Igniting Your Promotion- What You Can Do

5:15 Can Make All the Difference

In an article in Fortune Small Business, FSB, Pat Croce shared a clever way to stay on top of his employees’ progress, concerns and successes. Every Friday, all employees and managers write a progress report that lands on the desk or in the email of their supervisor. Eventually, all of the critical info gets to the CEO in an abbreviated version. It takes 5 minutes for the supervisor to read and 15 for the employee to write.

What Croce does next is the important part. By the next Monday, he has responded to specific questions and concerns via email or in box. He has given out praise and made notes on future issues. He is demonstrating a core principal of resilient leadership through consistent, appropriate communication.

By learning what his staff is doing on all levels, he has a pulse on all aspects of his business He also has received great information for future performance reviews.

I remember once hearing about a woman who turned in weekly progress reports to her boss. She was continually promoted- not because she was so much better than others, but because her boss KNEW what she was doing.

What systems are in place for your people to communicate with you? Does your boss (or board of directors) know what progress you made this week? People can only congratulate you and support you when they know what you are achieving. Take the time to let them know and your career can accelerate.

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 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication 
or reprinting with permission and author refere

Fire Up Your Communications at Work

If You Don’t Know What’s Going On, Ask

One of the hardest parts of any job is feeling like you are missing critical data you need. Sometimes that data is product and service-related and other times, it is personnel-related. If you are in a situation where you don’t know the guidelines, you don’t understand the dynamics or ramifications of a decision, or you are not sure of the politics around a given issue, ask someone wise whom you trust ( preferably someone higher up.)

Explain that you sense there might me something more to a given issue, and that you would like the history of it, Ask if they could they please share their perspective. Then, make your decision from a more informed viewpoint.

There are politics in every job, in every workplace. Some are minor and insignificant, others are insidious and unfortunately, critical to your success.

Diplomacy and tact are key in every workplace, and thinking rather than reacting will serve you well. It can be time consuming to flesh out all the dimensions to a given situation, but it may well be worth it if you want to be successful, get promoted and create greater results. When in doubt, ask. This kind of communication discipline is a core element of executive presence, especially in complex workplaces.

It is far better than assuming, which can frequently get you in trouble! Knowledge is power.

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 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication 
or reprinting with permission and author reference.

Fire Up Your Marketing by Sponsoring Events

Marketing Tip: Event Sponsorships

Clients often ask me about unique ways to market themselves with good return. One approach is to sponsor an event or cause that you believe in, which has an audience of people who might use your business. Companies whose primary target market is women might pick the American Heart Association Go Red for Women events, Breast Cancer events or Women in Business Awards events.

If you have an ill family member, you may want to sponsor an event that will support research. The key is to be sincere, get actively involved at the event, and make sure you receive good value for your sponsorship, such as logos, ads in programs, recognition, etc. It can be a great way to market yourself, and more importantly, to give back.

It is also a great way to engage your employees. If there is a sick employee that everyone wants to help, perhaps you do a fundraiser event around the cause that represents their illness. Or get everyone together and help build a house through Habitat for Humanity. It’s also a tremendous stress reliever to do something for someone less fortunate. Everyone can connect something with meaning and purpose and it increases morale and positive feelings all around.

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication 
or reprinting with permission and author reference.

FIre Up Performance with Praise

Management Tip: Catch People in Act of Doing it Right

At a recent networking function, I hugged a business associate and praised her for her recent accomplishments. She said “I wish they treated me this way at work.”

How sad that so many workplaces don’t emphasize praise, but rather just numbers and performance. Your employees will run through walls with a little praise and your resilient leadership skills in the face of adversity. While sales are more important than ever, the people making the sales are often overlooked.

To motivate your people, you MUST praise them, find out what is important to them and reward them. A handwritten card can go a long way. Catch people in the act of doing something right and specifically praise them for a job well done. Go on an active search for success in your people.

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication
without acknowledging source or author.

Fire Up! Your Employee Success

Stress Express Tip: Give Crystal Clear Expectations to Your People

Stressed Out man is overwhelmed and burntout

Welcoa leader David Hunnicutt says that only 10% of all employers have crystal clear expectations for their employees. That’s especially astonishing when you need them to perform at high levels under significant pressure. If they don’t know exactly what is expected of them, how can they succeed?

David suggested managers sit with every employee and take out two 3×5″ cards. Each one write down what they think is expected of that employee. If the two cards don’t match, management needs to clarify. Otherwise your people will burn out quickly and be unhappy. 80% of the American workforce says they are burnt-out. Help prevent it by clarifying your expectations of your people.

To register to receive Kindlings, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

Protect Your Content in Blogs and Ezines

Fire Up! Your Intellectual Property Protection

If you regularly post on your blog or newsletter, protect your material. Tammy Hawk-Bridges of the blog Social Heavy shared two free websites that allow you to check if someone is using your content without permission: Copyscape and Plagium. Using Copyscape, I found someone had taken an entire paragraph from my blog and used in her blog without giving me credit. It’s possible she didn’t know better. I have contacted her to have her either remove it or credit me with having written it. Not crediting a source is a copyright infringement, and is both unethical and unprofessional. Always put a ©symbol on all your writing. (P.S. I am thrilled when someone wants to reuse my content, if they get permission and list me as the source.)

To register to receive Kindlings, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

Let Go of Control and Relieve the Stress in Your Relationships

Ignite the Fire of Good Communication with Others

Human beings are master control freaks; we all want what we want when we want it the way we want it- myself included. The problem is that other people have their own timetables and needs, and frequently, they conflict with ours.

An important lesson I continue to learn is to let go of control- on any level. Any attempts to cajole, manipulate, demand or force your needs on friends or loved ones will most likely be met with resistance and negativity.

Consider this: how do you feel when a parent or relative demands you visit them or forbids you to do something? Like most people, you probably bristle and want to rebel. The same is true of your loved ones. No adult wants to be told what to do when by a loved one or friend. At work. we are constantly dealing with pressure and we have built in resilience to that pressure but at home, we different expectations.

The solution: let go of control.

Release expectations and demands on others. If you need something, make a request, ask them if they would be willing to do such and such at a time that works for them, and then give them complete space to say yes or no. If they say no, accept it gracefully and back off. They may opt to do it on their own time or never. Be OK with that.

No one wants to be controlled. People want to be loved, appreciated and respected. Letting go of control and demands will improve your relationships.

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication

PR Can Fire Up Your Marketing!

PR is a Great Free Way To Increase Visibility

PR can be a terrific way to build visibility and credibility for your business. Many publications are looking for good articles and real news, so make it easy for them. When you send in press releases, be sure to write them strictly as facts, no advertising.

Include the 5 W’s: the who, what, why, where, when, in the first two-three sentences. Always provide contact information and put a quick summary about the business in the last paragraph. Have an interesting headline or grabber. And if you have news that is worthy of a more in-depth article, make it easy for the reporter. Have a great hook. Tie it into national news or something timely. Keep your bullet points succinct and always be gracious with reporters.

Be sure to write the reporter a thank you email or note after the article is published. If you get enough articles out there, you could become a source to reporters. Two national media outlets featured me as an expert on burnout: Investors Business Daily and Fox News.com. The best part? They found me on the Internet and contacted me about their articles! Success Magazine did a story on my new book Stress Express! 15 Instant Stress Relievers. The same thing can happen for you.

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication without permission

Fire Up Your Business by Thinking Globally

Fire Up your business with global connections

The world is more interconnected than ever. Leaders today routinely work across cultures, time zones, and perspectives, whether or not they operate internationally. Global thinking is no longer optional. It is a leadership capability.

You may collaborate with vendors overseas, serve diverse clients at home, or lead teams shaped by different cultural norms and expectations. Even local organizations now operate in a global context of ideas, communication styles, and values.

What Thinking Globally Really Means for Leaders

Thinking globally is not only about selling products overseas. It is about expanding awareness, adapting communication, and leading with cultural intelligence. Leaders who think globally are better prepared to navigate complexity without friction.

Broader perspective. Global thinkers recognize that there is rarely a single “right” way to approach a problem.
Stronger communication. They adjust language, tone, and expectations to connect across differences.
Greater adaptability. Exposure to multiple viewpoints builds flexibility under pressure.

Why Global Thinking Strengthens Leadership Effectiveness

As organizations grow more diverse and interconnected, leaders must move beyond assumptions shaped by their own background. Multicultural competence increases trust, reduces miscommunication, and strengthens influence across teams and stakeholders.

This does not require international travel. It requires curiosity, listening, and a willingness to learn. Investing in communication skills, cultural awareness, and executive presence prepares leaders to operate effectively in a complex environment.

Leaders who develop these skills are better equipped to communicate clearly, build alignment, and lead confidently across differences. To explore how communication and executive presence support leadership effectiveness, visit the Communication and Executive Presence page.

The future belongs to leaders who can think beyond borders, perspectives, and habits. When you expand how you see the world, you expand what is possible for your organization.

 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication

Stress Relief Through Food- Eat Local

Stress Tip: What You Eat Matters – Eat Local, Fresh, Whole

Welcoa leader David Hunnicutt says one of the keys to better health is to eat local, as much as possible. That means fresh food from your own garden, local farmers’ markets and your grocery store. The more you dine out, the less control you have over pesticides, etc. Eat whole foods, not processed foods, as they have very little nutritional value. Up your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables to 5-8 servings daily.

We’ve all heard this, but here’s why it’s true: they are chock full of antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. Vitamin C has been shown to lower blood pressure and help cortisol levels return to normal. Mix it up – try to eat several different colored fruit and veggies a day! Blackberries have more than double the amounts of vitamin C, calcium and magnesium than blueberries. Both boost your memory and are great for you! Choose organic ones to prevent pesticide ingestion.

Note: My husband and I started an organic container garden years ago. We grow fresh lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and more. There is nothing like the flavor of fresh picked vegetables! And if you’re too busy, try picking up local produce at a farm stand, farmer’s market or farm co-op. The fresher and the more local the food, the better and healthier for you.

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication