KEYS FOR SUCCESS

A Free Monthly Newsletter, highlighting strategies from our popular programs,

to Expand Your Personal and Professional Growth and Happiness by

KINZA

Presentations & Consulting Group

www.kinza.net* (800) 575-6817 * (262) 567-6317 / Kinza@kinza.net

 

 Change your thoughts and you will change your world.

                                                                                                            N. Vincent Peale     

 

June 2008

 

 

CONTENTS

·         The Lesson of Laughter

·         The Art of Giving Your Business Card

·         Tsunami About to Hit Customer Service

·         Charisma Can Be learned

·         Adding Workplace Fun

·         FYI Corner

·         Leadership 101

·         Today’s Chuckle

 

Welcome to our New Subscribers!

 

THE LESSON OF LAUGHTER

 

Once again, our wedding anniversary is approaching, my how time flies! Now, many people ask: 

“Wow, how did you last that long?” My answer is always the same. We used a healthy dose of laughter — whether it was from me locked out of my car in some parking lot; or him backing his boat into the windshield of my car; from my lack of skills on his sacred fishing trip or him trying to teach me how to drive a stick shift. Oh yes, then there was the day my boiled eggs ended up on the kitchen ceiling.  

 

As long as one of you keeps your sense of humor, you are going to be all right. On those days when neither of you sport your funny bone, you are going to have a long day! Somewhere in our childhoods we were all told to “get serious and grow up,” and we did. When we can reclaim our sense of humor, it makes the day-to-day challenges much easy to handle. It works the same for us in the workplace. A sense of humor will make you seen as easier to work with; nicer to be around; a better team player, and more human as a leader.

 

How many times will you use humor today?

 

“Laughter—it does a body good.”

 

 

 

THE ART OF GIVING YOUR BUSINESS CARD

 

If you are one of the many who keep their business cards in their pockets, often held together with a rubber band or paper clip, this tip is for you. Invest in a nice business card holder. Try opening it before you purchase it. It should unclip smoothly and easily. If it is hard to open, do not purchase it. There is nothing worse than a struggle display when someone is looking at you waiting for your card.

 

A nice holder will open easily with your thumb, use your thumb then to continue sliding the top card out of the holder and hand it to the prospect. Your holder and finesse will speak volumes for you.

 

“A first impression is a lasting impression.”

 

 

 

TSUNAMI ABOUT TO HIT CUSTOMER SERVICE

 

Okay now we have the Boomers who are retiring from the workplace in droves and taking their “rapport building, desire to please” attributes with them. The displacement of this huge body of employees is going to affect us all. The numbers of leadership positions needed to be filled far outnumbers the pool of Gen-Xers available; hence, employers will be dipping into the Gen-Y employment pool. This year the demand for our “Bridging the Generational Divides” presentation has been the biggest ever. Why? The four generations are butting heads and leadership is panicking in their bewilderment of how to fill the expected vacancies. How can they have a workforce of Gen-Y’ers trained and ready to take on the challenge? Train them? The large concern I’m hearing is; how do we even connect with them when we can’t even understand them? How does each generation integrate with one another when ear are so different? It is true that this generation brings with it an entire new set of attributes never before seen, so is it any wonder management is in a tizzy with how to best integrate and train them for leadership positions – fast? There are a few basic paradigm shifts to remember when designing your training sessions for, or working with, Gen-Y:

 

n      Unlike their elders, they have been decision makers and experts in their own home since kindergarten. Do not underestimate them, they are not easily intimidated.

n      With a global network, they have definite opinions, and can contribute creative ideas out-of-the-box thinking. Recognize their intelligence and ask for their input.

n      They are products of a customer service society. They know what it is, and they expect it. Yet for so many, their idea of giving good customer service—at a fast food chain for instance—is getting the correct order into the hands of the customer as quickly as possible. Learning how to build the relationship will require interactive training on understanding the other generations and being re-enforced with tools for expressing an enthused, compassionate serving attitude.

 

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress.

Working together is success.
                                                                                       Henry Ford

 

 

For more on understanding the generations, see our Special Reports at:  www.kinza.net/shop/index.html#reports  or call our office for program availability.

 

                                                                                                                                                                         

CHARISMA CAN BE LEARNED

 

Who do you know whom you would describe as being charismatic? With the impact of technology pulling us into a glazed-over state, a charismatic person stands out like a welcomed light on a dark day. Charisma is a presence that seems to exude trust and attract people like a magnet. It is a key ingredient for establishing rapport. Some people just seem to ‘have it.’ Actually, think how much easier life could be if we all were able to develop this quality. The good news is you can! Our confidence, behavior patterns, empathy, good judgment, manners, wisdom and wit are all seeds encased in our bodies just waiting to be developed. The persona we project to others can be either a diamond in the rough or a polished gem. Which would you rather be?  

 

For those of us who are diamonds in the rough, it behooves us to make a vested effort to develop traits that will benefit us in our lives and relationships with others.

 

A few tips to start with:

 

—         Forget the ego; don’t take things personally.

—         Enter a room silently; observe and adapt.

—         Learn how to be a good communicator (that is speaking and listening).

—         Eye contact ALWAYS.

—          Don’t talk too much.

—         Don’t talk too fast.

—         Practice remembering names.

—         Focus on the big picture.

—         Empower others.

 

Remember: “He who speaks most is listened to the least.”

 

 

ADDING WORKPLACE FUN

-         Learn how to juggle. Offer classes at break time.

-         Put uplifting post it notes around to remind people to lighten up. On the bathroom mirror – 'Ears looking at you.” On the water cooler – “Freshen up your funny bone.”  On a desk plant – “Fun can grow on  you.” on the elevator: "Reaching new heights together"

 

 

 

THE "FYI" CORNER

 

*****************FEATURE OF THE MONTH   *****************
		Design the Life You Want NOW!   Feel like life is passing you by?  Ever wonder how you can move out of your present situation into a better one?  Need help in setting life goals? This CD gives a 6-step plan for being all that you can be and living the life you want. Companion workbook provides your template for success through creation of a mission statement, defining goals, steps and timelines.  This is a great tool for personal growth, couple communication, classrooms and retreats. Order today from: www.kinza.net/shop.

 6 MONTHS DOWN & COUNTING: We've reached the half year mark! It's been almost six months since you made those New Year Eve Resolutions, how are you doing with your 2008 goals? What steps have you taken? What do you still need to do? GREAT TIP: Find a "Goal Buddy" to help you be accountable and give you support.

---

OFFER AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT THAT ROCKS: Grow your leaders! Offer an in-house Toastmaster’s Club. Join the companies who offer this as a convenience and communication skills building tool. Go to www.toastmasters.org to find a Club near you to help your company get started.  Another option for smaller companies: Offer to pay their dues to join a local club (usually a minimal amount) and watch their potential soar. 

FORWARD THIS ON TO YOUR FRIENDS & COLLEAGUES

You may also use any part of KEYS FOR SUCCESS in your organizational newsletters with proper credit given to: D. Kinza Christenson, Kinza Presentations & Consulting Group, Keynotes & Training, (800) 575-6817.

TOASTS: LEADERSHIP 101 –

FATHER’S DAY:

-  To Dad:  May the love and respect we have for you today make up for all the worry and frustrations we caused you as a teenager.

 

-  If I can become half the man my Dad is; I’ll have achieved greatness.

   

 

GOLF: 

-  Here’s to ____ who plays golf religiously. That means anytime s/he makes a good shot, it’s considered a miracle!

-  I love golf, it makes me happy, It makes me feel alive.

   But I hit the ball all over the course; I need a cart with four-wheel drive.

 

 

 

 

 

KINZA – The Performance Pro & Motivational Humorist

Spotlight Keynotes * Training * DISC Assessments

(800) 575-6817 * (262) 567-6317 *

Website: www.kinza.net   Email: kinza@kinza.net

Now is the time to invest in your biggest asset:  Your people
   Make your best ever better:
      -- Better Performance
         -- Better Productivity
            -- Better Profits

TOP PROGRAMS
-- Hurray, It's Monday!

-- Laugh & Live Your Dreams

-- Bridging the Generational Divides

-- Taking Your Heart & Soul to Work

-- Be a Management Star with DISC
-- Solving the Personality Puzzle

-- Use DISC and Close More Deals

-- Presentation Skills 101

-- Image- Increasing Your Status, Appeal and Wealth

-- The Glory of Making a Difference

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