You Know What I Think? With Jody Hanks

You know what I think about conflict? People don’t stop being people at work. And because people are people conflict is inevitable. Conflict is the natural result of human interaction that begins when one member of the organization believes his or her goals, values, needs, or attitudes are incompatible with those of other members of the organization. Conflict can arise within a member, between two members, or between groups of the organization. Traditionally, conflict was viewed as a detriment to the organization, it was something that should be resolved quickly or avoided all together, but if properly managed, conflict can drive positive change and it can raise the organization to the next level.

You know what I think about Momentum? Mark Twain once said “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” The frog in this quote represents the one thing you have on your to-do list that you have absolutely no motivation to do. The biggest frog would be the most important of two undesirable tasks. If you don't eat them right away, you're likely to put-off doing them the rest of the day, and guaranteed they'll be a distraction until you get it done and will impede your momentum. In this podcast I provide an overview and some observations of a great book by Jason and Jodi Womack, called Get Momentum: How to Start When You're Stuck

You know what I think about legacy computer systems? Legacy systems are always on the chopping block because there is a seemingly never-ending cascade of new technology designed to make business more profitable and our lives easier. Moore's Law would suggest that IT used to build systems today is superior to yesterday’s technology. However, new is not always better. Certainly, today’s IT is smaller and faster, but that doesn’t necessarily make it superior to the technology used in legacy systems. In fact, implementing new IT systems carry inherent risks that may outweigh the drawbacks of modifying or converting existing systems.

As I embark on the second season of the podcast, I wanted to take a moment to touch base with everyone and let you know what to expect in the coming year, and also to introduce a new podcast coming soon. 

You know what I think about bad language? I think it’s pretty safe to say bad language is a part of our culture and we’ve all used bad language at one point or another in our lives. Some of us may use it naturally, as a matter of conversation, while others might be more discrete and deliberate. Some are selective in the words they use, seeing some bad words as acceptable while other words are strictly taboo. We may feel guilty about using bad words, so we substitute something more benign. Still, no matter how we feel about them, bad words have power because they illicit a response in both the user and the recipient. 

Leaders who don’t focus on their customers often fail. A relationship with the individuals who might buy their products is essential, but for some reason, many miss this absolutely critical aspect of their business. The process of identifying a target market and narrowing their company's focus to appeal to it directly is key. Then they can turn their attention to their competitor's customers.

Why are people motivated to do things for you or for your organization? The truth is people are motivated by any number of things and are likely motivated by different things at different times and under different situations. Manager's who think employees are primary motivated by one thing (like money) are missing the boat, and by failing to recognize the dynamic nature of employee motivation, they may well find they have a hard time motivating anyone to do anything. In this podcast I discuss some methods for motivating employees to achieve more.

You know what I think about sales? Sales is very stressful for some people, but it can be a lot of fun if you let it. I'm an introvert by nature and probably the last person you'd expect to enjoy pitching ideas to total strangers. Sales is fun--and interesting--because it’s like a game. In this podcast, I discuss a couple of techniques to increase your sales effectiveness and make the game more fun and and a lot more interesting.

You know what I think about scarcity? It's the conflict that arises because there are limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants and drives decisions of everyone on the planet. Scarcity is the cause of all economic activity, and is the basis of universal economic laws, such as supply and demand, diminishing returns, competition and cooperation, and comparative advantage, and is also the source of the concept of universal human rights. But are human rights truly universal? Perhaps there's another measure.

You know what I think about entrepreneurs? Objectivist philosopher Ayn Rand said considered them the 'motor of the world' working within existing markets to bring them into equilibrium or creating new markets and disequilibrium. They're the creators, innovators, and disrupters that move markets and society by changing the status quo. In this podcast I discuss the two sides of entrepreneurship. Where does your impact lie?

You know what I think about supply and demand? This podcast was inspired by my brother who had to take an unexpected trip and was forced to purchase an airline ticket the day before the needed flight. So, he was lamenting the high price of the ticket, and after some good-natured ribbing about his studying Political Science in college instead of Economics, we discussed what he considered price gouging was really nothing more than simple supply and demand. 

You know what I think about managing teams? Humans are highly complex and don't come in predictable behavioral packages. The simple truth is people are different and how the team leader manages those differences is the key to the team’s success or failure in meeting its objectives. A working understanding of the individual team member's personality is key to an effective team and will help the team leader guide them in meeting goals. The ability to match work profiles with personality will also help satisfy the needs of the team members. In this podcast, I discuss using a personal profile system to get more out of your workcenter teams.

You know what I think about business and social justice? In this podcast I discuss a business' role in society and where it's responsibilities lie. What obligation does a business have to contribute to the common good? Listen in for the next few minutes and I'll tell you what I think. 

You know what I think about writing? It can be very frustrating, especially when you're trying to craft an email to an important client and you find yourself stuck on an awkward passage, are just too wordy, or your efforts produce nothing more than a jumbled mess. Even the best writers struggle with messaging from time-to-time. In this podcast, I share six tips to help you be a better writer and convey your message with clarity and personality. 

You now what I think about productivity? In this podcast, I talk productivity with Steve Schoenly, the owner and founder of Schoenly Consulting. In addition to providing audit and compliance services within heavily-regulated industries, Steve's firm helps companies increase productivity by improving process efficiency. In my first podcast interview, Steve shares his thoughts on personal productivity and discusses some of the tools and techniques he uses to help him get things done.  Here's a list of the multi-platform tools and techniques Steve talks about in the podcast:   Todoist: A smart task manager Smartsheet: Simple project management Google Drive: Cloud storage and file backup Google Docs: A web-based software office suite (word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation program) within Google Drive  Google Calendar: Time management and scheduling calendar Blinkist: Summaries of non-fiction books for the busy executive The Pomodoro Technique: A time-management method "Getting Things Done" by David Alle

You know what I think about time? There are so many demands on your time each and every day. And each and every day you have 1,440 minutes to meet those demands. Since time is not a renewable resource, you need to make the most of the time you have. In this podcast, I share five techniques to help you master your time.

You know what I think about priorities? Effective leaders overcome the overwhelming stream of information bombarding them daily by approaching tasks with a singular purpose achieved through focused thinking.

You know what I think about contribution? It's a key focus area for organizational leaders, but not in the way you might think. The leader’s most significant contribution is often to recognize the contributions of others. Recognizing employee contribution is a significant motivator and increases productivity. It is essential to the team executing well.

You know what I think about celebrity advertising? Although there's much debate over its power to influence the consumer, marketing agencies would likely see more return on their investment if they simply crafted a more effective message. Take those 'Old Spice' ads for instance...

You know what I think about network relationships? E-commerce is built on a networked landscape. Businesses that can amplify relationships with consumers to the point where they become prosumers will gain a winning edge.