I don’t have time to do the things I know I should be doing. I can’t expect others to do what I do..the way it needs to be done. My clients like to work with me directly and if I rely on my team, my business is going to suffer.   Do...(more)

Can you imagine anything more disconcerting than driving at 100 mph in a thick fog – with the radio blaring, cell phone ringing, and the kids in the back seat asking, “Are we there yet?”  Yet, isn’t that what it is like...(more)

The dictionary defines integrity as a firm adherence to a code of especially moral and ethical principles demonstrating a soundness of character and honesty. The question: are these the first words that come to mind when thinking of corporate, business...(more)

Your ability to solve problems can move you forward, keep you stagnant, or set you back. It all comes down to approach. By defining your abilities & those of others, you can ensure you match the right abilities to the business situation....(more)

From time to time we survey business professionals regarding challenges they face.  One of the most common responses is that they lack the tools & resources to do their jobs effectively.  This struggle spans all job levels and departmental...(more)

Throughout your career you will encounter many personalities, some difficult, some easygoing, some annoying, some inspiring.  But there is one that I would describe as the most complex personality of all:  The High Maintenance/High Value...(more)

Is your management team preventing growth or are they a competitive advantage? Two common themes exist in most organizations.  “Upper Management is too distant.”  “Middle Management is too independent.” ...(more)

Are Cost Cuts & Efficiency Gains the Same Thing? Where Should You Focus?   There is a lot of debate these days about the value or damage arbitrary cost cutting can bring to an organization.  The reality is that many businesses are faced...(more)

Conflict is an uncomfortable aspect of any relationship, especially when it exists among members of your team.  As a manager, you have the responsibility to not only address the issues as they come up, but also to establish a culture that prevents...(more)

By David Shaffer, Business Advisor & Executive Coach, David Shaffer Consulting LLC The time management dilemma many of us face on a daily basis is that there is far too much to do and not enough time or resources to meet the demands. Having...(more)

Check out Debbie Nicol's White Paper titled: Old Leadership Models with Unyielding Tentacles - The Greatest Threat to the Future of Corporate Leadership   This paper details: Learning from the past Leadership research The Future of...(more)

This is the most important part of your job as a leader…take the time to get it right.  You are only as good as your ability to get others to implement things correctly.  So make communication a key part of your day.  If they...(more)

Be patient and understand the full picture.  In the end it is your role to decide what is right, not who is right, so take the time to make the best...(more)

There are many options to choose from when it comes to organizational design. (Flat, Matrix, Bottom up, Traditional) The best approach for you and your company is probably going to be a hybrid model.  Create a structure that best suites...(more)

Flexibility is key to any business strategy.  Things are always moving, new competitors, consolidation of customers, and changes in market drivers all have a direct effect on your success.  You need to have a strategy that modifies along with...(more)

4 Reasons Why Complacency Exists & What Management Can Do to Annihilate It   Those annoying words are like scratches on a chalkboard. “This is the way we always do it.”  Can you image living life with that attitude?  You...(more)

The more you know, the better you will be able to lead.  Take the time to read books on business areas you are not as familiar with.  Spend some time learning the processes and issues within your company so that you can improve your own...(more)