Inward Blog

Viewing entries tagged with 'values'

What Behaviors Are Common Among Great Leaders?

Research proves that 80% of effective leadership behavior is driven by interpersonal skills rather than technical competency. For leaders to create a culture of high engagement, people need to be aligned with more than just the goals and objectives... they must embrace a common set of values and beliefs. An effective leader exhibits strong interpersonal skills that engage and inspire others. There are a number of characteristics tied to effective leadership behavior, but as we speak to leaders from all walks of life, including businesses, sports teams, churches, non-profits, etc., 4 common themes surfaced over and over again for those who achieve sustained success over time.

Posted by Rick DeMarco at 11:00am

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Is culture really important?

Every organization has a culture, whether it’s clearly articulated or not.  So what exactly is “culture”?  Merriam Webster simply defines it as a “way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organization.”  Defining the culture always comes down to articulating the values and beliefs of the leadership.  For example, if family values are a core belief of leadership, the culture will be one that supports a strong work/life balance focus.  Or if innovation is important to the leadership, the culture will be one of continuous improvement and leadership in the market.  Apple is an obvious example of an innovation culture.  So if vision represents what an organization is trying to achieve, culture defines how people are going to behave and what values they are going to embrace while they strive to achieve that vision. 

Posted by Rick DeMarco at 11:00am

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The Brand Value of Putting your Customers First

We have heard it over and over again, communication is no longer a one-way street between your brand and your customers. In fact, more often than not, your brand reputation lies in the hands of internet-savvy consumers who will advocate for or against your brand outside the realm of the traditional marketing mix.  Marketers must consistently engage these advocates with flexibility and understanding. 

Posted by Allan Steinmetz at 11:00am

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Successful Product Placements in Hollywood Films

Hollywood creates amazing opportunities for brands to assimilate their products into American culture. Sometimes it is an unpaid product placement, other times it’s an investment made by companies. However, the data has shown that if the product is well integrated into the film, the results can be impressive. Here are five brands that benefited from placing their product in a Hollywood film.

Posted by Allan Steinmetz at 11:00am

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The Power of Reciprocity in Business

The power of reciprocation is one of the strongest human elements that affect our behavior. A simple act of aid or generosity goes a long way. Robert Cialdini, Author of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, explains that even in circumstances where we are not obligated to give back, we still feel a need to do so, because of the power of reciprocation. This natural tendency that all humans possess can be effectively used to strengthen your internal and external brand.

Posted by Allan Steinmetz at 2:53pm

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Employee Engagement: Increasing Organizational Success One Company at a Time

According to a recent extensive study conducted by Harvard Business Review (HBR), employee engagement is becoming a top priority for senior executives making 2014 the year for employees. Gathering data from companies all over the world, HBR has discovered that around 71% of people believe that employee engagement is a critical component to having a successful organization.  As a result, top executives across the globe are pumping the breaks to reevaluate the way they do business.  Rather than focusing all of their attention on incremental revenue, smart companies are turning to their employees for innovative growth. 

Posted by Allan Steinmetz at 4:53am

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Understanding the Technique Behind Successful Brands

When prompted, we can all provide a list of brands we love, or hate. As we progress throughout our day as consumers, we make choices that signal preference for one brand over another. Some of our choices are purely transactional; others however, are the result of specific brand preferences cultivated over time. David Brier shared an infographic in a recent Fast Company blog post that explains why we love some brands, and hate others. Take a look at the image above. 

Posted by Allan Steinmetz at 1:53am

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Five Brands with the Best Employee Engagement

This past year we were impressed with several brands that demonstrated how employee engagement can successfully be integrated with a brand's image. These brands have truly committed to employee satisfaction, and it can be seen on the face of every worker. These companies understand the power of alignment between the brand and employee, and creatively brought their brand values to employees by embedding it into their everyday lives at the office. These five brands show that they don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk.

Posted by Allan Steinmetz at 9:00am

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Five Myths of Employee Engagement Infographic

This infographic created by Michael C Fina accurately depicts many misconceptions in the workplace today. While debunking the myths, it also simultaneously highlights the importance of employee engagement and its key role for maintaining a powerful staff. Having intangible rewards that give employees incentives makes for a higher return on investment and creates an environment of happy campers. Treating each individual equally and applauding their accomplishments are just a few suggestions to becoming an effective and amiable boss. 

Posted by Allan Steinmetz at 2:00am

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