Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. Reviews: You Can't Be A Great Manager If You're Not A Great Coach!

The work culture at Northeast Consulting Group is centered around having a team oriented environment that allows people to feel happy, safe, and comfortable in the workplace. We feel as though this allows our people to achieve professional successes and even develop personally by overcoming their fears of speaking up, public speaking, and stepping off of the sidelines and up into the spotlight. So, when we saw this article from the Harvard Business Review about how you can't be  a great manager without being a great coach, we decided we had to share it with our team and the community.

YOU CAN'T BE A GREAT MANAGER IF YOU'RE NOT A GREAT COACH!

The most motivating condition for people in the work place is feeling like you're making progress at something that is meaningful to you. If your job involves leading others the most important thing you can do is to help your people feel like they're experiencing progress. Easier said than done, right? The only way that someone in a leadership role can achieve this is by gaining an understanding of what drives each person. Know their goals, dreams, aspirations, and what they want moving forward. Then, build connections between those and the workplace mission and objectives. This is how you help people learn and grow on an ongoing basis. But, doing this once of twice will not make the difference. Having REGULAR communication around development (coaching conversations), is essential. The biggest thing that separates highly effective managers from average managers is one thing, coaching.

Anyone who has been around the job force over the last few years and has frequently changed positions tends to know that coaching isn't what most managers are expected to do. Most managers think that they don't have time to have these kinds of coaching conversations with their people and if they do have the time, they feel like they lack the skills to have the conversation effectively. If managers aren't getting actively involved, then employee growth is stunted. When that happens, then the engagement and retention of the employees decreases and work morale and turnover increases. 

If you're a manager already or aspire to be one there are simple things that can be done right away to make you more effective. They don't require you to spend money and go back to school, or attend a training seminar, or to buy books on "how to be a manager." Just start by engaging in regular conversations to help support your teams ongoing learning and development. Here are the top five tips to help you get started!

1. Listen Deeply.

Remember that annoying feeling you have when you're trying to get an important message across to someone who clearly has a lot of things on their mind? Well, don't be "that person." If you're having a conversation with one of your people, focus on them completely and actively listen to what they're saying. Put away your cell phone, shut down your email, and close your office door to eliminate distractions. Start the conversation by asking questions such as, "How would you like to grow this month in the company?" Or, something similar. What you say isn't nearly as important as the intention you have behind what you're saying. create a connection with your team member that will make them want to open up to you and help them think more creatively.

2. Ask, DON'T TELL.

As a manager, you're probably used to sharing, right? You have a high level of expertise and you're using to giving direction. This is great for when you're clarifying instructions, or leading a project, or giving advice to someone who asks for it. This is NOT okay for when you're trying to have a coaching conversation. You have to restrain your impulse to provide answers. Your path is not your team members path. Open-ended questions, not answers, are the tools to coaching. You succeed as a coach by helping your team members articulate their goals and challenges and by helping them find their own answers. If you're always giving your people the answers they will never grow.

3. Create A "Developmental Alliance."

Supporting your team members' developmental goals and strategies is essential to increasing your effectiveness as a manager. For example, say one of your people would like to develop by gaining a deeper understanding of some of the other services your firm provides. To achieve this, you suggest that she accompany you a team site visit in a different location, interview the users, and create an article on the experience to post on your firms blog. Now, the follow through on that suggestion is essential. You need to make sure that the individual in question has the authorization, space, and resources necessary to carry out the developmental plan. Follow-up is critical to build trust and to make your coaching more effective. The more you follow through the more productive your coaching becomes, the more your employees trust you, and the more engaged they become.

4. Focus On Moving Forward Positively.

While venting can provide temporary relief, it doesn't generate solutions. Take a moment to acknowledge the frustrations of your people, but then encourage them to think about how to move past them. Ask questions to help lead them in the right direction and focus on positive solutions to negative problems. 

5. Build Accountability!

In addition to making sure you follow through on commitments that you make to employees in coaching conversations, ti's also useful to build accountability for the employee's side of implementing developmental plans. Accountability increases the positive impact of coaching conversations and solidifies their rightful place as a key to the organizations effectiveness.

What will coaching your employees do for you? It will build a stronger bond between you and your team, support them in taking ownership over their own learning, and help them develop the skills they need to perform. Also, it FEELS GOOD! So go ahead and take the jump. You'll love the thrill of coaching conversations that catalyze your teams' growth!

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. is a privately owned marketing company that specializes in brand building and public relations. Our job is to help the companies that we work with continue to grow and expand. The culture at Northeast Consulting Group is committed to providing our people with the skills they would need to be able to advance within our company. To learn more about the career opportunities within our company please visit our website: www.ncg-corp.com

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. Reviews: Enjoying the Journey!

Most of us have big goals and dreams that we want to accomplish. What separates the people who usually achieve their goals and the people that don’t is the work ethic, drive, and determination that someone has throughout their path to success. But, what is the point of achieving your goal if you’ve burnt yourself out so much on your journey that you can’t enjoy the reward. Most of us want to get to our destination of success so badly that we forget to enjoy the journey we take to get there.

1. Take Care of Yourself!

Anything that goes up must come down. Anything that accelerates your system will eventually wear off. Most of us get through the day on a combination of energy drinks, espresso, coffee, and caffeinated beverages. Instead of drinking caffeine all day, try starting your day with a coffee or drink of your choice and then switching to water with lemon. Lemon has natural qualities that help you stay alert, focused, and awake. Eliminating a high amount of caffeine consumption can help you balance your energy throughout the day so you don’t crash!

2. Focus on Today

Looking at the big picture of what you want is the driving factor to success. You can’t start your journey on the road to success unless you know where you want to end up. With that being said, you can’t only look at what you want in the future, you have to look at where you are right now. What are you goals today? How will you enjoy today? How will you make today be a valuable part of your continued success moving forward?

3. Stop Taking Everything SO SERIOUSLY!

Life tends to have a sense of humor, laugh it off! The world has a way of playing with us, testing us, and challenging us. We’ve all heard the old adage, “Nothing worth having ever comes easy.” If you understand that, when a roadblock comes your way you’ll learn how to swerve and keep going down your path. If you can’t remember the last time you smiled or laughed; if you feel like life is an endless hamster wheel, it might be time to ask if you are taking it all too seriously.

At the end of the day, working hard for what you want is what will get you to your goals. But, if you don’t enjoy the journey then what’s the point of getting to the destination. Just remember, take care of yourself, focus on the now, and lighten up! It will make all the difference in your personal and professional life!

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. is a privately owned marketing company. We specialize in public relations and brand building for our clients. Our job is to help these companies continue to grow and expand. The work culture within the company is committed to providing our people with specific training in areas of customer service, marketing, sales, communications, and business management. To learn more about the career opportunities available within Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. please visit our website: www.ncg-corp.com

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. Reviews: 7 Habits to Form in Your 20's!

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. is committed to providing development for our people inside and outside of the work place. The professional success of our people is just as important to us as their personal success as well. So, we reviewed this article from http://www.uncer30ceo.com that was all about the habits that people can form in their 20′s to build a solid foundation for their future.


“Good habits formed at youth make all the difference.” Aristotle


When we think about our 20′s, it’s supposed to be the most fun and important decade of our lives. We begin to experience the world and to develop habits that will either positively or negatively impact our future. Living in the present is essential to enjoying life, but it’s also important to not forget about the future too.


Warren Buffet, in his speech at The Nebraska Forum in 1999, mentions that the two most important things you can develop as a young adult to reach your full potential are: education and habits. Education helps unlock your potential and habits are what keep you reaching the next level. He says to think about the person who you admire and to think about the person you dislike the most in your life. Then, write down a list of qualities on a piece of paper for each person that you can look at everyday. The solution is simple, emulate the person you admire and avoid the qualities of the person you dislike.


But, why are habits so important? Well, Duke University researchers published a paper in 2006 that showed that more than 40% of the actions performed each day weren't actual decisions, but habits. Habits are nothing more than the choices we make everyday. At some point, we stop thinking about these choices and they become second nature, so, a habit.


Here are the seven most critical habits you can develop in your 20′s to ensure a solid foundation and a bright future!


1. Intentionally Experiment

Society perceives that people in their 20′s should be figuring out what to do with their lives. So, doing things like taking AP classes, going to college, get a high-paying job with benefits, climb the ladder, and retire at 65. The only problem with that is that it doesn't guarantee true happiness and fulfillment. Your 20′s is a time to experiment, get to know more about yourself, and figure out the kind of person that you want to be. So, experiment and find out where each and every opportunity takes you and see what aligns with your interests.


2. Be Grateful.

Young adults want things, and want them now. Gratitude is about shifting your focus from what your life lacks to what you currently have. It makes people more resilient, improves health, and reduces stress. People who practice gratitude tend to be more creative, bounce back faster from adversity, have a stronger immune system, and have stronger social relationships than the people who don’t practice gratitude. “To feel grateful is not to say that everything in our lives is necessarily great. it just means that we are aware of our blessings.” -Dr. Robert Emmons


3. Ask Yourself Better Questions.

Have you ever been afraid to ask a question when you were in school? You were just too worried you would sound stupid in front of the class. But, just understand that asking questions is the only way to become knowledgeable. Tony Robbins says, “The things you can change start by changing your reality. To change your reality, you need to change what you focus on. The best way to change what you are focusing on is to ask yourself better questions.


4. Love Your Body.

Your body is the vehicle through you carry on your life’s purpose. There are countless studies about the benefits of regular exercise and healthy heating. You can’t be happy if you aren't healthy.


5. Expand Your Body of Knowledge.

Understand that knowledge and education expand way beyond the classroom and it’s a constant process of learning, applying, and experimenting. Read books, watch videos, read magazines, etc. Commit to learning everything there is about your particular field, become a master of your craft. Knowledge is everywhere and is there for the taking.


6. Meditate.

Emotions are part of our system of sensing and responding to the world. Without them, we would be machines. But, emotions can wreak havoc and spread pain throughout our lives. Meditation helps in noticing different emotions and letting them be what they are. Meditation has been found to help increase a sense of purpose and reduce the feelings of isolation and depression.



7. Develop a Circle of Friends With Qualities You Admire!


There’s a famous quote by Jim Rohn that says, “You are the average of the five people you spend most of your time with.” When you surround yourself with people who are far ahead and more successful than you, you cannot help but feed off their success and grow as a person.

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. Reviews: The Secrets to Success!

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. Reviews: The Secrets to Success!

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. knows that the biggest question that people have is how to find success. So, we reviewed this article from Forbes about the secrets to finding it! Most of the gals that people set in life are centered around finding success in their personal lives as well as their business lives. These two things tend to depend upon each other.   Personal success supports and reinforces professional success. Professional success reinforces personal success. Together, they reinforce life’s most important pursuit – happiness. So how do we find it?

1. The Law of Attraction

The secret to success is positive thoughts. Your thoughts are a magnet that brings things your way and helps you to identify and externalize your inner strengths and capabilities. Put good things in your mind and they will happen!

2. The Element

Find out what you excel in. That’s where you have to position yourself. You need to find your own “element,” your passion. The right occupation that matches your inner strengths and capabilities will help you bring out the best in yourself.

3. Learn how to fail

You have to be willing to try, fail, try again, fail again, and still get back up. Understand that luck will play a part in your success, being in the right place at the right time can make a world of difference. “There is plenty of luck to go around; you just need to keep your head raised until it’s your turn,” says Scott Adams. “If you drill down to any success story, you always discover that luck was a huge part of it. You cannot control luck, but you can move from a game with bad odds to one with better odds. You can make it easier for luck to find you. The most useful thing you can do is stay in the game. If your current get-rich project fails, take what you learned and try something else. Keep repeating until something lucky happens.”

4. Law of Large Numbers

This states that you give yourself enough times to take advantage of success. Give yourself enough opportunity with equal chance for each possible outcome to occur. Your turn to succeed won’t work unless you can execute and stay away from harmful behavior that destroys your progress.

5. Get your priorities right

Use your resources wisely, stay focused, and develop the right relationships. Don’t be greedy and don’t be complacent. 

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. is a privately owned marketing company that specializes in public relations and brand building. We're looking to keep our company expanding and give the right candidate an opportunity to advance into management within our company. To learn more about the employment opportunities available within Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. please visit our website: www.ncg-corp.com

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. Reviews: 12 Things You Should Look For in a Job Other than a Paycheck!

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. Reviews: 12 Things You Should Look For in a Job Other than a Paycheck!

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. believes that there is more to finding success in the work place than just how much money you make. Of course, being in a position that rewards you financially is beneficial to your life, but at what cost should you sacrifice your happiness for your paycheck? So, we decided to review this interesting article by Joshua Becker about what to look for in a job!

“Never continue in a job you don’t enjoy. If you’re happy in what you’re doing, you’ll like yourself, you’ll have inner peace. And if you have that, along with physical health, you’ll have more success than you could have possibly imagined.” – Roger Caras

To help you get motivated to wake up and go to work every day, consider these 12 factors in finding your dream job other than what you’ll take home in your paycheck.

1. Choose a job that adds value. Does it make a positive difference in some way? By doing your job, are you leaving value?

2. You enjoy your co-workers. You spend most of your day, week, and life working. But, do you enjoy the people around you? It is comforting to know that the people in the workplace support you, cheer for you, and want to work together as a team.

3. You feel appreciated and valued. Having a big paycheck is always nice, but appreciation at work is something you carry with you every day. This can be communicated through respect, unexpected gifts, or even just a simple, “thank you.”

4. You are trusted. It’s a good feeling when you don’t always have someone looking over your shoulder. When you’re given a task, are you given the freedom to complete it?

5. Your work is something you enjoy. The old saying, “Find a job that you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Look for a job that keeps you motivated by its nature not by your paycheck, because the luster of a big paycheck wears off quickly if you are unhappy in your position.

6. Your job should fit your personality. Anyone who has taken a personality test knows we all have unique personalities that will thrive in certain environments. Some enjoy working with people, some enjoy working alone, some enjoy calling the shots, others enjoy taking direction. Find a job that fits you!

7. It challenges you to grow! Find something that pushes you out of your comfort zone. Whether this is through challenging assignments, demanding of excellence, or educational opportunities, find something that forces you to grow beyond your current skill set that you’re comfortable with and makes you a better person.

8. The company values align with yours. At the end of the day, your integrity is what matters most. Don’t compromise that when you go to work. If you’re in a job that requires you to go against your personal beliefs, you should find something else.

9. Does your work provide you with a flexible and results oriented culture? A culture of flexibility suggests results-driven focus. A focus that is more interested in you successfully completing your job with excellence rather than clocking the amount of hours you spend working during the day.

10. It values family. You value your family right? Your job should too.

11. It brings you balance. Work is not so bad when you enjoy it. But, if you find yourself not being able to explore other endeavors because you’re always working, it’s not healthy for your soul, life, or body. Find a position that allows you to enjoy your life outside of work too.

12. Last but not least, it brings you SATISFACTION! Can you look back at your day, your week, your year with satisfaction? If the answer is yes, then this is more valuable than any number of digits listed in your bank account.

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. Reviews: Top 10 Interviewing Tips!

The Top 10 Interview Tips From An Etiquette Professional

Are you a recent graduate about to start interviewing for your first real job? Have you been in the workforce for a while now and looking to do something different? Well, interviewing is part of this process. As simple as it seems, there are certain things that will help you make a better impression with the company you are interviewing with. Positive impressions are more likely to get you the job. So, Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. decided to take a look at this artice3 from Nancy R. Mitchell about having proper interviewing etiquette.

When you are going into a company for an interview, your attitude and behavior towards others is just as important as your resume, your previous work experience3, and your innate abilities. Today, more people are too worried about the look and appearance of their resume rather than their manners. What people don’t realize is that companies that are hiring aren’t just concerned with a resume, but finding someone to be a part of their “business family.” They look for things like: courtesy, respect, trust, and reliability. These are the foundation of good relationships which translate to success in business.

Here are the top 10 things that you should avoid when you’re going in to interview for a job.

1. There are no “do-overs” in first impressions

You make a first impression with 5 seconds. When you’re interviewing for a position, you are given a little more leeway. But, that time to make your first impression with an employer happens within your first 30 seconds. This means that you’re on stage the second you walk into the building where your interview is being held. You never know who is around. You could be walking in with a representative in the company or in the elevator with them. The first thing you should do is turn off your phone before you arrive. There is nothing worse than introducing yourself to someone only to hear your phone start ringing from a call, chiming from a text or email, or vibrating loudly in your pocket. When you arrive, smile and shake the hand of the person who is there to greet you as well as the person who escorts you to your interview. When you enter the interview room, make an impression! You need to have enough enthusiasm and energy to mask your nervousness.

2. Avoid wardrobe malfunctions!

Always dress up and conservatively for a job interview. Whether the job is at a corporate building, a fast-food restaurant, or a relaxed environment, your goal should always be to dress to impress your employer. When you were growing up your family probably told you to dress up for holidays, to go visit family, or for a big family occasion, right? The reasoning behind it was to show respect. It’s the same concept when you go in for an interview. How much you “polish up” shows the person who conducts your interview that you respect them and the interview process.

3. Don’t underestimate the power of a smile

No matter how “sharp” someone may seem on paper, they need to match that in person. Going into a 30-40 minute interview with someone and not flashing a smile can hurt your chances of getting a position. Your employer will be distracted by wondering what is wrong with you rather than being able to conduct an effective interview for you. A smile shows confidence and an overall pleasant personality. It makes people want to get to know you and be around you. When you’re interviewing, you’re not just going in to get a job, you’re about to enter a business family.

4. Body language speaks volumes

Employers will judge your interest and attitude in a position through your body language just as much as from what you do, say, and what is on your resume. The right thing to do during an interview is to sit up straight and have your feet on the floor. Many people think that a “relaxed pose” shows confidence, but in reality it shows a lack of respect or interest in the position. Also, pay attention to where you put your hands, DO NOT have your hands on your lap under the table, you’ll look nervous. You should have one arm on the rest of the chair or on the table. Just as important as your body language is your eye contact. You should face the person who is speaking with you and maintain eye contact.  If you’re a someone who struggles to sit still, hold a pen or pencil if that helps you control it.

5. Mastering the art of “Meet & Greet”

How you greet someone reveals a great deal about your confidence, attitude, and overall demeanor. Learn how to give a GOOD HANDSHAKE. You should always stand for a handshake in business and give yourself space from the person. Maintain open posture, smile, and make eye contact. Also, don’t forget to say your name!

6. Use your interviewer’s name

The sweetest sound that people here is their name. So, us the person who is interviewers name when you meet them and when you leave. You don’t need to sprinkle their name in multiple times throughout the interview, but you should remember what it is.

7. Table Talk

After you go in for your interview, always stand behind the chair and wait to be asked to take a seat. Never place your personal items on the table; you should always place them under your chair or beside you. The only thing on the table should be a portfolio if you have one and a pen.

8. Your phone should never ring

If you have somehow forgotten to turn off your phone and you’re unfortunate enough to have it ring during an interview, you have to do some serious damage control. NEVER answer your phone, simply reach down and turn it off! Then apologize sincerely. At this point you have to show why you are the top candidate for the position so that your lack of preparation for the interview is not what your interviewer remembers.

9. Exit Strategy

When the interview is completed, always reinforce your interest in the position and thank your interviewer for taking time out of their day to meet with you. Make eye contact and shake hands with your interviewer and use their name when you tell them goodbye. If possible, thank the person who greeted you when you arrive as well. This simply, is just good manners. You should have a smile on your face until you are completely out of the building, in your car, and on the road to go home!

10. Post game play

Write a small thank you note to your interviewer within 24-48 hours of the interview. It shows good manners, interest in the position, and that you’ve appreciated the time they have taken out of their day to meet with you for your interview. During your interview make sure you show your people skills. When your interviewer likes you, they will “pull” for you to do well. They will even answer your questions more thoroughly and even relax around you. All of these things will help you to succeed in your interview.

All of these tips are not intended to say that a strong resume is not important, but it’s a way to give yourself the edge over the other person interviewing with you who didn’t take as much care in preparing for the interview as you did!

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. is a privately owned marketing company that specializes in public relations and brand building for our clients. We are committed to providing an opportunity for our people to advance into management within our company. To learn more about Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. and our career opportunities, please visit our website: www.ncg-corp.com

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. Reviews: Winners vs. Losers

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. Reviews: Winners vs. Losers

Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. asked our people some questions today about winners and losers.

How would you classify a winner?

-          Go getter

-          Determined

-          Competitive

-          Self motivated

-          A master of their craft

How would you classify a loser?

-          Quitter

-          Lazy

-          Excuse maker

-          Drama Queen/King

-          Person who has a “dark cloud” following them

Would you think of these people as winners or losers?
1.       Babe Ruth? (Office answer: No)
2.       Jim Carey? (Office answer: No)
3.       Michael Jordan? (Office answer: No)
4.       Jack Nicholas? (Office answer: No)
5.       Billy Joel? (Office answer: No)
 

When we asked them why they thought these people were all winners, the unanimous response was because they are all well known, successful, and they match the reasons why they mentioned earlier as to what defines a winner.

But, what is less known about these people are all the failures that they had to endure to get to the place where they are recognized now for their greatness.

Babe Ruth

-  Holds the record for the most strike-outs in the National Baseball League

            Jim Cary
- Went on 3000 failed auditions before he got his first gig on “In Living Color.”
 

         Michael Jordan

       - Was cut from his high school basketball team and has been missed more than 2000 shots in his career
 

          Jack Nicholas

           -   Has the most 2^nd place wins in Golf
     

           Billy Joel
  -  Was homeless for over 2 years before he finally got his big break in music

So, why doesn’t anyone classify these people as losers?

-          Well, all of them have one thing in common. Determination. No matter how many times they failed at something they kept going. Their dreams were more important than the obstacles that got in their way.

-          No one remembers any of the bad things that happen, all they remember are the good and all that they have accomplished

Facts about winners and losers:
1.       A loser is always part of the problem, A winner is always part of the solution
2.       A loser always has an excuse, a winner always takes responsibility
3.       A loser says, “that’s not my job!” while a winner says, “let me do that for you”
4.       A loser sees the sand trap on the green, a winner see’s the green around the sand trap
5.       A loser says it’s impossible, a winner says, it might e difficult, but it’s not impossible

The only difference between a “winner” and a “loser” is mindset. The only time someone loses is when they give up on reaching their goals. So today and from now on, decide who you want to be. A winner or a loser.

 Northeast Consulting Group, Inc. is a privately owned firm that specializes in direct marketing, brand building, public relations, and consulting for Fairfield County, Connecticut. We are dedicated to providing a predictable career path for our people that leads to an opportunity in management. To learn more about the career opportunities within our company please visit our website at www.ncg-corp.com/ or email our Human Resource Manager Alessandra at hr@ncg-corp.com