(Time to read this Blog is about 3 ½ minutes)

Before we get to the main topic, here are a few things to get you thinking or smiling:

1. My Biz Quote of the week:
   “There’s no ‘silver bullet’ in business.  Success is about doing dozens of big and small things better than your competitors.  What are at least 10 things that you consistently do better?”        
   …Donald Cooper.
    
2. Quick Biz Tip:
   Hire and manage more effectively:  
    
   The biggest challenge for most of my clients around the world is attracting, screening,  engaging, retaining and managing top performers.  Does that sound like your business?
    
   One of my Biz Coaching clients has been using a service called ‘Predictive Success’ to screen and hire more effectively and to manage his Team more effectively.  He has saved tens of thousands of dollars by weeding out candidates who would be a bad fit for his culture, values and customer commitments. He has reduced staff turnover and improved engagement, retention and productivity…and increased sales.
    
   So, I decided to take 10 minutes to complete the Predictive Success ‘Profile Questionnaire’ myself.  WOW, it  was incredibly accurate…and incredibly useful.  I was impressed.  I rarely recommend anything, but this ‘Predictive Success’ tool is the ‘real deal’, regardless of what type of business you’re in.
    
   So, I’ve negotiated a special deal with ‘Predictive Success’ for you  Blog readers.  If you email Jason Taylor, co-founder of The Predictive Success Corporation, at jtaylor@predictivesuccess.com and mention that ‘Cooper referred me’, Jason will send you the 10-minute Profile Questionnaire and follow up with a complimentary analysis, written Report and insightful phone call  to detail and discuss your leadership strengths and style in a way that will help you become a more self-aware and effective leader.
    
   If you believe that ‘Predictive Success’ will be helpful in your business and you want to become a client, Jason will then also include a virtual Team Engagement Session to help your Team become more aware, productive and engaged and to create a Culture that will grow your bottom line.  This is in addition to all the other ongoing coaching you get on how to use ‘Predictive Success’ effectively in your business.  I look forward to hearing your success stories.
     
3. Canada is the world’s top country for safe travel.  In a global travel survey, Canada was found to be the safest country in which to travel.  Switzerland is #2 and Norway #3.
    
4. Vehicle quality and reliability update. In Consumer Reports annual Auto issue, Toyota produces  7 of 10 most reliable vehicles.  That’s impressive!
    
   In the ‘Best Brands Overall’ category, BMW makes the best vehicles with Range Rover and Jeep being dead last.  Ironically, these two performance and dependability ‘loser Brands’ started out building a reputation for excellence and rugged dependability.
     
5. How I can be helpful in 2024: If you have an industry or company Conference coming up in 2024 where my bottom-line insights on management, marketing, staff retention and profitability will be helpful, I’m easy to find at donald@donaldcooper.com. Our most requested Sessions  are:  
   1. ‘Accelerate Your Business…the ‘straight goods’ on how to sell more, manage smarter, grow your bottom line…and have a life.’
   2. ‘Create Your Compelling Service Advantage…how to amaze your customers, differentiate your business…and grow your bottom line!’
   3. ‘Winning the Talent Wars…8 essential steps to attracting, developing, leading & engaging a top-performing team.’
   4. ‘Creating Your High-Performance Culture…improving clarity, commitment, accountability & profitability in your business!” 
   5. ‘Vision Critical…how to manage, innovate and thrive in a very different tomorrow!’
   6. ‘Succession Planning & Exit Strategies…preparing your business and yourself for the most important financial transaction of your life!’

These programs can be 90-minute Keynotes, or half-day or full-day interactive Sessions.  I don’t do ‘canned’ Sessions.  One size does not fit all.  Each program is customized and tailored to deliver your specific outcomes.

Here’s an attendee comment from a recent Conference session, “Best, most insightful, most ‘real’ management speaker we’ve had in 30 years!  Donald’s complete set of free Management Assessment & Implementation Tools is a huge bonus!”

Now, to this week’s important topic:

Ask more questions in 2024:

When we ask people the right questions, two things happen.  First, we learn from them and, second, we honour them.  So, commit to ask more questions in 2024. 

Ask more questions of your front-line people, your managers and supervisors, your suppliers and your customers (people currently doing business with you)…and target customers  (people not currently doing business with you).

Make a list of 4 or 5 key questions to ask each of the groups listed below (I’ve offered a few suggestions): 

1. Front-line Team members: Your front-line people know stuff and they hate it when you don’t ask.
   1. “What are our customers biggest complaints when they do business with us?”
   2. “How can we help you do your job better? What help, information, resources, empowerment or support do you need?”
   3. “What can we do to make our business less stressful and more joyful for you and for our customers?”
   4. “What would you like to be doing in your business and personal life in 3 to 5 years, and how can we help you get there?”
       
2. Managers and Supervisors:
   1. “What are the biggest complaints and frustrations of the folks who report to you?”
   2. “How can we help you do your job more effectively? What help, information, resources, empowerment or support do you need?” 
   3. “How can I improve my management style to help you be more effective?”
   4. “If you had my job, what are three things that you would change or fix around here?”
   5. “What would you like to be doing in your business and personal life in 3 to 5 years, and how can we help you get there?”
       
3. Customers / clients:
   1. “What can we do to serve you better?”
   2. “What are some of the things we do that delight and surprise you?”
   3. “What are some of the things we do that stress or disappoint you?”
   4. “What could we do to help you feel more special and appreciated?”
   5. “If you were running this business, what are some of the things you would improve, initiate, or fix?”
       
4. Suppliers:
   1. “How can we become a better customer”?
   2. “What do we need to do to qualify for better pricing for you?”
   3. “What do we do that causes you problems and make it difficult to serve us wonderfully?”
   4. “How can we better use all the value, insight and services you offer to your best customers?”
   5. “What are your observations about our industry and where it’s headed, that will be helpful for us to better understand the future?”

What will you do to ask more questions in 2024…and will you really listen and take action?

That’s it for this week…

Stay safe…live brilliantly!       

Donald Cooper 

Donald Cooper speaks and coaches internationally on management, marketing, and profitability.  He can be reached by email at donald@donaldcooper.com in Toronto, Canada.