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2010 Executive Tidbits
Price of denim jeans: 47% under $25, 37% $25-50, and 16% over $50. |
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Check out Keith's other site:
Virtual Writing Coach |
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The Executive Connection SM
a publication of The Virtual Executive Coach SM
"Vision + Accountability = Success!"
www.virtualexecutivecoach.com
December, 2007
In This Issue:
1. Preview
2. Executive Summary
3. December Thoughts
4. Helpful Hints
1. Preview
The Executive Connection explores the creative and analytical process of business development,
team-building, and executive development.
We are an interactive community of executives and small business owners who desire to network
with like-minded high-performance executives
to enhance our knowledge, skills, and aptitudes in the competitive business world.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers coaching suggestions around the topics of: business development, financing, marketing, networking,
incorporations, mergers, human resources, governmental regulations, and tax laws.
Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and represent only his ideas on creating and running your business.
Because we are an interactive community of executives and business owners, other viewpoints are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly
newsletters with permission from Keith Barton.
2. Executive Summary
December, 2007
Dear Executive Connection Subscriber,
This month's newsletter features information on December Thoughts.
3. December Thoughts
As I close on another year of executive newsletters, I wish to offer my comments as a small business owner on
what makes for a “good year”. Traditionally fiscal years and calendar years are synonymous, although they can
differ. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is generally “downtime” for most small business owners.
Holiday parties, gift cards and exchanges, office decorations, and food fill most offices during December.
Our words are kinder and more thoughtful; we are more patient and understanding of one another. We made it
through another business cycle with some small profit and good will (also a business term which signifies
intangible assets).
But what are we really thankful for? For some owners it might be the downtime needed to recharge our batteries
for next year’s challenges; for others, it might be a time to recognize those employees who helped us meet our
goals and benchmarks. Darrell Royal had a saying when asked about winning the 1970 National Championship game,
that “we dance with who brung (sic) us,” a reference to his quarterback James Street who started all eleven
games that year with a wishbone offense of three talented backs: Ted Coy, Chris Gilbert, and Steve Worster.
Charitable donations and gifts limit our net profits to reduce business taxes; we may increase inventories
in December to further reduce our “bottom-line” to start out next year fully armed and ready to execute our
business plan.
After reading many business bestsellers this past year by former and current CEOs, governmental and non-profit
charismatic leaders, I am left with an emptiness each December that I couldn’t explain but felt in the core of
my gut. As small business owners face increasing challenges from globalization and buyouts, we still account
for the largest per capita growth in our economy. Small cap stocks are still a good buy in volatile times in
large part due to the independence of thought and action that made America great. With cheaper labor
supplanting American jobs more corporate types are turning to small business ventures to continue good will
towards customers and employees. Witness the boomers who are hitting their sixth decade of life to discover
that enthusiasm, intellect, and perseverance do not diminish with age.
This month’s cover for Fortune features “Confessions of a CEO,” a story about Dominic Orr who rose to the top
of the corporate telecom world with two IPOs at the cost of almost losing his family and core values. With the
help of a spiritual coach, he re-balanced his life after taking time away from Corporate America to re-center
his priorities on family, community, and self. For every Dominic Orr, hundreds of small business owners face
the life balance question each day. Many of us work alone or with less than ten employees; we work long hours
and wear many hats, only to be reminded that work is not a job, but an opportunity to serve others. We start
with a dream that becomes reality with that first sale, first walk-in, or first check. We work from home,
office, and laptop to remain competitive in a volatile market of bankruptcies. Most of us will never go public;
we will not sit on Boards of Directors; we will pay our fair share of corporate and franchise taxes; we will
offer a product or service at a reasonable cost, free of some governmental intervention.
But for those of us who muse each December about why we continue as small business owners, I offer a few of my own thoughts:
We value the freedom of schedule that permits us to better manage our time.
We like creating jobs rather than taking them away.
We are “hands on” managers who see delegation as a sign of weakness.
We are humbled by our successes and failures.
We receive satisfaction from effort, not just results.
We see work as a calling, not just a job.
We live the American dream of running our own business, devoid of conceit or entitlement.
We like dealing directly with our customers.
We are reminded daily of our mistakes and achievements.
We are privileged to serve others.
Yes, December is a time of reflection, enlightenment, and humility. To all small business owners, my hope for you
is continued health and success, life balance, and the realization that we are but stewards of financial wealth.
For the lucky few, we know the value of this season of peace and good will.
Helpful Hints:
- At this year’s office Christmas party notice what is not being said. Typically awards are given to
“star” performers while the silent majority look on. What do you really think about when your spouse asks
“do we really have to go again?”
- This December, develop a personal mission statement that balances work, family, community service, and
personal growth. Put it into practice in January.
- Why did you become a small business owner? Were you retreating from the corporate world or putting your own
core values into practice?
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
The Executive Connection SM is a free publication. If you want to continue to receive this Newsletter, you can
SUBSCRIBE by clicking here or by sending a blank email message to
keith_barton@att.net
with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
To UNSUBSCRIBE click here or send a message to
keith_barton@att.net
with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
Be assured your name and email address are confidential. We do not sell, rent or share our mailing list with anyone.
Contact Information:
Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281-583-5005
Fax: 281-583-5008
Web: http://www.virtualexecutivecoach.com
E-Mail:
keith_barton@att.net
(c) Copyright 2010,
Virtual Executive Coach SM and A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.
Distribution Rights:
The Executive Connection SM is copyrighted, but you may retransmit or
distribute it to whomever you wish as long as not a single word is changed, added, or deleted, including the contact information. However, you may not copy
it to a web site.
Republication of The Executive Connection SM in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals, organizations and associations, as long
as the issue is reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes the contact information.
With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue to fit your space requirements. Republication also is encouraged under other circumstances.
However, the advance permission of
A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained in the event that changes in the text are desired.
The Executive Connection SM Mission:
The Executive Connection SM is dedicated to helping first-time business owners and executives to recognize resistance to change, while they create
and manage their own businesses. My goal is to help you transform your vision into a successful business venture with the addition of accountability structures
and silent partner.
The Executive Connection SM is a publication of The Virtual Executive Coach SM and Keith Barton, Ph.D.
We would like The Executive Connection SM to be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments, topics you would like addressed, or can
suggest additional resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time. Send your e-mail to
keith_barton@att.net
.
Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find The Executive Connection SM interesting and beneficial. Your recommendation helps us
keep growing, and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.
Archives:
You can read previous issues of The Executive Connection SM in our archive section.
About Keith Barton, Ph.D
Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist for over thirty years. He is a graduate of
MentorCoach and is accepting new clients.
He has been an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in executive development, founded and managed
Texas Community Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home services to persons with mental retardation, and has been running a clinical practice in Northwest Houston since 1990.
He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate interest in helping others become
attuned to their creative powers of storytelling.
Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family therapy and health psychology. He has published articles, made presentations and conducted workshops about:
Small Business Development
Employee Wellness Programs
Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Leadership styles
Core values in the workplace
Executive Development
High-performance groups
Physician support groups
Writer support groups
© 2010
The Virtual Executive Coach SM and Keith Barton.
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