried and tired because . . .
. . . the busy little stuff killed our day.
- - - time vampires sucked us dry.
. . . we accomplished nothing important.

I encourage you to list your quarterly goals.
It’s your first step in taking a dream to reality.
Here are five of mine:

1. Publish my new servant leadership book.
It title: “What It Costs to Be the Boss: 21 Strategies of Peak Performers in Today’s Challenging Economy”.

2. Step up training for our colleagues.
This includes weekly lunch and learn discussions.

3. Attract six new VIP Club members .
As our charter members have done, they can:
• Take advantage of our Rock Star Marketing.
• Grow business with our Client Attraction programs.
• Receive media advertising and publicity.

4. Plan our summer VIP Club cruise.
This will be on the sleek Spirit of Lake Murray.
An evening cruise with people worth knowing.

5. Accept three new coaching clients.
I can’t save the world . . . but can help a few.
If you’re interested, details at JerryBellune.biz