Communication: A three way street
Think about the differences in communication styles between a Doctor and a Politician. The Doctor uses various techniques to ensure clarity and logic despite the emotion which often exists within the...
View ArticleWhat got you here, just might get you there
In this video Shawn identifies three tips for leaders on how to accelerate performance and break through paradigms that restrict progression towards goals. [wpvideo Bae1VHhO] © Shawn Casemore 2012. All...
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Business Performance Check-Up
Business Performance Check-Up Summer is a great time to kick back, relax and reflect. Are you are where you expected to be, both in your business and personally? What challenges have arisen? What...
View ArticleImproving processes? Start with serving internal customers.
As I see it, everyone communicates with their customer, however we often only service those customers who are external to our organization. More importantly, only those dealing with the direct public...
View ArticleCommodity prices are relatively flat, so stop accepting increases.
The continued slowing of economic growth in China, coupled with the slow recovery in the United States is creating a flat market relative to many commodities. You would never guess this is the case...
View ArticleLeading from behind.
The most successful leaders have the ability to “lead from behind.” That is, they are able to motivate and encourage their team to meet the intended goals and objectives, without being involved in...
View ArticleTransparency; a strategic competitive advantage.
I recently delivered a workshop on transparency to a small group of companies. The discussions generated during the workshop centered around the increased demand for transparency in several key areas:...
View ArticleLeadership and the 6 “P’s”
I have identified over the years six fundamental pillars of effective leaders. Having strengths in less than six of these areas is commensurate to an airplane without fuel; one would appear to have the...
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Shawn’s effective leadership model
© Shawn Casemore 2011. All rights reserved. The post Shawn’s effective leadership model appeared first on Casemore & Co..
View ArticleYour customers first bad experience is their last.
Not enough companies shop their own business to fully experience the level of service (or lack thereof) provided by their staff. Customer retention and business growth is directly related to the...
View ArticleWhy autocratic behaviour will change your channel.
Engaging team members requires a combination of leadership styles, many of which must be customized relative to the individuals with whom you are dealing, and the surrounding circumstances. The least...
View ArticleManaging staff? Why performance reviews don’t work.
Four reasons why annual performance reviews hurt employee morale. 1. Feedback must be constant, not periodic. Remember the last time someone reminded you of something you did several months or even...
View ArticleGrowth is not a fluke.
December is a time for reflection and introspection. It is also the opportune time to prepare for business growth in the coming year. Here are a few areas to consider in preparing for an enthusiastic...
View ArticleFocus despite distraction
Police officers require laser like focus and concentration despite a vast array of distractions and activities demanding their attention. When I was younger, my friends father worked for a local police...
View ArticleAvoid ripples; make waves.
I recently flew to Rhode Island for a business trip and as I waited in line to enter customs I noticed that our forward momentum actually increased in both speed and frequency the closer we moved to...
View ArticleManage your time; manage your life.
Every year like clock work winter arrives in Ontario, and with it we receive bone-chilling temperatures, increased heating bills and of course the stuff that igloos are made of. Despite the predictable...
View ArticleSocial Media: Benefits for business?
As I prepare to deliver a webinar for the Purchasing Management Association of Canada this week, and I am surprised to learn how many organizations are integrating social media, and the benefits they...
View ArticleCustomer service versus technology.
During a recent visit with friends, I was surprised to learn of the new automated process required to report their son as arriving late for school. The concept behind the 15 step automated telephone...
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Adding value or putting in time?
Business owners are busy, and seemingly so too are the employees who support them. How then can a business owner be assured that everyone is doing the right thing to move the business forward? Here is...
View ArticleUnchained Profit Podcast Episode 3 (Inventory Value)
Welcome to another edition of Unchained Profit. In this podcast Shawn discusses some strategies to ensure inventory provides value, not burden for the organization....
View ArticleMitigating global supply risk in twenty-twelve.
During a recent workshop I delivered for several senior financial executives, we discussed some of the emerging global trends which are increasing Supply Chain risk. The risks of greatest concern were...
View Article5 leadership lessons from the Costa Concordia
There are several leadership lessons to be gleaned from the tragic events, which occurred on the Costa Concordia just a few weeks ago. Here are the three most prevalent: 1. Responsibility: A true...
View ArticleThe psychological coffee cup.
Recently Tim Horton’s changed the size of their coffee cups, allowing them to increase the size of an extra large coffee to something that more closely resembled a paint can. For coffee connoisseurs,...
View ArticleHow valuable is your customers time?
I contacted Bell (our local telephone conglomerate) yesterday to update my phone plan. Here is the sequence of communications during my call: Auto Attendant: “Welcome, please enter the cellular number...
View ArticleWho determines what is added value?
Too many organizations charge based on their perception of the value they offer, however often they have lost sight of what the customer truely considers valuable. If you are curious as to how to...
View ArticleGetting more for less: As easy as 1, 2, 3.
I have met with several business owners and executives as of late, all of whom have asked how to best improve efficiency. With economies on the rebound, and a hesitation to hire and commit to long-term...
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Leadership Style Model: Where are you?
I have identified several leadership styles during the last 20 years, and have synthesized these into 4 categories, outlined in the double axis chart below. Interestingly, any of these leadership...
View ArticleChange Management series: Dealing with unexpected change.
Effectively implementing and managing change is vital to success, both personally and professionally. During the next two weeks I will be chronicling the most effective processes for dealing with,...
View ArticleThe three things you didn’t know about being a leader.
During most of my leadership coaching sessions, I am frequently asked by leaders how to effectively lead people despite the cacophony of information and opinion that exist in our overly sensitive...
View ArticleEffective leader or glorified babysitter?
Curious on how to become a more effective leader? During our many interactions with business managers, executives and leaders there are numerous traits that set the most effective leaders apart from...
View ArticleEconomically friendly or sustainable solution?
Is your organization truely environmentally friendly, or are you simply paying a premium price for mislabeled products and undelivered promises? Be wary of any product that is promoted as “green,” as...
View ArticleShawn’s Friday Five (five quick tips to increase your effectiveness)
Welcome to Shawn’s Friday Five: Five quick tips to help you increase your effectiveness, and the effectiveness of your team. The most common challenge our coaching clients struggle with is how to...
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Casemore’s Critical Links May 28th, 2012 edition.
Remember the past, leverage the future. If you have ever obtained financing, be it for a car loan or a mortgage, then you have experienced an opportunity to leverage your outcomes. More specifically,...
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Continuous improvement is just that… Continuous!
I received a survey in the mail this past week from a local physician with whom we have dealt several times. The survey asked for input on how to improve the physicians practice and I will admit I was...
View ArticleWhy focusing on individual performance can hurt you.
This article is as published in the July 2011 newsletter of the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council. Building strong and effective teams is the focus of every successful sports coach. John Wooden...
View ArticleSeeking success: what’s your plan?
A recent Globe and Mail article identified that nearly 22,000 applications for connection of solar power projects to the province’s electrical grid remain untouched. Delays in the approval and...
View ArticleBuilding a business that outperforms the Canadian economy
An article in the Globe and Mail this morning attempts to predict the remarks and commitments which will be made later today by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and the Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney...
View ArticleWhy PC’s are going the way of the dodo bird.
Hewlett-Packard has announced significant changes in it’s business structure, with formal plans to be announced in March 2012. These changes include a significant downsizing of HP’s personal computer...
View ArticleMediocrity or Reality?
During the past week I have seen some of the most glaring examples of lack of engagement, capability, and desire than I have seen in sometime. In each situation, the issues were the direct result of an...
View ArticleSorry we’re open
During a recent visit to a Jack Astor’s I noticed their customer greeting over the door “Sorry we’re OPEN.” Amusing, but for many businesses unfortunately a very true statement in the eye’s of their...
View ArticleContinuous Improvement, where are you?
Continuous improvement is more than a tool, it is a culture that delivers consistently superior operational performance leading to an improved financial position. The double axis chart below provides...
View ArticleSatisfied customers are built on a healthy dose of image and value.
I recently had lunch at a local (and internationally recognized) golf club overlooking Georgian Bay. It quickly became apparent that the establishment put a tremendous effort into it’s image and...
View ArticleThe cycle of profit improvement.
Increasing profit margin for existing business without investing in increased sales or adjusting the selling price can be attained through the progressive application of three specific techniques:...
View ArticleCrazy not to collaborate.
I spoke at the Ontario Public Buyers Association annual conference last week on the topic of collaboration. It’s clear that there is simply too little discussion and collaboration between the public...
View ArticleCollaborative techniques to engage stakeholders.
I have received numerous inquiries following our post on Monday, as to successful techniques to build collaboration with both employees, as well as with external parties such as suppliers or customers....
View ArticleMend your spend.
I recently had an article published in CFO magazine online entitled “Mend your spend. When it comes to procurement, acting like a bigger business can lead to better prices and less risk.” You can view...
View ArticleWhat a dentist should know about managing risk.
My wife and I are quite diligent about oral hygiene, and as a result we visit the dentist every six months. Our dentist has built a successful practice at two separate locations, with numerous dentists...
View ArticleBusiness Success Requires Continuous Growth
I was asked during a recent podcast interview to identify the top five ways for entrepreneurs to achieve business success. Having launched and operated several businesses myself, as well as supported...
View ArticleThe Foundation of a High Performance Organization
While watching a sporting event I was reminded of just how crucial it is to continuously improve upon fundamentals. Teams who are successful never underestimate their competition irregardless of their...
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