Common Sense PR features a plethora of business advice from “admit when you’re wrong” to “when you say you’re sorry, mean it.” Eric Eggertson asked for the best business advice from his readers and some were so good I thought it was worth repeating, nuggets like “drive by the lines and you’ll drive into a ditch; steer by the stars and you’ll stay true to your course.”
At the start of a new year, advice is always free flowing. Cathie Black, president of Hearst Magazines, revealed a few of her own in her new book, “Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life).”
* Be accessible
* Keep your emotions in check
* Invent ways to stir debate
* Dress for the occasion
And the biggest lesson Black says she learned came from her years working with Rupert Murdoch at New York Magazine. She said he told her, “When you stand, meetings are always shorter. Boil down your most important points to eight minutes.”
I agree with all of them, but if I had to add best business advice I’ve learned over the years it would be “be kind to everyone you meet, from the janitor to the editorial aides to the president, you never know how your paths may cross in the future.”
What’s your best business advice?
At all costs, be human. We tend to revert to these weird personas. Be a human. Here’s a secret: there are HUMANS inside all businesses.
Beyond that, use small words but big ideas.
I would definitely agree with Chris on this one – I think of myself as a people person. The business is important but the business would not be there without the people.
Provide an atmosphere where people get excited about the work/where they are at – whether you are a CEO or the entry level worker.
I’d like to somewhat echo the last two comments by saying that one has to have fun. If business feels like it’s a means to an end or really dry then no one’s really winning. I mean, what’s the point of business progress if you don’t feel any better about it?
My approach to business is to be honest and plafyul/fun whenever I can, letting my personality out–it throws off clients at first, but it makes the relationship so much easier as time goes on and everyone’s relaxed.