"Growing Your People Monthly" Newsletter

February 2009

Everywhere you look, there are business challenges. As businesses focus on ways to strengthen their business plans, individuals at all levels should be working on creating or reinforcing their own professional development plans. In this month's newsletter, learn more about the importance of creating a people plan.

Be Well,
Yvonne Kinney-Hockert
National Speaker, Business Consultant & Coach
Consulting Solutions, LLC.

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Turning Challenge (Or Uncertainty) Into Opportunity

Businesses develop annual plans, marketing plans, business plans, strategic plans, etc. However, many employees and leaders alike would be wise to also put effort into formulating and executing a people plan.

For the Business Owner: Use the "downtime" created by slower customer demand to develop your people. Now is a great time to review your performance appraisal system, identify training opportunities for your employees, and involve your staff in strategy sessions. As Romanus Wolter writes in this month's issue of Entrepreneur, "People invest more in their work when they believe that their contributions are valued and they share in the reward of a job well done...Keep them motivated by discovering what's truly important to them and incorporating that into your business plan."

For the Employee: Now is the time to develop your own professional development plan, including positioning yourself for whatever major changes might be coming your way. You may be facing additional responsibility in the face of a restructuring, or you may be seeking new opportunities due to downsizing. Now is the time to look at your professional history from a different perspective as well as identify ways to make your current role in your organization even stronger. Just like some people wait to "network" when they need a job, a project, or something to sustain their business, many professionals wait until they need a polished resume or professional plan before they put some effort into being prepared for the future. Don't wait - now is the time!

For the Business Leader: It is important to keep your team focused and productive. Now might be the time to identify your leadership gaps, enlist a business coach, or use a tool like the Winslow Assessment to begin team or individual development. It is important to keep communication lines open and encourage creative solutions to constantly evolving challenges.

Whatever your position in these economic times, we all need to be proactive and have a professional plan for the future. As a business owner/leader, take advantage of the opportunity to work on your people plan and be prepared for the unique opportunities 2009 presents!

Your Call To Action. . .