(Time to read this Blog is about 3 1/2 minutes)
Before we get to the main topic, here are a few things to get you thinking or smiling:
- My Biz Quote of the week:
“You’ll never sell a business that can’t run without you.”
…Donald Cooper.
- Quick Biz Tip:
Mastering the big shift from ‘doing it all’ to following up with those who do:
One of the big changes for biz owners as their business grows is to shift their thinking and their time from ‘doing it all’ to building a strong Team, creating a clear Vision, creating operational and moral clarity and a culture of commitment and accountability…then delegating and diligently following up.
This shift from ‘doing stuff’ to following up with Team members who are ‘doing stuff’ is a big one and a real struggle for many. But your business will stall if you don’t.
If you’d like help with that important transition, perhaps we should chat.
- Love or hate Jeff Bezos, Amazon has ‘created the next’ and changed the world. Amazon has over 200 million Prime members worldwide, delivers 20 million packages every day, delivers medication to half of the U.S. population, powers some of the world’s most popular websites (Netflix, LinkedIn, Facebook), is a global leader in Cloud storage and Cloud computing services… and produces award-winning films and TV shows.
Not bad for a company that started off as an online book seller in 1995. So, will you ‘create the next’ in your industry or market…or will you be the victim of those who do?
- Canadians are ticked off. Flight bookings made in March, 2025 for future travel from Canada to the USA in the months of April through to Sept 30 are down 72% from last year. Canadians are definitely ticked off.
But, for me, my American friends are still my friends and my American clients are still my clients. This is a time for collective outrage…but it’s also a time for individual civility and friendship.
- A shameless plug! If your company, Industry Association or local Chamber of Commerce has a Business Conference this year that will benefit from my world-class, bottom-line management and marketing insights and ‘straight talk’ delivery style, perhaps we should chat. I’m booked up till the end of June, but have some availability in the 2nd half of the year.
I’ve delivered about 3,000 Conference Sessions in over 40 industries around the world…and I’m starting to get the hang of it. As part of my commitment to deliver extraordinary outcomes, I do the homework to customize and I stay for the entire Event because some of the most important value is always delivered off-stage in quiet and confidential conversations. I’m easy to find at donald@donaldcooper.com.
Now, to this week’s important topic:
Kim Seeling Smith shares her brilliant insights on engagement, motivation and retention in today’s reality:
Normally, I bring you my own insights on management, marketing and profitability. But, every once in a while I come across the wisdom of others that is so important, it must be shared. The brilliant Aussie-based Biz Speaker Coach and author, Kim Keeling Smith, is a global expert on culture, Team effectiveness and retention. I’ve been a fan for years. Below are Kim’s ‘9 Cultural Currencies’ that you should not miss.
Kim’s ‘9 Currencies of Choice®’ in 2025 – How do you rate on each of these?
- Purpose and Values Alignment:
Employees want to work for companies that stand for something real.
What has changed? Candidates now look for authenticity. Empty Mission Statements or greenwashing are deal-breakers.
- Trust in the capability and integrity of Leadership:
People stay where they trust their leaders.
What has changed? Trust in employers is declining. Employees now demand ethics, transparency and authenticity.
- Belonging:
A strong workplace culture fosters connection and inclusion.
What has changed? Belonging now includes diversity of thought, generational diversity, and accommodating different work styles.
- Appreciation:
Recognition must be meaningful and regular.
What has changed? Leaders must personalize recognition. Some employees prefer public praise, others private thanks.
- Voice:
Employees want a say in how work evolves and changes.
What has changed? With rapid AI integration and other big changes in how and where work is done, including your Team in the change process is more important than ever. - Clarity:
People need to know what ‘success’ looks like for the entire business and for their department and specific function…and how that ‘success’ will be measured and rewarded.
What has changed? Ambiguity is a culture killer, especially in hybrid Teams. Leaders must set clear, measurable objectives…then measure and reward performance.
- Growth and Development:
Not everyone wants a promotion, but everyone wants growth.
What has changed? Learning must be tailored, accessible and focused on future-proofing careers.
- Agency and Autonomy:
Employees crave control over their work.
What has changed? Flexibility is expected, but true autonomy includes choice in workflows, tools, and AI integration.
- Strengths-Based Work:
People want to do what they’re good at—and what they enjoy.
What has changed? With AI taking over routine tasks, organizations can redesign roles to play to human strengths.
Not all of these 9 factors will matter equally to every employee, but they all matter. The best way to know what resonates with your Team is to ask.
What all this means is that being an effective leader or manager in today’s world is more challenging than ever…but that’s reality.
If you’d like to connect with or follow the very bright Kim Seeling Smith, you can email her at kim@igniteglobal.com. Tell her that ‘Cooper’ sent you. There’s nothing in it for me, but I might get a bigger hug the next time I see her.
That’s it for this week…
Live brilliantly and be kind to each other!
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.
