https://rickbaker.ca/category/business-contains-only-3-things/ Rick Baker's Thought Posts — plain-spoken writing on leadership, business values, communication, habits, and the people side of building a business. Publishing since 2008. en-ca https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-things-come-in-little-packages-thats-the-key-to-excellent-work-process-success-process-task/https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-things-come-in-little-packages-thats-the-key-to-excellent-work-process-success-process-task/Thu, 24 Jun 2021 07:38:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Dr. Richard Carlson taught - " Don't sweat the small stuff ". That's good advice as long as it confined within the following… https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-let-yourself-get-so-busy-you-let-situations-catch-you-unpreparedanticipate-situations-plan-ahead/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-let-yourself-get-so-busy-you-let-situations-catch-you-unpreparedanticipate-situations-plan-ahead/Tue, 01 Jun 2021 07:57:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet So many people think they are ' too busy ' when the reality is they are 'too unprepared'. They live a business life consumed by… https://rickbaker.ca/post/inspire-business-people-by-letting-them-know-that-you-know-what-they-do-when-they-are-at-work/https://rickbaker.ca/post/inspire-business-people-by-letting-them-know-that-you-know-what-they-do-when-they-are-at-work/Sun, 30 May 2021 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet If you believe people know what you do when you are at work then check again ...you may be quite surprised to find others have… https://rickbaker.ca/post/few-situations-provide-opportunities-to-do-big-things-all-situations-provide-opportunities-to-do-small-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/few-situations-provide-opportunities-to-do-big-things-all-situations-provide-opportunities-to-do-small-things/Sat, 29 May 2021 07:13:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet All situations offer, at least, small learning experiences. All situations provide the opportunity for self-discovery and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/other-people-prefer-it-when-you-are-present-minded-rather-than-absent-minded-focus/https://rickbaker.ca/post/other-people-prefer-it-when-you-are-present-minded-rather-than-absent-minded-focus/Sun, 16 May 2021 07:52:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet 'Getting present' is a Focus exercise...a mind-process of narrowing and fixing attention. 'Staying present' is a Concentration… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-will-must-win-at-all-costs-expectations-become-blind-to-the-realities-of-situations/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-will-must-win-at-all-costs-expectations-become-blind-to-the-realities-of-situations/Sat, 15 May 2021 07:41:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Some people cannot adjust their thinking to fit the realities of the situations at hand. Some people cannot even begin to untie… https://rickbaker.ca/post/self-knowledge-is-the-often-overlooked-success-ingredient-knowthyself/https://rickbaker.ca/post/self-knowledge-is-the-often-overlooked-success-ingredient-knowthyself/Wed, 12 May 2021 07:06:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet People who have a thorough understanding of themselves do better as business leaders. They understand their strengths and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/duplication-annoys-some-people-others-recognize-repetition-is-a-key-to-learning-communication/https://rickbaker.ca/post/duplication-annoys-some-people-others-recognize-repetition-is-a-key-to-learning-communication/Mon, 03 May 2021 07:35:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Efficiency happens when things are done right the first time. Efficiency happens when people learn and remember. Some people… https://rickbaker.ca/post/discipline-yourself-if-you-wish-to-persuade-others-discipline/https://rickbaker.ca/post/discipline-yourself-if-you-wish-to-persuade-others-discipline/Thu, 29 Apr 2021 07:50:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet Do what I say not what I do does not cut it. Probably, most of us can remember incidents when we were children and adults in… https://rickbaker.ca/post/mediocrity-happens-when-we-live-under-the-wings-of-our-bad-habits-habits-2021/https://rickbaker.ca/post/mediocrity-happens-when-we-live-under-the-wings-of-our-bad-habits-habits-2021/Tue, 27 Apr 2021 07:26:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Bad Habits follow us like shadows. Bad Habits make us mediocre. We can replace Bad Habits with Good Habits ...it's a matter of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/written-goals-dont-just-help-you-set-your-work-priorities-they-help-you-define-your-personal-values/https://rickbaker.ca/post/written-goals-dont-just-help-you-set-your-work-priorities-they-help-you-define-your-personal-values/Wed, 14 Apr 2021 07:14:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Values , Purpose, Vision , Rules , & Goals are not discreet, stand-alone concepts. They are intertwined. For most People, they… https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-structureshouldnt-your-people-see-your-business-at-least-as-solid-as-the-building-you-work-in/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-structureshouldnt-your-people-see-your-business-at-least-as-solid-as-the-building-you-work-in/Tue, 13 Apr 2021 07:13:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Overall, small and mid-sized businesses lack the structure they need to be sustainable, let alone be excellent. Business is… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-communicate-the-processes-you-use-influence-people-more-than-the-logic-you-express/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-communicate-the-processes-you-use-influence-people-more-than-the-logic-you-express/Tue, 09 Mar 2021 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet According to Chip Heath and Dan Heath ['Decisive', 2013] " When the researchers compared whether process or analysis was more… https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-habit-thing-lurks-around-urgency-and-allows-it-to-beat-importance-time-after-time/https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-habit-thing-lurks-around-urgency-and-allows-it-to-beat-importance-time-after-time/Thu, 18 Feb 2021 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When we face urgent situations they almost always capture our attention and action...even if we know we should be doing… https://rickbaker.ca/post/discipline-its-about-teaching-learning-accepting-correct-ways-of-doing-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/discipline-its-about-teaching-learning-accepting-correct-ways-of-doing-things/Wed, 17 Feb 2021 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Discipline is about embracing rules & accountability . Discipline is about directing actions toward goals . https://rickbaker.ca/post/for-situations-you-cannot-control-learn-how-to-avoid-feeling-anger-anxiety-fear-frustration/https://rickbaker.ca/post/for-situations-you-cannot-control-learn-how-to-avoid-feeling-anger-anxiety-fear-frustration/Fri, 29 Jan 2021 07:40:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When people find themselves in situations they cannot control their reaction is, naturally, one of discomfort . For some… https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-comment-for-the-media-bad-news-does-not-have-to-make-such-good-news/https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-comment-for-the-media-bad-news-does-not-have-to-make-such-good-news/Mon, 21 Dec 2020 07:20:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We can choose to avoid or choose to limit our exposure to negative situations , experiences, and people . Bad news does not… https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-takes-two-to-tug-of-warunless-of-course-you-choose-to-battle-people-in-your-head/https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-takes-two-to-tug-of-warunless-of-course-you-choose-to-battle-people-in-your-head/Tue, 15 Dec 2020 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It takes two to tango; it takes two to tangle; it takes two to tug-of-war. And, more often than not, the two must bring an… https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-are-more-inclined-to-follow-than-to-lead-good-followers-enjoy-huge-opportunities/https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-are-more-inclined-to-follow-than-to-lead-good-followers-enjoy-huge-opportunities/Sun, 29 Nov 2020 07:06:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet One of the most graphic examples is mob behaviour . A few mob leaders can inspire destruction and pillaging from many...just… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-busier-we-are-the-less-we-rememberdont-fight-ituse-check-lists/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-busier-we-are-the-less-we-rememberdont-fight-ituse-check-lists/Fri, 27 Nov 2020 07:49:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Writing things down: it's a simple thing to do...it's also a powerful strategy for aiding memory and a powerful tactic for… https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-are-more-inclined-to-follow-than-to-lead-this-can-be-painfully-clear-when-egos-are-unleashed/https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-are-more-inclined-to-follow-than-to-lead-this-can-be-painfully-clear-when-egos-are-unleashed/Mon, 21 Sep 2020 07:23:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet One of the most graphic examples is mob behaviour . A few mob leaders can inspire destruction and pillaging from many...just… https://rickbaker.ca/post/disciplined-thoughts-lead-to-successful-actions-habits/https://rickbaker.ca/post/disciplined-thoughts-lead-to-successful-actions-habits/Mon, 07 Sep 2020 07:21:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Or, we could just leave things to chance and self-confidence...however, at the very least, that would deprive us of the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/automated-reporting-tools-only-work-when-managers-are-doing-the-right-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/automated-reporting-tools-only-work-when-managers-are-doing-the-right-things/Mon, 31 Aug 2020 07:39:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Reporting tools: at the interface of management people and process If managers are doing the right things then automated report… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-change-the-world-then-spend-20-minutes-a-day-working-on-self-understanding-knowthyself/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-change-the-world-then-spend-20-minutes-a-day-working-on-self-understanding-knowthyself/Tue, 21 Jul 2020 07:11:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The question was asked at the HBR LInkedIn group..." How can we change society? Just give one step which you feel will change… https://rickbaker.ca/post/strong-leaders-excel-at-using-their-talents-knowledge-and-skills-strong-leaders-influence-others-to-do-that-same-thing/https://rickbaker.ca/post/strong-leaders-excel-at-using-their-talents-knowledge-and-skills-strong-leaders-influence-others-to-do-that-same-thing/Wed, 24 Jun 2020 07:20:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Strength = Innate Talent [as signalled by STRENGTHSFINDER Top 5 Talent Themes] + Opportunity [which leaders are obligated to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/none-of-us-can-forecast-the-future-the-best-we-can-do-is-predictdo-our-bestthen-deal-with-actual-situations/https://rickbaker.ca/post/none-of-us-can-forecast-the-future-the-best-we-can-do-is-predictdo-our-bestthen-deal-with-actual-situations/Mon, 01 Jun 2020 07:30:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet About Planning: Why plan? Who should plan? etc. Predict! When the word 'plan' [as in 'strategic plan'] annoys people, don't… https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-people-take-the-same-route-to-work-every-dayif-that-route-is-blocked-they-dont-get-to-work/https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-people-take-the-same-route-to-work-every-dayif-that-route-is-blocked-they-dont-get-to-work/Thu, 21 May 2020 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Human Beings all creatures of habit. While considering our goals we always have many routes to achieve them. However, sometimes… https://rickbaker.ca/post/100-grams-of-planning-is-worth-a-tonne-of-excuses/https://rickbaker.ca/post/100-grams-of-planning-is-worth-a-tonne-of-excuses/Sun, 26 Apr 2020 07:56:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Some things are worthy of forethought. Some things are worthy of planning . Some situations can and should be anticipated. https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-let-your-desire-for-metrics-and-measures-overrule-your-common-sense/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-let-your-desire-for-metrics-and-measures-overrule-your-common-sense/Sat, 11 Apr 2020 07:08:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Measurements help us understand our progress. Measurements are of little value when managers fail to exercise common sense and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seeing-the-big-picture-drilling-down-into-the-details/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seeing-the-big-picture-drilling-down-into-the-details/Thu, 25 May 2017 08:39:00 -0500Strategic Thinking & Attention to Details : for a business leader, what's the right balance between these two things? Some business leaders think they can… https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-matters-is-what-youre-going-to-do-next/https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-matters-is-what-youre-going-to-do-next/Thu, 02 Mar 2017 07:23:00 -0500It doesn't matter what you've done or what you know or even who you know. What matters is what you're going to do next and, of more importance, whether or… https://rickbaker.ca/post/15-ways-to-influence-thinking-inspire-action/https://rickbaker.ca/post/15-ways-to-influence-thinking-inspire-action/Thu, 22 Dec 2016 14:45:00 -0500Vision inspires Leadership has a few essential ingredients. For example, the leader must possess a level of intelligence and the leader must possess a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/persist-repeatand-learn-how-to-handle-tough-situations/https://rickbaker.ca/post/persist-repeatand-learn-how-to-handle-tough-situations/Tue, 05 Jan 2016 21:51:00 -0500You have intelligence. You have self-control. You have 2 of the 3 essential ingredients required to handle even the toughest situations. And, the toughest… https://rickbaker.ca/post/know-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/know-people/Wed, 23 Dec 2015 07:30:00 -0500Father-to-Son Business Lesson #19 Below is a note sent by me to my son, over 5 years ago. This note was #19 in a long series of father-to-son Business… https://rickbaker.ca/post/perhaps-it-is-time-to-revisit-personal-values/https://rickbaker.ca/post/perhaps-it-is-time-to-revisit-personal-values/Thu, 03 Dec 2015 16:35:00 -0500During a conversation last Friday, we were discussing personal values and my friend said something like, “ Well, they bring their values with them ”. This… https://rickbaker.ca/post/breaking-bad-habits/https://rickbaker.ca/post/breaking-bad-habits/Tue, 11 Aug 2015 07:00:00 -0500First of all, this is not going to be about breaking bad habits . It's going to be about replacing bad habits. If you insist on breaking bad habits then I’d… https://rickbaker.ca/post/are-you-superior-to-circumstances/https://rickbaker.ca/post/are-you-superior-to-circumstances/Thu, 09 Jul 2015 20:06:00 -0500”Our main thinking habit is to analyse situations so that we can recognize standard situations and then apply standard answers.” Edward de Bono ` The Six… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-the-going-gets-toughyou-must-tell-the-tough-people-how-to-get-going/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-the-going-gets-toughyou-must-tell-the-tough-people-how-to-get-going/Tue, 17 Mar 2015 18:47:00 -0500There are many strategies and systems for dealing with tough People and tough Situations [involving, of course, People]. Most of these strategies and systems… https://rickbaker.ca/post/influence-is-the-essence-of-leadership/https://rickbaker.ca/post/influence-is-the-essence-of-leadership/Wed, 14 Jan 2015 12:16:00 -0500Influence is the Essence of Leadership — a Thought Post by Rick Baker, 2015. https://rickbaker.ca/post/do-you-want-to-expand-your-insight-power/https://rickbaker.ca/post/do-you-want-to-expand-your-insight-power/Wed, 24 Dec 2014 11:36:00 -0500Entrepreneurs have deal-doing insight . Good salespeople have deal-doing Insight , which can be defined as: a natural, deep capacity to understand people and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-people-are-happy-performing-the-routine-day-to-day-work-some-are-not/https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-people-are-happy-performing-the-routine-day-to-day-work-some-are-not/Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:24:00 -0500Some people are happy performing the routine day-to-day things in life, including routine work. Other people yearn for more variety in their work. The people… https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-in-corrals/https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-in-corrals/Thu, 09 Oct 2014 07:12:00 -0500Situations can corral you. Much like corrals help tame and control spirited horses, situations can alter your behaviour and your thinking. Corralled… https://rickbaker.ca/post/developing-your-positive-mental-attitude/https://rickbaker.ca/post/developing-your-positive-mental-attitude/Mon, 22 Sep 2014 20:09:00 -0500Above and beyond everything else, Courage is the mind state that promotes positive mental attitude. Like every other mind state, with focused and persistent… https://rickbaker.ca/post/multi-tasking-somehow-successful-people-get-itnaturally-others-require-much-self-discipline-practice/https://rickbaker.ca/post/multi-tasking-somehow-successful-people-get-itnaturally-others-require-much-self-discipline-practice/Sat, 06 Sep 2014 14:19:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet ‘Tools’ are required. 'Atmosphere' is required. 'Support' is required. 'Mentoring' is ideal. And, there is more... In any… https://rickbaker.ca/post/success-contains-a-blend-of-free-disciplined-thinking/https://rickbaker.ca/post/success-contains-a-blend-of-free-disciplined-thinking/Fri, 05 Sep 2014 11:13:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Creativity versus Logic . Entrepreneurship versus Big Business. Rock Logic versus Water Logic . Einstein versus Socrates. The… https://rickbaker.ca/post/discipline-is-the-key-to-expanding-talent/https://rickbaker.ca/post/discipline-is-the-key-to-expanding-talent/Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:43:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When discipline is absent Talent is dormant, submerged, and wasted. That's why discipline is a good thing. Discipline serves a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/meetings-communication-culture/https://rickbaker.ca/post/meetings-communication-culture/Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:34:00 -0500Business Contains Only 3 Things: People, Process, & Situations … and … People Do Only 3 Things: Good Habits, Bad Habits, & New Things Meetings should be… https://rickbaker.ca/post/at-the-interface-of-management-people-and-management-process/https://rickbaker.ca/post/at-the-interface-of-management-people-and-management-process/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 14:57:00 -0500Reports and reporting tools sit at the interface between management People and management Process. If managers are doing the right things then automated… https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-3-step-strategy-for-solving-problems/https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-3-step-strategy-for-solving-problems/Fri, 25 Jul 2014 11:55:00 -0500Step 1 of 3: Identify the form of the Problem Problems appear in three forms: The problems you perceive in the form of other People's thoughts, behaviours or… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-law-of-attractionfor-unbelievers/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-law-of-attractionfor-unbelievers/Mon, 14 Jul 2014 08:00:00 -0500When you have a positive mindset you tend to see the positive things in situations and people. When you are upbeat and enthusiastic about the future you tend…