News From The Swamp 
By Billy Arcement, MEd.
Professional Speaker, Author, Consultant
(225) 677-5166
Issue # 6: November 2001
Copyright
2001 by The Results Group
All
Rights Reserved
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Articles from this newsletter may be reproduced with permission.
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Thank A Teacher
“It would be
better to be unborn than untaught, for ignorance is the root of misfortune.”
As these words sink in, I hope you begin to appreciate all the efforts given to you by teachers who helped bring you from the brink of ignorance to the place of prominence you now occupy. I would encourage you to think of all teachers, both in school and outside of the classroom (parents, friends, peers, work associates, etc) who also have helped bring you to your current level of education.
Why not take a moment to list those individuals who have made a difference in your life and to commit to contacting them in the next thirty days to simply thank them for what they have done for you. It will bring joy to their life and provide you with a sense of joy as well.
Three Thoughts About Managing People
Our attitude about anything is totally under our control. Managers must fully understand the fact that they cannot change the attitude of a worker unless that worker is willing to change. Yes, you can fire them if their attitude is not what you want but that can be a costly act and, you just might lose an excellent employee in the process.
What then can you do as a manager to help develop a more positive attitude from your workers?
The first and most important consideration is that you should utilize the talents that workers bring to the work place. As much as possible, match the talent to the job requirements. The closer you can do this, the more satisfied your worker will be and the more motivated they will be to do a good job. These factors will influence their thinking and ultimately, their attitude about work.
A second idea is to delegate responsibility as much as possible. This provides workers with a feeling of importance thus satisfying one of the most basic needs of all individuals. Maintain accountability but let them experience the feeling of having some control over their work environment.
Lastly, encourage creativity. Just because we did it that way for the last ten years does not mean we must continue to do the activity the same way for the next ten years. Encourage workers to look for better ways to do all tasks. Make the goal to save some time or money or simply to make the job more pleasant to perform. Letting workers contribute will do much to create a positive environment and a more positive thinking employee.
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Please recommend this E-Zine to anyone you know that is interested in improving their effectiveness or who may want to bring Billy in for training or consulting. It's also a good way to stay in touch with your clients. Forward the email as an article of interest to your business associates or customers and if they are interested in receiving this monthly newsletter, have them email to barcement@eatel.net and put “ezine” in the subject line. They will be added to the list.
If you would like to bring Billy in the help employees cope with the world events that are going on, he can bring a special message of encouragement and hope based upon his strong knowledge of human relations, service to others, personal self-improvement and coping skills.
Dare To Be Different
In 1991 and 1992, I served as state president of the Louisiana School Boards Association. For these two years, I used as my theme, “Dare To Be Different.” I like the challenge of those words and much of what was done during these two years was indeed different from past administrations.
Today, as a
country, we are in times that are truly different from any that have existed
since our inception as a nation. For the
first time, an enemy has attacked us on our homeland. Since September 11, we have been immersed in
news about anthrax, the fear of more attacks, and the military action in
Coping with the events of our time is proving to be difficult for many people. Many people are asking what can they do to bring their life back to what it was before the 9-11 events? Let me first pose a second question before you consider answering the first. Do you really want to go back to the life you lived prior to 9-11?
Significant events in our lives bring about change. And 9-11 was certainly significant. But rather than longing for our existence before this event, why not use 9-11 as a springboard to better things. For example, could you have improved your relationship with family members prior to 9-11? Why not start now to do better with these critical relationships? Do you really want to continue working at a job that is tremendously unfulfilling? Or, could you change your attitude about your work and bring about a vast improvement in how you view your job and the responsibilities that come with it? What have you been saying you want to do but never seem to get around to doing it? Have you taken the time to identify what is really important to you?
Daring to be different can be life changing. Are you willing and ready for that change?
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A Super Value
If you have not yet read Billy’s book, Searching for Success, now is the time to add it to your library. With this newsletter, the book is being offered at a discounted price of $10.00 plus $2.00 S&H. Email now for your book order to barcement@eatel.net or send a check payable to The Results Group to the address at the beginning of this newsletter. ************************************************************************
What Program Participants Have To Say
“Just wanted you to know, each of our Board Members with whom I spoke agreed that our Board Retreat was a success. And, getting everyone to agree on something isn’t always easy! Can we book you now for the next ten years???”
Maria Burkhardt, President LA Breast Cancer Task Force
“You really provided a great message about the importance of successful business practices. My industry needs to be reminded that their word is their bond and the most important thing they give.”
Lynda Evans, Executive VP, Capital Region Builders Association
“This was the most common sense training that I have ever attended. It was an eye opener!”
Angelia Barney-Wez, Arizona School
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Closing Thoughts
I hope you enjoy and find value in the content of this newsletter. It is intended to bring value to your life and stimulate your thinking. If you found particular enjoyment on any point, I’d appreciate hearing about it. Even those of us who make a living encouraging others sometime need good news. Email barcement@eatel.net with your comments.
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If you know anyone who might enjoy receiving this newsletter, please forward it to him or her. Anyone who receives this E-Zine can subscribe to News from the Swamp by sending an email to barcement@eatel.net and put “ezine” in the subject line.
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When it’s time to choose a
speaker for your next important meeting, choose Billy Arcement, MEd. He brings humor, inspiration,
warmth and sincerity to the platform.
Billy’s syndicated column, The Search for Success, has an annual
readership of one-half million+. He is also the author of the book, Searching for Success. Billy
is a writer, consultant, professional speaker and President of The Results
Group. He is a respected and
popular presenter for business groups throughout the
Drawing on his unique experiences as a former elected school board member, teacher and coach, Billy is rapidly becoming the speaker of choice for school board association conferences and school district in-service programs. He writes nationally published articles on enhancing school board member skills, management, customer service, and success principles. As a consultant, Billy can help you develop a focus through his in-depth strategic planning sessions. These are break-through events that can put your organization on the fast track.
Billy is truly a speaker who has demonstrated ability to show people and organizations how to turn knowledge into RESULTS!
Call 225-677-5166 or 677-9426 to speak to Billy about one of his programs or about his various consulting services.