We are very fortunate to work with a great client that provides us with support and recognition.  These awards will be on-going throughout the rest of the year!

Traveling, networking and conferences are key components to the cycle of constant development that Detroit Business Consulting values. Check out the Facebook or website for pictures from the conference next week!

Management books have it all wrong. They all try to tell you how to manage “people.”

It’s impossible to manage “people”; it’s only possible to manage individuals. And because individuals differ from one another, what works with one individual may not work with somebody else.

Some individuals thrive on public praise; others feel uncomfortable when singled out.

Some individuals are all about the money; others thrive on challenging assignments.

Some individuals need mentoring; others find advice to be grating.

The trick is to manage individuals the way that THEY want to be managed, rather than the way that YOU’d prefer to be managed.

The only way to do this is to ASK.

In your first (or next) meeting with each direct report ask:

• How do you prefer to be managed?
• What can I do to help you excel?
• What types of management annoy you?

Listen (really listen) to the response and then, as far as you are able, adapt your coaching, motivation, compensation, and so forth to match that individual’s needs.

BTW, a savvy employee won’t wait for you to ask; he or she will tell you outright what works. When this happens, you’re crazy not to take that employee’s advice!

Unfortunately, most individuals aren’t that bold, which is why it’s up to you to find out how to get the best out of them.

And you’ll never get that out of a management book.

There is no one-size-fits-all in a world where everyone is unique.

Inc.com has great articles on leadership, management and entrepreneurship that we love reading and want to pass along.

SALES SOURCE | Geoffrey James

Later this month, half of our team at our Troy office will be going to NYC for training on our non profit campaign we are launching.  Although we have done numerous charity events over the past 5 years, this is our first client that is a non profit company.  We are excited about these new opportunities!

Detroit Business Consulting is ready for March Madness to begin!  Everyone in the office filled out their brackets yesterday and we’ll have an on-going competition until the end of the tournament to see whose predictions were the most accurate.  The winner will receive a $100 cash prize!  

To add to the competition, three people from the office will be going to the Michigan State and University of Michigan games at the Palace of Auburn Hills! 

Good luck everyone!

Other competitions we have going on right now:

• Competition for Detroit Lions tickets for Sunday’s game
• August – December competition for 5 Super Bowl tickets
• Chance for 2 people to travel with Mike on an office visit in a different state

We have a lot of opportunities to be rewarded for working hard!  Who is going to take advantage of these opportunities?!