Well I am proof if you ask for things, you will receive. I told everyone not to forget my birthday and they did not! Thanx so much for the notes one and all...and it is not hardly mid morning yet. What a great day! And to top it off, the biggest snow storm of the year hitting at the same time. I am soooooo blessed.
I will never be 55 again, having been born in 1955, that was kind of a cool year. So many good things - my wife's illness went away, yea... my parents moved back to Lexington... everyone around me is pretty healthy to include me, not hardly an ache in my body as we speak... second book published, did I mention my third one is due out this month?... new friends and relationships discovered and grown... My faith and relationship with HIM has grown... I have work, although not enough if you or your organization need some leadership development help (see how I worked that in there?)..
Roof over the head, food on the table... on and on and on it goes, I am one lucky guy.
Thank you Lord for all, and for this first 55! Hope everyone has a great day, you have plenty of smiles, a relationship is improved in your life, and well that God blesses your world in some amazing way.
My only real wish is that HE will find ways for me to help many people in some way this coming year!
You know, IT JUST DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
* First off, how about making it a good Friday for someone else? Just a
thought :-)
* Secondly, enjoy the bright sunshine if you are in the local area, where
it is to be 50 degrees and sunny today! Be Thankful for that and the rest of
your life - be determined to be thankful. Look around, there is much to be
thankful about, right?
* Thirdly - As I complete my upcoming book, I am attempting a marketing
idea: If you have a connection or way of getting me onto the bookshelf of
any bookstore, I will give you a finders fee and a percentage of each book
sold. This is really just a way of networking with YOU!
And lastly but for sure not the least important. Do not let Tuesday get here
and tell me you forgot my birthday. You now know and pleasssssse no big
gifts! I would like a thought and a smile before you click DELETE
meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
"People don't care how much you know
until they first know how much you care."
Doug Booker
www.bookertraining.com
913.232.0244
Join me on TWITTER
Join me on LINKED IN
Join me on FACEBOOK
....blogging now at
www.leaderconvo.blogspot.com
thought :-)
* Secondly, enjoy the bright sunshine if you are in the local area, where
it is to be 50 degrees and sunny today! Be Thankful for that and the rest of
your life - be determined to be thankful. Look around, there is much to be
thankful about, right?
* Thirdly - As I complete my upcoming book, I am attempting a marketing
idea: If you have a connection or way of getting me onto the bookshelf of
any bookstore, I will give you a finders fee and a percentage of each book
sold. This is really just a way of networking with YOU!
And lastly but for sure not the least important. Do not let Tuesday get here
and tell me you forgot my birthday. You now know and pleasssssse no big
gifts! I would like a thought and a smile before you click DELETE
meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
"People don't care how much you know
until they first know how much you care."
Doug Booker
www.bookertraining.com
913.232.0244
Join me on TWITTER
Join me on LINKED IN
Join me on FACEBOOK
....blogging now at
www.leaderconvo.blogspot.com
GOD thinking
Exploring formal learning about GOD? I am looking for ideas regardinging doing a study of God, ministry, etc. Seeking ideas, guidance, suggestions...???
I am unsure if it is my goal, or if I am called to go the whole way (whatever that means); but am interested in LEARNING and GROWING. Currently attending an awesome Assembly of God church - denomination aspect is not all that important to me. I am looking for cheap, credit or not, not paper intense, LEARNING, etc..
I have worked with Leadership & People Development for 20 years now. I love it and consider it a ministry of sorts, but now wanting to push the faith part! I teach learning and growing and want to do so myself.
ISA 58:10... In reading this morning, I interpreted it as about focusing on, helping and serving others. So much where I want to be somehow. In extending our souls for others, we (our heart) gains so much in so many ways. ...a mighty prayer of mine is that the book I am completing this coming month will help in doing this!
Have a super duper day my friend, DOUG
I am unsure if it is my goal, or if I am called to go the whole way (whatever that means); but am interested in LEARNING and GROWING. Currently attending an awesome Assembly of God church - denomination aspect is not all that important to me. I am looking for cheap, credit or not, not paper intense, LEARNING, etc..
I have worked with Leadership & People Development for 20 years now. I love it and consider it a ministry of sorts, but now wanting to push the faith part! I teach learning and growing and want to do so myself.
ISA 58:10... In reading this morning, I interpreted it as about focusing on, helping and serving others. So much where I want to be somehow. In extending our souls for others, we (our heart) gains so much in so many ways. ...a mighty prayer of mine is that the book I am completing this coming month will help in doing this!
Have a super duper day my friend, DOUG
Friday, January 28, 2011
HAPPY FRIDAY, Odds n Ends
First off, how about making it a good Friday for someone else? Just a thought
Secondly, enjoy the bright sunshine if you are in the local area, where it is to be 50 degrees and sunny today! Be Thankful, be determined to be thankful. Look around, there is much to be thankful about, right?
Thirdly - As I complete my upcoming book, I am attempting a marketing idea: If you have a connection or way of getting me onto the bookshelf of any bookstore, I will give you a finders fee and a percentage of each book sold. This is really just a way of networking with YOU!
And lastly but for sure not the least important. Do not let Tuesday get here and tell me you forgot my birthday. You now know and pleasssssse no big gifts! I would just like a thought and a smile before you click DELETE meeeeeeeeeee....
Secondly, enjoy the bright sunshine if you are in the local area, where it is to be 50 degrees and sunny today! Be Thankful, be determined to be thankful. Look around, there is much to be thankful about, right?
Thirdly - As I complete my upcoming book, I am attempting a marketing idea: If you have a connection or way of getting me onto the bookshelf of any bookstore, I will give you a finders fee and a percentage of each book sold. This is really just a way of networking with YOU!
And lastly but for sure not the least important. Do not let Tuesday get here and tell me you forgot my birthday. You now know and pleasssssse no big gifts! I would just like a thought and a smile before you click DELETE meeeeeeeeeee....
HAPPY FRIDAY, some odds n ends
AND how about making it a good Friday for someone else? Just a thought
Enjoy the bright sunshine if you are in the local area, where it is to be 50 degrees and sunny today!
Be Thankful, be determined to be thankful. Look around, there is much to be thankful about, right?
As I complete my upcoming book, I am attempting a marketing idea: If you have a connection or way of getting me onto the bookshelf of any bookstore, I will give you a finders fee and a percentage of each book sold. This is really just a way of networking with YOU!
And lastly but for sure not the least important. Do not let Tuesday get here and tell me you forgot my birthday. You now know and pleasssssse no big gifts! I would just like a thought and a smile before you click DELETE nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.....
Enjoy the bright sunshine if you are in the local area, where it is to be 50 degrees and sunny today!
Be Thankful, be determined to be thankful. Look around, there is much to be thankful about, right?
As I complete my upcoming book, I am attempting a marketing idea: If you have a connection or way of getting me onto the bookshelf of any bookstore, I will give you a finders fee and a percentage of each book sold. This is really just a way of networking with YOU!
And lastly but for sure not the least important. Do not let Tuesday get here and tell me you forgot my birthday. You now know and pleasssssse no big gifts! I would just like a thought and a smile before you click DELETE nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.....
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Leadership and Return on Investment, some thoughts
[My upcoming book deals with managers at a leadership conference. In self-reflecting about ROI after a breakout session, a leader captures these thoughts]:
About being a boss and buddy: my group doesn't share too much of their lives with me and I'm not sure they would? I always thought of it as unprofessional. I realized I do have that kind of a close relationship with my own boss. And without that trusted relationship and mentor-ship I would not have survived in the company, and through my divorce.
Networking, Socializing and Trust - While I have some professional relationships, I also know that I could improve those relationships with peers and other employees in the company. There are numerous instances where my lack of relationship with a co-worker caused problems and possibly a lack of support.
Other people in the company seem to have an easier time getting things done; maybe that is why...
Wondering if I invested in meaningful relationships and developing rapport and trust with people, would I be a more effective leader? How would this behavior modification produce tangible results? Need to crunch some numbers to prove to myself.
The amount of time I spend having to inspect every result(s) throughout the day and having to go make corrections during the day. I am always on my team to produce the right results and felt I couldn't trust them without watching them throughout the day. I easily spend 25% of my day doing this kind of inspection. What would I do with 25% percent of my workday freed up?
If I develop professional relationships on the basis of trust, connection and genuine respect for people I could easily free up 80% of my inspecting time to work on relationships, employee engagement in problem solving and process improvements to have the people doing the work accountable for their performance with scorecards that reflect their performance. With an established relationship(s) I would be able to effectively coach and develop my team to focus on the department productivity.
Other beneficial examples come quickly to mind as I think of how interdepartmental improvements could be made with positive financial results.
The Great Eight Leadership Conference: COMMUNICATE, RELATE, EVALUATE,
CREATE, ELIMINATE, ACCOMMODATE, FACILITATE, DEMONSTRATE
About being a boss and buddy: my group doesn't share too much of their lives with me and I'm not sure they would? I always thought of it as unprofessional. I realized I do have that kind of a close relationship with my own boss. And without that trusted relationship and mentor-ship I would not have survived in the company, and through my divorce.
Networking, Socializing and Trust - While I have some professional relationships, I also know that I could improve those relationships with peers and other employees in the company. There are numerous instances where my lack of relationship with a co-worker caused problems and possibly a lack of support.
Other people in the company seem to have an easier time getting things done; maybe that is why...
Wondering if I invested in meaningful relationships and developing rapport and trust with people, would I be a more effective leader? How would this behavior modification produce tangible results? Need to crunch some numbers to prove to myself.
The amount of time I spend having to inspect every result(s) throughout the day and having to go make corrections during the day. I am always on my team to produce the right results and felt I couldn't trust them without watching them throughout the day. I easily spend 25% of my day doing this kind of inspection. What would I do with 25% percent of my workday freed up?
If I develop professional relationships on the basis of trust, connection and genuine respect for people I could easily free up 80% of my inspecting time to work on relationships, employee engagement in problem solving and process improvements to have the people doing the work accountable for their performance with scorecards that reflect their performance. With an established relationship(s) I would be able to effectively coach and develop my team to focus on the department productivity.
Other beneficial examples come quickly to mind as I think of how interdepartmental improvements could be made with positive financial results.
The Great Eight Leadership Conference: COMMUNICATE, RELATE, EVALUATE,
CREATE, ELIMINATE, ACCOMMODATE, FACILITATE, DEMONSTRATE
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
VIRTUAL ADMIN ASSISTANCE?
I have in contact with some professionals who are offering their skills and abilities in 'whatever an executive assistant' maybe ought to be able to do. Their services primarily are online and virtual!
I currently use them for a few hours per week - do you have need for some help a few hours/week? Some of the areas of work they offer:
PRESENTATIONS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
MARKETING
BILLING
CONTACT MANAGEMENT
WEBSITES
SOCIAL NETWORKING
EDITING / WORD PROCESSING
TELEMARKETING
ORGANIZATION
.....etc!
At this point I am interested in helping them - I am also considering this as a service that Booker Training Associates might offer?
Please let me know if you have any interest for any reason!
Maybe you would like to offer YOUR time/services?
(or) maybe you have a need for such services for a few hours per week?
Feel free to contact me at your convenience and I will help you explore and connect with them. Thanks,
BOOKER
9132320244
doug@bookertraining.com
I currently use them for a few hours per week - do you have need for some help a few hours/week? Some of the areas of work they offer:
PRESENTATIONS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
MARKETING
BILLING
CONTACT MANAGEMENT
WEBSITES
SOCIAL NETWORKING
EDITING / WORD PROCESSING
TELEMARKETING
ORGANIZATION
.....etc!
At this point I am interested in helping them - I am also considering this as a service that Booker Training Associates might offer?
Please let me know if you have any interest for any reason!
Maybe you would like to offer YOUR time/services?
(or) maybe you have a need for such services for a few hours per week?
Feel free to contact me at your convenience and I will help you explore and connect with them. Thanks,
BOOKER
9132320244
doug@bookertraining.com
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Performance Evaluation, doing it RIGHT this year?
The dreaded annual performance assessment drill; many have just dealt with it.
Whether you are reading this as a boss or as the employee, how about doing it right in 2011? So this time next year that process can be fair, agreeable, easy, comfortable and predictable result?
This is a huge morale issue for many companies - impacting productivity, culture, turnover, job satisfaction, etc.
Sharing here a process I have developed with leaders over the years:
THE BEGINNING: Leader/follower spend time in January (assuming a calendar year situation), clarifying, discussing, and negotiating expectations. What we want to happen this year regarding his/her performance is the goal. This agreement may go back and forth a few times, but get it done by end of January. We use the companys performance appraisal form or one that you create. You might want to consider factors the company does not use, such as relations with others, teamwork, communicating, respect, attitude, etc. These are all areas we judge people on, so why not make it part of the actual process?
THE NEXT STEP: In February, the manager provides the employee a copy of the form filled out in January. Ask him/her to fill it out according to how he/she sees themselves performing. After receiving their input, you the manager now schedule the meeting. Do not cancel it, it is important. Both address everything specifically, especially the disconnects between what they see and what you see.
KEY TECHNIQUE: We talk to the expectations as if right now was annual performance assessment time. Wording such as - if it was next December, here is how I would rate you - however it is not, so this just means we need to be working to improve in these areas. Addressing it as if it was the final annual result takes the pressure off of both parties here. The good news? There are ten more months to correct or improve the issue! You are after changing peoples thinking - that feedback is a bad thing!
THE ROUTINE PROCESS: We do this in the same way each month. The first couple of months will likely be a bit lengthy and uncomfortable. This will change and become a good thing! The manager still needs to be doing informal, on the spot, daily, routine coaching as necessary. Some managers do this fairly well, but that does not replace the formal monthly face to face discussions.
END OF THE YEAR, THE ANNUAL EVALUATION: By the end of the year, guess what? The manager can provide a fair, accountable, accurate and caring evaluation of the employee (and every employee on the team). It will be easy because it is much the same as the one done in November, right? Because you cared, you spent the time
to do this the right way. Besides that, it’s your job! Now surely you are not going to tell me you do not have TIME for your people, are you?
I mentioned up front that this message is for the boss AND the employee. Obviously this is all what a leader SHOULD do. However if your boss does not do this, YOU make it happen, tactfully! If you do not, sure you can blame and be mad at the boss next December, but you still lose. What if you could avoid being a victim of flawed leadership, like you were about a month ago!?!
Hope that helps your 2011!
Gods best my friend, (taken from my upcoming book, The Conference for Leaders)
Whether you are reading this as a boss or as the employee, how about doing it right in 2011? So this time next year that process can be fair, agreeable, easy, comfortable and predictable result?
This is a huge morale issue for many companies - impacting productivity, culture, turnover, job satisfaction, etc.
Sharing here a process I have developed with leaders over the years:
THE BEGINNING: Leader/follower spend time in January (assuming a calendar year situation), clarifying, discussing, and negotiating expectations. What we want to happen this year regarding his/her performance is the goal. This agreement may go back and forth a few times, but get it done by end of January. We use the companys performance appraisal form or one that you create. You might want to consider factors the company does not use, such as relations with others, teamwork, communicating, respect, attitude, etc. These are all areas we judge people on, so why not make it part of the actual process?
THE NEXT STEP: In February, the manager provides the employee a copy of the form filled out in January. Ask him/her to fill it out according to how he/she sees themselves performing. After receiving their input, you the manager now schedule the meeting. Do not cancel it, it is important. Both address everything specifically, especially the disconnects between what they see and what you see.
KEY TECHNIQUE: We talk to the expectations as if right now was annual performance assessment time. Wording such as - if it was next December, here is how I would rate you - however it is not, so this just means we need to be working to improve in these areas. Addressing it as if it was the final annual result takes the pressure off of both parties here. The good news? There are ten more months to correct or improve the issue! You are after changing peoples thinking - that feedback is a bad thing!
THE ROUTINE PROCESS: We do this in the same way each month. The first couple of months will likely be a bit lengthy and uncomfortable. This will change and become a good thing! The manager still needs to be doing informal, on the spot, daily, routine coaching as necessary. Some managers do this fairly well, but that does not replace the formal monthly face to face discussions.
END OF THE YEAR, THE ANNUAL EVALUATION: By the end of the year, guess what? The manager can provide a fair, accountable, accurate and caring evaluation of the employee (and every employee on the team). It will be easy because it is much the same as the one done in November, right? Because you cared, you spent the time
to do this the right way. Besides that, it’s your job! Now surely you are not going to tell me you do not have TIME for your people, are you?
I mentioned up front that this message is for the boss AND the employee. Obviously this is all what a leader SHOULD do. However if your boss does not do this, YOU make it happen, tactfully! If you do not, sure you can blame and be mad at the boss next December, but you still lose. What if you could avoid being a victim of flawed leadership, like you were about a month ago!?!
Hope that helps your 2011!
Gods best my friend, (taken from my upcoming book, The Conference for Leaders)
Monday, January 3, 2011
Leadership, Business, God and ME ?!?
Likely my church’s 2011 theme put the finishing touches to this thought & writing. It is all about taking a stand, making a difference, not waiting on someone else, being a leader, etc. Some real good LEADERSHIP stuff for sure. It was one of those messages you are sure was meant for you (me)….so much about where I have been and where I am!
I get asked or have people suggest that I better be careful with doing so – talking GOD along with BUSINESS. Business OR God,…I used to struggle with this, and truthfully I still do maybe just a little. I get this, understand the concern, but it doesn’t have to be an EITHER/OR thing. In the last few years I have come out of the closet regarding my relationship with God.
My upcoming book will include my faith story, discovering the truth and becoming NEW about a decade ago. This is not about me (or you) forcing beliefs on anyone or their business and people. It is just about being honest and sincere about self and what you are about……and doing that walking the talk thing. I will leave the rest to HIM – some will read and some will not, that’s about you and HIM.
Our church’s new theme is so much in my heart right now; so I will be radical (for me anyway) and be bolder with my belief. My expectation? My business, life and world will grow and prosper this year - in one way or another. I expect to be telling you next year of how blessed I have been BECAUSE of being real; and sharing just how HE has used me.
No matter what the world says in general, I know there are MANY who will have no problem working with a person of God. What a nutty notion that is anyway huh; after all, this way, you get GOD….and me!
I must tell you that TRUST and FAITH have already brought about new clients, friends; and some truly great relationships have developed since sneaking out of that closet. I have also lost some who have disconnected likely for this reason.
I soooooo hope and expect HE will use me to serve HIM through my work, books, teaching, coaching and efforts. I pray that my work, writings and efforts will help me lead others to know HIM. My ministry of working with leaders might just produce not only better leadership, but them leading others to HIM.
Whether you continue our relationship or resist here by clicking DELETE or UNSUBSCRIBE, my prayers are with you for God’s very best my friend! By the way, the theme of the church is IF NOT YOU…. So if not you, maybe you will forward this to some other leader or person interested, in need, etc???
Take care, DOUG
I get asked or have people suggest that I better be careful with doing so – talking GOD along with BUSINESS. Business OR God,…I used to struggle with this, and truthfully I still do maybe just a little. I get this, understand the concern, but it doesn’t have to be an EITHER/OR thing. In the last few years I have come out of the closet regarding my relationship with God.
My upcoming book will include my faith story, discovering the truth and becoming NEW about a decade ago. This is not about me (or you) forcing beliefs on anyone or their business and people. It is just about being honest and sincere about self and what you are about……and doing that walking the talk thing. I will leave the rest to HIM – some will read and some will not, that’s about you and HIM.
Our church’s new theme is so much in my heart right now; so I will be radical (for me anyway) and be bolder with my belief. My expectation? My business, life and world will grow and prosper this year - in one way or another. I expect to be telling you next year of how blessed I have been BECAUSE of being real; and sharing just how HE has used me.
No matter what the world says in general, I know there are MANY who will have no problem working with a person of God. What a nutty notion that is anyway huh; after all, this way, you get GOD….and me!
I must tell you that TRUST and FAITH have already brought about new clients, friends; and some truly great relationships have developed since sneaking out of that closet. I have also lost some who have disconnected likely for this reason.
I soooooo hope and expect HE will use me to serve HIM through my work, books, teaching, coaching and efforts. I pray that my work, writings and efforts will help me lead others to know HIM. My ministry of working with leaders might just produce not only better leadership, but them leading others to HIM.
Whether you continue our relationship or resist here by clicking DELETE or UNSUBSCRIBE, my prayers are with you for God’s very best my friend! By the way, the theme of the church is IF NOT YOU…. So if not you, maybe you will forward this to some other leader or person interested, in need, etc???
Take care, DOUG
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
