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Day: June 26, 2019

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Culture Growth Health and Wellness Leadership

Four Layer Dressing for Outdoor Business Retreats

If you are like most people, packing for any business trip can be daunting. Now throw in packing for a business retreat where you will be enjoying the great outdoors along with business meetings, and you may find yourself staring like a deer in the headlights at your closet.

The dress code for most business retreats is business casual, and we all know business casual seems to be defined differently across business sectors, generations, and geographical locations. The important thing to remember is that you are still doing business even in a casual environment. That being said, there are some retreats where the outdoor activities truly call for casual attire, especially if you will be partaking in activities such as hiking, fishing, water sports, and hunting. You also may encounter extremes in temperature within the same day.

For those instances where casual attire is most appropriate, here are some tips for packing. The main rule is always DRESS IN LAYERS. This allows you the flexibility to remove and add clothing as needed for your environment.

Layer 1 | Base Layer

The base layer is next to your skin. The goal of this layer is to either keep moisture from your skin or keep heat in, consider function first. Do you need the clothing to keep moisture off your skin? If yes, then choose a moisture-wicking fabric and something light in weight, and you may want to keep the sleeve length short or sleeveless. If you will be in the sun, opt for a UPF-rated base layer for sun protection.

Do you need the base layer to keep you warm in cooler weather? If yes, a long-sleeve performance knit keeps body heat in. Performance knits range from lightweight to heavier weight. Choosing the right item depends on your environment.

Clothing ideas

  • TOPS: T-shirt – short or long-sleeved, sleeveless top, shell top, or tank top.
  • BOTTOMS: long base layer pants or shorts to wear under regular pants.
     

Layer 2 | Middle Layer

Typically, the goal of the middle layer is to provide insulation, especially in cooler climates. If the environment is warmer, then this may be the only outer layer you need.

Clothing ideas

  • TOPS: cardigan, vest, sweater, pullover. In some instances, you could do a very casual blazer. Also, you can wear a long-sleeve button casual shirt (can be unbuttoned over a T-shirt). Avoid nice dress shirts.
  • BOTTOMS:
  1. Jeans – Even though you may be hiking or getting intimate with the Earth, you still should avoid any jeans with holes in them.
  2. Canvas Pants – These are typically durable pants that can withstand rigorous activity.
  3. Zip-off Pants – These are great because you can simply zip off the bottom part to turn them into shorts.

Avoid wearing dresses, skirts (unless a sporty skirt made for outdoor activities), business suits, and nice dress pants.

Layer 3 | Outer Layer

The outer layer protects against the elements. As stated previously, there are times when the middle layer is sufficient.

Clothing ideas

In those instances where another layer is needed to add protection against wetness, wind, or cold weather, choose an appropriate item such as a trench coat, raincoat, winter coat, or rain pants.

Layer 4 | Accessories

The final accessories layer adds finishing details and completes your outfit. This layer includes hats, sunglasses, scarves, shawls, jewelry, belts, handbags, socks, and footwear.

For jewelry, it is best to keep it minimal, and you may want to leave your fine jewelry at home. Opt for a watch that is water resistant or an athletic type watch. Avoid any chunky necklaces or earrings.

Footwear can be a challenge. Be sure to avoid dress shoes, high heels, or any shoes with a slippery sole. You want shoes that are comfortable and can give you traction on a hike or other outdoor activities. Athletic shoes or hiking shoes work well, and there are a variety of other shoes made for the outdoors.

Fabrics and Brands

Selecting the right fabric for the day is also important. You want fabrics that move with you and are comfortable. Choose performance knits, cottons, merino wool, synthetics, nylon, down, mesh, moisture wicking, and linen.

There are a variety of outdoor clothing brands that provide many options. Some brands to check out are: True North, The North Face, Orvis, Kuhl, Duluth Trading Co., Columbia, Arc’teryx, Cabela’s, Patagonia, Polartec, REI, SmartWool, Cotopaxi, Eddie Bauer, Filson, Lole, and Marmot.

Following the four layers of dressing will ensure you are ready for whatever the day brings.

I help executives create a powerful image and brand so they look and feel confident wherever they are. Contact me at sheila@imagepowerplay.com to schedule a 20-minute call to discuss how we can work together to grow your visibility through my return on image® services. Visit Image Power Play to learn more. 

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Best Practices Entrepreneurship Investing Management Marketing Negotiations Sales Skills Women In Business

Dirty and Cruel Negotiator Tricks That Will Blow Your Mind

“Magic tricks can be mind-blowing – until the other negotiator blows your mind by making your favorable outcomes disappear.” -Greg Williams, The Master Negotiator & Body Language Expert

Have you been in a negotiation that you thought was over – only to discover that it wasn’t – there was one little thing that needed addressing? It might have been, someone wouldn’t sign off on the deal. Or, maybe it was, ‘the last one was just sold.’ Your reopened negotiation might have taken on any variation of the last two excuses. More than likely, the excuses were contrived, already baked into the negotiation plans of the other negotiator. If you let such tricks bother you, they can blow your mind.

The following is how some negotiators use such tricks and how you can protect yourself against them.

The Cheat: Someone that’s dishonest or someone that uses the deal, no deal strategy

Challenge – Some negotiators are downright scoundrels. Their main strategy is figuring out how they can cheat you. They’ll use such tricks as concluding a deal, waiting until the covenants of the agreement are due, and then back out or request slight concessions. You can sue them for not abiding by the agreement but that means you’ll waste more time dealing with them.

Response – This person can be extremely difficult to deal with – if possible don’t deal with him. As in any negotiation, you should have background information about the other negotiator. Part of that due diligence should be uncovering his negotiation style based on his past negotiations. If he’s used cheating tactics in the past, they should be easy to uncover.

If avoiding him is not possible, observe how he responds throughout the negotiation. Such individuals may be very accommodating when engaging you – they’re setting you up for the cheat to come. Use time as your ally – stretch the negotiation out. At intervals, have deliverables that he must meet before the negotiation can occur. If he welshes at any interval, let that serve as consideration to abandon the negotiation. To better insulate yourself, front-load his deliverables to guard against you investing unnecessary time in the negotiation.

Moving Target:  That’s not what I/you said.

Challenge – The negotiator that employs this tactic can use it in different forms. She can play the confused person, “I don’t know what I was thinking – that’s not what I meant.” Or, she can attempt to paint you as the bumbling idiot – “how in the world could you have inferred that? I would never make such an offer.”

Response – When she uses either form of this tactic, stop her – explore how the point of miscommunication occurred. Then, note to what degree, if at all, it occurs again. If it does, ask her if she’s intentionally miscommunicating with you. If she becomes flustered, so be it. Get the tactic out and in the open. You’ll disarm her use of it by doing so.

Time Delayers: I’m sorry. I’m not ready to continue. Can we postpone until next week/month?

Challenge – Every good negotiator knows, the more time you put into a negotiation, the more energy you’ll spend in seeing it to its conclusion. Therein lies the trap. Because, the more time you spend, the more likely you are to make concessions.

Response – Note the reasoning behind the request to delay the negotiation – seek its validity. You might consider raising the question about your negotiation counterpart seeking other offers, etc. Observe how he responds. The point is, test his request for an extension to assess its validity and to prepare for what may lie ahead. Don’t get sucked into the black hole vortex of time. You may regret it if you do.

Conclusion: Protect yourself.

The above strategies are acceptable forms of negotiating in some environments. Thus, what might be a dirty cruel trick in one arena might be thought of as a normal way of doing business in another. Therefore, be aware of the customary negotiation practices of the environment you’re in. Doing so will allow you to heighten your sense of awareness per that environment … and everything will be right with the world.

Remember, you’re always negotiating!

Listen to Greg’s podcast at https://anchor.fm/themasternegotiator

After reading this article, what are you thinking? I’d really like to know. Reach me at Greg@TheMasterNegotiator.com

To receive Greg’s free “Negotiation Tip of the Week” and the “Sunday Negotiation Insight” click here https://www.themasternegotiator.com/greg-williams/

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Best Practices Entrepreneurship Industries Personal Development Technology

Dematerialization—A Pathway for Innovation

The ability to make products and features smaller is called dematerialization. Dematerialization is a key strategy for innovation and improving what we utilize in business and society.

Technology is ever-changing and constantly improving. The ability to reduce the amount of material it takes to build the physical things that accomplish digital tasks is revolutionary and, likewise, growing as fast as the industries they serve a purpose in.

A Perfect Dematerialization Example

Wearable technology—which in recent years has increased in speed and memory while becoming one of the smallest computer devices in our lives—is a perfect example of how quickly dematerialization has improved modern technology. Smart watches, among other wearable digital devices, are the current example of how computers have shrunk and ultimately become more integrated into our lives because of how easily they can be worn and ignored until needed. They are lighter, more portable, more economical (in terms of the materials it takes to produce them), and softer in environmental impact.

Prior to the abundance of wearable technology, tablets and smartphones slowly put laptops and desktop computers to shame, as even the most portable laptops used to be several inches thick and weigh six or seven pounds. The market for a smaller, streamlined personal computing device brought us the iPad and the Microsoft Surface; however, today, wearable devices use a fraction of the material and accomplish far more than their ancestors—and cost far less. Plus, your main personal computer—the computer you use the most—had become your smartphone, which was something portable, multipurpose, and a device that supplied you with far more beneficial features than any computer you have used in the past.

Transformation

 A different example associated with wearable technology and smart devices is the progression of recorded music. Decades ago, record players and in-home audio systems were the only means to listen to recorded music. Eventually, car radios came along, where you could hear music while you travel. Soon after, the emergence of cassette tapes and compact discs brought the creation of portable CD and tape players, and the early ‘90s saw the dematerialization of bulky sound systems down to mini-boomboxes to bring outside while you played basketball.

Steve Jobs and the iPod yet again revolutionized and dematerialized recorded music players by allowing you to have thousands of songs in your pocket, though even those were clunky when they emerged. As streaming services displaced CD sales, smartphones and wireless headphones yet again made listening to music at the gym or on a bicycle ride even simpler, though you’d often have to strap the smartphone to your bicep. Finally, wearable technology now allows the same streaming technology paired with wireless headphones, making listening to music anywhere while doing nearly anything completely possible.

Whatever your company has, you can make it smaller—that is, if you want to. On the other hand, we don’t necessarily want to make everything smaller, and dematerialization doesn’t necessarily mean miniaturization. For example, we have the capacity to make our cars much, much smaller, but we may not necessarily want that for all models. Smart cars and some fully electric vehicles can benefit; however, a Ford F250 becoming the size of a Chevy Volt will take away from the hauling capabilities.

So how do you make something lighter without shrinking it completely? Dematerialize components of it, as seen in the newer models of Ford’s GT500. Its components have been dematerialized and are now lighter, making it faster than the Dodge Demon in a quarter mile, while not needing as heavy of an engine. Same size car, faster than ever before.

Ask yourself, “What would we want to make smaller? What would add value by making it smaller?” Take a look at just about everything you have related to your products and your services, and always consider the pros and cons of what you can dematerialize.

Learn about the Eight Hard Trend Pathways to Innovation and how you can identify and develop game-changing opportunities in my latest book The Anticipatory Organization.