Makarios Consulting Blog

Category: Strategic Planning

Active listening skills are crucial to business success

The Consequences of Poor Listening Skills Small business consulting firms will tell you that poor listening leads to costly miscommunication, the consequences of which can be a recipe for failure: Higher stress levels, decreased productivity, increased employee turnover, lawsuits, low moral, misunderstanding, less creativity, poor customer service and a loss of respect. The opposite of these consequences,… Continue reading Active listening skills are crucial to business success

Listening with humility — the most powerful leadership tool, is at the top of the leadership skills list

It can be hard for a business owner or manager to acknowledge that sometimes it’s best to keep the mouth shut and the ears open. Listening is at the top of the leadership skills list, but many find it difficult to practice. Even harder is the ability to listen with humility, as being humble requires… Continue reading Listening with humility — the most powerful leadership tool, is at the top of the leadership skills list

Do what you say you are going to do

Victoria Tifft of Clinical Research Management was recently recognized as the 2012 U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Person of the Year during National Small Business Week. After the awards ceremony, Tifft sat down with Entrepreneur and discussed her strategy for success. She told the periodical, “Make sure that you’ve got a strategy and… Continue reading Do what you say you are going to do

How Business Consulting firms can help you with employee engagement

Employee engagement is a hot topic in the business world as employers find that it takes more than just a paycheck to keep a workforce happy and loyal. The need to include or improve employee engagement programs is so critical that some businesses are opting to use the software applications that monitor the social activities… Continue reading How Business Consulting firms can help you with employee engagement

Slow down — business consulting firms can show you how to make better decisions by slowing the process for decision making

A bad business decision can go a long way toward alienating allies and making enemies. In recent news, Argentina’s seemingly hasty decision to attempt to reclaim the energy company YPF has tarnished its image as a business-friendly country. Good, effective decisions are logical, creative and defendable. Business consulting firms can help you slow down your… Continue reading Slow down — business consulting firms can show you how to make better decisions by slowing the process for decision making

Business Consulting Firms—Removing Barriers to Effective Communication

In the business world, a communication blunder can cost you customers, hurt your relationships with key suppliers and your employees. Citigroup, Inc. recently lost an important shareholder vote, and board chair Richard Parsons blamed poor communication for the company’s failure to secure shareholder approval. With the assistance of business consulting firms, companies can prevent communication… Continue reading Business Consulting Firms—Removing Barriers to Effective Communication