Lawrence Fine

When looking to hire an employee or consultant consider “rent to own” rather than a direct hire.

There are a couple of ways to do this. As an example, instead of hiring a new employee consider working with a temporary agency to run new possible hires through them. The temp agency contracts the employee as a temp and it’s a 1-3 month trial period. If it works, the company hires the employee full time (and the temp agency makes a percentage of the salary and a buyout at the end). If the employee doesn’t work out, the company discontinues the agreement and there is no separation issues which might occur with a full time employee.

Another way to do this would be to hire the person for a set project with the understanding that at the end of the project, a decision would be made whether to offer full time employment. If it works out great. If it doesn’t, the two sides part ways.

The advantage in using this “rent to own” philosophy is it’s a way to make sure there is a good fit from a technical side as well as from a cultural side. Keep in mind it does work both ways. At the end of the project or trial period, the employee might decide it’s not the position for them. This is a risk that I believe is worth taking because why would you want someone working for you who isn’t going to be happy long term?

Have a great day!

Lawrence

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On Monday, Rafa Nadal won the US Open (tennis). When asked afterward how he keeps improving he replied:

“because I always thought I always can keep improving. That’s why I am playing, to keep improving and to feel myself better player than before. I go to practice every day not to practice; I go to practice every day to try to learn something and to keep improving my level”

How many people actually live that attitude? It’s easy to say but how many actually go into each day with the attitude and work ethic to learn something and to keep improving?

This is why he is a true champion and it’s the way others can be as well.

Just something to think about

Have a great day!

Lawrence

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When training goalkeepers in soccer, we want them to learn from their mistakes but not dwell on them.

In a game, if they make a mistake and allow a goal to be scored, we want them to spend 5 seconds (or less) thinking about that they did wrong, learn from it and then drop it.

People must learn from history but not dwell on history if they want to grow in the future

Have a great day!

Lawrence

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Many people are afraid of being uncomfortable. They keep doing only what they have done in the past because it allows them to say within their comfort zone.

Other people are willing to stretch themselves to try new things and to grow.

It’s not that these other people are comfortable trying these new things but rather, they are comfortable being uncomfortable. The only way to get to this stage is to keep trying new things so you get more accustomed to doing things outside your comfort zone

You will most likely never get comfortable trying new things. However. You can get comfortable being uncomfortable trying new things. Keep stretching yourself, slowly leave your comfort zone and eventually you will get more comfortable in these uncomfortable situations.

Have a great day!

Lawrence

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What works for someone else wont necessarily work for you.

What works for another company wont necessarily work for your company.

If something doesn’t work for another organization it doesn’t mean it wont work for yours.

Every situation is different. Every person is different. Be willing to try something different and don’t be afraid to try something just because it didn’t work for someone else.

Also, realize that just because something worked for someone else doesn’t mean it will work for you.

Learn from others experiences but don’t expect to duplicate them exactly.

Have a great day!

Lawrence

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When someone says “can’t” they usually don’t mean can’t. They might mean wont. They might mean they don’t want to. They might mean they shouldn’t. Rarely do they truly mean can’t.

If someone says they can’t do something to you, and it’s something you really want done, figure out what they are really saying and it’s much easier to overcome the obstacle.

If you say can’t to someone, make sure it’s truly the right word. Otherwise, use the correct word to accurately reflect your beliefs.

Have a great day!

Lawrence

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When departments or divisions within an organization don’t work together, everyone loses.

Some organizations pit groups each against each other trying to create a more competitive environment but in the long run this undermines the entire organization.

Other organizations might not intentionally pitting groups against each other by comparing profitability, comparing revenue or comparing other variables.

The problem with doing this is there are times when working together and pooling resources can be much more effective and help to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort.

When divisions compete, at best one plus one equals two but often it’s much less. When divisions work together one and one might equal three or more.

Just something to think about

Have a great day!

Lawrence

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What good does it do to lower the level of expectations in order to give better grades or evaluations?

If all students in a class get A’s and B’s what truly is average?

If all evaluations in a business indicate the employees exceeded expectations does that mean they are great employees or simply that the expectations are too low?

If we want to increase the level of competence, we need to expect more, not accept more

Have a great day!

Lawrence

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When you are shopping for something (could be a commodity, a company or anything in between) make sure you concentrate on the product and not the pitch.

Crap with a bow around it is still crap.

Have a great day!

Lawrence

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As a leader, what is the one trait you want to known to possess?

Some leaders strive to be feared
Some leaders strive to be loved
Some leaders strive to be respected
Some leaders strive to be powerful
Some leaders strive to be wealthy

What one trait do YOU want to be known to possess?

I think if I had to choose just one, it would be “trusted”. How about you?

Have a great day!

Lawrence

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