It’s a fact of life that the workplace is going to be a place that involves and creates stress at some point or another.  From basic human interactions that can lead to conflicts, office politics, criticisms, pressures to perform, pressures to sell and make money, pressures to balance numerous priorities and deadlines.  Whatever the stress may be, being unable to properly handle stress in the workplace can lead to burnout and can wreak havoc on one’s personal life as well.  And, the fact is, the less stress a worker feels, the more productive and efficient that worker will be.

Here are some tips for managing a stressful work environment.

• Communicate and Be Assertive. Many people let their stress at work build up and then they just vent to other coworkers or friends and family.  This isn’t healthy for many reasons, because it doesn’t actually resolve the issues at hand.  In fact, it can sometimes make things worse, because you learn to not only dwell on things and get constantly worked up over them, but you also drag others into it and can become a negative influence and distraction to others.  Communicate your feelings to the appropriate parties. Be assertive and honest about your feelings.  The more you can communicate your concerns with the appropriate people to get something done about it, the better off you will be.
• Remain Calm During Confrontation.  If there is any kind of confrontation, whether between you and your boss or you and your coworkers, it’s important that you remain calm and professional.  This can be hard in emotionally charged situations, but it is best that you take a moment to not only evaluate what’s going on before you respond, but also determine whether or not your interpretation of what’s going on is correct and how you choose to respond to the situation is in your best interest in the long run.
• Move On Emotionally.  Once you’ve dealt with an issue, move on from it emotionally.  The more emotional baggage that you hang onto, the less productive you will be.  It is best to deal with things head on and then just move on from it.  Put it to rest and move on.  Life is far too short!
• Work on Yourself.  A lot of the issues that we deal with at work and how we manage them have to do with our own self-esteem, how we feel about ourselves, and situations that are going on outside of the workplace.  Make sure that you’re taking proper care of yourself and that you have an understanding of what you offer to the company and the qualities you bring to the table.  Remember that a few criticisms are not always what you may make them out to be.  You might make them out to be criticisms about you as a person or you as a worker, when in reality, it’s only about a specific situation or circumstance.  This way of thinking will help you learn to accept constructive criticisms in the workplace and improve upon your work, making you an even better asset to the company.

These are just a few tips for learning to manage stress at the workplace.  For additional training on how to better manage stress at the workplace, consider the Dale Carnegie Online Course entitled “Managing Workplace Stress”.  For a list of upcoming dates and times or to register, click here.

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Five Points South continues to grow as a hot spot with its eclectic revival of new businesses moving into the area by year’s end. Fine dining and a sports bar are possibilities. Check out Five Points South.

Social Madness is essential for businesses in the Birmingham area. Your company has social media presence. How is your social media program compare to others? Click here for more information about the Social Madness Challenge.

The Black Creek Arts Festival takes place on June 9^th from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Come out and support the Fultondale Arts Council and all the local artists.

The Hendrick Hoover Mall is Hendrick Automotive Group’s newest entry in the retail automotive environment in the area. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Buick are All- American opportunities for both new and used. Hendrick Hoover Mall.

Patient satisfaction is critical to the success of Birmingham area hospitals. Princeton Baptist Medical Center had the highest area average score. Check out the slideshow with all the scores.  http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/blog/2012/05/patient-satisfaction-scores-for.html

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This post of area news briefs is brought to you by the good folks at Dale Carnegie Training of Alabama, providers of professional development and management development courses and information in Huntsville, Alabama. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @DaleCarnegieALA

I recently had an experience that I am sure most people can relate to at some point or another, which really opened my eyes to the importance of communication.

I had to set up an appointment for the phone and cable company to come out to one of our satellite offices to install an upgraded system and update our DSL line to a fiber optic service.  I called the cable company and spoke with a representative and told them my needs.  We wanted to upgrade our service, have them hard-wire the internet connection to the sole computer in the office (opposed to wireless connection), figure out if we were currently subscribed to services that we did not really need and to see where we could lower our bill and we also had old company contact information on file, so I wanted to update this.

After about 30 minutes on the phone, I was extremely pleased with my experience.  Our contact information was updated.  We were going to save over $50 per month for even better service and we had an appointment for upgraded service in about 2 weeks when I knew we would not need the satellite office and my time was free to be there when the installation was to take place.  I immediately received a confirmation number and a confirmation e-mail.  All was set and I was happy.

The week of the installation, I received a call from my associate who was using that office.  He says that someone from the cable company is there to assess our location and make sure that everything is set for the installation that was to take place that Friday.  I was surprised to hear that he had just showed up to the office and it was fortunate for us that someone was there, because as a satellite office, we do not hold regular office hours at that location.  The cable man said he was clear about all that was needed and was all set for my installation appointment on Friday.

On Friday, I get to the satellite office and begin setting up a brand new laptop that we were installing and then I was informed by the building manager that someone had showed up late the day before to install some wires but they were unable to reach us.  I was confused.  The installation was for Friday, not Thursday.  And why couldn’t they reach me?  I had updated our contact information.

As the end of the time frame I was quoted to be available approached and I had not heard from anyone at the cable company, I began to worry.  So, I called the cable company.

To my shock and frustration, I was informed that my appointment time was listed as some 3 weeks away from that day.  What happened?

I asked to speak with someone further and after spending close to an hour and a half on the line with a customer service representative, I had scheduled the pre-installation appointment that was needed to install the hard wires (what the cable company had come to do the day before) and the installation date had been moved to Monday between 1pm and 3pm.  While still a bit uneasy and frustrated with the lack of communication on behalf of the cable company, I was pleased that they were able to work with me and ultimately deliver on what I had wanted in the first place.

Needless to say, the exact same scenario played out again on Monday.  I went there to find that they had come out to do the pre-installation on Friday afternoon and had worked with building management to get the necessary construction work to bring the lines into our suite, but come 3pm, the cable guy to finish the installation was a no-show.

I then spent another hour or so on the phone with the cable company to figure out what was going on and when we could get the installation completed.  The appointment was rescheduled again for 2 days later.  This time, I received calls, text messages and e-mail reminders about the status update of my appointment.  I received a call from a dispatcher that the cable guy was running late from prior jobs and could still make it to our location, but it would be after-hours.  We then rescheduled for the next day and after all of the different levels of frustration and wasted time, we finally got the upgraded service installed.

The point of this long, drawn-out story is that much of my experience would have been avoided had the cable company simply communicated properly with me.  Had I been told that there were pre-installation appointments required and needed prior to the appointment I set, we might have avoided this.  Had they properly updated their systems with the updated contact information I previously provided to them, we might have avoided this.  Had they kept me apprised of the status of my appointment, notifying me when things were scheduled or rescheduled without my knowledge, we would certainly have avoided a great deal of frustration that I experienced with them.

Most customers understand that things come up and sometimes appointment times need to be adjusted.  I would have been, but without any notification at all, I spent a lot of wasted time, money and gas to be there for them at days and times that they told me to be.

With the various means of technology available today, be it e-mail, text messages, voice recordings, or a simple telephone call, there is no excuse for any customer to have to go through what I did from any business that puts Customer Service on the top of its priority list.  Take the extra time to figure out what systems of communication you have in place to make sure that your customers are properly informed and that you are communicating with them in a way that sets you apart from others. And, more importantly, sets you apart from others in a good way.

This post is brought to you by the good folks at Dale Carnegie Alabama.  We would love to connect with you on Facebook.

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Leadership is often seen as an important skill, especially for those in the field of business. However, no matter what field you are in having good leadership skills and participating in leadership development training is important.

There are several skills that need to be acquired in order to be a good leader. One of the most important is communication. Communication is a part of everyday life –from talking to a co-worker to sending an e-mail. You need to be able to communicate clearly with the people that you work with so that they understand your expectations and you understand them. When the lines of communication are open there will be fewer problems and the situation will be more enjoyable for everyone.

Another sign of a good leader is discretion. This includes knowing when to take charge of a situation and get it done, and when to let someone else take charge. It is important that everyone feel involved, motivated, and valued, and it is the responsibility of the leader to maintain this positive atmosphere.

There are several ways to develop your leadership skills. One is through corporate seminars. Seminars are usually conducted in large groups over a couple of days. They are ideal for a large company that wants to offer the opportunity to everyone. Another option is a Dale Carnegie leadership course. Courses are held for a longer period of time—several weeks instead of a couple days—but are typically smaller in size and more hands on. Both options will teach you a variety of techniques and skills, but is the experience you get in different leadership roles that will allow you to develop the methods and techniques that work best for you.

With good leadership skills you will not only enjoy a more pleasant work environment, but you will also be better prepared for additional responsibilities and promotions when they come. For more information join us on August 6 in Birmingham for  “Leadership Training for Managers.”

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Everyone loves a good yarn once in a while. You know, a tale that intrigues others and gets people excited about what you are saying? As a sales pro, how well you can share information in the form of a true story can make a big difference in your career.

There’s a secret in every salesperson’s bag of “tricks” that includes the ability to tell excellent stories for the benefit of customers. Based on true experiences and testimonials of clients, your stories should include several elements in order to successfully inspire your prospects.

What a Good Sales Story Needs

If you want to make sure your stories make the grade, then they should include the right bits of information that will make your prospects  pay attention. Here’s what to include:

• Something unique or interesting about the prospect that he or she can relate to. Be it something special about the industry, the region, or the kind of values that your prospect has, make sure you really know how to relate your story to your potential client. Take the time to ask good questions to find a story that’s relevant. This lets the prospect know you are genuinely interested and not merely trying to make a sale.
• Share information that demonstrates your expertise on a particular topic. Develop your story from this point, by bringing up a scenario that occurred with a real customer, and then how you were able to solve a problem or address a need. Include examples of how your skills or knowledge exceeded those of your peers.
• Provide visuals to give the prospect a clear picture of your abilities. By painting a picture with words you will likely get the prospect listening keenly to your story. However, to really give it impact, show rather than just tell. Give the prospect a tour of  your portfolio, or provide a view of your company website to get that “wow” factor going.
• Include a value statement to prove your integrity and commitment. You’ll want to emphasize through your storytelling abilities how much you appreciate your customers. Include an example of a time when your hard work resulted in the success of your customers. This will send the message home to your prospect.

Want to become a great story teller and land more sales with this technique? Develop your communication prowess by attending courses offered by Dale Carnegie Institute. You’ll learn how to get your story in front of more prospects and make it count.

This post is brought to you by the good folks at Dale Carnegie Training of Alabama, providers of professional development and management development courses and information in Huntsville, Alabama. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @DaleCarnegieALA

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There have been a multitude of coaches in football history, both college and pro; one of the most colorful was the late Bear Bryant. With his rolled up game plan and his black and white houndstooth hat, we can still see him leaning up against a goal post chatting with writers and fans alike. No matter who you root for in Alabama, you can never forget him. He was a coach by every definition. Even his staunchest foes knew Coach Bryant meant business when it was kickoff time.

In organizations today across Alabama and coast to coast, you simply cannot be the best at what you do anymore. You must be over the top good. Every business needs a service coach. Relationship building and winning go hand in hand. Good coaches have to do the following to better the success of every employee in both productivity and service. The game plan is crucial:

• Understand every employee and what they each do well, and what they each must improve upon to grow.
• Establish clear goals for everyone and follow through to make sure there is success.
• Receive feedback to grow the entire organization. Welcome both good and bad on an equal basis.
• Challenge each individual to collaborate with others in team building strategies.
• Create situations where everyone on the team wins and where everyone is rewarded.
• Be an outstanding communicator who clearly states both mission and core values.
• Focus on results and expect everyone to be results –driven as well.
• Align the corporate vision with collective goals and get everyone cooperating on process.
• Listen to every issue and translate each one to an opportunity that helps everyone.

Business is like a football game every day. Some days you win and some days you lose, but with outstanding leadership and coaching, you will keep trying. Coaching is critical.

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In association with this article on coaching and leadership, please click below to seek workshops, classes, and additional information.

This post is brought to you by the good folks at Dale Carnegie Training of Alabama, providers of professional development and management development courses and information in Huntsville, Alabama. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @DaleCarnegieALA

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Lucky veterans worthy of honor could win tickets to see Lonestar (pictured on a Blackhawk Helicopter in Iraq).

Raytheon missile plant at Redstone Arsenal on track despite woeful weather

Walls are being constructed for Raytheon’s $75 million Missile Integration Facility in Huntsville.

Recent tornadoes and storms haven’t halted construction on Redstone Arsenal for a core element of America and Europe’s future defense against enemy missile attacks.  Read more here.

The Weather Channel will interview Huntsville residents on recovery from tornadoes

It’s been one year since the devastating tornadoes hit Huntsville and recovery efforts are still under way.  The Weather Channel is planning a series on four areas that are recovering from recent severe weather which are scheduled to begin May 16.

Dick Stanley, director emeritus of the Huntsville Research Laboratory for Georgia Tech was interviewed about his views on “wind-resistant homes.”  “It will expose (homeowners) to the fact that there is an alternative to the current construction practices in North Alabama,” Stanley said.  Read more here.

Dynetics opens 226,500-square-foot complex

Huntsville-based Dynetics officially opened a 226,500-square-foot high-tech prototyping facility at a ribbon- cutting ceremony today.  Dynetics Solutions Complex, the latest addition to its Cummings Research Park campus, increases the company’s capabilities in research and development and production for aerospace, cyber and defense products, said Ron Poteat, the chair-elect of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County.

The opening of the complex will add 250 to 300 more jobs over the next three years.  Read more here.

Nominate an exemplary veteran who could win tickets to see Lonestar

If you know a veteran worth honoring, he or she could win two free tickets to the May 5 American Freedom Festival at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, featuring the country band Lonestar.

The contest’s sponsor, Still Serving Veterans, is sponsoring the short essay contest to give 10 veterans and their guests a chance to attend for free.  Simply explain, in 100 words or less, why that veteran deserves to win and email the paragraph to sheilamcferran@stillservingveterans.org before 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 1.

This post is brought to you by the good folks at Dale Carnegie Training of Alabama, providers of professional development and management development courses and information in Huntsville, Alabama. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @DaleCarnegieALA

Photo Credit: Lonestar

Dale Carnegie once took a course in short-story writing at New York University, and during that course the editor of a leading magazine talked to his class. The editor said he could pick up any one of the dozens of stories that drifted across his desk every day and after reading a few paragraphs he could feel whether or not the author liked people. “If the author doesn’t like people,” he said, “people won’t like his or her stories.”

This hard-boiled editor stopped twice in the course of his talk on fiction writing and apologized for preaching a sermon. “I am telling you,” he said, “the same things your preacher would tell you, but remember, you have to be interested in people if you want to be a successful writer of stories.”

If that is true of writing fiction, you can be sure it is true of dealing with people face-to-face.

Alfred Adler, the famous Viennese psychologist, wrote a book entitled “What Life Should Mean to You.” In that book he says: “It is the individual who is not interested in his fellow men who has the greatest difficulties in life and provides the greatest injury to others. It is from among such individuals that all human failures spring.”

Showing genuine interest in people will be evident in everything you do. And consequently, showing a lack of interest will be obvious as well. Here’s an example of this important principle in action from your friends at Dale Carnegie Training of Alabama:

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Love him or loathe him, Donald Trump—one of the world’s biggest real estate developers—knows what it takes to achieve success on a grand scale. Today we take a look at an excerpt from his book, “Think Big And Kick Ass In Business and Life”…

Turn your big thoughts into big action as fast as you can. Do not let excuses—“I’m not smart enough,” or “I do not have enough experience,” or “I’m too young,” or “I’m too old,” too female or too black, too fat or too thin, too bald, too athletic, or too nerdy, hold you back. These are all just empty excuses. Drop them.

Excuses are a symptom of fear. Plunge in and do the thing you fear the most and your fear will vanish. Nobody is born with confidence. All confidence is acquired. Get the action habit, and your confidence will soar.

Do not spend too much time planning or trying to anticipate and solve problems before they happen. That is just another kind of excuse for procrastination. Until you start, you won’t know where the problems will occur. You won’t have the experience to solve them. Instead, get into the action, and solve the problems as they arise.

Stop thinking and start doing. Start with small things, and take on progressively bigger and bigger challenges to build confidence. That is how Olympic athletes get to the top. They push themselves to bigger and bigger goals, one step at a time.

Actually it is not what you know when you start that matters. It is what you can learn as you go along. When you are starting something new and challenging, always think, “Can do.” Your capacity to do anything is simply a state of mind. How much you can do depends on how much you think you can do. Many people get used to working on a certain level of efficiency. When circumstances demand it, they do much more than they think. Start thinking you can do more. Do not build a single-family home, without considering how much more is would cost to construct a multi-unit building or a whole development project. Try to make everything you do bigger, better, and bolder.

Start your journey toward big actions by joining us in Birmingham for “Strictly Business: The Dale Carnegie Immersion Seminar.” This unique three-day seminar will help you master the skills you need to excel, teach you how to handle people more professionally, and equip you to perform as a persuasive communicator, creative problem solver and intelligent risk-taker—all qualities “The Donald” uses on a daily basis to increase his wealth!

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Whenever Dale Carnegie Training discusses leadership, especially here and across Alabama, we have to focus on how many different types of leaders there are in every organization. Although there is just a finite number of leadership types and styles that we can assess and study through Industrial Psychology or Organizational Behavior, we all know from empirical data and observation that leaders are as different and as individual as humans can be. However, there are 10 common elements that link all leadership regardless of type and style:

• Expectations: Every leader wants clear and defining results through a set array of business expectations. Clients need service and products and work needs to be completed.
• Decision Making: The quality of decision-making is always an important variable regardless of leadership style. Decisions determine both success and failure.
• Guidance: Every leader should offer guidance to employees, although some leaders never do, it is critical that guidance and feedback are a part of the process.
• Coordination: A few leaders are not good managers and vice-versa, but management is always a part of leadership and not the other way around.
• Communication: Degrees and networks for interaction determine overall strategy. Talking tp people simply works.
• Relationships: No leader is an island. It takes numbers to create results. Good leaders always have good relationships.
• Competence: In baseball, they fire the manager not the team. Competence must be at least a baseline for performance.
• Trust: This is probably the most important leadership element. Without basic trust in leadership, nothing will move forward.
• Responsibility: No matter the amount the leader assumes, ultimately responsibility is on the leader’s shoulders.
• Vision: Engulfing and blending the other nine elements, leaders are known for their vision and often remembered for their mistakes. Although mistakes will indeed happen, a powerful vision allows for both growth and opportunity, regardless of obstacles.

As complicated as leadership can be, the quality of it is quite simple. Good leaders will last and poor leaders will often go away on their own. Success is the denominator of longevity.

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In association with this article on Leadership, please click below for classes, workshops and additional information.

This post is brought to you by the good folks at Dale Carnegie Training of Alabama, providers of professional development and management development courses and information in Huntsville, Alabama. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @DaleCarnegieALA

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