Keys To Great Management

What great managers do? How do they do it? How do great managers release the potential energy of their people? How do they select a person, set expectations, motivate and develop each and every one of their employees? When you look through the eyes of great managers you realize that each element ever so slightly, but so significantly, misses the mark. Conventional wisdom encourages you to:

• Select a person based on his experience, intelligence and determination.
• Set expectations by defining the right steps.
• Motivate the person by helping him identify and overcome his weaknesses.
• Develop the person by helping him learn and get promoted.

From the outside it seems to be nothing wrong with this advice. Indeed, many managers and many companies follow it seriously. But all of it misses. You cannot build a great team simply by selecting people based on their experience, intelligence and determination. Defining the right steps and fixing people's weaknesses are not the most effective ways to generate sustained performance. And preparing someone for the next rung on the ladder completely misses the essence of "development."

Remember the revolutionary insight, common to great managers:

• People don't change that much.
• Don't waste time trying to put in what was left out.
• Try to draw out what was left in.
• That is hard enough.

If you apply their insight to the core activities of the catalyst role, this is what you see:

• When selecting someone, they select for talent, but not simply experience, intelligence, or determination.
• When setting expectations, they define the right outcomes but not the right steps.
• When motivating someone, they focus on strengths but not on his weaknesses.
• When developing someone, they help him find the right fit but not simply the next rung on the ladder.

Questions to Ask a Landlord

Let me share some literature that I’ve collected at time of renting an Atlanta apartment. These questions are prepared to ask my landlord and I am successful in implementing them to find my right apartment. I hope this will help you finding your right apartment.

Business Matters

• When is rent due? Is there a grace period?
• What are the late fees? When do they take effect?
• How should I pay rent? Can I pay with cash? With a credit card?
• Is rent collected at the office?
• Are any utilities included in the rent?
• Do I need to set up my own electrical or other services?
• Are utilities charged to individual apartments or averaged between residents?
• How long have you been in business? Do you manage other properties?
• Where can I submit a complaint about management or maintenance, if I have one?
• Are there any move-in specials on rent? Any special gifts for new tenants?
• Do I get reduced rent if I refer a friend?

Maintenance Issues

• How large is the maintenance staff?
• How do I file a request for maintenance services?
• How long does it usually take for services to be completed?
• How does management staff handle complaints about maintenance?
• What are your most common maintenance requests?
• When is the last time the unit I’m looking at was updated or remodeled?
• What modifications do you make to units between tenants?
• How do you handle pest control? What are your most common pests?
• Does maintenance ever enter apartments without giving notice?

Community Affairs

• What types of people live in the complex?
• Does management organize any community events? What types?
• What facilities are offered (pool, gym, business center)? What are the hours?
• Do I need passes to use these facilities? Can my guests use these facilities?
• How can I submit a request to have the facilities cleaned or updated?
• Is there a community bulletin board or other way for residents to communicate?
• How can I report problems with another resident? How do you handle such issues?
• What is the most common complaint by residents about other residents?
• Are there many children in the complex? Are they well attended?
• Are there community baby-sitting services?

Parking Problems

• How is the parking situation?
• Do residents have assigned spots?
• Do I need a parking pass?
• Can I get covered parking? A garage?
• Are car break-ins a problem?

Safety Issues

• How safe is the apartment?
• Is the community gated? Does the gate open with a code, a card, or another method?
• Have you had any break-ins in the past year? How did you address them?
• What is the most common safety complaint of residents?
• Does the door have a deadbolt? Can I have one installed?
• How can I verify that you’ve changed the locks between residents?

How to prepare for Christmas

On Christmas Day, people gather with family and friends to enjoy a festive meal and exchange gifts as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Now Christmas fever was started so be prepare for celibate the festival. These are some tips to prepare for Christmas.

• Send Christmas cards to family, friends, and your well wishers wishing them a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
• Try to set up live Christmas tree in your home and decorate it with ornaments and lights. If it’s not possible set up artificial one.
• Try to decorate and lights on the outside of your house and on your outdoor shrubs and trees.
• Buy gifts for family and friends especially for children and give them under the tree.
• Ask your children to write down a wish list of the toys they would like to receive.
• Share the list with Santa Claus so he can fill their requests. Expect him to arrive on Christmas Eve in a sled drawn by reindeer, carrying a red sack filled with gifts.
• Play some popular Christmas music ("Silent Night" and "Deck the Halls") in your house it gives holiday spirit.
• Prepare Christmas feast with foods such as turkey, ham, cakes, stuffing and vegetables; serve mince pie for dessert. Include other favorite recipes from your childhood holiday meals and children’s favorite dishes.
• Attend church on Christmas Eve with your members and friends.
• Try to help poor people on Christmas Eve. Donate a toy for a needy child, or give food to a food drive or homeless shelter so others can enjoy a holiday meal.
• Spend full day with your family members and enjoy a lot.