CHOOSING TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS

See You at the Top!

1.     Business Basics

• Business is all about people
• All people are motivated by the exact same thing—self-interest—what’s in it for me
• People come to work motivated to pursue their self-interest—not yours
• The real meaning of “touchy-feely”

2.     You Can’t Succeed in Business by Yourself

• You need all the help you can get
• People do things for people, not companies
• People are very willing to go the extra mile for people the like and trust
• Personally relationships, as they develop, naturally lead to trust
• Building your network of advocates
• The Girl Scouts have had it right all along!

3.     An Upbeat Attitude Will Take You Far

• Remember: you choose you attitude
• Enthusiasm is a real difference maker
• Always give it your best shot
• The world belongs to optimists:  They

1. Have better relationships
2. Go further in their careers
3. Are happier
4. Make more money

4. The Power of Nice

• Being nice is the hallmark of a winner
• The power of a smile
• Myths about being nice

a)    People will take advantage of you
b)    People will think you’re a pushover
c)     Nice people finish last

• Research shows that nice people:

a)    Are healthier
b)    Make more money
c)    Get bigger promotions and raises
d)    Make better managers

• Being likeable is more important to your success than how competent you are
• Nice managers get the best results
• The “waiter rule”

5.     Negative Behaviors Will Keep You From Succeeding

• Moodiness
• Pouting
• Carrying grudges
• Negative comments’
• Throwing fits
• Chewing people out
• Being competitive
• Spreading gossip
• Frowning
• Dealing with negative behavior in others

6.     Listening is Magic; Talking About Yourself is Deadly

• Fact:  No one wants to hear your story, but everyone is dying to tell you theirs
• Talking about yourself: how not to win friends and influence people
• Being an approachable person who listens goes hand in hand with success in business
• Listening shows that you care and people respond by caring back

7.     Keep Expanding Your Comfort Zone

• Your comfort zone is not a sanctuary; it’s a prison!
• The tools that got you where you are, are not the tools to take you to the next level
• Failure is the best teacher
• Obstacles are excuses for doing nothing
• If you’re waiting for someone to rescue you, forget it
• Ways to expand your comfort zone:

a)    Try some new things
b)    Make some new friends
c)     Smile and say hi to the people you meet during the day
d)    Order something new from the dinner menu
e)     Attend a self-improvement class

• Life is a lot more fun when you swing the bat
• It’s the roughest road that usually leads to the top

8.     You Can’t Say “Thank You” Often Enough

• One of the deepest needs of our human existence is the need to be appreciated
• People give their best when they know it’s appreciated
• Make it a point to catch people doing something right
• Leave a trail of gratitude on your daily trips

9.     Be Yourself—Let the Real “You” Shine Through

• Being real means that you’re nice because you care, not because you want something
• Real people are:

a)    Open
b)    Honest
c)    Approachable
d)    Humble
e)    Respectful

• Be yourself and the people around you will love you for it
• Once people realize you’re for real, they’ll:

a)    Go through walls for you
b)    Sacrifice for you
c)     Work well beyond their job descriptions for you

• People prize their relationships with people who are real

10.  Final Exam