Inside Out
Business Edition
"You can't change the direction of the wind. . .
but you can adjust your sails!"
--Jimmy Dean

Kim Olver, MS, NCC, LPC

www.Coachingforexcellence.biz
Kim@Coachingforexcellence.biz

To read our blog click here or go to www.coachingforexcellence.biz and click on the "View our Web Journal" on the left of the page. Read some of Kim's musing and add some of your own!

A Message from Kim

Hi everyone. I really appreciate you allowing me to take a week off from producing this eZine so that I could really focus my time on my son, who is now in Kuwait awaiting his final deployment to Iraq . I enjoyed the time we shared without having to think about work. Ironically, I decided to make this issue about adapting to change. I have a teleclass on change coming up in July and thought it would be a good focus for this issue but as I am writing this message, I realize that there is also a parallel to my personal life. I blogged yesterday about the transition kids and parents go through when a child becomes an adult and a parent needs to back off and allow their child the freedom and responsibility of making their own decisions, including mistakes, and learning from them. Sometimes, as in war, a child becomes and adult rather quickly, as opposed to the slower transition parents go through with their children who go to college or who continue to live at home. But one thing is for sure, change is inevitable. We can spend our lives fighting it and wasting precious energy or we can look for the benefit in the change and eagerly anticipate the reward. The choice is ours. Why not join me in the teleclass July 21st from 1 PM- 2 PM EDT to discuss managing change or think about attending the teleclass scheduled on July 14th from 2 PM-3 PM EDT on Customer Relations. Teleclasses are an easy way to get some useful information inexpensively without having to leave the comfort of your office.

I also wanted to mention that the overwhelming majority of you opted for the monthly schedule for the eZine distribution. I suspected that with all the information out there, your email boxes get so full and many things are simply deleted because there is no time to read all of the information that is disseminated. So, it is my intention to send out the business edition of Inside Out around the 15th of each month, as long as it doesn’t fall on the weekend. Anyway, I hope the monthly schedule will be good for everyone and I hope you are living the life of your dreams!

In This Issue

Feature Article
Change

Upcoming Events
Teleclasses
Chat Room

Book Review
Who Moved My Cheese?
By Spencer Johnson, M.D.

Quote of the Week
"Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts."
-- Arnold Bennet

Tip of the Week

Business Q&A

CLICK HERE
for Free Teleclass Offer

About Kim Olver

Feature Article

Change
By Kim Olver

One thing in life is certain---change. Things never stay the same. If you are hoping for the status quo, then I’m afraid you will be disappointed. Just think back to how things were five years ago and you will realize that there is so very much that’s already different in a very short time.

I’m sure there are some of you who know people who refused to adapt to the computer age. I still know some “old timers” who want to use word processors or even typewriters instead! Imagine. What is up with that?

Well, when change comes we have several options, some of which are more adaptive than others. Let’s take a look at them.

The first option is to refuse to change or adapt to any new circumstances, just like the person who still uses a word processor. These are generally people who are afraid of change. I also think that underlying that fear is the fear of being inadequate. When change requires new learning, as it often does, some people don’t think they will be able to master the new skills so it is easier to simply renounce the changes than adapt. The problem is that these are the people who are left in the dust.

The second possibility is the slow starter. These people usually start out in one of the first two mentioned roles---either refusing to change or anxiously running around trying to figure out what to do about it. They do not like change any more than the next person and they resist and resist until one day, they realize that the change may actually bring benefits. Once they see that there is a payoff for them, they fairly easily do the necessary things to adapt to the change.

A third possibility is what we see in the over anxious people in our midst. You know who they are. They are the ones who are always making mountains out of molehills and have a nervous energy about them whenever confronted with a novel situation. They imagine all the possible scenarios about what could occur and seem to just go around in circles. They don’t adapt to the change; they just worry themselves sick over it.

The final and most rewarding possibility are the people who understand that change is a part of everything. When we stop evolving, we start eroding. These people welcome change, in fact, they frequently generate it. They realize that change is what makes things happen. Change propels us forward. These people are quick to make the necessary adaptations and suffer the least from the inevitable.

Do you recognize your own character in any of the above descriptions? Have you read Spencer Johnson’s book, Who Moved My Cheese? This book is an excellent description of the four possible characters in the Change Game. In the book, the first character was a little person named Hem. Hem was afraid of change and believed it would make things worse. He avoided it at all costs. The second character was a mouse named, Scurry. Scurry ran around in circles, just attempting to do something, anything. Sometimes he was right, sometimes wrong but he was constantly in motion. The third character was a little person named Haw. Haw was slow to figure things out but eventually he adapted to the change and realized that the change could bring something better. However, the real winner was the mouse, Sniff. Sniff jumped into action early, sniffing out the terrain and making a choice on what to do next. He adapted the quickest.

Which character are you? Who would you like to be? What would you have to give up to be the character you really want to be? Would you like to make a plan right now to implement these changes into your life? It will require a commitment and a good plan.

This is where a coach can be helpful. When you identify an area in your life that requires some attention and you commit to making the necessary adjustments, it’s strange how life gets in the way sometime and we revert back to our previous ways. A coach is someone who can keep you on track and pointed in the direction of your goals. A coach will support your progress and hold you accountable for the goals you set.

Visit www.coachingforexcellence.biz, go to the Free Stuff page and take the assessment called, Adaptation to Change.

Copyright © June 2005 Kim Olver. All rights reserved.

*Click Here or on icon to read some of Kim's other articles*

Upcoming Events

Teleclasses
(Times in EST)
All teleclasses are one (1) hour in length and all you need is a telephone. When you register we will send you a phone number that you will call five minutes prior to the start of your teleclass. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, but if you prefer to just listen that’s all right too. You do not need a computer or Internet, only a telephone. Don’t delay. There are a limited number of slots available.
Click on date to register for teleclass or visit www.coachingforexcellence.biz events calendar

Stress Management
July 5, 2005 2:00 p.m.
Do you always feel like life gets the best of you? No matter what you do, it doesn’t seem to make a difference? There is too much undone work at the end of your day? People are getting on your last nerve? You just can’t take one more thing? Then this teleclass is for you! Learn how to reduce stress in your life by taking control of the things you have control over---the things you think and the things you do. These revolutionary ideas are different from the ones you typically hear in a stress management workshop. Register for this call today and take charge of your life.

Managing Depression
July 13, 2005 8:30 p.m.
Are you sad most of the time? Does your mood interfere with you enjoying life? Is it affecting your relationships? Are you unable to do the things that used to bring you pleasure? Then this call is for you! Learn about Choice Theory---the New Psychology of Personal Freedom. Register now for this class and learn how to unleash your personal power by focusing only on those things you have control over and watch your depression lift. Register for this call today and take charge of your life.

Customer Relations
July 14, 2005 2:00 p.m.
Are you having difficulty cultivating loyal customers? Do you want your business to stand out among your competition? Then join us on this call. You will learn some little known trade secrets to keep your customers satisfied. Register for this call today and take charge of your life.

Time Management
July 19, 2005 8:00 p.m.
Never seems to be enough time in the day? Always rushing? Feeling stressed at the end of the day? Not getting accomplished what you hoped? Then this class is for you! Learn how to turn your precious moments into productive time that moves you forward toward your ultimate goals and your life purpose.

Managing Change
July 21, 2005 1:00 p.m.
Are you someone who is constantly bombarded by changes in your life? Are you wishing that life would just stop a minute so you can catch up? Then this class is for you. Change is something that we cannot stop but we can adjust our responses to it. Join this teleclass and learn how to best manage the change in your life with minimal disruption to you

Chat Room

Kim will be available in her chat room for questions
and dialog on the following dates and times:

7/1/05 3:00 - 4:00 pm
7/7/05 8:00 - 9:00 pm
7/14/05 12:00 - 1:00 pm
7/21/05 8:00 - 9:00 pm
7/31/05 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Book Review

Who Moved My Cheese?
By Spencer Johnson, M.D.

Who Moved My Cheese? is a very simple, anecdotal story about two little people, Hem and Haw, and two mice, Sniff and Scurry, who are faced with change. All of them handle the situation differently. Someone has moved their cheese supply and they must move through a maze to find new cheese or risk the possibility of perishing. Of course, Sniff and Scurry being mice, go off quickly in search of new food using their animal instincts. Hem and Haw are not so quick to seek a solution. They stick around waiting for the old source of cheese to reappear, until finally, Haw realizes that there may be benefit in searching for new cheese. Consequently, he has to leave his friend, Hem, behind because Hem is not at all interested in leaving the place where the old cheese was. We never do find out what happens to Hem. This book can literally be read in an hour and is so illustrative of the different ways we all respond to new situations in our lives. As we read the story, we can identify ourselves and others we may know in the characters. It was a book that I read during a very turbulent time at my job. We had two executive directors and one of them was asked to leave by the board. The one who left is the one I had experience with for many years. I really liked and respected her as a boss. I did not want to see her go. I was not the only one with this reaction. The entire company was polarized and emotions were high. There were many Hems in the agency, who refused to believe the change was happening. There were several Scurries, who hurried up and left the job. The rest of us were some combination of Sniff and Haw. We ended up sniffing out the best way to manage and most wound up adapting to the change. I highly recommend reading this book during a crisis like that or an expected change that could have far reaching effects. It can help individuals focus on the bigger picture---are they going to adapt or perish?

Click here to order this book

Quote of the Week

"Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts."
-- Arnold Bennet

This just lets us know to be prepared. Change is inevitable and it is never easy. There are drawbacks and discomforts. Most of the discomfort comes from our strong desire to maintain the status quo and from our fear of failing or the fear of succeeding. This is no reason to resist change. The drawbacks and discomforts of remaining stuck in old ways of doing things will far outweigh the discomfort of change in the long run. Overcome the fear and embrace the concept that life is about change.

Tip of the Week

This month I wanted to mention customer relations since we have an upcoming teleclass scheduled on this topic on July 14th from 2 PM to 3 PM EDT. Customers are our bread and butter. Without them, there would be no income and hence no business. Is there anything that would be too much to do for a customer? Many companies focus on gaining new customers and this is clearly an important activity. However, I wonder what you do to retain the loyal customer base that you already have. We have to look at what we do to nurture our relationship with our customers. This is so critical. If you are not paying attention to the relationship, then it will be very easy for someone else to come in and lure your customer away. It happens in significant other relationships every day. One person takes the other person for granted for so long that the first person decides to find someone else who will pay them more attention. What makes you think that customers are any different?

Our loyal customers will bring us new customers, so do whatever it takes to keep your loyal customer base committed to you. Yes, I said to you, not your product. Most people buy from people they like. Your relationship with your customers is more important than the product or service you actually provide. Ask yourself, what can I do to improve or at least maintain my positive relationship with the customers I already have? Don’t neglect them or you will be looking for even more new customers out of necessity to replace the ones who have left.

Fre.e Teleclass

How would you like to take one of my teleclasses for f.ree? All you have to do is get two (2) people to subscribe to either of my e-zines and send me their e-mail addresses for confirmation with the name of the teleclass you would like to attend. If you do not wish to attend one of the teleclasses, you can give your f.ree teleclass to a friend or family member. It’s that simple! Send either one or both of the following links to all your friends and family and ask them to subscribe to the e-zine. For the personal edition of "Inside Out", go to The Relationship Center and for the business/school edition go to Coaching for Excellence and have them type their name and email address in the boxes on the right-hand side of the web page where it says, “Subscribe to Receive 'Inside Out', our Fr.ee EZine". Only two people actually have to subscribe for you to be eligible for a f.ree teleclass. Once their subscription has been confirmed you will receive an e-mail giving you the bridge line and access code for the teleclass of your choosing. A listing of teleclasses being offered can be found in both my weekly e-zine or on my calendar page at either web site. There is no limit to the amount of f.ree teleclasses you can earn---you get one f.ree teleclass for every two referrals that sign up for one of my e-zines. Within the next year I am planning on adding many new teleclasses on several topics including the following:

How to Do More in Less Time
Coaching for Peak Performance
Effective Communication
Goal Setting and Attainment
Diffusing Anger
Problem Solving
…….and many more.

Please continue to check this eZine and my website calendar for these new and exciting teleclasses. Don’t wait, take advantage of this offer and experience the new technology of teleclasses, learning and growing from home or office.

Business Q&A

Question:I am a middle manager and I was promoted from direct line staff. Whenever there is a problem between what my boss wants and what my workers want, I see things from my workers point of view. However, my boss says that I must express his views and opinions to the workers or I make him out to be the “bad guy.” What is your opinion of this?

Answer: I believe the role of a middle manager is one of the most difficult in any company. In a lead managed system, the role of a middle manager is to advocate for what your workers need to the powers-that-be but it is also to express the wishes and concerns of management to the workers in a way that makes sense and is understandable to them. A middle manager should never be in the position of creating an us against them mentality.

Sometimes, making that transition from direct service to supervision can be very difficult. You tend to be supervising people who were, just a short time ago, your co-workers. Now you are their boss. This can potentially put you in an uncomfortable position. They may see you more as their friend and expect certain privileges because of that. It is possible to remain friendly but still hold your workers responsible for what is expected of them. As their leader, it is your job to explain the usefulness of what management is asking them to do. If you have been instructed to do something that doesn’t make sense to you, then it is your responsibility to seek clarification until you understand the usefulness so that you can explain things to your workers. Conversely, if your workers bring up issues that they have of which you believe management is unaware, then it is also your responsibility to relay those concerns. Many times management makes decisions and haven’t thought through the practicality based on what the job actually requires. Direct service workers have the best vantage point from which to recognize these potential pitfalls.

As I said, being a middle manager is not an easy job. You must find a way to keep the balance. And always remember, if you feel the need to vent, never do that with your employees. Vent with co-workers and supervisors or your significant other once you get home. Do not pass on your negative comments to your workers. This will always damage morale.

About Kim Olver

Kim Olver is a professional coach, specializing in the field of interpersonal skills, empowerment and leadership development. She has functioned in the role of supervisor and administrator for over 20 years. This column is for readers to submit their questions for Kim to answer. It could be a question about supervision skills, maximizing teamwork, customer service, interpersonal skills or client satisfaction and empowerment. No interpersonal question in the field of work is off limits. To ask your question, simply send it by email to Kim@CoachingforExcellence.biz and look for her response in future issues.

If you are interested in receiving "Inside Out"-Personal Edition, click on icon or visit www.TheRelationshipCenter.biz

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Copyright © June 30, 2005 Kim Olver. All rights reserved.