2 Minute Takeaway Podcast

Don't expect good nonverbal customer service to happen by accident. Often, it is about superior training from leaders and buy-in from employees.  Once the techniques are embraced, the process can become a valuable second nature. But to get there, you may need to let go of some bad habits. Let's energize your customer service in this week's episode of The 2 Minute Takeaway Podcast . Learn more abou...

Smart leaders know that before you sign the contract, you need to think about the road ahead. Often, some are so thrilled by a new agreement that they only consider the immediate benefits and not any potential challenges that could emerge later on.  That can lead to problems, lost time, and regret. Find out how you can avoid these issues with a story that's about an outdoor swimming pool on a cold...

Leaders can improve teamwork with recognition programs. But the programs may need to be adjusted from something traditional, like an employee of the month award. Instead, you want your employee recognition programs to be tied to actions and values that are all about teamwork. Find out how you can reward this kind of excellence and improve your business culture on this week's episode of  The 2 Minu...

If you've ever had a customer service experience where you felt like you were talking to a robot, then you'll appreciate this authentic customer service tip. Customers want to speak with real people and not a bunch of memorized catchphrases.  It's a common problem, in the world of sales, but one that can be easily fixed. Let's make sure you're communicating with people in an enriching way on this...

Life in 2025 will likely present more work-life balance challenges for professionals. In our last episode (#711), we talked about some of the top ones you're dealing with. Let's continue the discussion with two more common work-life balance challenges. Plus, you'll learn some actionable solutions to these common problems. Get balanced or re-balanced on this week's episode of  The 2 Minute Takeaway...

Today's top work-life balance challenges impact productivity, stress, and retention. I've identified four of the most common ones for today's leaders. Today you'll learn about two of them and we'll discuss the remaining two in our next episode.  Beyond just identifying these problem areas, I want to empower you with some possible solutions. Find out more on this week's episode of  The 2 Minute Tak...

Recently I learned a great productivity lesson from a tree. At the time, the tree was being removed by a landscaping crew. Their approach to this task reminded me that doing things quickly may not always be the best way.  This lesson is important for businesses that feel speedy changes are their only option. If you're not careful, going fast could create lots of new problems.  Find out more on thi...

If you want an engaged workforce, then you need to consider whether you have a PTO problem. PTO or paid time off, is a benefit that a growing number of employees are refusing to use.  Why are people turning their backs on something that gets them out of the office and instead work more than they have to? I've uncovered some of the reasons and we'll break down how to address two of the big ones.  G...

If you can put jealousy or competitiveness aside, then you can learn a lot when you research your competition. You have to remember your business does not exist in a vacuum.  By doing a little market research, you'll gain valuable insight into what's working for your competition or how those companies approach their marketing. And you may even realize things about your own business.  Start snoopin...

While many want to make self-care a priority, they're not sure how to make it a reality. In a busy world that's full of challenges, taking time to improve your physical and mental health may seem impossible.  Recently, I surveyed my LinkedIn connections for their thoughts about self-care. Let's go through the surprising results and give you some action plans on this week's episode of The 2 Minute...

If you're a leader, do you know why employees hate your employee recognition program? There's a good chance your program started off with good intentions but now has become a turnoff.  The reason is that people may feel like they have no chance of ever winning the award. As a result, something that was supposed to inspire people, is now a monthly reminder of a lack of fairness. Hear a funny story...

Learning how to answer colleague complaints is an important skill that can help you enrich your career. Keep in mind that often the other person is just confiding in you and realizes there's little you can do to solve the problem.  But that doesn't mean you can't help them and silence may feel like a bad option. Find out how your fellow professionals approach this kind of situation on this week's...

It's common for people to feel like they need more time at work to get their jobs done. In many cases, staffing has shrunk and workloads have grown.  What you want to avoid is adding extra hours to your day to get everything accomplished. That can hurt your work-life balance and put you on the road to burnout.  Instead, consider some of these time management strategies that are designed to make mo...

If you work at a business that has just been acquired, then it's understandable if you're nervous about a merger. A lot of uncertainty comes when new ownership takes over.  Often these deals happen in secrecy, so they come as a big surprise. What should you do next? I asked my LinkedIn connections for their advice, on this week's episode of The 2 Minute Takeaway Podcast . Learn more about my new b...

A good way to get work done faster and improve your work-life balance will see you solve procrastination with deadlines. In many cases, wanting to do a good job with projects is important. But are you spending too much time on certain things, in the pursuit of perfect, where the extra effort does little to improve the work? If this sounds familiar, then you need to start thinking about how you wor...

If you're a leader, then understand you will be judged on responding to an unexpected challenge. Some sort of problem will emerge, you likely will have little control over it, and yet you'll be expected to find a path out of the challenge. Do you have the skills to make this kind of fast adjustment? What can you do to make your team rally behind you? Before the unexpected arrives, get some answers...

Celebrate episode 700 of this podcast with a story about why you may need to redefine impossible. When faced with an unexpected challenge, do you find yourself immediately throwing in the towel and saying, "It can't be done."? What if, in those moments, you were selling yourself and others short? Join me on stage, at one of my keynote presentations, and find out how a group of tired travelers show...

For businesses that have been around for a while, it's important to consider if you're old or experienced. The two are not always the same and you need to understand the difference. If your business is just old, then trouble might be down the road. Find out what makes something old, still relevant, in this week's episode of  The 2 Minute Takeaway Podcast . Learn more about my new book, Get Better!...

These tips for smart networking at conferences can help you boost your return on investment when you attend events. For many, the ability to connect with fellow professionals is a big reason why they go. But you may not get the success you desire if you don't have a strategy. Find out how your fellow professionals approach networking at conferences in this week's episode of The 2 Minute Takeaway P...

If you want a job or a task done correctly, then you need to understand that poor training produces poor results. When you assume someone will understand exactly what you want, through some kind of magic, disappointment is often around the corner. This was never more true than when I saw an employee's vision of cleaning at a gym. It's a fun story about a serious challenge for a lot of leaders. Enj...

In a world where technology is everywhere, should your smartphone be banned in meetings? Meetings are a place where lively discussions are supposed to happen, leading to major decisions. Does the smartphone interfere with that productive process? Recently, I polled my LinkedIn connections on the topic and found there's support for several different strategies when it comes to smartphones in meetin...

If you're outsourcing a task, then you need to ask your provider, "Who's doing the work?" The answer can save you time, money, and frustration. When you hire someone to do a job for you, it's understandable to expect their showcased level of quality. That may not be the case, as your account may be given to a less qualified junior colleague or outsourced to an overseas partner. As a result you get...

In business, it's easy to let cheap problems hurt your productivity. These are little issues that are extremely annoying.  But they aren't your big problems or your most pressing issues. Are you giving these cheap problems too much of your attention at the expense of more important things?  How can we handle this time management challenge in a more productive way? Let's help you and your team make...

In your career, it's important to consider who's watching you. There's a good chance you may be exhibiting behavior that hurts you but you believe that you can get away with it because no one is looking at you, in the moment. You believe that if no one sees it, then it doesn't matter.  That's a big gamble and one that could have a huge downside. Let's go over some examples of this problem, in this...

Having a sense of purpose at work is an important part of a career. It's empowering to find that connection, as it can help you stay motivated and help you get through challenging times.  Not long ago, I polled my LinkedIn connections about their purposes at work and I discovered they fall into four categories. Let's break them down, so you can decide whether one of them fits your needs. That's al...