Tag Archive for: Energize Your Business

, , ,

Why Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth

Disneyland Splash Mountain

Are you planning a family vacation to Disneyland this summer? If so, notice how they attend to the details of what makes you happy.

Disney understands what you, the customer, wants before you do.

Several years ago I attended a Disney seminar for leaders and was amazed at their organization’s attention to their customer’s needs and desires.

Disney employees exemplify what I call “The Diamond Rule: Strive honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view.”

 

Here are some ways they understand you, their customer, intimately:

  • They minimize distractions and expedite check in at their hotels because they know your family’s nerves are frazzled from the long, exhausting trip to get there. They know the last thing you need is more stimulation at that moment.
  • You won’t find an outside newspaper for sale anywhere on their property because they know you have come there to escape the real world.
  • Every employee knows where the nearest restroom is because they know you have pushed your bladder to its limits and will need to make a mad dash to get there in time.
  • Trash receptacles are placed no more than 30 steps apart because they know just how long you are willing to hold onto your trash before dropping it.
  • Lines at each attraction twist and turn with their own suspenseful entertainment as you wait with anticipation so that you don’t mind very much how long it’s taking.
  • Disney employees are called “Cast Members” to remind them that when they enter the property “It’s show time!” and your family is their most important audience.

Disney’s philosophy in their own words (excerpts from the Disney Institute website)… Read more

/by
, , , , ,

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Workplace-It’s All About Love!

What does love and Valentine’s Day have to do with business? In a nutshell, everything!

  • Customers and employees who feel loved are more loyal to your company.
  • Employees who love their bosses and their jobs perform better.
  • Customers and employees who feel loved share their experiences with others.

What if this is true: “It’s all about love!”?

Simply put: Love aspires. Love inspires. Love grows.

Let’s look at two extraordinary companies, both of which were launched in 1971—more than 45 years ago—operating with love as an essential core value.

Have you ever enjoyed a burger and a beer at a Hard Rock Café? Did you know that the company was founded by two hippies who chose love, peace, and rock-‘n-roll as their mantra? Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton were two shaggy-haired Americans who just wanted to find a good American burger while living in London. They built their first café on London’s Hyde Park corner as the first “classless” restaurant in the class-laden English society.

Today there are more than 175 Hard Rock locations, which include restaurants, hotels, casinos, and live music venues in 55 countries. Emblazoned on the wall of every property is, “Love All, Serve All.” It is the life—and business—success principle that Tigrett borrowed from his guru in India.

The Seminole Tribe acquired the Hard Rock companies in 2007, continuing to keep its love-based culture alive. Their mottos are still visible: “Love All, Serve All,” “Take Time to Be Kind,” “All Is One,” and “Save the Planet.” And how’s this for a core value: “Deliver kick-ass service.”

Southwest Airlines is another company that fearlessly embraces love (“LUV”) as a fundamental principle.

Read more

/by
, , , , ,

Jump Start 2017

With 2016 nearly wrapped up, I hope that you are taking a deep, contemplative breath and a little time for personal reflection.

Every year we weave a unique tapestry of adventures we have experienced, successes we have accomplished, and setbacks we have suffered.

Reflect on the Past Year

Part of my ritual this time of year is to list these significant events that have occurred in my life, both personally and professionally, so I can fully view and appreciate the tapestry I co-created. It includes projects completed, activities enjoyed, problems faced, milestones reached, unforeseen circumstances overcome, etc. Some within my control, some not. What I have grown to know is that each experience was necessary to bring me to the present moment.

Jump Start Your New Year

Whatever our past year’s tapestry looks like, the beauty of the dawn of a New Year, is that we get to envision a new tapestry. It is time to begin selecting some of the threads and colors, and identifying the themes we desire.

Our greatest opportunity for 2017 is to apply our talents, skills and abilities more fully to make the finest tapestry possible.

Personal goal setting and strategic planning are creative tools that enable us to design our personal and professional tapestry.

If you are a business owner, thinking of starting a new business, or are a leader in an organization this upcoming class will help you to jump start your strategic planning process and make your 2017 tapestry your best yet. It is my honor to partner again with Greater Phoenix SCORE to facilitate this engaging how-to class, A Strategic Planning Process that Energizes Your Business. Read more

/by
, ,

Preparing for a Bountiful Harvest

Circle of GrowthI hope that you have had both a fun and productive Summer and haven’t been too distracted by the election shenanigans. This past weekend, my wife, Lyn, and I enjoyed the last farmers market of the season for Payson, AZ. It reminded me of the cycle of reaping a bountiful Fall harvest from a garden.

Consider growing your organization as you would grow a garden. During our strategic planning and leadership training sessions with tribes and their enterprises, a good Hopi friend and business associate of mine, Perci Ami, often shares about the cycle of growth and how it relates to the four directions of the medicine wheel. This circle has proven valuable for understanding the natural order and balance necessary that yields a successful harvest in life as well as in organizations.

 1. Cultivating the Earth

Every organization is unique like the seeds of different plants. What works for one organization may not work for another. Does your organization have a strategic plan that clearly identifies your unique “seeds of success”? The strategic planning process naturally reveals and cultivates what to focus your precious resources upon so that your organization is aligned with your desired vision for the future. This alignment will result in an organization that will stand the test of time.

The process also helps to differentiate the uniqueness of your organization compared to that of your competition. It is a great way to determine or reconfirm the core purpose, core values, mission, vision, goals and action plans for your organization. Successful companies that stand the test of time, even during tough times, are planted in the fertile ground of core purpose and core values. Then they adjust their vision, goals and action plans (similar to molding pliable clay) to the ever-changing external economic and political environment.

The strategic planning process, done right, draws from the collective wisdom of the leaders and employees throughout the different levels of the organization. Read more

/by
, , , ,

Thanksgiving VIP Special

Energize Your Business cover

Receive your special 30% VIP discount code (good through 11/30/15) to purchase Energize Your Business…

Hope you and your family had an amazing Thanksgiving and are recovering from Black Friday, especially if you braved the early morning frenzy.

If you’re still shopping for gifts for your entrepreneur friends and family members, here’s a thoughtful solution that I think you’ll like…and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home.

To receive you 30% discount: simply go to www.EnergizeYourBusiness.biz , click “Order Print Book”, add to cart, then enter the Discount Code QNDM8CN5, click “Apply Discount”, check out, and they’ll be delivered to you!

Have a great weekend and happy shopping!

Ray

Read the first few chapters for free at www.EnergizeYourBusiness.biz

/by
, ,

Energize Your Business is Here!

BaloonsPlease join the celebration for the official Amazon launch of my new book, Energize Your Business: Engage Your Employees with an Inspiring Strategic Planning Process.

It went live today! Woo-hoo!

Thank you for your support and encouragement for this book that will change businesses—and lives.

VIP PRINT BOOK SPECIAL – AVAILABLE NOW!

For many of you, this is also the day you have been waiting for to purchase copies of the print book for yourself, your friends, family, and associates.

I have activated a special discount code that starts today and lasts until Friday, November 15th. You and your family, friends, and associates can purchase as many print books as you wish this week for $5 off each book. That’s an amazing 30% savings! Click here to get the code www.EnergizeYourBusiness.biz

Thank you again for all your support and for being part of a successful book launch!

Much success and fulfillment,

Ray

 

P.S. Please help to spread the word about Energize Your Business. If you’ve already enjoyed reading at least some of the book, would you please post a book review on Amazon. That way people will get a better idea of the value they’ll receive when they purchase their own book.

Remember to download your FREE companion Strategic Planning Guidebook at www.EnergizeYourBusiness.biz. It is designed to help you get the most out of the book’s valuable tools, forms, and tips so you can apply them to your own organization.

Please join the energizing conversations at my blog https://lynray.wpengine.com/blog.

As always, please spread the word by sharing this information with your family, friends and associates.

/by
, ,

My Dedication to You…

Business Energizers™ Logo 2015-07-09This blog is dedicated to all the passionate business owners and leaders who have the courage to take a leap of faith to act on their dreams.

On this page, I will share proven, practical tools and tips accumulated over my 25 years of experience facilitating groups, developing training and workshops, and providing leadership coaching.  I will begin by drawing from my new book, Energize Your Business: Engage Your Employees with an Inspiring Strategic Planning Process. Click here to learn more www.EnergizeYourBusiness.biz.

Together we will explore what truly energizes organizations. Please feel open to share your own personal experiences.

I invite you to follow this blog by clicking on the link below and accessing it with your email so that we can stay connected and you can stay informed.

Also, please follow me on my social media channels so that we can deepen our connection and you can share these posts with your friends and associates.

Much prosperity and success,

Ray Madaghiele

Chief Inspiration Officer

Business Energizers™, a division of Transformational Learning Center

/by