Author: Harmony Crew

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    Culture | Leadership

    Mergers and Acquisitions – Culture by Default or by Design?

    March 16, 2015 by

    Of the many strategic decisions a leadership team makes, mergers and acquisitions are among the most difficult – and important. With millions – even billions – of dollars in play, as well as the diverse and often competing interests of employees, partners, and investors, how does a leadership team know if they are making the right move? While the financial “bottom line” is still critical, many CEOs are taking a broader, more holistic view. For example, Google’s Larry Page uses … Read More

    building trust with employees
    Brand | Culture | Leadership

    Trust Me…

    March 10, 2015 by

    What comes to mind when you hear the words “trust me…”? A slick used-car salesman? A shady politician? Chances are, your first thought was of someone trying to get the best of you in an underhanded way. And that’s normal. Because trust – like respect – can’t be commanded. It has to be earned. What does this mean for business leaders? A lot. Research shows that the character and actions of the senior leader are inextricably linked with trust in … Read More

    Culture | Leadership

    Bridging Multiple Generations On Your Team

    January 14, 2015 by

    As much as we like to talk about generational differences (the “command and control” Baby Boomer or the “lazy” Millennial), does age really determine how you’ll perform on the job? Of course not. But life experiences and backgrounds combined with the major cultural, social, and political events that occur during our formative years undoubtedly shape how we interpret and react to the world. To a large extent, our mindsets, communication styles, comfort with technology, and work habits are heavily influenced … Read More

    brand identity refresh
    Brand

    Refresh or Rebrand? These Five Questions Can Help!

    November 12, 2014 by

    Do you long for a contemporary color palette? An updated logo or a more compelling tagline? New typography? Better photography and graphics? A different tone to the storytelling? For many marketing professionals and business leaders the answer is “YES!” It’s not uncommon for organizations to give their brand identity a facelift, or what we at Harmony Crew call a brand identity refresh, every few years. In fact, we help numerous clients create new and fresh expressions of their brand identities, … Read More

    Photo is courtesy of Pixabay
    Leadership

    Why Earning Trust is Better Than Getting Tough

    October 29, 2014 by

    “Me First!” You expect to hear this in kindergarten, but not in corporate America. After all, shouldn’t adults know how to play fair, share willingly, and cooperate? Unfortunately, with employee engagement at all-time lows, many leaders find themselves increasingly confronted with demoralized, unhappy, or even outright-hostile employees. Energy levels plummet. Productivity suffers. Teamwork deteriorates. People look out for themselves first and foremost. And, just like frustrated parents, leaders often respond by “getting tough” – demanding more collaboration, greater commitment, and … Read More

    Photo courtesy of Pixabay
    Culture | Leadership

    Getting with the “Be With”Program Helps Managers Become Leaders

    October 22, 2014 by

    We recently blogged about the importance of spending time with your direct reports. While research suggests that six hours a week spent interacting with your employees may be the “magic number” for increasing engagement, we believe the issue isn’t just about quantity – it’s also about quality. For example, when you’re talking with your employees or team members – in person or on the phone – what do you discuss beyond work priorities and deadlines? If the answer is “nothing,” … Read More

    Photo courtesy of Pixabay
    Leadership

    Are You Spending Enough Time With Your Direct Reports?

    October 6, 2014 by

    Have you talked with with your employees today? Not e-mailed, not texted – but actually had a real-time face-to-face conversation with any of your direct reports? If the answer is “no,” you’re not alone. Demanding travel schedules, telecommuting, and increased responsibilities – not to mention the global nature of many businesses – make it hard for leaders to personally connect with their team members on a frequent basis. But if you find yourself regularly out of communication for days – or … Read More

    Culture | Leadership

    A Holistic View Of Employee Recognition Pays Off

    September 17, 2014 by

    You may have already heard the recent news that, according to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace Study, 62 percent of employees are “not engaged” at work. These individuals aren’t outwardly hostile, disruptive or unproductive like their “actively disengaged” peers. They usually show up and do what they’re told. Yet, while their managers and co-workers may like them, they probably don’t trust them to go the extra mile. To have the emotional commitment and self-motivation to move from competent to … Read More

    Leadership

    Putting Servant Leadership into Practice: Empathy

    September 9, 2014 by

    Is empathy the key to business effectiveness? According to several researchers, the answer is a certain yes. A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Economics Business and Management Studies revealed a direct, scientific correlation between the level of empathy demonstrated by business leaders and the level of leadership effectiveness. Harvard Business Review (HBR) published an article that named empathy as the first of four primary competencies identified in successful leaders. Need more proof? In her 2012 book “The … Read More

    Can you help me?
    Brand | Culture | Leadership

    Can you help me?

    September 4, 2014 by

    In response to ever-increasing levels of competition from their on-line competitors, many traditional retailers are putting more emphasis on personal and friendly service – “the human touch.” After all, high-end retailers like Nordstrom have successfully used this approach for years. Deliver superior service and engender customer loyalty – it certainly sounds like a recipe for success. Perhaps like us, you’ve noticed an uptick in attempted helpfulness in your recent shopping trips. Or have you? We’ve all felt the important difference … Read More

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