Does Your Messaging Set Your Business Apart?

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and trends from the U.S. Dept of Labor, there were 27.5 million firms operating within the United States in 2009.  Of those firms, about 99% are small businesses (firms having fewer than 500 employees and nonemployers).

The recession has created an unprecedented number of startups and small business owners.  Millions of people who were kicked out of the shelter and safety of an established entity, were forced to figure out how to make it on their own.  Fortunately, many of those who were laid off or downsized have been finding ways to make lemonade out of the lemons they’ve been given.  How?  Entrepreneurship.

With the recent explosion of small businesses; many that likely offer similar products or services, how does one business compete against another?  One word - differentiation.

When Management Get's Mad...

A few weeks ago I received an email from someone discussing an instance in which they were yelled at by their manager, in front of coworkers.  The highly embarrassing wrath unleashed by their boss included a few four-letter words and a couple of things being slammed on their desk.  Apparently, the entire episode was caused by a miscommunication.

The person further explained that while it was common knowledge throughout the office that this manager wouldn’t necessarily be characterized as mild-tempered, this particular verbal lashing seemed especially harsh.

We’re human so naturally when someone or something makes us mad, we’re probably going to react. And holding a leadership position at work doesn’t mean we stop being human.  It does mean however, that we should consider how our reactions might impact others...specifically those we’re leading.