Communicate to Win: 014 – Big Rule #3: The Rule of ThirdsThe previous posts of the Communicate to Win series, we covered the the Magic Number Seven Rule and the Pyramid Rule. If you follow the Magic Number 7 (+/- 2) rule, nine points are the maximum number you’ll use at one time in a presentation. But I often get asked, “What is the ideal number? How many key points should I present? How much should I put on a slide? Generally, I suggest three, leading us to Big Rule #3: the Rule of Thirds. Read more
Free PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #091: Strategy vs. TacticsEach week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This week, we bring you a template illustrating the differences between strategy and tactics. Read more
Communicate to Win: 013 – Big Rule #2: The Pyramid RuleIn the previous Communicate to Win post, we looked at the Big Rule #1: the Magic Seven Rule. We walked through an exercise where you tried to remember a list of 10 countries, but were likely successful in remembering only seven, give or take. In this post, I’ll address Big Rule # 2: the Pyramid Rule, its use with your audience and how its application will most certainly help you remember more countries on list continuing with the same example. Read more
Free PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #090: ComplexityEach week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This week we bring you a template illustrating the complexities everyone faces in business. Read more
Communicate to Win: 012 – Big Rule #1: The Magic Number Seven RuleHoward Schultz grew Starbucks from a Seattle boutique into the global mega-brand we all know today. At one time, he left Starbucks, but agreed to come back in 2008. In his first letter to employees upon his return, he said the company must shift its focus away from “bureaucracy” and back to customers. He wanted to focus on “Big Rules,” such as customer service, instead of checking boxes on the forms created to run the business. Read more
Communicate to Win: 011 – RACI MatrixAs I have noted in my last few posts, the problem solving process requires a lot of effort. Research at each of the four steps is very involved. Here, I take a look at the RACI matrix, which is a responsibility chart to help assign resources to action items. You can use this tool not only as part of this problem-solving process, but also to assign responsibilities connected to any set of tasks within your organization. Read more
Free PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #089: Play in the SandboxEach week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This week, we bring you a template to illustrate the demand on resources. Read more
In the previous post, I addressed steps 1 and 2, Structure the Issue and Plan an Analysis, for solving a problem. I’ll continue the discussion with steps 3 and 4, Execute the Analysis and Find the Solution. Read more
Free PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #088: Things are ChangingEach week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This week, we bring you a change management plan. Read more
Communicate to Win: 009 – Four Steps to Solving ProblemsIn previous posts, I addressed the process of defining the problem. Now, you can get down to business and take satisfaction in solving the problem. During this process, you’ll use project management tools that plan the project phases, map the workflow and arrive at a solution. Read more