Business Tips Part Three

One time-tested method is to isolate the relevant and specific facts from personal opinion. The most significant hurdle is to consciously put a barrier between personal beliefs and experiences in a way that still allows you to draw on your expertise, but tailor it to the specific client. You can test that by asking yourself if you would give the same advice to another client. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2019/01/07/14-strategies-for-ensuring-personal-biases-dont-affect-your-business-relationships/#6987c8ed6337

There is no better way to get ahead of cultural shifts within the organization then maintaining a feedback loop from bottom to top. The impact of departing leaders is likely to be felt on the front lines first. Enabling those employees to voice their observations and/or shifts in culture can serve as an early warning sign that can be dealt with before it becomes an issue.

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2019/01/04/13-methods-for-maintaining-your-company-culture-when-leadership-changes/#48a97d8f79cc

Bio: Small business advisor helping you increase profitability and productivity, offering Remote CMO and Remote COO services Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/kamyarshah/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamyar.shah/

The most viable way to illustrate leadership is to show a student mindset. In a new organization, there are many things that are unknown to a new leader. It is important to show that you as a leader want to understand and learn those things before expecting to be taken seriously as a leader. Combine that with seeking advice from current leadership and you have a winning combination. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2019/01/03/14-ways-to-establish-yourself-as-a-new-leader-in-business/#2a0139fe2775

Bio: Small business advisor helping you increase profitability and productivity, offering Remote CMO and Remote COO services Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/kamyarshah/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamyar.shah/

From a practical standpoint, it is all about creating a “necessity.” Human behavior is most likely to adapt when changes are a matter of survival. The most effective method I have seen work is to create that necessity. Put those that you perceive as not trusting each other into a team and define the project success in a way that forces trust building. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/12/28/14-ways-for-business-leaders-to-build-team-cohesion/#756f155e57f4

Though it may sound counterintuitive, I recommend my clients build their personal brand to help their business brand. The logic and success behind such an approach are because of the way we relate to brands. A well-recognized personal brand can easily transfer credibility and loyalty to a business brand. It is the same reason why influencer marketing works so well. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/12/21/15-strategies-for-turning-a-lackluster-brand-around/#3dc018d3b7d9

One of the biggest pitfalls I have observed in entrepreneurship is the ability to get actionable and real advice. To get there, one has to be able to discern real and practical advice from fake and useless “experts” or “ninjas.” This is easier said than done. The only true way to avoid that is to get referrals from people that have successfully utilized such experts. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/12/18/14-common-pitfalls-new-entrepreneurs-face-and-how-to-avoid-them/#6637fc3e452f

One of the techniques that I have seen work very well with growing your podcast is asking your listeners for reviews. The podcasting market is saturated with a lot of different choices. In order to stand out and differentiate your podcast from the market noise, ask your viewers to leave reviews, no matter how small your audience. Those reviews will attract more listeners quickly. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/12/05/launching-your-first-podcast-follow-these-eight-tips-for-success/#3c5990ab4a66

In this day and age where data is freely collected, analyzed and shared, there is no reason NOT to make data-driven decisions whenever possible. By measuring and analyzing the results, you are dramatically increasing your chances of success and eliminating the need to guess.

Thanks to Kamyar Shah

Originally published at https://rescue.ceoblognation.com/2018/12/07/entrepreneurs-share-their-best-business-tips-4/

A sure way to anticipate and be prepared for potential issues is to understand and utilize the”decision tree” methodology. Think of it as playing out different outcomes based on different decisions. If you apply it consistently to all major decisions, you will very likely be able to be proactive when potential issues arise. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/12/14/15-tips-to-become-a-proactive-business-problem-solver/#4e93516771f9

“As the saying goes, hire for character and train for skills. Though it sounds cliché, it is even more fitting today than it was a few years back,” said Kamyar Shah, a business and management consultant at World Consulting Group, a management consulting firm. “There are several issues in hiring and recruiting in the current market; however, the two issues with the biggest impact are unqualified recruiters and unrealistic expectations.”

Shah went on to say, “The first one—unqualified HR professionals that are not nearly familiar with the job specifications—has a huge impact on the outcome. For example, recruiters hiring for advanced marketing positions that never have worked a day in marketing or recruiters seeking highly skilled data scientists without having the ability to discern the applicant’s resume. The second factor is the unrealistic expectations—I see it almost weekly, where a recruiter is out and about contacting only the applicants that are a near perfect match to the job description.”

Originally published at: https://relate.zendesk.com/articles/hire-potential-and-attitude-or-experience/

Kamyar is a small business advisor helping businesses to increase profitability and productivity, offering CMO and Remote COO services. Kamyar has 15+ years of experience and has worked with a wide range of organizations ranging from start-ups to large organizations. His goal for clients is to achieve a profitable and drama free business.

What is the biggest mistake you see executives making in Social Media?
The most common mistakes I have observed during hiring for C level personnel/position is a mixture of professional social media presence with personal topics and/or political posts. This is almost always a mistake and is likely to be detrimental to overall career development.

What is your number one recommendation when it comes to Social Media for someone who is looking to be placed in an executive position?
To combat this common error, the safest way is to have separate accounts for business and personal use; whereby the personal accounts should be private and only visible to family and friends.

Which social network do you feel is most important for C-suite and executives to be active on?
It is hard to recommend one single social media platform for all professional because there are niche networks specializing in a specific niche and industries. However; a great place to start is LinkedIn: it has the widest reach and is generally regarded as THE platform for professionals.

What is your advice for younger talent in their use of social media?
The bottom line for younger talent is rather simple: if you put “it” online, the cat is out of the bag. Even with private accounts, a simple change in privacy setting, being hacked or the network being compromised would put that information at risk of being publicly available for viewing by potential future employers. My personal advice to my clients is rather simple: if you wouldn’t show “it” to your mother; don’t post it online.

Originally published at https://socialdraft.com/social-reputation-management-for-executives/

Spending time with individual team members is the most time-tested style of successful leadership. Such leadership style requires discipline and planning. It is easier done in small and midsize businesses than large organization. However, considering that the direct reports are usually smaller groups, it is still viable. It could be as simple as having a cup of coffee and listening to the person. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/11/16/smart-daily-habits-that-will-make-you-a-better-leader/#40bb0a817675

The one question that almost always trips candidates is: What else should I have asked you about? This is usually asked at the end of the interview. From experience, most applicants are either shocked or outright speechless. Those who are able to quickly and calmly point to some of their strengths that were not brought up during the interview will leave the interviewer with a lasting impact. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/11/06/15-off-the-wall-interview-questions-you-should-know-how-to-answer/#42a07f3478d5

Becoming a leader is not something that occurs quickly or easily. The most effective way to be recognized as a leader is to help others become leaders. That servant leadership will inherently translate into authority, credibility and, eventually, the recognition of being a leader. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/11/06/managing-more-experienced-colleagues-13-ways-to-establish-yourself-as-a-leader/#31be2cc13a66

Before making such a profound career change, the most important factor to consider is your risk tolerance. Entrepreneurship is inherently a risky proposition that may lead to uncharted situations with immense risks. If you are not willing to take such risks, it is unlikely for you to be able to cope with the uncertainties of entrepreneurship. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/11/06/think-youre-ready-to-quit-your-day-job-11-entrepreneurs-offer-their-advice/#6b4b62125aca

One of the biggest myths is that a structured day is inherently the basis of good time management. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Productivity, effectiveness, efficiency and time management require individualization for maximum results. Hence, one has to experiment to find what works for him/her. It is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

>Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/11/05/11-time-management-myths-that-are-hurting-your-productivity/#4a3793324f80

There is no single path to entrepreneurship; some are born that way, others are made. The nature vs. nurture discussion is pointless. Much like anything else in life everyone’s path is unique because everyone journey is unique. The one common factor though is the unwillingness to give up; most entrepreneurs are not successful by the first attempt. That unwillingness to give up is what leads to success.

Thanks to Kamyar Shah

Originally published at https://teach.ceoblognation.com/2018/10/31/22-entrepreneurs-debate-if-you-can-learn-to-be-an-entrepreneur/

From personal experiences, the most effective way to stay lean is to adopt cash-flow-based decision making. This particular methodology allows you to adjust your growth wisely and without running into financial issues. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/10/26/want-to-run-a-lean-startup-follow-these-15-money-saving-tips/#79dffa1b273e

One of the most common signs of being in the wrong role or organization is boredom. When you find yourselves doing your job without enthusiasm and are easily distracted by minor issues, it is a sure sign that you need to make a change. While we all experience boredom sometimes, it is important to differentiate between occasional boredom and consistent boredom. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally post at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/10/26/13-clear-signs-your-job-isnt-the-right-fit-for-you/#4d8de04344a3

There are many ways to keep the company leadership in the loop about their employees’ satisfaction; however, one particular method that has worked well for my clients is employee advocacy. Enlist a designated employee who can keep the feedback loop open without the feedback backfiring on a specific employee. That employee can communicate concerns up the chain without fear of consequences. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/10/19/heres-how-to-create-an-employee-feedback-cycle-that-actually-works/#3e3a1cd6324a

Kamyar Shah feels best practices actually stifle creativity and success:

The concept of best practices is rather a misguided notion of uniformity and groupthink that at best stifle effectiveness and efficiency and at worst create a tremendous burden on organizational success.

I have made a habit to use best practices ONLY as a starting point.

For instance; in marketing strategy planning I help my clients to start with a comprehensive overview of all platforms and channels, yet quickly help them discard those that are not suited for their product or services.<

On the other hand, some basic digital marketing best practices, such as standard on-page optimizations, are simply a must.

In HR projects, I encourage my clients to explore non-traditional methodology in the recruiting and selection process instead of the best practices that are currently standards for many organizations.

The bottom line is that the concept of best practices is generally either misunderstood or wrongly implemented.It was never meant to be a uniform SOP for every organization; only a set of basics to serve as a starting point.

Success comes from the adaption of those best practices to the individual business based on its leadership style and product/service selections.

Originally published at https://spinsucks.com/social-media/spin-sucks-question-best-practices/?

One of the best tips I have ever received as well as given is built relationships. There is a profound impact created by a long-term relationship with peers and other professionals. Those relationships that evolve in mutual respect and recognition tend to impact how your business grows. As the saying goes Your network is your net worth.

Thanks to Kamyar Shah

Originally published at https://rescue.ceoblognation.com/2018/10/14/entrepreneurs-share-their-best-business-tips-2/

Kamyar Shah is a small business advisor helping you increase profitability and productivity, offering CMO and Remote COO services.

Has less to do with creativity than it has with the methodology. Sure, there can be one-offs in which one particular idea gets the attention of employees, but it is by no means the way an organization should have creativity as its main engagement strategy.

The true way to have long-term and consistent employee engagement is to involve the employees themselves. Their input and requests should be the most significant element of the employee engagement program. Couple it with a consistent feedback loop and you have yourselves a winning employee engagement strategy.

Originally published at: https://www.wonolo.com/blog/creative-ways-managers-can-keep-employees-engaged/

Having worked ly for various size organizations as an independent contractor for 15-plus years, the most vital strategy by far is to manage your reputation. It starts with a very simple proposition: underpromise and overdeliver. It is the basis for asking your happy customers for referrals. You will be surprised how this methodology alone creates a steady flow of leads. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/10/01/thriving-in-the-gig-economy-15-key-strategies-for-success/#767d00151357

“A small business can easily explain the difference in pay scale by providing the formula that was used to calculate each scale as well as a qualitative comparison in job description and responsibilities,” said Kamyar Shah, a business consultant. “The key is transparency in data sharing.”

Originally published at: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/11077-pros-cons-salary-transparency.html

The mantra of “show, don’t tell” holds true here. In the technology sector, the best bet to illustrate your credibility is by providing case studies of current or former clients. If that is not available, demonstration of skill set is a good alternative: think webinars, tutorials, etc. Ultimately, credibility is proven by results. Show results and your credibility will grow. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/10/03/small-company-big-success-10-ways-to-prove-credibility-to-your-customers/#62759b54666f

Kamyar Shah, Fractional CMO

1) How should companies be treating their employer brand, especially in comparison to their consumer brand?

The differentiation between employee and employer brand is futile; those two have a symbiotic relationship. The same goes for consumer brands.

2) Do they both matter?

Of course both matter. Positive branding from any aspect and any level usually has a positive impact on overall brand perception. The brand value is transferable both in-depth and breadth.

3) How should companies balance both?

It needs to be a cumulative effort that enables branding from any/every level. The benefits are mutual to all; employee, employer and the company. The storytelling portion of a brand can work its way all the way up to the corporate level.

Originally published at https://b2b.kununu.com/blog/marketing-and-hr-employer-branding-from-a-marketers-perspective

There is really no secret to preventing burnout. Much like any other project, it’s all about prioritization and time management. If tasks are properly planned, delegated and executed, there is no need for anyone to be overwhelmed or overworked. Couple that with proper time management and the burnout issue will be unlikely to even surface. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/09/28/13-ways-to-prevent-burnout-before-it-happens/#121a7f1e79b1

Call it what you like — word-of-mouth or organic branding — but the gist will remain the same: End-user satisfaction that’s publicized is the answer. There’s really no better way to beat a larger company and even the playing fields. Get your happy user to say so and say it publicly online. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/09/25/ten-powerful-ways-to-position-your-startup-against-the-tech-giants/#7e2c58f3581a

There is really no secret to preventing burnout. Much like any other project, it’s all about prioritization and time management. If tasks are properly planned, delegated and executed, there is no need for anyone to be overwhelmed or overworked. Couple that with proper time management and the burnout issue will be unlikely to even surface. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/09/28/13-ways-to-prevent-burnout-before-it-happens/#22e6f76779b1

1) How should companies be treating their employer brand, especially in comparison to their consumer brand?
The differentiation between employee and employer brand is futile; those two have a symbiotic relationship. The same goes for consumer brands.

2) Do they both matter?
Of course both matter. Positive branding from any aspect and any level usually has a positive impact on overall brand perception. The brand value is transferable both in depth and breadth.

3) How should companies balance both?
It needs to be a cumulative effort that enables branding from any/every level. The benefits are mutual to all; employee, employer and the company. The storytelling portion of a brand can work its way all the way up to the corporate level.

Originally published at https://b2b.kununu.com/blog/marketing-and-hr-employer-branding-from-a-marketers-perspective

Franchising, in general, comes with strings attached that include corporate guidelines on pretty much everything you’re allowed to do or not do. Ask yourself if you’re going to be able to run the business the way you think it should be run. If the answer is no, then franchising is probably not for you. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally published at:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/09/18/is-franchising-right-for-you-eight-questions-to-ask-yourself/#5b64ad7e52ce

Real-time case studies

One of the most effective ways that I have tested over the years is real-time case studies. In its most basic version, you have the employee do 2 similar tasks: one the way they think they should be doing it and one with tools or SOP’s that allows them to do it faster and more accurate. Majority of the time the employee almost instantaneously have an epiphany and seek to optimize all possible tasks.

Contributors: Kamyar Shah from KamyarShah

Originally Published at:

Increase The Efficiency Of Your Employees With These 6 Simple Tricks

Once you look past the societal definitions and standards such as wealth and fame, it becomes obvious that success is relative. One man’s growth from a side gig to full time freelancing or growing a company from 1 man operation to 20 employees can equally be considered success. By most accounts though, it is safe to assume that success should be defined as overcoming challenges that contribute to progress.

Thanks to Kamyar Shah Originally Published at
https://teach.ceoblognation.com/2018/09/16/22-entrepreneurs-explain-what-success-means-in-entrepreneurship/

There are certainly many different ways to become an executive, however, the one approach I have seen work most often is education. The simplest strategy is to enhance your knowledge in fields beyond your actual professional know-how. Over time, that knowledge will be noticed and will open new opportunities at higher levels. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally Published at:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/08/29/aiming-for-the-c-suite-follow-these-leadership-tips-to-move-up-the-ladder/#65713f364402

It’s a rather simple process to align the passion of the entrepreneur with the best interest of business: It’s all in the planning. Most of the time, if the planning and operations have been thoughtfully prepared, there is no reason that entrepreneurs need to compromise between passion and success. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally Published at:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/08/29/passion-is-good-but-dont-neglect-practical-business-decisions/#53effb66fd46

Ideas are a dime a dozen, and most ideas never even get off the ground for two reasons: follow up and execution. That is when the “the doer” type proves his/her value. “The doer” with his/her relentless follow-up and implementation will be the driving force to plan, follow up, and implement. This type of team member can have an immense impact on innovation and profitability of a given organization. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally Published at:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/09/13/13-types-of-people-you-want-on-your-team/#234aee0e77e0

This is more about publicizing your organizational interests and the steps that are being taken. Once you publicize your internal programs such as mentorships for employees with learning disabilities, you are halfway there. The next step is repetition which should include a campaign to reach influencer and authorities in the respective fields. – Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

Originally Published at:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/09/13/13-ways-to-be-more-inclusive-of-talent-with-learning-disabilities/#1679e4e11ab7