Loreen Sherman

100% Responsible – Okay 97.9%

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:09:57 GMT

Leadership Development:100% Responsible-Okay 97.9%

Successful people accept 100% (Okay 97.9%) responsibility for what happens in their life. There are some factors that even successful people have no control over. However, successful people refuse to make up excuses, blame and criticize others, and complain about their life. If successful people do not like what is happening with their life, they take action and make changes.

A strong leadership skill to develop is the ability to change course, being flexible and adapting to the new challenges of today, while discarding the disappointments of the old challenges of yesterday.

These qualities of successful people are developed in targeted leadership programs. Leadership development is important as it enables and challenges managers and leaders to take charge of their financial, relationships, and health situations.

The way a leader reacts to a little aspect is indicative of the way that he/she will react to a major challenge.

Invite Loreen to speak at your next business function! Call 1.877.896.7292 Today.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

9-5 Work Day

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Schedule of Farmers

The Industrial Age required specialized goods and services congruent to its agriculture, mining and transport needs.

Industrialization Establishes the Work Day

Many industrial products like aluminum, cement, copper, lead, steel and zinc are produced in industrial nations. These translate into “consumer goods like automobiles, tires, household appliances, electronics equipment, breakfast cereals [and] cigarettes.”^[1]Critics often claim that pollution and other environmental concerns arise as spillover costs to the rapid increase in technology as exchanges to the ecological system are threatened. The stakeholders on both sides offer compelling evidence and arguments to substantiate their claims. This overview will not expound on the many difficulties that occur from the waste the environment has to absorb but rather it will focus on the Industrial foundation underneath the current business environment.

The organizational culture in the Industrial Age was primarily established with set workman’s hours. Many factory workers had regular 9-5 day-hour job. The banking community built their working schedule around the farmer’s and miners. Hence, a 9-5 workday was established.

Sources

^c McConnell, C.R., and Brue, S.L. Total Tax Revenues as Percentage of GDP, 2001. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Retrieved from www.oecd.org. Economics: Principles, Problems and Policies. (16^th ed.), pages 467. McGraw-Hill Irwin. New York. 2005.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

A Leader who Fell

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:23:57 GMT

Today is a remarkable day in history for the citizens of Egypt. They are celebrating a day of victory as they watch President Mubarak resign. Here is an interesting story about leadership. The office held by President Mubarak for 30 years was one of fear. He ruled the people unfairly and limited their freedoms. His control was one of a dictator. I ask this question, was President Mubarak a leader?

Some would answer ‘yes’ because of his office and his position. Some would answer ‘no’ because he could not keep his position. Some would answer that his leadership lacked the support of his followership and nullify his leadership. How would you answer?

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

A-B-Cs of Organization

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 22:03:56 GMT

Files stack up, paper reports are half-done, and follow-up to prospective clients is not completed. This style of hit-and-miss scheduling leaves many executives and professionals stressed, tired and worried. Too many unfinished projects lead to a mess both physically and emotionally. Here are some simple A-B-C’s to help keep the executive focused and organized. Want to learn the secret component required for the smooth flow of processes?

So, what is this secret?

As simple as A-B-C-

A – Ability to use time wisely. Laser focus on what contributes to success.

B – Busy not with activity but with focus. Why are you doing what you are doing? Will the result be profitable?

C – Choose selectively what you must do, not want or like but need to do, then do that first. Get the most important and necessary parts done. For example, you cannot ride in a car if the gas tank is empty. Fill up on what is required to get the work done.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Activation Energy

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:36:37 GMT

How to Charge up a Speaker’s Activation

Energy for a Dynamite Marketing Platform

What is activation energy? This term describes the potential energy that must be overcome in order to get a reaction. Whenever, a presenter speaks he wants to engage his/her audience to get a reaction.

How does activation energy apply to a speaker’s audience? This is the rate from when the speaker engages his/her audience and a connection is made. Activation energy starts when the speaker begins his presentation to when the audience first laughs, claps or provides feedback. Activation energy is the ripple effect of the crowd’s responses. The ripple effect returns the audience’s responses in waves back to the presenter. The laughter effect is one example of this activation energy. The presenter speaks and the audience responds but often the response lags from different areas in the room and laughter returns in waves. The energy flows first from the ones who immediately capture the humor or the insightful renderings. Then a wave of energy from the sides and back of the room continue to reach the speaker’s ears, which creates a lull in the timing of the presentation.

Once an initial response comes from the audience the activation energy is lighted, now what?

Many speakers are aware of their audiences’ reaction and try to time their presentations to match the energy level of the audience. For example, if a speaker engages a morning crowd often the audience is less perceptive and awake then the same crowd in the mid afternoon. Responsiveness is a critical element for successful presentations. Activation energy is when the concentration of materials from the speaker’s presentation over takes the crowd and yields itself in applause. The sound of applause is the signal that the crowd has been activated and are ready to engage. The concentration of energy in the room is high and the presenter is in charge ready for his dynamite presentation to be extended. The mood is contagious and the fire is lit.

Timing again is important. Now, the presenter has an opportunity to make a pitch on stage. This section of his presentation is a part of an important step in the speaker’s marketing platform. Here is where the audience starts to develop a trust with the speaker.

Likewise, responsiveness is a critical element in a speaker’s formal marketing platform. Activation energy affects the marketing platform because the same rippling effect occurs with the distribution of the presenter’s message. Planning for this marketing element is critical. When a speaker approaches the media he/she must determine what ripples will be created. Is the timing right to release a press release or not? Marketing platforms are strategic when properly planned and organized.

Six Steps for Dynamite marketing: Active plans target a specific strike zone:

(1) A speaker must know what his targeted strike zone is off-stage.

(2) Approach the media with purpose.

(3) Make a pitch and grab attention to start the activation energy.

(4) Time the releases because the timing of the released marketing packages is like the activation energy opening doors and opportunities for the speaker.

(5) The message goes out and the presenter awaits the response. Just like the ripple-effect of laughter, responses in waves will return.

(6) After the audience’s attention is captured what does the speaker desire? What action must the audience take? The speaker needs to address this question to build a dynamite marketing platform.

Just as active transport in the physical world helps materials move from a point of low concentration; so should the speaker’s marketing platform open the doors to higher concentrations of contacts, exposure, leads and sales? Yes, but how? Here is a tactical list to charge up the speakers’ marketing platform:

(1) Specify what the main point of the ad is.

(2) Specify who the ad is to reach.

(3) Specify why the audience would listen.

(4) Specify how the ad will affect your speaker’s profile or image.

(5) Specify attainable ways to measure if your ad was successful.

After, the ad has been sent and activated a response will happen. A well-developed marketing platform positions itself for a wave of people to contact the speaker. Phones will ring, e-mails will be sent, and letters arrive. So, get ready for a dynamite marketing platform with charged results when you implement the suggested steps to get an energized reaction from your audiences.

Invite Loreen Sherman to host your next corporate event today for a dynamic presentation. Call 1.877.896.7292 today.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

An Overhaul of Business

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A Competitive Advantage

Do you think that the business environment of today is like the business environment of the 1900’s? Obviously not, yet most businesses are trained and supported in the Industrial age approach of which founded their organizational structures.

Current Business Training is Required for Established Businesses

Some organizations are still based on technological specialization that created many advancements and rapid economic growth. However, as the world advances with urbanization and an implosion of knowledge an overhaul of business in the 21st Century is required for companies to gain a competitive advantage. Today's marketplace has expanded with the information age and globalization accessibility. New and current training is necessary to access and understand the new realities of the information age. This is one way to maintain a competitive advantage.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Analysis of Organizational Structure and Culture

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 02:58:44 GMT

The reflected views of the employees within organizations create a unique expression of how the work is done here. A system of shared values, assumptions, beliefs and norms that members of an organization agree with is defined as Organizational culture. Three different cultures manifest themselves within organizations: visual, espoused values and core values. The combination of each value creates an overall assessment. This is referred to as the apparent culture.

Many organizations have layers of functional units or different departments where team players interact. Sometimes the interaction takes place in occasional informal meetings where ideas, concerns and plans are communicated.

Analysis of the relationship between organizational structure and culture

The relationship between an organizational structure and culture are closely associated because of the live working units within it. Size and type of organizational structure determine how the organizational behavior will interact with all stakeholders.

Leadership and Management Skills The objective of many of today’s organizational leadership is to sell updated, modernized and current equipment. In order to accomplish this, each team member works toward achieving this goal. Collaboration is essential. For example, the sales team meets the customer and implements customer satisfaction while the research and development team assembles prototypes for the production department to make. Leadership team development is essential for business growth. Management has to keep the individual employees satisfied through incentives and promotions but has to satisfy the contingencies and directives of the CEO. In this case, structure and culture are compatible because no one is able to do exactly as they please, safe guards and checks are in place to ensure that the levels of workers and management are building and promoting both the image and product of the firm.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Business Leadership Means Community

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 02:55:13 GMT

Multi-cultural organizations are more prevalent in today’s business environment with services for new immigrants. Companies are becoming more concerned with community. These leaders show great concern and care for those they serve. For example, they are more available to talk with clients and find out how to serve them best by meeting their needs. One way that these new leaders do this is by attending events and functions organized by clients or community programs. This shows how much these leaders appreciate their clients. When clients matter it makes community connect. This style of leadership behavior, motivates the staff to act the same way.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Complexities in the Business World

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:28:28 GMT

Market Creates New Complexities

The business world evolves as the market and cultural world around it changes. For example, several areas have been identified that require an interface from Industrial technology to reflect Information platforms. This new market requires transformational leadership. Cultural diversity, segmentation and isolation have led to complexities in the business world such as chat lines, social media and forums. Organizational leaders need to be equipped with this new media. Intellectual property and patent laws are changing. These leaders need to be equipped with how to manage these changes. Communications are changing and businesses must adapt to align themselves with this shift. Organizations must adapt their behaviors. The Book on Formulaic Communication is an educational reference book established to assist companies meet these needs.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Dateline of Industrialism

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:34:56 GMT

Dateline to the Information Age

The Industrial Age was the precursor to the Information Age. To define this better the following dateline is helpful.

Industrialism. The age of agriculture, manufacturing, mining and transport. Many solid organizations were formed in this era. Farming, mills and railroads were primary business ventures. The invention of the printing press marked the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. This lasted from the 18^th Century to the 19^th Century.

Industrial to Information Age. The printing press is taking another identity as new computer technologies transform the written word in the 1980’s and in 2002. This new computer age allowed information to be more readily accessible. With Microsoft facilitating the distribution of information the Knowledge Economy started to increase (1992–2002). Many advances in business were hoped for because of this unprecedented access to information. Some acknowledge that the Information Age has evolved into the Attention Age with the invention of social media to help distribute the process of information flow.

The Information Age. 2010+ is an age of communication using various technologies: an explosion of online chat rooms, blogs and social media that open new business concerns and objectives. News travels instantaneously. With the new forms of communication new business skills are required.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Enthralling Leadership Development

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:40:03 GMT

Organizational leadership is not cut-and-dry. Many different aspects influence the organization’s behavior and culture. Leadership development must stress the importance of management functions and how the environmental factors play an important role. Corporate leadership training differentiates between the Macroenvironment and the competitive environment.

So, then what makes an organization’s culture? The scope of this question is complex and offers an understanding of the impact culture has on organizations. One element that makes culture is age. What are the demographics? Values are another element. When a leader recognizes these essential elements then he can learn to align the functions of management and harmonize the inner organizational structure. A complex and interesting task, which makes leadership development so enthralling.

“Let me lead – I am an expert!”

“Let me lead – I have been appointed!”

“Leading is easy, I have formed a pack!”

“I will show the way – follow me!”

You choose the style of leadership you want to follow.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Flow of Communication

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:10:34 GMT

What are the Seven Factors of Communication?

There are seven pertinent factors for the flow of communication: (1) verbal; (2) non-verbal; (3) cognitive; (4) reasonable; (5) creative; (6) message conveyed and; (7) the final outcome or desire is achieved. Many communicators are familiar with verbal communication. They talk on cell phones, promote conferences and organize tele-seminars based on the current lingo of the day. Each dialect can have subtle variations of meaning. Possible misinterpretations of the verbal communication exist. The tone, inflection or the actual word meaning can create a different perception of the meaning than the original intention. Non-verbal factors are often misunderstood as the result of culture. When the dialect or lingo is not known then some communication barriers can result. The interpretation of the message can create another level that barricades the flow of communication if the basis of a word had a different meaning than what was interpreted. That is why the key to understanding the process of communication is locked within the ability to be cognitive, creative and reasonable. This requires the ability to perceive and to actualize communication skills. This is why understanding the seven factors of communication are important in the business discussion of today.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Greetings from Loreen Sherman

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Hi and Welcome

… to Loreen Sherman’s online training and business instruction in blog format.

Category: Corporate Leadership Development

Purpose: The goal for this blog post is to be as informative and innovative as possible. I welcome new ideas, suggestions and thoughts. So, let’s engage in dialogue.

Content: Many of the blogs and the content will be related to current, critical and special business information with tips to help you succeed. Building business knowledge is attainable even for beginners. However, the business perspective that I will represent is for those already engaged in enterprise at a higher level; therefore at times some business jargon may appear. The content will cover and look at business at many different angles and will strive to question, probe and search for better business solutions for today's economic environment.

Voluntary Submissions:

I ask that you take the time to comment on my posts and I look forward to expanding the topic as an open discussion. I ask that when submitting your comments you remember to build the position or business perspective in clear and constructive language. Support your evidence with references whenever you can. No profanity or vulgarity will be accepted. I will not post abusive or inflammatory remarks. I will review all posts before placing them on this blog post so as not to replicate content matter.

This is a professional blog and the uttermost effort will be exerted to maintain excellence of writing in each submission for the benefit of all readers.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Happy New Year 2012

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:38:21 GMT

Loreen Sherman wishes you a very Happy New Year. This is the time to plan, prepare and praise the Lord for all our blessings. I hope for your continued happiness and prosperity in the upcoming year and I look forward to serving you then.

In Memory:Jack Layton’s Leadership Style of Courage and Fortitude

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:06:16 GMT

Regardless of political agendas, the character of Jack Layton is an example of courage and fortitude. His spirit was vibrant and is a shining example of not quitting. When life is difficult those who lead face choices. Jack Layton made the choice to lead with courage and optimism. He died a true leader. Here are his parting words, his letter to us, Canadians.

Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don't be discouraged that my own journey hasn't gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

To the members of my party: we've done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let's continue to move forward. Let's demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.

To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada's Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one -- a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world's environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don't let them tell you it can't be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

ctvwinnipeg.ca

Jack Layton wrote an open letter to Canadians shortly before his death. The federal NDP released the letter on Monday.

Above is the text of Jack Layton's letter

Industrialization is Advancing

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Flexible Work Week

Historically, in Canada the post-war children got up to go to work five days a week looking forward to the weekends where they rested and especially enjoyed Sundays off. Fridays were considered Party night and often Monday was referred to as blue Monday. The return to work was not eagerly anticipated in many cases. So, how was this work week established? Again, to accommodate the farmers who needed time off from a physically demanding job; these farmers were given work hours so that they could still tend their chores at home.

In the last decade, more flex hours are being negotiated as the community changes from being Industrial and rural centric to becoming urbanized. This urbanization has led to the acceptance of much of the Information explosion as people transfer their skills into a rapidly changing technological environment. The call to lessen the working man’s week schedule, to lengthen shopping hours, and to integrate flex hours has changed the 9-5 work schedule for many businesses.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Information Age Raises Its Head

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

New Market Shifts

The work day and the work week have been re-organized in some companies as the market shifts. Flex hours and working from home are being more normative than exceptions as the workers strive to work in a changing environment.

The Information Age of the 21^st Century

Flexibility is required to incorporate new market shifts and trends, which is one reason why the new working hours are called flex-hours. Identifying the new requirements for workers arises from a realization that the corporate culture is changing as society changes.

Innovation again is being called upon. New training models and programs are necessary to establish a bridge to allow for this paradigm shift. Progression from the Industrial Age to the Information Age requires that some companies learn the new education to make this transition.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Is Communication Landscape a Barrier?

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:43:22 GMT

Breakdown of Communication Decreases Productivity

Is the Communications Landscape a Barrier to Productivity?

Did you know that communication barriers lead to productivity problems for many companies? In fact poor communication skills are one of the largest reasons for the decreased productivity in the workplace. Today’s workforce has an additional cause for the breakdown in communication. A new and prevalent reason for today’s communication breakdown in the workplace is that the behavior in the organization has been founded on the Industrial Age patterns. With the birth of the Information Age an onslaught of many new communication patterns have formed. What this means is that companies have structured their organizations on old communication patterns pertinent to the Industrial Age but often not recognized that they do not function in today’s world of business. No longer is business conducted strictly by mail, in-person and by phone. The communication landscapes have changed, which requires that companies adjust to the new communication patterns needed in the Information Age of today’s landscape. An explosion of online chat rooms, blogs and social media are redefining communication in both the workforce and in everyday lives. Formulaic Communication helps companies learn the language skills for global communication in the Information Age.

The Information Age has caused a shift in the communication landscape. This shift to readily available knowledge and instant transmission of this information by different technologies has redefined the communication required for successful business engagement. Various new media forms and new technologies are changing the method of communication. Therefore, many new rules to communicate are required. For example, email is relatively new and requires its own format which is quite different than a business letter typed by typewriter. If the company can improve its methods of business communication with email then productivity increases. The ways to write a proper email is just one business skill that needs proper definition. Others can include reports and professional proposals or business sales letters. Companies require training for the development of communication and business skills in the Information Age.

So, how can your company identify if its communication landscape is a barrier to productivity? Here are three questions to ask: (1) Is your company either frustrated or confused with the explosion of new technologies and requires training in social media, blogs or email formats? Or (2) Does your company feel isolated or segmented because of the wave of new communication and new outlets for communication? And (3) are your personnel ill-equipped in the new forms of social media? If you answer yes, then your company may not be shifting fast enough to understand the changes and implement solutions. If your personnel are struggling to keep up then training in the new communication landscape is necessary. Build your business skills on necessary communication for today. Check out the workshop Business Communication in the Workplace CMX2292-1 for practical training on communication.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Leaders Develop an Action Plan for Success

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Ten Excuses to Not Implement an Action Plan

Is your business planning more like recording past business events rather than future projects? Are your business next steps thought of on-the-spur resulting from your business environment? Did you know that caught-by-the-moment business planning is ineffective and will end in disaster? Most businesses fail without proper planning for the future.

Here are some common reasons why business plans get lost in the shuffle of paper:

1) Numerous other issues that take precedence.

2) The bank is not immediately being sought so the business plan is not necessary.

3) The business plan is outdated.

4) Daily routines can be performed without it.

5) Takes too much time.

6) Takes too much effort.

7) No idea of what to include.

8) No idea as to how to do a market analysis.

9) Do not know how to budget or explain financial position.

10) Growth and expansion is not considered.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Leaders Dream Big

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:15:44 GMT

Here is an important tip on leadership development:

How big of a dream do you dream? Do you encompass the realities or do you consider the possibilities? It never hurts to dream big. When I was on a stretcher unable to walk or talk the gentle doctor looked down and asked, Loreen do you still want to be an astronaut? Seemed impossible but I responded with hope – yes.

A characteristic of leaders is that they dream big dreams. My dream seemed very improbable, I was not able to walk yet I dreamed of walking on the moon. I was unable to talk yet I dreamed of speaking for others. Did the reality of the moment stop me from dreaming of the potentials of tomorrow? No.

Guess what? I fulfilled that dream. I did become a candidate for the National Astronaut Recruitment Campaign in 2008. I fulfilled my dream.

There is nothing to limit what I can do is the mindset of a leader.

Now your turn, take a moment and project what type of life you want to live. This is good for leadership skills training. Projecting what your vision of yourself, what type of career and where you live are good starts.

You have the ability to become anything you want but you must first see yourself as doing it. What would you like to become in the future?

This projection does not take away from the realities of today but what it does do is enable you to become the leader of tomorrow. Leaders dream big.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Leaders Remember 9/11

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:17:22 GMT

Ten years ago today many leaders had to make significant decisions. They had to determine a plan of action that would affect many. Some lives were saved, others lost. Managerial decision making is not always easy. For example, in the case of 9/11 leaders were called on to take action from numerous capacities. Some were political leaders. Some were leaders of organizations. Some were firefighters, others were boaters. Each man and woman was called to perform an act of leadership. They were called on to sacrifice and to save. They were put in positions of danger. They were given little notice. They were given little equipment. They used their innovation and creativity but mostly they pooled together their resources. Leaders know that combining both human and mechanical capital strengthens any goal. Their goal on 9/11 was to save as many people as possible.

Today is a day to commemorate 9/11. I want to remember it as a day to mark the definition of leadership. A day to remember those who died courageously and those who died innocently. I want to remember that there will be times to make decisions and to pool resources. I hope to exemplify the strong leadership to make strong decisions to rebuild for the betterment of the people. I applaud the American courage and resilience as these leaders re-build.

Leaders Requires Good Communication

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:10:33 GMT

Poorly Chosen Words Will Cause Plans to Fail

The most important step in the actualization of a plan is to determine how to state the idea to the decision maker. If the words are not construed with an outline that is understandable the plan will fail because of the misunderstanding. Verbal communication of the idea is a difficult task that many are untrained in delivery and therefore many plans fail in the idea conceptualization stage. How sad and unfortunate.

What then can someone do to present an idea?

The first step is to determine what you want to describe. A clear description is helpful in determining the breadth, width and height of the new idea. Descriptions are ways to describe the plan. Talking about its specific functionalities will assist in giving a clear picture of thought. What will the plan do? What will the plan do ten years from now? What is the plan? For example, I want to tell you what I want for lunch so that you will buy it when you leave the office at lunch-time. I state the order in detail. I do not say, “Lunch” because that term is too broad. Instead, I say, Bagel with tuna salad! Now, you know what I want but you may not know the size, so adding more details helps me get the order exactly as I want it.

Here is a tip: Choose your words wisely to describe what the plan is you see. Can your words create an image in another’s mind so that what you have said is accurately represented?

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Leadership Element: Best Practices in IT Management

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 02:43:28 GMT

Five Preventative Tips to Protect Your Computer Files

IT education is not well known even though most companies have at least one computer. As companies grow the computer systems are integrated and the network is more complicated. This requires the assistance of well-trained IT specialists. One of the most important aspects to knowledge management is the containment of valuable information stored on the computer hard drives. How much data can your company afford to lose? The potential impact of lost data could amount to a catastrophe; including: lost customers delayed or canceled orders, poor employee morale, lowered business image, loss of trust, and loss of time, reduced productivity and compliance issues. In reality the costs of IT knowledge is a ratio of 2:5, the operational costs of the business representing the number 2 and the infrastructure as 5.

Important Measures for Back-up, Storage and Retrieval for Systematic Recovery

Certain safeguards should be in place to recover every file / folder and the entire system in case a fire or theft or other mishap occur to the computer, software or hardware.

Here are some preventative tips to ensure that your computer and computer system is protected.

Tip 1: Keep 2 copies of each back-up (one copy on site to speed up restores and one copy offsite for disaster / archive).

Tip 2: Back-up every day. Know your recovery point objective.

Tip 3: Back up to Internet knowing the following, go ahead and ask: (i) What is the service for back-up provider and how does it recover, i.e. CD? (ii) Ask how long it will take to actually restore lost information? (iii) Cloud – do you use encryption? If so, where is the cloud based? USA/Canada? For example, Europe is Dell. (iv) Where does the data go for storage? (v) Who has access to the data? (vi) What are the steps to recover the data? (vii) Finally, look at the history of the company, background, references…

Tip 4: Tapes should be replaced every year.

Tip 5: Start today with good habits.

For more information on this subject matter and professional business training on IT information and recovery Email John.whyte@emc.com

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Leadership Skills: Identifying Hidden Costs

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:15:32 GMT

Quick buy now! Lowest cost ever!

Are these not catchy pitches sure to make one want to cash in on the deal? But business beware, using tactics to upsell to outrageous amounts can hurt your businesses’ credibility. No hidden costs are often a better way to approach the market of savvy buyers. People do not like being led down the garden path to find that they have been led into putting out more cash than they planned or budgeted for.

Here are some hidden costs –

Domain hosts that do not include the dedicated IP and SSL layer.

Phone services that you have to pay extra for features…

On and on the list goes.

If your company is perceived as deceptive this will hurt your credibility and limit your success.

So, be careful what you advertise.

And for the buyer...

To make the most of your dollar when in business think of as many questions that you can ask about the product before buying and see if you can get a full package deal.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

New Leadership Challenges Self-Responsibility

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:17:57 GMT

Today’s managers have authority over people and financial resources. The business environment in today’s organizations are becoming more decentralized and employees have increasing autonomy to define their roles, prioritize tasks, allocate time, monitor their own work, and set their own objectives.

The new economy is information based and this knowledge has allowed many of the new mindset to become empowered to make these important choices. The result is that employees are less dependent on their superiors to tell them what to do and are encouraged to use their expertise and ideas to influence others around them. In a very real sense, employees are increasingly being asked to manage themselves.

Consequently, team leadership training focuses on self-responsibility and accountability. The executive leadership development concentrates on not just the individual but the team.

Learn more how to help your leaders make strategic decsions with Loreen Sherman. Invite her to speak today. Call 1.877.896.7292.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Not Where You Start that Counts but Where Your Leadership Ends

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 21:02:14 GMT

Successful people are committed to achieving the highest standards in their field. Successful people strive for excellence; therefore leaders should follow this example and make it a mission to be the very best possible. Striving for excellence means reaching to attain the rank of the top 10% in the specialty or business field. A number of successful people started at the bottom 10%, and yet were able to reach the top 10%. Many worked hard and many visualized a better end for themselves.

Start With a Visualized End of Successful Leadership

(1) Commit to the highest standard of quality and value in the level of work achieved

(2) Target leadership skills that are underdeveloped

(3) Invest in leadership development to enhance leadership skills

(4) Become a leader that will impact the future of tomorrow’s business

(5) Take time to enjoy the success in leadership that is respected and well-received

A successful leader is one that would follow himself/herself with 100% trust that all that was asked for was good.

A successful leader leads when the road is lonely and there are none who follow, knowing that the road he/she leads is right for all.

A successful leader smiles knowing that he/she has much yet to learn and is willing to learn it.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Noteworthy Characteristics of the Industrial Age

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Private Ownership

Identifying necessary requirements for business training requires an understanding of the progression of Industrialism to the Information Age.

A Western Perspective

In Industrially advanced economies, the market system had several noteworthy characteristics. During the Industrial age the resources were mostly privately owned rather than owned by government. This private ownership gave capitalism its name. Holding private property was a right. The freedom to contract and negotiate leases verified the right of ownership; this freedom extended to the private individual to bequeath those assets. This encouraged exchange of goods and services. This freedom of ownership encouraged investment, maintenance of property and economic growth. Innovation was the fuel source that launched the Industrial age economy.

Under the market systems of industrial economies the use of technology was extensive. The development and use of technology characterized the advance of the Industrial Age up to the 19^th Century. The world’s industrialized nations included nations like Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and The United States. They had notably the lowest tax burdens in 2005.^[1] One measure of a country’s tax burden is the percentage of tax revenues to total output. This is an indicator that growth occurs. Most of the world trade is among industrial advanced countries. This advancement with the use of technology allowed the Western nations to achieve greater productivity in production by increasing efficiency.

To accommodate the integration of this technology, businesses aligned their talent pool, which increased productivity. The model for organizations became that of specialized functionalities and departments. Companies organized their resources and allocated specialization in their supporting market systems to allow for the integration of technology. The Industrial Age facilitated the exchange of goods and services that specialization requires.^[1]

Sources

^ab McConnell, C.R., and Brue, S.L. Total Tax Revenues as Percentage of GDP, 2001. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Retrieved from www.oecd.org. Economics: Principles, Problems and Policies. (16^th ed.), pages 85, 64. McGraw-Hill Irwin. New York. 2005.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Organizational Leadership - Fight Competitive Advantage

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:56:00 GMT

Healthy frozen foods are an example of a profitable, growing industry with ample room for growth, diversification and specialization. What happens if the market changes?

Losing market share is either due to competition or a general decline of the frozen health food market.

Organizational Leadership requires Innovation – How to solve the problem?

The business landscape is filled with families where both parents work who don't have time to prepare fresh healthy meals. The business economy is based on a disposable society. With this in mind, an industry leader would want the fastest return to profitability.

Steps to undertake for strategic leadership development and effective planning by learning to create and capture. Knowledge management training will help you effectively:

(1) Locate an underserved market where the competition is little or non-existent.

(2) Create a sales buzz for the new product.

(3) Launch a campaign to vertically anchor the brand.

(4) Maximize all relevant revenue streams.

(5) Continue to innovate and expand the line.

Innovation fosters speed and cost competitiveness as byproducts of the campaigns launched through innovating. As a result the return to profitability is accelerated and a tired product line is given new life.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Organizational Leadership Requirements

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:48:50 GMT

Today’s business landscape is highly paced, fast-tracked and indeed stressful. Organizational leadership requirements are vastly different than a couple of decades ago. More Gen Y is entering the workforce. Their work ethics and work habits are changing the face of organization and with it the requirements for organizational leadership. Today the value indicators of leadership are the skills of authenticity and followership. Though top-level involvement is essential to organizational change, the real change leaders (RCLs) who affect how the majority of people perform come from the ranks of middle and frontline managers. A recent study of nearly 150 mid-level change leaders in 29 different change efforts explored what makes RCLs stand out from traditional middle managers, and what top management can do to ensure a critical mass of this emerging new leadership capacity.

Source: THE McKENSEY QUARTERLY 1996 NUMBER I 149

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Season’s Greetings

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 02:38:05 GMT

Thanks for visiting during this festive holiday season.

Wishing you the peace, joy and love for the season and throughout the New Year. May the warmth and peace of the holidays be yours.

I’ll see you in the New Year!

Strong Planning Directives Replaces Ineffective Plan

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:58:49 GMT

Strong Business Planning to Magnify Your Action Plan

How effective your business plan is depends on how current the information in the plan is. Does your plan reflect the current status of your business? This one consideration will start you on the road to recovery if your business plan has been curtailed.

An action plan requires the customization of your company’s strengths and weaknesses to be evaluated alongside a roadmap or business plan. This is a journey that will take your business from star-ting to the finishing line. In order to accomplish this you must know where you begin and where you want to end. This is called business planning.

Tip for a successful business plan: Start with an idea, expand on the idea, do a cost structure of the idea and then present your idea to the market. Then expand and work your idea until it works for today with projections of future growth. A good consultant like Loreen Sherman will help you develop a successful business plan.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

Struggling with Communication Problems?

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:07:20 GMT

Two Ways to Identify Communication Problems

The Industrial Age that was the precursor to the Information Age has left many companies ill-equipped to communicate. Social media and professional media forums require training. The various new technologies like e-readers, ipads and chat were unknown in the Industrial Age. Does your company feel isolated and confused trying to keep up with this explosion of new communication formats? Is your business one of the many that has not shifted fast enough leaving workers and personnel struggling to keep up? The breakdown of communication is one barrier to productivity in the workplace. Improving workplace communication requires professional business training seminar(s) to enhance these business skills.

Here are two ways to identify if your company is struggling with communication problems? The first is whether or not your workers, employees or managerial team is plagued with stress? The second is whether or not your company has organizational or time management problems. Both of these are common indicators of root communication problems. Both stress and the shortage of time are part of the landscape of the Information Age. The Book on Formulaic Communication will assist your company learn new communication methods.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

To the Royal Couple of England

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:31:04 GMT

To Lead with Love and Happiness

Who: Catherine, Elizabeth ‘Kate’ Middleton (born 9 January 1982) and the Prince William of Wales here is my dedication.

Money restraints prevent me from taking the physical trip overseas to England to be a part of your very special day; however my heart can travel there in a moment of time to bestow upon you the wishes that are contained within my heart.

I watched you grow up, Prince William, from far-away. I live in Canada and am by all means a commoner. I watched your parents prepare for their wedding day – as I prepared for mine. The joy that the nation felt, I felt.

Then, I watched and was delighted at your birth – you are the same age as my son, so I understand you maturing because my son, like you grew. I smiled as you walked, he too was walking. I smiled at your endearing smile for he also smiled. I knew the expectations of school, for as Lady Di took you to school, so I walked with my son. The school days were wonderful.

Then something happened I lost my son. He died unexpectedly at the age of 20. I thought I would die. Then your mother died. I bet you thought you were going to die. But, life moves on.

I then watched as you re-built from the sorrow of your heart. Like you, I re-built. I found love and now so have you.

Kate Middleton has entered your life. From far away, I can only hope that she will provide you with more love tomorrow than today and that you in turn will love her fully and dearly. Love is a marker for true leadership. You, Prince William, have all the material aspects – power, prestige and position but there is only one that counts – love.

Lead Kate with love. Lead your nation with love. I will never have a son to marry off, or a daughter-in-law to welcome; so I will not know that pleasure and delight but I can wish you all the best for a future together. I hope that you will build your life around the markers of leadership – true conviction, true dedication and true commitment to one another then you will have a strong and happy marriage. And finally, may God bless you both.

Verbal Communication Defined

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:24:44 GMT

Words are Not Communication

Do you know that words are not communication in and of themselves? Words are simply tools to take ideas from one to another. Words are expressions of thought. One understands and uses the words to help express the idea underneath the words. Words are not communication.

Let’s look at the development of words. In English, one word can have many meanings; therefore by itself the word is ambiguous. For example, the word “man”, which can mean gentleman, bloke, guy, chap, gent, fellow, fella or even both men and women. So, then words are not communication because they are not reliable for definitive results. Instead, words are the conveyer belts in which communication is transported from one individual to another.

Inflection in Words. When a word performs different functions in a sentence the word might change. For example, she can change to her. Another point is that words can change their form when the meaning changes like if there is one prince or two princes. These changes are examples of inflection. The English language is not highly inflected as is the Greek language. Therefore, words are not communication unless they have been defined.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog

What Leadership Styles Motivate

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 03:31:39 GMT

A transactional leadership focuses on interpersonal interactions between managers and employees and the charismatic leader is defined as someone who transforms employees to pursue organizational goals over self-interests.

A leader motivates the followers to invest time, money and energy into a project. Some leaders pay for services others do not. Have you ever wondered how one could motivate another to sacrifice and serve without pay? Volunteers are people who follow because they are motivated by the strong leadership they see. They are convicted that the actions and programs they volunteer for are beneficial and important. Volunteers are not just performing a task they are making a difference in the lives of others. They are empowered. Much of this comes from the high quality of leadership they follow. They want to please their leader. They believe in their leader.

A motivational leader is an inspiration to his/her followers. This leader has a conviction and/or a dream that others accept and want to be a part of. Sometimes these leaders challenge the status quo by developing an alternative to the usual policies or environment. The transformational leader works hard to provide information to educate and inform their followers. Many of these leaders engage volunteers. A transformational leadership is possible for your organization by investing in Loreen Sherman’s training programs.

Loreen Sherman’s Corporate Leadership Development Blog