Intra-Company Training Network Building | ManagerTools.com

Do you consider yourself effective at building your network? Be honest and ask if you make the most out of opportunities to connect with someone new. At a professional training class or association meeting, chances are that you won't know 75 percent of the attendees.

Consider this recent podcast from Manager Tools that outlines just how simple building your network can be. Trust me, if you struggle with building your network, check out this podcast. You will be ready to start building your network immediately after listening to this.

Intra-Company Training Network Building | ManagerTools.com

Your FUEL for Growth | Darren Hardy, Publisher of SUCCESS Magazine

Your success is primarily determined by how you spend your time. Check out Darren Hardy's blog that outlines exactly how to make the best use of your time. See if you are up to the challenge.

Your FUEL for Growth | Darren Hardy, Publisher of SUCCESS Magazine

Free Agent Academy: The best commentary on self-employment at this precise moment

One of the smartest people of today is, Seth Godin. I have read several of his books but recently came across this interview. If you are already an entrepreneur or considering it, check out this video. As you will see, Seth is very frank and clear minded. The video is about a page scroll down from the top.

Free Agent Academy: The best commentary on self-employment at this precise moment

Outrageous

In January, it’s common to make goals for the coming year. Success Magazine’s Darren Hardy has a program that is helping people plan not only next year but the next 10 years. A recent Ted Conference presentation illustrates one of the best examples of setting outrageous goals and reaching them. David Blaine discusses how even his failures have lead him to success. After viewing this presentation you will see how truly passionate he is about his vocational calling. If you are thinking about stretching your limits to achieve what seems impossible, you owe it to yourself to watch this video.

Coaching/Feedback Template For Presentations | ManagerTools.com

A very good podcast that I listen to each week is Manager Tools. If you already know all there is to know about being an effective manager, this podcast is not for you. For the rest of us (although sometimes apparently elementary) this is one of the very best resources for developing effective management skills. Even for the information you have already heard before it fits the Covey habit of "sharpen the saw".

Why am I telling you about this now? 

The most recent podcast outlines how managers should provide feedback to their direct reports when their direct reports deliver presentations. Even if you are not a manager of people, this is an excellent outline for the most important skills you should exhibit as you deliver a presentation.

I love to evaluate presentations and training sessions. It is one of the most direct ways I know to help someone grow professionally. If this interests you, consider clicking the link below to go to the podcast and an executive briefing of the content of the cast.

Coaching/Feedback Template For Presentations | ManagerTools.com

"Should I stay or should I go now?"

FOXNews.com - Is the Time Right to Buy an E-Reader?

This is exactly why I am not an early adopter of an E book reader. I think these machines are really cool and I want one some day but I know the value of waiting. I like capitalism but I love competition among electronic retailers.

A Chick-fil-A Experience?

I rarely go out to eat for lunch. My wife is a great cook and I have great left-overs. I recently found myself needing a quick bite to eat for lunch. I managed to make it to Chick-fil-A. I decided to go there because I know that I can get consistently quick and good service.

I wasn't excited to find 6 or 7 cars ahead of me at the drive through. I usually go in to order if there is a line. In the car line I was greeted by a Chick-fil-A employee with a pad of paper and a head set asking if they could take my order. I asked if their system was broken. I was told no and that they are doing this to help get me on my way as quickly as they can. I said to myself, "Really? I will see about that.".

I placed my order. They gave me a small piece of paper with "chicken scratch" on it with my total price at the top. They ordered for me through the headset. I thought "cool". The line kept moving and when I reached the window I exchanged the exact amount of money written on the paper and I received a bag of food waiting for me. When I said thank you, I did not hear "no problem" (which is common and I hate), but rather "It's my pleasure. Have a great day!". How can you not have a great day with a response like that.

Chick-fil-A makes great service look easy.