analog better than digital?

Posted on by BG Allen

Lauren - Blue sky over the REZAre you going more analog? I enjoy the use of technology, but I am finding myself moving back to a more “analog” world. I do enjoy reading a wide variety of blogs and learning from people the world over, but I am finding it more difficult to practice long-form reading. I also have found that while my e-reader is convenient, I actually do enjoy the feel of a book in my hands and the ability to mark up the book that I am reading.

While I really enjoy the ability to use Evernote for my electronic filing, I still prefer to actually write my notes and then scan them into Evernote for easy retrieval later (read Michael Hyatt’s post on note-taking here). Have you noticed the trend in music back to vinyl records?

I do like the advantages that is offered by the current technology, but there are some distinct advantages to going “analog”. Another consideration is the “hackabiity” of our data now. In fact Geoffry James of Inc. goes so far as to say,

By the time we have the “Internet of Things,” it will be so hackable and fragile that nobody will want to use it.

Mr. James goes on to list some trends where people are returning to a more analog world for certain high priority transactions. Are you seeing this trend?

What do you think of what Geoffrey has to say in his article (click here to read)? Should we be going more analog in some areas of life? Are we too exposed on the Internet?

“8 Ways to Become a Better Boss”

Posted on by BG Allen

“8 Ways to Become a Better Boss”

a way to measure your team’s strength

Posted on by BG Allen

Good morning!

This is a good article from the Inc. site entitled The 20-Minute Test That Measures Your Team’s Strength . What I like is the simplicity of the “test”.

Bring in a trusted outsider and have him or her ask an important, but not so obvious, question and then see how they respond. It will usually be one of four ways:

1. They will turn to the group leader and wait for the answer.

2. One or two strongly opinionated individuals will give their differing opinion.

3. Everyone will chime in with their own opinion independent of each other.

4. The team members will engage with each other in a rich discussion/

Of course, what you are hoping for is something closest to the fourth dynamic. That is an indicator of a healthy team. The closer to the first dynamic you are, the more trouble you are in.

How does your team operate?

Peace and grace to you today!
BG

4 Ways to Measure Your Leadership Skills

Posted on by BG Allen

4 Ways to Measure Your Leadership Skills

1. Good leaders have a mission and inspire others to join them.

2. Good leaders create strong organizations.

3. Good leaders have strong interpersonal skills.

4. Good leaders are good motivators.

“To Be a Great Leader, Be a Builder” – Inc.

Posted on by BG Allen

“To Be a Great Leader, Be a Builder” – Inc.

Build Connections to the Bigger Picture 

Build Bridges Between Team Members

Build Confidence in Employees

9 Minor Changes That Will Make a Difference

Posted on by BG Allen

Good morning! Headed to Florida on business today, which is nice as it has been COLD here and last night we had freezing rain.

I came across an interesting article on Inc.’s website last night about nine things that will make you happier. Now, for me, happiness is not a goal, but rather is the by-product of my walk with Christ and with others. However, this list by Inc. is quite good in my opinion and you might want to consider ensuring that some of these habits become a part of your life. Following is the list from the Inc. article:

1. Start each day with expectation.

2. Take time to plan and prioritize.

3. Give a gift to everyone you meet.

4. Deflect partisan conversations.

5. Assume people have good intentions.

6. Eat high quality food slowly.

7. Let go of your results.

8. Turn off “background” TV.

9. End each day with gratitude.

The article is worth a read. Hope you have a blessed day today!

BG

Creative Block? Inc. Has 10 Tips for You

Posted on by BG Allen

Good morning! As I mentioned previously, I am trying to get back into a regular blogging rhythm, but it has been a challenge. because of time, I just hit a wall trying to be creative and write something that might benefit you. So as I was strolling through the web world, I came across an article by Inc. that was helpful for me. I also realized that you might at times encounter a creative block.

So here are the 10 tips from the article – click here to read the full article. A quick read and worth your time if you, like me, struggle at times with a creative block.

1. Keep a Journal.

2. Search your environment for inspiration.

3. Question everything. Ask how, why and what’s missing.

4. Turn problems around.

5. Combine random elements.

6. Recruit a partner.

7. Read something totally different than usual.

8. Tolerate failure.

9. Listen to your “inner child”. In other words – dream big!

10. Relax your mind.

Some interesting suggestions and some better than others. Some of the suggestions remind me of the book Thinkertoys. This is a great book that helps you to deal creatively with challenges.

Hope you have a blessed day today!
BG

8 Things an Extraordinary Boss Believes

Posted on by BG Allen

Good Friday morning to you.  Glorious morning here in southwest Michigan.  Sun is brilliant, skies incredibly blue and I am just thoroughly enjoying God’s creation this morning.

Thought I would share something with you this morning that I read on Inc.s site.  Geoffrey James has a good article on how extraordinary bosses view things at work that he developed through interviewing CEO’s across the world.  Following are eight common beliefs of those he interviewed:

1. Business is an ecosystem and not a battlefield. Diversity and adaptability are key here.

2. A company [organization] is a community, not a machine. In other words, do you see your staff as cogs in complex machine or as unique individuals created in the image of God?

3. Management is service, not control.  What are you more concerned with: controlling your employees or resourcing them to do their jobs?

4. My employees are my peers, not my children. Again – how do you view the people you lead / serve?

5. Motivation comes from vision, not fear.

6. Change equals growth, not pain. Change is inevitable, so how do you make it an advantage?  HOw do you lead your people to embrace the right change?

7. Technology offers empowerment, not automation. You should view tech as a way to free people to be creative, not as a way to gain more control.

8. Work should be fun, not mere toil. Is your place of work safe for your people?  Are the right people in the right jobs?  How are you helping them to grow?  How often do you stop to laugh & share stories?

Some interesting points that seem to apply in business, ministry and on church staff.

What do you think?

Hope you have an incredible weekend!
BG

Some Tips on How To Function More Productively

Posted on by BG Allen

Multi-tasking Makes You Dumber!  Read the following quote:

“Stop multi-tasking. No, seriously—stop. Switching from task to task quickly does not work. In fact, changing tasks more than 10 times in a day makes you dumber than being stoned. When you’re stoned, your IQ drops by five points. When you multitask, it drops by an average of 10 points, 15 for men, five for women (yes, men are three times as bad at multitasking than women).”

In his article on Inc.’s site, Ilya Pozin, shares seven ways to become more effective at your work:

  1. Work backwards from goals to milestones to tasks.
  2. Stop multi-tasking
  3. Be militant about eliminating distractions
  4. Schedule your email
  5. Use the phone
  6. Work on your own agenda
  7. Work in 60 to 90 minute intervals
For most of you, these are probably not new concepts, however, if you are like me you probably agree with the concepts but have yet to incorporate them into your life.
Why don’t you try these for 30 days and see what happens?
BG