The Change Agent Blog: General

Deal with Change by Managing Upward

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It’s spring in Ohio and I love all the blossoming trees and flowers! This is a photo of an early Magnolia blossom from Innis Woods Metro Park which is about a half mile from our home. It’s always enjoyable to go for a walk there in the spring.

The blossoms are a reminder that after the deadness of winter, spring is always around the corner. It is also how I choose to think about life – when I have gone through times of difficulty and challenge; it is usually followed by learning and growth.

On to my message… For this post, I’ve decided to share four tips on how to manage your boss from my booklet “93 Tips for Managing Change.” Managing your boss is becoming more important with the shaky economy. I hope you find these tips helpful:

• Identify information important to a new leader in your organization. Determine what format your boss would most appreciate this information. Proactively obtain and provide this information to your boss as a way of partnering with him or her.
• Seek feedback on projects or assignments before a potential miscommunication can occur and mistakes become a crisis. If you are not clear about what your supervisor wants from you — ask questions.
• Ask your boss and others for positive (not just negative or corrective) feedback.
• Learn to “whine with purpose” to the people who impact and determine change in your organization. Ask the person for permission for you to give them some feedback on the proposed change. Use the DASS script to plan what you will say to them rather than reacting in anger.

             Describe the problematic decision or change
             Acknowledge how you feel about the change and the impact on the team
             Specify a solution
             Share with the person how this new plan will benefit him/her

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Are you on FaceBook or Linked In? Let’s connect. You can find me on LinkedIn at: http://tiny.cc/2iHf1 or on FaceBook at: http://tiny.cc/kHOlZ

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A new Favorite Resource:

I’ve had such great results from a fitness program that I’ve been doing since January that I’m going to pass the information on to you. My friend and speaking colleague, Zonya Foco and Movement Training Expert, Sherry McLaughlin put together a $15 DVD called the “Movement Training Program for Everyday Fitness.” The benefits I’ve enjoyed include stronger back (less pain) and core, flatter stomach and tighter butt. I’ve tried many different programs but none produced such good results.

The program is based on five Key Movement Facts: (1) You were designed to be symmetrical. (2) You were designed to move in three planes of motion. (3) Muscles only learn the lessons we teach them. (4) Pain (with age) is not inevitable. (5) It’s almost always about the butt.

Check out the free demo they have on Zonya’s website: http://tiny.cc/bS6BM.

Let me know what you think…

 

Have a wonderful Spring!

Patti Hathaway, CSP & Business Advisor

Special St. Patrick’s Day Offer

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

…I knew you would not want to miss out on this Exclusive Private Invite to Celebrate…Today, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day! Do one simple thing today and within minutes the leprechauns will ‘gift’ you with a Pot o’ Gold filled with wisdom from over 50 of this planet’s most treasured authors, entrepreneurs, and speakers!

My friends and I came together to offer you this huge Pot o’ Gold with 50 + bonus gifts worth thousands of dollars, ABSOLUTELY FREE. WHY?  To support a dear friend of ours, Maureen G. Mulvaney, MGM. Help make her dream come true by celebrating the launch of her book: The Women’s Millionaire Club ~The Closely Guarded Secret Success Recipes of Millionaire Women for Building and Owning a Home-Based Business.

Think about it – the last recession we went through spawned many new successful entrepreneurs. Perhaps now is the time for you to learn more about what it takes to be successful?

But what if you are not a woman? No problem. Forward this offer to women you think may be interested. Or, just take a look at the free offers and you may want to buy the book for a friend just so you can take advantage of the 50 free bonus gifts (including mine).

MGM is my friend and an internationally known speaker and author.  She has inspired and motivated hundreds of thousands to transform their lives–I know she will inspire and motivate you. That’s why, I’m offering both of my Tips booklets (93 Tips for Managing Change and 107 Tips for Developing Customer Loyalty) as one of the Pot o’ Gold Free Bonus Gifts.

This is YOUR Exclusive Private Invitation to Claim Your Pot o’ Gold and Discover the Secret Success Recipes that will Explode Your Home Based Business. Click on this link to Open Your Exclusive Time-Limited Invite:

Thanks for Making MGM’s Dream Come True,
I know her Book will Help You Make Your Dreams Come True!
~Together, We Can Make This Book a Best Seller!

Patti Hathaway, CSP
The CHANGE AGENT
Solving People Challenges
www.thechangeagent.com
1-800-339-0973

P.S. Don’t forget – to get your discount and Pot o’ Gold Bonus Gifts–Order
The Women’s Millionaire Club  Today…St. Patrick’s day…March 17, 2009!

Click on this link now to See All the Details:

The Myths and Realities of the Successful College Search – Feb 19 Special Program

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Time-Limited Event Special Invitation – February

I am co-delivering a one-tie program for high School parents: The Myths and Realities of the Successful College Search

Are you overwhelmed with finding the right college for your student? Not sure where to even begin? Do you have a strategy for figuring out what your student wants to major in and how their interests match to specific colleges? Do you want your student to earn scholarships but don’t know where or how to begin the process of getting them noticed? This workshop will address the top five myths of the successful college search:

1. My student will do most of the college search work him/herself and/or the HS guidance counselor will help my student find the right college.
2. Any school will do as long as my student goes to college.You can take side-trips to visit colleges while on your summer vacation.
3. Top academic students will automatically get scholarships.
4. Only top athletes get athletic scholarships.
5. Taught by two moms, Patti Hathaway and Karen Matis, who have done extensive research and who have been successful in helping their students through the college search process. They will share with you what has worked for their families and how you can do the same.

Who Should Attend: High School Parents and Students

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2009

Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Location: Heritage Christian Church, 7413 Maxtown Road (Westerville, Ohio 43082), Room 210 (follow the signs to the room). Main evening entrance is on west side of the church.

RSVP by February 17 to: (so we have enough chairs and outlines) or register on-line (scroll down alphabetically for “Myths and Realities of the Successful College Search”)

Holiday Stress Tips

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In light of the next two weeks of holidays, I have some suggestions on how to lessen the stress that often comes with the holidays.

Financial Strains

A recent survey found that finances are the most common cause of holiday stress. Buying gifts and paying for travel expenses can create a significant financial burden. Here’s a quick tip that my extended family (my parents, siblings and spouses, nieces and nephews) are doing this Christmas. We are bringing a $10 gift for each member of our family. None of us really “need” anything. This inexpensive alternative doesn’t put strain on those families without a lot of money but it still offers the fun of opening gifts. My Dutch (meaning really thrifty) family will certainly pride themselves on who got the most expensive gift for $10.

Free Yourself from Taking Offense

Consider cutting people slack by not taking offense at what they say (or don’t say). It is so easy to be easily offended by family members because of our history with them. For example, when they make a sarcastic remark, choose to ignore it and not allow it to “tear flesh.” Then, immediately forgive them. Years ago, my husband and I would spend our 6 hour drive home from my parents psychoanalyzing all the comments and what they “really” meant. It was a lot of wasted emotional energy. Keep in mind that when we don’t forgive others we become bitter…and bitterness is a lot like a match in that it only burns the person holding on to it.

Read More

Tips for Developing Customer Loyalty

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I was thinking I should share tips on change this month since we are in the midst of numerous changes; however, it is time for the customer loyalty tips instead. Before I do that, let me quickly catch you up on our changes – professionally, we have a totally redesigned website (check it out at: www.thechangeagent.com) and a new blog. My blog will replace this e-mail newsletter after this issue. In fact, if you visit my website you will see this newsletter as my first blog entry (including fun photos).

Blogging is new to me as an author and I’m looking forward to the ability to add an entry whenever I choose to rather than relying on someone else to send it out (because of my lack of tech expertise). I will also be able to post links to articles I think might benefit you. As a convenience to you, you will be automatically transferred to the new system and will receive an e-mail from , which is our new subscription service.

Regarding personal changes, we dropped our oldest son Bryan off for his first year of college at Wingate University near Charlotte, NC. It’s a wonderful school and we are praying for Bryan as he adjusts to his academic schedule and playing lacrosse at the college level. Jim is figuring out what he wants to do in the work world as he is starting to apply for jobs after working with me for 12 years. Drew is a HS sophomore and is running Cross Country instead of playing football this fall. He has worked really hard to earn his varsity letter in both Cross Country and Lacrosse (he earned his lacrosse letter last spring – as well as earning “Best Varsity Rookie” for the team).

Along with continuing to speak and conduct training, which I love, I’m taking a weekly class in Breakthrough Biblical Counseling for my own personal development. It’s a great learning experience and I’m excited to see the connections to my leadership and communication topics. I had the terrific opportunity to speak at a Women’s Retreat last month on the topic of parenting and I’m facilitating a “Parents of Teens Discussion Group” at our church. I’m just beginning to explore the possibilities of writing and speaking more on this topic.

Well, time to move on to my tips for developing a better attitude when dealing with our customers. Perhaps you could consider how to apply these tips to your personal life as well (where it can sometimes be more challenging than work)?

• Forgive customers who make insulting remarks about you or your company’s service. Know that they don’t know you personally and are merely upset about their situation (see the funny sign below as an example of what will upset customers).
• Keep in mind that your next customer has no idea of how the last customer just treated you. Take a deep cleansing breath before you pick up the next phone call or ask to serve your next customer. Make it a new, positive experience for yourself and your customer.
• Encourage your co-workers if their last customer has just mistreated them. Give them one of your smiles if they have none left of their own. If necessary and possible, offer to relieve them for a quick break.

Don’t Try This a Work…
I found this photo on flickr.com recently and it made me chuckle. This is a great example of what will upset a person. Would this sign entice you to become a customer or walk away? Always think about your future customers as well as working hard to keep your current customers loyal ones.

Patti’s Personal Pick on the Web:

I recently read a really inspiring book for teens – Do Hard Things – by twin brothers Alex and Brett Harris. It is a book about teenage rebellion against low expectations which is what I’m trying to instill in our two boys. The Harris brothers have a blog that I subscribe to and enjoy reading. Here’s the link to their website: www.therebelution.com

Make it a great week!
Patti

 

The Winners Manual

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I am a big fan of The Ohio State University’s football coach Jim Tressel. He recently wrote an excellent book called The Winners Manual. It’s an quick read and has excellent content. Lots of motivational stories, poems and examples. Great for businesses, teams, and families. I typed up a couple of excerpts that I plan to give to my boys when the time is right. Here’s one of my favorites:

Dream Big

If there were ever a time to dare,

to make a difference,

to embark on something worth doing,

it is now.

Not for any grand cause, necessarily – but

for something that tugs at your heart,

something that’s your aspiration,

something that’s your dream.

You owe it to yourself to make your days here count.

Have fun.

Dig deep.

Stretch.

Dream big.

Know, though, that things worth doing seldom come easy.

There will be good days.

And there will be bad days.

There will be times when you want to turn around,

pack it up, and call it quits.

Those times tell you that you are pushing yourself,

That you are not afraid to learn by trying.

Persist.

Because with an idea,

determination, and the right tools,

you can do great things.

Let your instincts, your intellect,

and your heart guide you.

Trust God.

Believe in the incredible power of the human mind.

Of doing something that makes a difference.

Of working hard.

Of laughing and hoping.

Of lazy afternoons.

Of lasting friends.

Of all the things that will cross your path this year.

The start of something new brings the hope of something great.

Anything is possible.

There is only one of you.

And you will pass this way only once.

Do it right.