Everyone has something they wish to change. Employees want to change the boss’s mind; leaders want to transform organizations and marketers want to change their customers’ preferences. In the book ‘The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone's Mind’, Professor Jonah Berger outlines a compelling approach to change. He asserts the more we force people to change, the more they push back. It’s not about pushing harder; it's about overcoming resistance by reducing friction and lowering the hurdles to change. By taking on a catalyst’s role, it’s possible to accelerate change in even the most resistant individuals.
It’s not the size of our networks that matters but the quality of connections that impacts the way we experience the world. Beyond the walls of our homes/offices, the relationship we share with others plays a role in exposing us to the new and sailing through life’s ups and downs. As the National Director of Corporate Connections UAE, I came across a fascinating read ‘Social Chemistry’ that got me to deeply reflect on our networking techniques and the meaning we derive from our connections.
Traveling for business may have taken a backseat during the pandemic but it is back with a vengeance. Though businessmen and professionals have retrieved their travel gear to hit the air again the budgets of the heyday need some catching up. Priority seats, chauffeured pickups, high-end hotels and elaborate room service are habits that need some adjustments. Adding to the budget woes are new fees for baggage, change of tickets, late check-out, car drop/pick-up and more.
Are you qualifying your time with a worthy list of activities that add value and meaning to life? Is year-round work more important than going with family on a vacation? Most people, given their hectic schedules and busy lifestyles, find it difficult to qualitatively utilize time. If you don’t plan your available time, you’re likely to spend it carelessly. However, this ultimately boils down to the choices individuals make.
In most meetings, conversations that discussed work schedules are often forgotten, and as days pass by people can hardly recollect the tasks assigned to them or their deadlines. In order to simplify task management and bring in more clarity, the WWW (What, Who, When) Tool is a foolproof method to break complex projects into manageable tasks, allocate them to responsible persons and set submission timelines.
Many individuals who’ve prevailed in their careers attribute it to strong networking channels built over time. Investing in people is equally important as investing in your business and yourself. By surrounding yourself with industry experts and influential people, you’ll eventually set yourself up for holistic development, business opportunities, and financial gain.