ConvergenceCoaching, LLC Inspired Ideas

Letting Go Gracefully

How Successful Would Jay Leno Have Been If Johnny Carson Had Never Really Let Go?

I coach a lot of successful, powerful people as they prepare to retire from important positions like CEO, Managing Partner, Practice Leader and more.  There are important strategies and tactics to ensure a successful transition, including choosing a successor, documenting the clients, people, processes and duties that the successor will inherit and training the successor to ensure their readiness for their new role. 

More important than all of these, though, is the mental preparation of the retiring party and the development of their steely commitment to let go with grace. 

After all, retiring is hard.  For many, they picture mall walking, being under-foot at home, endless hours with grandchildren (which for some sounds heavenly, while others are not as amused), and a life that has less meaning.  Sadly, these stereotypical images of retirement haunt many that I encounter and their fears of living a life-less-useful keep them from preparing for retirement properly, setting up their successors for true and lasting success, and ultimately jeopardizing their long-term legacy because they don’t ensure the perpetuation of their organization without them.

Letting go is hard.  Retirees must face the “death” of their career and pass through Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’s (http://tinyurl.com/7pahq) five stages of grief including denial (where many get stuck and never progress), anger, bargaining, depression or sadness and finally, acceptance.   Most retirees do not want to admit their fears, feelings of vulnerability or their sadness at the loss of their work identity.  As a result, they hang on well past the point of what’s best for their successor, their organization or themselves.

One of the best ways to combat the fears of retirement is to ensure that they don’t come true.  If you’re facing retirement, you can create and then cause an exciting new possibility for your life after work that can include travel, golf or other exercise, volunteer work, a new unrelated vocation, going to school, reading all the books you’ve had to pass up, catching up on movies, researching topics or hobbies you’ve wanted to learn, having leisurely lunch with friends and family and more.  Life after “the old job” can be exciting, fulfilling and transformative.  You can continue to learn, contribute and grow after retirement.  The decision is entirely yours.

I’ve been bothered by the Leno-O’Brien story (http://tinyurl.com/yjf97lm).  This is mostly because I keep encountering equally-harmful iterations of this story in firms across America.  On occasion, I plan to write about strategies to help retirees let go with grace in this blog.  In the meantime, if you have some ideas or experiences on this subject, please post them so others can benefit.   We’re all ears! 

Gratefully,

Jen

Rebuilding Trust - It Starts With Forgiveness

In my last blog, I explored developing trust with others, and now will consider those situations when trust has eroded and we are seeking to rebuild a trusting relationship.

We can’t rebuild trust in a relationship until forgiveness occurs.  To forgive, you have to be willing to give up your feeling of being wounded.  Dictionary.com defines forgiveness as, “To grant pardon to; to cease to feel resentment against; to cancel an indebtedness or liability of.”  Sometimes old hurts and resentments become a badge of self-righteousness.  When we let go, we may not know what to do.  Think of your resentments as a heavy load that you are carrying around and the load gets bigger and heavier with time.  Notice how the load holds you in the past.  This first step in rebuilding trust and forgiving is letting go.  In order to move on, you must commit to releasing your feelings of anger, resentment, and the need to punish the person with whom you have lost trust. 

Sometimes, we’re afraid to let go because we’re afraid that this would mean that we’re condoning the other person’s actions.  Forgiveness doesn’t deny responsibility for behavior - you have simply committed not to hold the other person in debt. The Positive Way explains forgiveness this way: “Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself.  It is a release from the burden of anger and pain.  When you choose to forgive, you choose to live in the present and the future instead of the past.  It does not mean to forget but it does mean to release and go on.  Forgiveness doesn't happen on its own, you must choose to forgive.”  According to Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture, there are three parts to an apology: 1) Say, “I’m sorry [for the issue]”; 2) Make a statement of commitment; and 3) Ask what you can do to make it right.  Only when you forgive the person who wronged you, can you determine if you want the relationship to continue, and if so, begin to work on reconciliation with the other party.    

In Stephen M.R. Covey's book, The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything, he states that a loss of trust that is created by a violation of character is much more difficult to restore than one that is created by a violation of competence.  When competence is the issue, it is typically easier for the other party to take responsibility and recommit to deliver results, get better, confront reality, right wrongs, and keep commitments.  When the violation is an issue of character – such as someone’s  integrity, dishonesty or motive -  more time is likely required to restore trust.  Sometimes, you may determine that the relationship cannot continue and you should then forgive the person and move on.  It is still important – for you as much as for the other person – that you pardon the person of wrong-doing so you can both be free.

Restoring trust and rebuilding the relationship requires that you be in the present (versus reliving the past – you let that go!) and determine what you need from the other person in your relationship.  Be willing to clearly ask for changes in behaviors in ways that can be observed and understood.  Offer similar changes yourself to support your request and show your commitment to the relationship and willingness to change.  Put your agreement in writing when appropriate (especially in professional relationships) and check in with each other on a regular basis to be accountable to each other for your part. 

At times, old fears and suspicions may resurface.  Similar circumstances may bring up the old pain.  Remind yourself of the difference between then and now and move back into the present moment.  You may choose to speak openly to the other person about your recurring fears, focusing on sharing, not accusing and own the fear as yours rather than the other person’s fault.  This is when transparency and honesty are most valuable.  This is about making peace with the past and living in the NOW.

A recent example of rebuilding trust is with a friend who allowed a great deal of construction work to be done on her rental property by someone she trusted with only a handshake.  When he presented her with a bill that she felt was exorbitant, she refused to pay it and hired a lawyer to prosecute him for fraud.  Her trusting relationship of many years was destroyed.  He went away feeling misunderstood and undervalued for his skill and service; she went away feeling taken advantage of.  He wants to rebuild the relationship and has offered a lower fee for his services as a start.  Even though he does not agree that he overpriced the work, the caring relationship was more important to him than the money. She is still in the early stages of rebuilding trust and is working to let go of the anger and pain.   Beginning with clear communication - talking straight and demonstrating respect – will help them work to restore trust and rebuild their relationship.

Up until now, I’ve focused our discussions of eroded trust based on the feeling that we’ve been wronged.  What if we were the one who eroded trust by wronging – or disappointing – someone?  Consider starting by asking for forgiveness.  Then identify what the other person needs from you and what behaviors you could change – begin with the 13 behaviors Covey identified, as I discussed in last week’s blog, Building Trust – What Does It Really Take.

If you are struggling with a lack of trust in a relationship, I hope that these ideas will offer some possibilities for positive change.  I have found them to be helpful guidelines in my work and personal life.  Forgiveness becomes its own reward.  Living in the present moment and letting go of the pain and resentment of the past lightens our load and brings hope and possibility into our future. What actions can you take to rebuild trust in relationships?

Warmly,

Sylvia Lane

Building Trust - What It Really Takes

As we move into this new year and new decade, one of the things that seems definite for us is change.  As my colleague, Tamera Loerzel, explored in her blog Who Are You Going to Be In The Face Of Change, whether it’s our economy, our government, our weather patterns, the foods we eat, or the people with whom we interact, things continue to evolve.  One of the ways to help keep ourselves centered and balanced is to ensure that we have trust in the people with whom we have relationships as we work to navigate these changes, accomplish our goals and fulfill our dreams.

To truly trust, we must first define it and understand why it is so important in this changing phase of history.  In his book, The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything, Stephen M.R. Covey states, “Simply put, trust means confidence.  The opposite of trust – distrust – is suspicion. When you trust people, you have confidence in them – in their integrity and in their abilities. When you distrust people, you are suspicious of them – their integrity, their agenda, their capabilities, or their track record. It’s that simple.”   

Every relationship --- whether personal or professional --- requires a foundation of trust to be successful.  In the early stages of a successful relationship, what is taking place is the development of trust.  If this does not happen, chances are that the relationship is short-lived or never gets off the ground at all.

So, how do we develop trust?  Often, it seems this is done unconsciously and instinctively.  We choose partners that we've known before and have had good feelings about and achieved positive results with at work or in our personal lives.  When we look closer at what caused us to feel good about a person and trust them, certain factors help us build trust or erode it.  Specifically, Covey identifies thirteen behaviors that build (or in the absence of them erode) trust: straight talk, demonstrating respect, creating transparency, righting wrongs, showing loyalty, delivering results, getting better, confronting reality, clarifying expectations, practicing accountability, listening first, keeping commitments, and extending trust first.

To develop trust with another person, it is helpful to start with a self-assessment to reflect on how trustworthy you are. How would you rate yourself on these thirteen behaviors?  Where can you improve?  We all can improve in some area, and it is helpful to be willing to acknowledge where you might not be as strong and commit to work on that area.  For me, I have chosen to work on confronting reality.  I am the eternal optimist and can ignore or reframe difficulties in an effort to create inspiration for the solution.  Unfortunately, sometimes I get reinforcement to keep skipping past the difficult points and don’t address them in my solutions.  Now, I am choosing to stop and pay attention in the present moment to what is actually taking place.  Now, I will say to myself, "Why am I avoiding the truth of what is going on?  Does it hurt too much?  Will it hurt someone else if I speak of it?  Does the problem feel too big to solve?  Does it sound so difficult that I won't get any help?"  Probably none of my fears will come true.  The situation will be easier to work on when I actually face what is taking place and discuss it with others involved.  When we can discuss the elephant in the middle of the room, we can work together to get it moved out of the way.

In my next blog post, I will explore some ideas about how to restore trust.  In the meantime, how are you doing in maintaining trust in your relationships?  What can you do to enhance trust starting today?  Post a comment and share!  We’d love to hear from you.

Warmly,

Sylvia Lane
www.convergencecoaching.com

Revamp the Resolution

I have heard a lot about New Year’s resolutions in the past week or two.  When I hear someone stating their resolution, I often find myself thinking, “so what?” or even “yeah, right!”  I think this is due to the fact that we all tend to say things at times – even out loud – that we are not sure we can follow through with.  Sure, most people have great intentions and most of the resolutions I have heard are terrific goals, but why do we only get this burst of commitment on January 1? 

To make real progress, I like to set shorter term goals.  Instead of looking at the (likely intimidating) big picture goal for the entire 2010 year, I will tell myself I am going to do X for the next three to six weeks.  If I can do something for three weeks, and I like the results, I will be motivated to do the same or similar action for another three weeks, and so on.  For instance, I am pretty good about working out during the work week, but unfortunately, the weekend tends to fill up with other activities and, yes, some laziness!  I have committed to go to the gym once every weekend for four weeks (starting last week).  So far, so good! 

While this may seem like a “wimpy” goal, I have more success setting these short term targets, and you may, too!  This way, I am constantly thinking about the next objective and not forgetting the commitment I made to myself early that year.  The important thing is to keep at it and continually think about the “next thing” – not just a one-time statement.   I can’t tell you how many years I have watched our gym membership swell – and the parking lots overflow – in January and February only to have those well-intended “resolvers” stay home come March and April. 

According to an article on www.PsychologyToday.com (at http://tinyurl.com/yzp6bqf), 22% fail in adhering to their New Year's resolutions after one week, 40% fail after one month, 50% after three months, 60% after six months, and 81% after twenty-four months.  The reasons for failing were due to:

·       Unclear or vague goals.  As we have written about in our past blog post on Produce the Unimaginable – Give By-When’s!, set measurable goals with a by-when date so you are sure to know when you have reached it.

·       Not checking progress toward the stated goals.  If you are setting short-term targets, the check-ins are built into your plan!

·       Lack of self-control and self-regulation when facing challenges. Give yourself some leeway and allow mistakes.  Then, get right back to the reason you made the resolution in the first place and keep at it versus giving into failure.

Another way to look at setting shorter term resolutions is if you have 40 pounds to lose, instead of saying, “I will lose 40 pounds by 12/31/10,” say, “I will lose 10 pounds by 3/31/10.”  Then, set the next objective for yourself beginning 4/1.

This idea can translate to a number of goals you may have for this year – both personally and professionally.  If you have resolved to eat more healthfully in 2010, tell yourself you will add one vegetable to your diet each day for the next three weeks.  See how you feel.  If you like the results, add one fruit to your diet each day.  The next goal may be to drink eight glasses of water daily.  Every commitment that you keep will compound until you have transformed your diet entirely (and you should feel great as a result)!

Professionally, if you want to gain X referrals for your business in 2010 (and don’t just commit to developing “more” referrals – be specific!), start small by committing to set up and attend one referral source lunch appointment each week for the next month.  Add more appointments or revise your plans as appropriate, depending on the success you are having with your current referral sources.

Any day is a great day to make a resolution – not just New Year’s Day!  What are your goals for this year, and where can you start with a short term commitment that you know you can keep?  Please share your comments and ideas with us!

Warmly,

Krista Remer

P.S.  If you’re like me and have an exercise-themed goal, read more about keeping your resolutions here: http://exercise.about.com/od/weightloss/a/keepresolutions.htm. 

Tending Your Small Business Clients

Busy season is a perfect time to deepen your relationship with your small business clients.  Below are four simple things to do this busy season to uncover opportunities to offer additional services and to help ensure client retention:

 

 

 

1.    Take a few extra minutes at the end of each client meeting or phone call to uncover potential opportunities. Prepare a list of a few open-ended questions to ask your clients prior to concluding any client meetings or phone calls. It will take only a few extra minutes and when you document your findings and follow-up it will likely lead to additional business.  Examples of questions to ask include:

 

· What concerns or challenges are you dealing with in your business?

· What are your goals for 2010?

· What critical decisions are you facing?

· How are we doing for you?

· How else can we support your accounting or business planning functions in your organization?

At a minimum, ask the simple question, “How’s business?” to show them that you care. Many times, their answers will lead to the possibility of providing additional services – or at least an opportunity to meet to explore the possibility in more detail.

2.    Look for ways to add value to your clients, which will improve client retention and increase the chance that your existing clients will make referrals to you, too. You will add value to your clients when you take the time to know them and their industry. Gain a deeper understanding of their business cycles and other industry considerations so you can provide benchmarking statistics, ideas to make them more competitive and suggestions for process improvements.  If you understand your clients’ lives and businesses, you can provide them proactive tax savings advice and save them real money.  You can introduce them to your network of contacts to help enhance their business, such as bankers to ensure that they have the right financing in place. 

3.    Ask every satisfied client you meet with who else they may know that could benefit from the same service, savings, process improvement or other difference you made for them.  When you provide value-added services, they will be happy to talk about them to their colleagues.  You may be surprised at how willing they are to refer you!  

4.    Consider expanding your small business offerings to position your clients for success when the economy recovers.  In this economy, many businesses are in financial crisis and you can act as a resource to turn to in tough economic times.  SourceMedia’s Accountants Media Group  issued a Special Report in the current issue of AccountingToday entitled “New Tools For New Times – A guide to serving small businesses in a troubled economy” and gave examples of how firms are doing exactly this. 

The article shares how, Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith, LLP “has formed a “TASC Force” of experts on financial modeling, and who can help small-business owners analyze financial issues and identify opportunities to produce results. Their services include business health check-ups, financial benchmarking, human resource management, credit underwriting data assistance, cash-flow projections and cost control. “

As Carly Bohach suggests in another recent AccountingToday article, CPAs Get Credit Flowing to Cash-Starved SMBs” “The bottom line is that CPAs have to put on their chief financial officer /controller hats.” This type of financial analysis and consulting is what many small businesses are in need of and those firms that deliver what the market wants and needs can carve out a thriving and successful small business services niche.

Pick one thing that you can do during the course of busy season to make a difference for your small business clients and uncover potential business opportunities doing so. You may choose to prepare a list of open-ended questions to ask during your client interactions or make at least one recommendation to help improve your client’s financial position.  Please share the one thing you’ll commit to do during busy season!  And, if you have additional thoughts on strategies and ideas you can do for your small business clients, please share those, too!

Warm Regards,

 

Michelle Baca

Do You Feel What I Feel?

I have been so lucky this holiday season because I have been home for most of the month of December, something that doesn’t usually happen.  While this may not be ideal economically, it has provided me an opportunity to really revel in the benefits of being home for the holidays which have included:

 

• Getting the tree up before mid-month
• Attending all of my children’s holiday programs and school parties
• Watching my 80 year-old mom sing holiday carols around town with the Offuttaires
• Hosting a holiday luncheon and not begrudging it
• Still shopping online, but not having to Fed Ex everything for emergency delivery
• Taking our church youth group caroling and teaching the kids about sharing the joy of the season without reserve (and with a tinge of embarrassment about having to hang out with a mom like me)

While I share these benefits with my tongue a little in cheek, being home has allowed me to rediscover the joy of the season in the excited faces of school-aged children, the beautiful sounds of the season and in simple traditions that this year feel special, instead of obligatory.

Sometimes, in our busiest, most blessed periods in life, the pace and stress keep us from really feeling the fun of it all.  The universe has imposed a slow down on me this December, and on so many others, too – and in the quiet and uncertainty, I have found peace and pleasure.  

While I can’t tell you that I’ll pray that this stillness continues indefinitely, I am committed to revel in it while it’s here.  I am working to remember that the next phase, once busy again, will cause me to pack my bags frequently and travel away from my home and family to spread the message of leadership responsibility and organizational unity to others. 

That time will come soon enough.  Until then, I feel blessed to be in this great nation, experiencing the warmth of my home, the laughter of my family and the time to pray about, and plan for, the future.   I am also grateful for the opportunity to share life’s rich experiences with you, our readers and contributors.  Thank you for a wonderful year.

On behalf of the entire ConvergenceCoaching team, we wish you peace, joy, love and prosperity in the new year ahead.   And if you find the time in your holiday hustle (or hush), share how you’re feeling when you have a chance.  We’d love to hear from you!

Joyfully,

Jen

P.S.  To celebrate the joy of this season and honor our hard-working team, we will close our offices from December 24 through January 3, reopening for business on Monday, January 4, 2010.   We will post our next blog on Wednesday, January 5 and appreciate your support of our team holiday.  We look forward to communicating with you in the bright New Year ahead!

Giving Trust As A Holiday Gift

This holiday season, I have been exploring the possibility of giving something that is intangible but still valuable and long-lasting.  So many of the clients that I have worked with recently have been dealing with issues of trust.  I decided to use some of the knowledge that I have learned and applied professionally in a personal effort to maintain and rebuild trust for myself.  I recognize that the key elements of trust involve straight talk and consistent behavior.  In the past, I have found myself often agreeing to things that I really did not want to do just because it was the holidays.  When I considered them, I decided that it was OK to do them but I needed to be honest with myself and accept that I might prefer to be doing something else.  If I can't talk straight to myself, how will I be able to do it with friends or relatives?  While I have been teaching others to avoid holiday stress, I discovered I was not following my own advice.

My first opportunity for straight talk came immediately regarding the family Christmas dinner.  I had been away for Thanksgiving and guessed that I was expected to host the Christmas dinner for relatives back home.  Please note, that this was a guess and not anything that anyone had asked me to do. When I presented this idea to my husband, he immediately questioned my interest in doing this.  He knew that I had already agreed to provide coverage for a friend who was a psychotherapist while she took a holiday trip.  I might end up working in some psychiatric emergency room instead of my own kitchen.  I admitted that I had spent several days with lots of friends and relatives at Thanksgiving, and I really would prefer to have a small, quiet time together for Christmas.  He insisted that I call the local relatives to find out about their plans and let them know that we would not be the hosts this year.  I made the calls without apologies and look forward to being together with them at New Year's instead.

My first step in building trust is being straight with myself.  Next, I chose to be straight with the other persons involved in my decision.  The challenge now is to be consistent in sharing my authentic feelings.  I have been involved with a church project to collect and distribute gifts to needy families in our area.  This is something that I have enjoyed making the time to do.  I also agreed to do the Sunday talk on the significance of the Advent season to relieve the minister who is grieving the recent loss of his wife.  I have felt authentic with this behavior and choices I’ve made.  These have been enjoyable gifts to share.  I also feel that  I am building trust within my spiritual community.  It is important to me to give back to the place where I receive.

There are so many gifts that cannot be bought and wrapped but are a true expression of your caring.  Be straight.  Be consistent.  Be authentic.  Be true to your word.  Others will know that they can count on you.  Even if they don't like your decision, they will know that they can trust it to be true. What can you do this holiday season that will help you to build trust with yourself and your friends, family, or community, too?

Warmly,

Sylvia

Waiting With Patience and Courage

For those of us who celebrate Christmas, we are in season of Advent, which is a season of waiting and expectation.  My pastor read from Psalm 27:14 this past Sunday and he challenged us to wait patiently for the birth of our Savior and for our prayers to be answered, but at the same time to be brave and courageous.

I believe that is where many of us are in our businesses, too, as we close 2009 in just a few short weeks.  I have been reading several predictions and surveys that are being posted on LinkedIn groups, such as the Association for Accounting Marketing, and CPA Trendlines.   These predictions attempt  to gauge people’s outlook for 2010.  Across the nation, the mood seems to be one of conservative optimism. 

That is where patience has come in for so many of us.  I’d like to see this economy turn around faster than it seems to be and I would like more immediate – and crystal clear - answers about which opportunities to capitalize on and which ones to pass by.  My partner, Jennifer Wilson, sent me a Tweet over the weekend about patience (with her impeccable timing!): "Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow-that is patience." ~Tolstoy

I think that is a good summary of 2009.  While we’ve been waiting for “better times ahead,” at ConvergenceCoaching we’ve been at work on some very important initiatives in our business, such as launching our new online, self-study CPE courses and developing our marketing and business development toolsets, while also helping clients get back to the basics of financial management and refocus their teams on business development and client retention. 

That’s what it’s all about in the end.  The struggles and challenges of 2009 have allowed us to reflect on those that are important to us, such as our clients, family and friends.  We have much to be thankful for as I shared in my Thanksgiving blog, A Time to Give Thanks, and in my post, It Will All Come Together.

I believe if we continue to do what we know to be right as we patiently wait for new doors to open in 2010, we will be poised to capitalize on them and we will be stronger for it. Sometimes, we just need a reminder of that, and your team may need that reminder of it, too.  Consider sharing your optimism for the future with them and with us, too.  What are you hoping for or expecting during this season of “waiting?”

Warmly,

Tamera

Neglected and Underdeveloped Knowledge Management

Inspired Ideas is glad to welcome another guest blogger this week, Howard Wolosky.  Howard’s own blog, Instigator (http://howardwolosky.blogspot.com) is the source of this post, where it appeared on September 9, 2009.

Howard Wolosky is the former editor-in-chief of Practical Accountant and a former WebCPA.com columnist.  He is currently exploring opportunities as a director of editorial content, change agent, and consultant.

Neglected and Underdeveloped Knowledge Management

It’s no surprise that CCH recently announced the release of KnowledgeConnect, a knowledge management system for accounting firms. According to CCH, KnowledgeConnect is “a central, indexed, and easy-to-search knowledge management system that will empower staff to make faster and more informed business decisions, avoid work redundancies and reduce project cycle times.”

I first wrote about knowledge management and accounting firms in my August 16, 2005 WebCPA column “Do You Have a Chief Knowledge Officer?” at http://www.webcpa.com/news/14079-1.html.

Knowledge shouldn't just reside with individuals, but needs to be captured and institutionalized within the firm so that it can be accessed easily by all. I gave the following examples in the column: templates for audit engagements, checklists and established procedures for tax return preparation, a sophisticated client relationship management system, and a knowledge database on the firm's Intranet.

You don’t have to be a large regional accounting firm, a business with hundreds of employees, nor do you have to buy CCH KnowledgeConnect or a similar software application to take advantage of knowledge management.  It doesn’t have to cost much as long as time is spent on developing an understanding of how knowledge management can be applied and how you will train those who will utilize it.

I speak from direct experience. With only two-full-time editors and one part-time editor (including myself) working on Practical Accountant, the quality of our editorial content was directly attributable to our ability to take advantage of knowledge management. We used push technologies to keep informed of developments, blast e-mails to pre-qualify article interviewee volunteers, and an Outlook 1,200-plus contact database searchable by subject matter. Running lists of possible coverage for each department, profiled accounting firms, innovation award winners, and what appeared in recurring sections were also maintained in a database.

In today’s world where accounting firms and businesses of all sizes are focusing on reducing costs and improving efficiency, knowledge management is an invaluable tool. Sophisticated software can be helpful, but that’s not the key. What’s necessary for effective knowledge management to work is getting buy-in and participation.

Four Knowledge Management Practices That a Firm Should Consider

1. Have different individuals responsible for certain subject and practice areas.  They can inform other firm members of developments with an e-mail alert.  
2. Develop templates for audit engagements, checklists as well as established procedures to follow in tax return preparation, and a sophisticated client relationship management database including placing pictures or hyperlinks to pictures of the key people of important clients in the firm's CRM database.
3. Maintain a knowledge database on the firm's Intranet that might have, for example, questions to be asked to determine the scope of a consulting engagement for a manufacturing client.
4. Document the practices and procedures used by key soon-to-be departing personnel.  Instead of just pushing them to complete some unfinished engagements, have them summarize, in writing, their practices and procedures first so their successor can benefit from the knowledge that resides in the departing staff member.

Howard Wolosky

What knowledge management practices does your firm employ?  Share your tips or thoughts on this topic by posting a comment!

A Time To Give Thanks

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday this week, it seemed only appropriate that we stop and reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.  To follow my own advice from my blog, It Will All Come Together, I asked my colleagues to make a list and share what they are thankful for.  Even with the uncertainty many of us have experienced this year, I am profoundly moved by the many blessings we have in our lives.  Here are few of the highlights:

• Amy Denman - This Thanksgiving, more than others in the past, I am thankful for my kids and that my husband comes home from work every night. My husband is an officer in the US Air Force, so I am acutely aware that we could be spending this holiday season apart, as so many of our friends are doing.  I thank God he is home, with us, and I pray for the safety of all our troops and friends overseas.  Many of my military friends are spending this holiday season separated from the ones they love.  I am thankful for all the military families who cannot spend the holidays with their loved ones in order to protect and defend our wonderful country.
  
  So, this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my fabulous, spectacularly unique family and that we are together and present to our love for each other.

• Jen Eby - I am thankful for the group of wonderful people I work with. Working for ConvergenceCoaching has given me the opportunity to develop knowledge in a wide number of areas.  It is a great inspiration to be surrounded by such intelligent, hard working, loving co workers!  Also, I am so thankful for the love and support from my husband, boys, parents and grandparent give to me. I am thankful for good health and wisdom I have been given. Being loved by so many people is much to be thankful for!! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

• Jen Wilson - I am thankful for the grace and love of God, the beauty and wonder of this planet, my best friend and husband, Brian, my children and the privilege of leading and loving them, my loving parents and siblings, my incredibly talented team (see the blog Not Me - Us) and our inspiring and courageous clients, my health and my ability to still run and play hard as I enter the magical world of mid-life.  I am super blessed!

• Krista Remer - As I reflect on all I have to be thankful for, the “regulars” come immediately to mind, like my husband and loving extended family, my “angels” (two Maltese dogs), my job and terrific colleagues and friends… But, beyond that, I am so blessed to have a multitude of things that others around the world and even our own country do not.  I have a roof over my head, water to drink without fear of disease, my freedom to worship God as I choose, and many other “luxuries.”  What a privileged life I lead, indeed!

• Lisa Spear -I am thankful for my past, as it has provided me with so many opportunities and made me who I am today.  I am thankful for my awesome husband and extended family.  But most of all I am thankful for my three beautiful children who make me a better person each and every day. I am truly blessed…

• Michelle Baca - Meister Eckhart  said, “If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.”  In the past two weeks, I have been making a conscious effort to begin and end each day with thoughts of gratitude.  I am thankful for so much around me and in my life that I couldn’t possibly express all the gratitude that is in my heart but here is a little sample of the things that I feel tremendously thankful for. I am thankful for the great honor of raising my smart, independent, gorgeous five-year old daughter with my loving husband and our amazing families who are the “village” that help us take good care of her. I am thankful for the amazing team at ConvergenceCoaching that I get to make a difference in the world with. And I’m thankful that I have perfected the art of making my own soy lattes, which will be saving me thousands and thousands of dollars in the years to come!

• Ruth Richter – I am very thankful for my family, especially my loving husband and best friend, Bob, and my two amazing sons.   I’m also thankful for our IT business, ROI Consulting, Inc. that turns 12 on December 1st and ConvergenceCoaching, LLC that turns 10 in April.  Both provide us great, enjoyable careers and livelihood.  Most of all, I am thankful for the guidance, presence of mind and support I receive from my faith in God and my parents who have shown me to have faith.

• Sylvia Lane - I am unconditionally thankful for everything that is taking place in my life right now. Even those testy and challenging things also come from my spiritual Source.  There must be some positive learning that will eventually show itself.  Thank you, God, for all that is and for all that is not.  I do indeed feel blessed.

• Tamera Loerzel – In his sermon on Sunday, our pastor defined gratitude as “an expression of joy for the gifts we’ve received.”  I am joyfully grateful for my husband and three extraordinary children – who are the best gifts that God has bestowed on me – along with our extended family who helps us raise them. I am also thankful for my ConvergenceCoaching colleagues that I get to make a difference in the world with every day. Lastly, I have profound gratitude to be healthy and alive in our wonderful country, the US of A, and for the men and women who make freedom a reality!

We are also thankful for our clients and colleagues – we are truly grateful for our relationship with you!  What are you thankful for?  Post a comment and share your gratitude with us – we’d love to hear from you and spread the positivity of all our many blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Tamera