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If You Want Your Company to Grow, Fish for Whales

September 16, 2013/2 Comments/in About Us, Entrepreneur, Sales, Strategy /by Mike Figliuolo

You can’t get big without thinking big right from the start. As an entrepreneur starting a business, it’s easy to see yourself as “the little guy.” If you do, you’ll forever stay the little guy.

Too many times I’ve seen entrepreneurs name their companies after themselves (e.g., Tom Jones, LLC). Sometimes they stretch to seem bigger (e.g., The Tom Jones Group). Sometimes it’s a “creative” stretch (e.g., TJG Strategies – like we’re too dumb to figure that out?). Unfortunately all of those names are transparent and smack of small thinking.

The impact of small thinking is you’ll never get the big opportunities. As a B2B company, you’re looking to land the whales – those huge companies who will buy massive amounts of your products or services. If they get the sense that you’re small, they’re not going to give you a chance to serve them because they worry about supply disruptions, financial strength, and your ability to meet their gigantic needs. This is one of the reasons I went with thoughtLEADERS from the start rather than “The Mike Figliuolo Group.” A corporation is much more willing to work with another corporation than they are to work with an individual.

Fortunately, the answer to this problem is quite simple.

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https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.png 0 0 Mike Figliuolo https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.png Mike Figliuolo2013-09-16 07:02:012018-07-08 15:23:02If You Want Your Company to Grow, Fish for Whales

Some Families & Little Kids Need YOUR Help!

December 2, 2009/2 Comments/in About Us, Balanced Lifestyle, Leadership /by Mike Figliuolo

Turning Point Domestic Violence Shelter LogoLet’s face it – you’re pretty fortunate. You’re reading this by accessing the Internet over your laptop while sitting in the comfort of your home drinking your Starbucks quad shot venti caramel macchiato. Imagine NOT being able to pay for Internet access. Imagine NOT having your laptop. Imagine NOT being in your home because you no longer have one. Pretty grim, huh? Well that’s EXACTLY the situation some folks I’d like to help are in.

The Ohio State Psychology Club is sponsoring the Giving Tree Project, through which we all can help needy families during the holiday season. The families being helped are the victims of domestic violence. They’ve escaped from some terrible situations in their homes sometimes with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. They’ve found shelter and protection at Turning Point Domestic Abuse Shelter. They need YOUR help.

Thanks to everyone who contributed. We’ve closed the contribution window but you can still reach out to the shelter using the above link and help them out on your own.

Due to a difficult economy, the project to give them a happy holiday has not raised as much money as they’d like. I’m asking your help to solve that problem. I’m asking you to donate whatever you can to this great cause. All funds will be used to purchase items these families desperately need.

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https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.png 0 0 Mike Figliuolo https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.png Mike Figliuolo2009-12-02 15:24:002013-11-10 11:07:22Some Families & Little Kids Need YOUR Help!

Train Them Now or Lose Them Later

April 6, 2009/4 Comments/in About Us, Business Toolkit, Career, Leadership, Training, Upcoming Events /by Mike Figliuolo

Man Training Doing Bicep CurlsA friend of mine was lamenting the current economic environment. He bemoaned budget cuts at his company and the lack of opportunities for professional development. He also said something truly alarming:

“Our management team is so focused on just making the numbers that they’re not investing in developing their people.” (Incidentally, I think making the numbers can be stupid). He added “But it’s really not a huge deal because in this economy, no one is going to quit over lack of training or development, y’know?”

After I reattached my head to my body, I thought about this painful comment. I think we might have actually reached the point of myopic leadership destruction where leaders get so focused on the short term that they forget the future. They become so narrow in their view they miss the point that their people will have choices before them after this crisis. Sure you can skimp on your people today and they’ll sit there and take it. But as soon as the economy turns, they’ll be bugging out on you and heading to a better job faster than you can say “leadership FAIL.”

So all this got me thinking. Tight budgets. Lack of training dollars. Yearning for professional development. As I noodled on these ideas, I fortuitously had a great conversation with Jack Windsor and genius struck. He handed me a solution to these problems on a silver platter. I would love to hear what you think about this…

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https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.png 0 0 Mike Figliuolo https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.png Mike Figliuolo2009-04-06 05:03:002018-06-21 17:27:49Train Them Now or Lose Them Later

Happy Bloggiversary! A Leadership Principles Blast from the Past

January 12, 2009/1 Comment/in About Us, Business Toolkit, Leadership /by Mike Figliuolo

Happy Bloggiversary! A year. Wow. This blog has been around for a year now (and I’m sure some of you will go check the original post dates and say “it started in OCT 07” but I backdated some of the original posts…). It’s been a wonderful learning experience and I’ve met a ton of wonderful people (YOU!) along the way.

In honor of the bloggiversary, I’m thrilled to bring you the first series of posts I wrote here on a set of leadership principles you can use in your day to day job. If you’ve already read them (the original set, not the set we covered starting this past October), read them again – they never get old.

I’d also like to ask your help. If you’ve enjoyed this blog over the past year, I’m thrilled. In return for the tips, smiles, and perspectives we’ve provided you, I’d like to ask a simple favor. Our biggest challenge is attracting new readers (they tend to retain extremely well once they get here). I’d ask that each of you let a few of your friends or colleagues know about us and invite them to join our ranks of readers (almost 400 subscribers now). I’m not asking a lot – I’m simply asking you to spread the word. I thank you in advance for your help on this. We’ve typed over 100 posts for your enjoyment – we’re asking you to type a few emails to return the favor (I’m good at the guilt thing – I was raised in an Italian Catholic household).

Now to the good stuff. Straight from the archives, here are the original leadership principles we published here.

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https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.png 0 0 Mike Figliuolo https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.png Mike Figliuolo2009-01-12 06:04:002018-06-21 14:59:21Happy Bloggiversary! A Leadership Principles Blast from the Past

New Book Recommendation – The New Gold Standard

June 16, 2008/2 Comments/in About Us, Books, Customer Service /by Mike Figliuolo

New Gold StandardHeads up all of you who love to better understand customer service as well as those of you who love to read! Dr. Joseph Michelli (author of The Starbucks Experience) has released his newest book on The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

The book is called The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. I actually had the privilege of attending the same training session at the Ritz-Carlton as Dr. Michelli did when he was doing his research. I’m even quoted in the book (you have to read it to see what I had to say)! As all of you know, I’m pretty big on customer service, so this book is a must read from where I sit.

I know you’ll value the insights he provides because I was there when he was gathering them. The Ritz-Carlton is a unique place we can all learn something from. Rather than me trying to explain what you’ll be getting out of the book, I’d rather let the professionals do it so here goes:

Discover the secrets of world-class leadership!

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https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.png 0 0 Mike Figliuolo https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.png Mike Figliuolo2008-06-16 06:28:002013-11-07 15:15:05New Book Recommendation – The New Gold Standard

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Structured Thought: Problem Solving
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Structured Thought: Problem Solving

Clearly define a problem, scope all issues related to the problem, generate potential solutions, then analyze and select the best solution by using time-tested critical thinking methods and tools.

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Structured Thought and Communication
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Structured Thought and Communication

Craft clear and compelling recommendations that resonate with stakeholders. Get your ideas approved by using a proven method for delivering executive-level communications.

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Principles of Chart Design
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Principles of Chart Design

Create well-designed presentation charts that get your message across quickly and clearly to drive your audience to action. From data charts to concept charts, these methods help make your point.

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Engagement Management

Whether you’re an internal or external consultant or a project leader, learn proven methods, techniques, and processes to effectively lead consulting engagements that drive your client’s success.

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Everything is Negotiable
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Everything is Negotiable

Become a better negotiator in all situations – from day to day interactions to hammering out large deals. Build the skills required to get what you want and strengthen relationships while you do.

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Breakthrough Innovation
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Breakthrough Innovation

Generate and select unique strategies that separate you from the competition. Construct bold and disruptive solutions then build and execute a plan for taking those strategies to market.

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Storytelling for Leaders
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Storytelling for Leaders

Create business stories that inspire people, build connections with your audience, and ultimately advance your organization's goals by using a repeatable, straightforward method.

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Books You MUST Read

The Elegant Pitch
One Piece of Paper by Mike Figliuolo
Lead Inside the Box
10 Stories Great Leaders Tell
Getting Ahead
Sell with a Story
Lead with a Story
Mastering Communication at Work
The Hook
Innovative Leadership Fieldbook
Innovative Leaders Guide to Transforming Organizations
The Three Commitments of Leadership
The Littlest Green Beret
Storytelling in the Land of Oz
The Camino Way
The Leader with a Thousand Faces
The Vision Code
The Most Unlikely Leader
The Art of Feminine Negotiation
Grow Your Spine & Manage Abrasive Leadership Behavior
Why Not Win?
Work-Life Bloom
Fast-Starting a Career of Consequence
The Decision Switch
The Art of Conscious Conversations
Leadership Is Overcoming the Natural
The Elegant Pitch
One Piece of Paper by Mike Figliuolo
Lead Inside the Box
10 Stories Great Leaders Tell
Getting Ahead
Sell with a Story - Border
Lead with a Story
Leading from Your Best Self
Mastering Communication at Work
The Hook
Innovative Leadership Fieldbook
Innovative Leaders Guide to Transforming Organizations
20120318 Three Commitments
Leadership Vertigo
The Littlest Green Beret
Storytelling in the Land of Oz
The Camino Way
Hijacked by Your Brain
Outthink the Competition
Driving Innovation from Within
The Voice of the Underdog
The Vision Code
The Most Unlikely Leader
The Art of Feminine Negotiation
Grow Your Spine & Manage Abrasive Leadership Behavior
Why Not Win?
Work-Life Bloom
Fast-Starting a Career of Consequence
The Decision Switch
The Art of Conscious Conversations
Leadership Is Overcoming the Natural
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  • The Elegant Pitch
  • The Vision Code
  • The Most Unlikely Leader
  • The Voice of the Underdog
  • The Art of Feminine Negotiation
  • Grow Your Spine & Manage Abrasive Leadership Behavior
  • Why Not Win?
  • Work-Life Bloom
  • Fast-Starting a Career of Consequence
  • The Decision Switch
  • The Art of Conscious Conversations
  • Leadership is Overcoming the Natural

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