Middle School All Over Again

I loathe bullies. To me, they’re just insecure jerks who like to torture people they consider weaker than themselves. Everyone remembers someone from their childhood who was a bully, and as I recall, no one really liked them. Sure, they had followers, but that was usually because the followers were scared of them and figured, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” As I watch my kids grow up, I’m astounded at how early bullying starts in the schools. And what’s even more astonishing is how many people remain bullies into adulthood. Instead of the playground, they use the workplace to find their targets.

It can be in-your-face or subtle, but workplace bullies tend to use belittling, manipulation or intimidation wherever they find an opportunity. According to KickBully.com, more than 30 million Americans have reported being bullied at work. Again, astounding! If you are one of those people, below are some tips to help. If you are one of the bullies: Grow up already!

Business Networking….is it for me?

On a plane ride last week I ran into a former colleague who had worked for the same company for 25 years, and then was laid off. His business network consisted mainly of his co-workers, many of them still in the company, and some had moved on. He shared with me that he never really thought about building a diverse network while working for this company because he did not need to, and he is now struggling for referrals to help him get a job.


The number one advice I have given people that I have coached or mentored has been to build, nurture and maintain a solid and diverse business network. This is true regardless of industry, experience, type of company, or line of work. This is especially true for small business owners and entrepreneurs. In fact, for many businesses, both large and small, their business network is the main, if not the only, source of leads and referrals. I have come across many business owners who do not do cold calling at all – they get all their business from referrals, which they get through their network.

The type of network I am talking about here is the old fashioned, face-to-face business network where you meet people and interact. Sure, there are great technology tools that help you be more efficient in communicating with your business network, such as LinkedIn. The lines blur a bit with social networking, and the use of social networking tools for business, but that is a subject for another day.

Starting a Recruiting Firm #2 - Get your Ducks in a Row!

I was resting after three sets of tennis this past Saturday, and I noticed the beautiful pond that lines the courts. A mallard and her baby ducklings were lined up on the running path, crossing a small bridge to swim in the lake. I watched as Momma made sure her little babies were lined up behind her, and as she waddled across the bridge, she corrected course a few times, quacked an order or two, and successfully got her flock into the water. It made me think about the recruiting world and how to successfully get your ducks in a row to begin a new venture. Here are five absolute musts to get you started, and see if you can guess the movie quotes used for each:

1. “You’re the expert. I just work here.” Line up the right experts - this is critical. Strong, seasoned advisors and partners can guide you through the process and answer key questions. You’ll need a CPA at the partner level, a small business banker with some skins on the wall, an attorney, a benefits broker (health insurance, business insurance, life insurance for later), a printer for marketing collateral, and a financial advisor to get you pointed in the right direction.