Archive for category change management
new website live
Posted by Volker in cb consulting, change management, customer service, motivation, NLP, performance, SEM, spirituality and business, time management on December 29, 2008
Hello All,
My slightly revamped cb consulting website is live. What do you think?
Volker
Good Reading – Motivational Reading
Posted by Volker in cb consulting, change management, motivation, NLP, personal on November 20, 2008
As mentioned in a post a while back, I was reading Christopher Howard, Turning Passions into Profits. This book is a must read for anyone who likes to know what you can do with NLP.
This book is not for a novice to NLP who think that one could read this book and all your motivation comes true and you know NLP. However, for the experienced practitioner/master practitioner, this book gives a good example of case studies and how to use NLP in a “world context”. Almost too basic for the Master Practitioner it still gives a good overview and idea, or reminds you of topics you should reread, such as sensory acuity.
Me personally, I liked the book. Gives it great examples of sales and negotiation techniques based on NLP and other tools/techniques. The “wow” factor was there, the “I need to revisit that chapter” factor was there, so overall, a very good book to read.
I am sure you will find his websites useful too:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIPzXIBGSA0]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhAHcciWXB0]
Facing the Giants…
Posted by Volker in Buddhism, change management, gtd, leadership, motivation, NLP, personal, spirituality and business on November 9, 2008
I finally watched the whole movie of facing the giants as described in my earlier post. It is a very motivational movie. However, I was surprised that is based around god and the love of god to make it a success.
With having lived in the US for a year a few years ago, I know how important Christianity is in the US and that it helps people to motivate. However, it does not matter which faith you are as long as you believe in something, and someone – yourself.
I am not a great believer in contemporary church but find my spiritual guidance through Buddhism. Latter helps me to stay focus, help others and be motivated in personal life as well as in corporate life.
What wonders me sometimes is that there seems to be this “YES WE CAN” attitude in the USA, the American Dream that just this week was supported by the first ethnic minority president to be in the world. A country that has this approach will always be more confident and be more successful.
In Germany where I grew up and I believe it is similar in most European countries, this attitude is not on the schedule for high school kids. It is more about “this is an American thing” and that is that.
Why are we not taking the positive attitude, the “can do approach” from our big brother and use it to make us more successful, more motivated and more focused in life and work. Without thinking that this is only done “elsewhere”.
I believe we need to incorporate the basic and underlying approach of this attitude in our daily lifes to motivate ourselves and to get where we want to be. No surprise that things like GTD, NLP, Turning Passion into profits are all coming from one country.
In my opinion most of those ideas are based around the basic attitude of reaching out for the stars and making things happen. And to have this vision of reaching things, not to show fear and stay focus. That is not rocket science, is it?
work life balance
Posted by Volker in Buddhism, cb consulting, change management, health, motivation, performance, personal, time management on August 29, 2008
I think the last time I wrote about work life balance was regarding the entrepreneur and intrepreneur.
A thought I had was when I have been working from home, which happens occasionally, whether I have a better or worse work-life-balance.
And, the answer is difficult. I remember that studying for my MBA we discussed that if you work from home, you should get your own room/desk and area in the house. This way you could “go home” after work and relax, e.g. getting your life.
However, for me as an occasional “working from home” person, it is not that easy. A small house with only one proper desk, it is like you are in your living room all day.
Often, when I discuss that with clients, I get the answer of “I would get too distracted at home” – I agree, some people can. For me it is usually the other way around:
I get up my usual time and sit on the laptop about one hour earlier than I usually do. Then, from a lunch point of view, I eat whatever is around and never really feel hungry, ergo do not have a proper break until the late afternoon. Which is, when I go back to my desk and deal with some work over in the US and end up shutting down the laptop around 7 or 8 pm.
Wow, that makes it a full 11 hour day (only noticed that now). And, my way home is quick. I just sit on the other side of the table and end up being home 
Now, there are two sides to that:
I personally get more distracted by work than by home, e.g. I enjoy working and what I do, so end up working more at home but cannot really escape work physically. But, I have enough confidence to turn things off if it is getting too much.
Finding the right balance is important. And, as long as you enjoy the work you are doing, working from home occassionally is fine. However, I actually enjoy being in the office too – even if I am alone in the office. Just to get away from home 
Is that double minded?
I read “big brother’s” comment about life-life balance. There are so many discussions about what is right or wrong and I believe nothing is right or wrong as long as it works for you (and ultimately for the person you work for). If you cannot turn off the laptop when it’s time and you cannot turn off your blackberry when needed, then you do need to work on your priorities. You need to enjoy what you are doing, that is really the key.
Some more Buddhist thoughst on life-life balance can be found at balamadana.
Enjoy a relaxing weekend.
Circumstances – getting things done!
Posted by Volker in cb consulting, change management, motivation, personal, time management on August 27, 2008
People always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them. – George Bernard Shaw
This morning I finished GETTING THINGS DONE by David Allen. The above is a quote from his book. I must say, this book should be compulsory for everyone working. Full stop. Not only Managers, MDs – no everyone. Buy it directly at Amazon!
It shows the right way and attitude on how to be organised, efficient and effective. No more time wasting unless you have too much spare time on you hands And, you will – compared to your current status. You will love this book and the techniques shown.
Also, there are Seminars in London:
Two different seminars are being presented.
The first, GTD Mastering Work Flow, presented on October 23, offers greater focus on actual implementation of the GTD methodology. This seminar is very tactically oriented – how to get quick control using the fundamental thinking process and the five phases of work flow mastery. Led by senior David Allen company consultants, this seminar will provide insights and guidelines for implementation of tools and techniques in your daily workflow. Learn more about this seminar series here.
The second seminar, GTD The Roadmap, is a one day event led by David Allen, on October 24, to introduce you to Getting Things Done concepts and principles. GTD The RoadMap offers a higher level, more theoretical overview of the GTD concepts. The seminar will focus on the whole picture of the self-consulting process, including prioritizing from multiple horizons, applying the core productivity principles, and making change stick, also offering the opportunity to see David Allen live. You can learn more about the GTD The Roadmap seminar series here.
Enjoy. Volker!
Intrapreneurs and Entrepreneurs – work life balance
Posted by Volker in cb consulting, change management, health, leadership, performance, time management on August 22, 2008
Some Friday reading I picked up:
MT article on Intrapreneurs, very interesting! And, same publication, one about entrepreneurs and work life balance.
Very interesting stuff. Does that mean I am better off and healthier if I work as an intrapreneur?
Have a good weekend
Volker
Time – Bank Holiday Weekend :-)
Posted by Volker in Buddhism, cb consulting, change management, motivation, personal, spirituality and business on August 22, 2008
I have been quiet the last couple of days. Mainly because I have started to think about a lot of things.
Some are directly related to my work and life that for obvious reasons I would not like to share here 
Nothing to worry about of course.
However, there are some other thoughts on life that I am more than happy to share, it is my conversation with Marcelo, my Buddhist friend and ex monk on our Buddhist and Management Blog. Maybe you have some input on our thoughts.
Also, as a frequent flyer I am concerned with the safety of flights after the Madrid accident. Unfortunately those things happen and one should probably not think about it. But, it also naggs on me for some reason.
So, I am taking this bank holiday weekend off from all obligations and will be back as normal next week.
Have a good one, Volker
Getting Things done
Posted by Volker in change management, motivation, personal, time management on July 16, 2008
I notice that more and more people contact me about what I write here. So I would encourage you all to leave a comment too and of course, please link to my site.
Getting Things done is the title of a new book I started reading this week.
getting things done
I have read many management books and many time management books. cb consulting offers time management seminars also. So there are really two reasons for me reading this book.
a) David Allen suggests that the old time management techniques like A/B/C prioritising and planning methods are a little out of date. Therefore for me offering trainings I like to offer the most valid way of an effective time management training.
b) as part of my “new life” I need to find a way to deal with hundreds of emails, unexpected work loads, processing information and Getting Things Done! So ultimately it offers me hands-on support in my daily job. Whilst job is defined as any kind of work you carry out, e.g. DIY, gardening etc. (definition by Allen).
I try to keep you up to speed whilst I read this book. Most interesting in the beginning is the theory of the pebble you throw into a pond. It will form some ripples but then it eases out and the pond is still again. That is how you should be able to deal with your work load in order to not stress.
I keep you posted.
Volker
New Life
Posted by Volker in change management, motivation, personal on July 15, 2008
Hello All,
Facebook – after publishing my new status “starting a new life, everyday now” I got a few requests about what I am up to?
No, I am not getting a divorce or change my job. Everything is fine and I am more than happy with both! However….there is always a BUT.
Really, the last 4 weeks with us moving into the new place, the job being more than busy and me having little time to un-wind, lead me to have a good think over the weekend. Never have I been so worn out, tired and exhausted for such a long time.
So, I will change my life, a bit everyday. Planning in some “me time”, “exercise”, “knowledge”, “fun”, “friends”, “family” etc. – just to consciously making life more live-able. Making sure I enjoy what I am doing and have the work life balance or life-life balance.
No rocket science really but I think that I haven’t really had time lately to focus on the nice things in life. And if I had the time I did not use it. So all I do is a re-cap and a more conscious living.
Thanks, Volker
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