Andy Kanefield: Watch for five warning signs that point out an ineffective manager
“Successful leadership is not about being tough or soft, assertive or sensitive. It’s about having a particular set of attributes … and chief among these attributes is character.” — Warren Bennis A colleague of mine recalls a time during high school when he admired a certain teacher and even saw him as a potential role […]
Tron Jordheim: Successful leaders show empathy, think ahead, act boldly, admit mistakes
We know there are “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” Thank you, Steven Covey and Paul Simon for helping us to clarify these things. Business leaders are often pushed and pulled in many directions and are trying to motivate and manage many people and projects at the same […]
Dennis Seeds: Risk is part of the territory; embrace it and watch what happens
They say that the best way to overcome your fears or phobias is to confront them. Not comfortable flying in an airplane? How about giving a public speech or walking across a high bridge? Well, you’re not alone. Some surveys say about 20 percent of people 18 and over have anxiety problems that when you […]
A taste of technology — Students learn what makes science tick at Bendix’s Discover Engineering
Engineering innovation took the spotlight in several ways at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC in Elyria in February — and that included getting engineers of tomorrow on board. In celebration of Engineers Week 2014, Bendix hosted its first Discover Engineering event at its Elyria headquarters on Presidents Day, introducing middle school and high school students […]
Developing next generation leaders is a critical step to future success
With spring here, we think of new growth that will come as nature revives itself for another growing season. With this in mind, it’s a good time to pause to think about greening and growing your next crop of leaders. When speaking about my POW experience and the lessons learned there, a common question from […]
Dennis Seeds: Being a business owner needn't be as lonely as some say it is …
Laura Bennett told herself shortly after co-founding Embrace Pet Insurance that if she could share her knowledge with other women and people who were looking to start a business, she would. “I couldn’t find any women who had raised venture capital funding,” she says. “There were a few men, but not many. And I knew […]
A look at the towering monument known as the Gateway Arch
To view the full Uniquely St. Louis: The Gateway Arch spread on our enhanced Digital Edition of Smart Business St. Louis, Click Here!
Julie Nimmons: Five things to THINK about when crafting your communications
How many of you remember your mother telling you, “Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you”? I remember making this statement to my two daughters, for which I have since apologized. However well-intentioned this statement may have been, it is utterly false. Words do matter, and they can hurt. […]
Advisory boards — It’s good to get advice to fill your recognized and unrecognized gaps
Whether you are starting a business, already in business or within a corporation, an advisory board should be an active part of your professional interactions. This board, or circle of influencers, is a group of people with a level of expertise and insight you would not independently achieve, helping to guide your professional journey. When […]
Cheryl McMillan: Does your customer service help or frustrate your customers?
No matter how well you make your products or provide your services, one of your customers will eventually experience a problem. The way that you deal with these inevitable problems determines how your customers view your company, and ultimately, if they’ll buy from you again. Do you know how well your customer service processes are […]