Strategic Use of Engaging Quotations

[Robert Morris]

I have already posted several of my favorite quotations and briefly explained how I use them in various business-related activities.

To what extent do you also use quotations? And to what extent have they helped you to achieve your strategic objectives?

I am eager to know and presumably that is also true of many others.

[George Reavis]

"If you give a team member customer feedback, you engage them for a day. If you teach a team member how to "ask" for customer feedback, you engage them for a lifetime!" - George Reavis

[George Reavis]

"Feedback may come from colleagues or supervisors but preferably the activity itself will provide the feedback" - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Good Business

[Terrence Seamon]

Hi Bob,

Some years ago, I saw a practice that I quite liked.

I was with an East Coast utility company at the time. We were utilizing a consultant to facilitate our Senior Team (CEO and his direct reports) through a multi-part strategic planning process.

At the beginning of every meeting, the consultant would start off with a Thought for the Day. Typically these were quotations that had some connection to the purpose of the meeting. The quotations could come from anywhere: business, politics, arts, history, science, you name it.

The consultant would welcome everybody back to the process. Then he would project the "thought for the day" up on the screen and invite the Senior Team to ponder it for a few moments and then share what thoughts it stimulated for them.

This technique worked beautifully! The depth of sharing at the outset of the meeting would set a positive tone for the entire day.

Terry

[Jennifer Gladden]

This is probably not a new practice but new to me and it strikes me as very valuable in many different circumstances. Thanks for sharing.
Jen

[Robert Morris]

I agree with Jen that this can be an especially valuable practice and it has lots of applications. Some companies solicit favorite questions from employees and then feature them in the in-house newsletter. Others have a "Quotation of the Week" contest and feature the winning submission (framed) in the lobby. The recipient is identified, receives a $25 gift card, and keeps the framed document after the next winner is selected.

Our EEN could have a contest, with the winning submission selected by David, and then featured on the home page.

Just a thought....

[Jon Hoel]

Here's an example of how quotations can be used in cross-cultural management situations. This blog is available for public viewing, but is also aimed at an internal audience.