YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
I love a good recommendation. Don’t you? And of late, I’ve been flooded with them. So, I’m compelled to share. Here’s my recommendations to you of the recommendations I’ve recently received.
To set the stage, these are around business, management and personal well-being.
I’ll start with book “recs,” since those are most common to pass along.
Books
I’m told it coaches managers on how to talk boldly to someone with the sincere intention of helping them through a challenge. The book summary describes the tools as hitting the sweet spot between aggressive and empathetic, i.e., “caring personally while challenging directly.”
At least two of our 40 Under 40 honorees this year called it out as a favorite. They’re doing great things in local business and community, so there must be something to it.
This one comes with a note that it’s based on ancient Toltec wisdom and tackles beliefs that might be robbing us of joy or creating unnecessary suffering.
CliffsNotes version: Write down three things to do each day, check them off and build winning streaks for yourself. You’re awesome, and now you really know it. Fun fact about the author, Batterson: He’s a 1992 graduate of Central Bible College, which is now integrated into Evangel University.
Podcasts
It’s hosted by Springfield-area businessman Justin Skinner and just released this month. We all know, it sucks to fail sometimes. What am I saying – sometimes? All the time. It’s hard. But Skinner captures his guest’s learning moments from their failures. Might save you from stubbing your own toe a time or two in the journey ahead.
Productivity hacks
It’s a little tongue in cheek, but the point is to say no to those less important/meaningful things so you can say yes to what you need/want to. Feels empowering, doesn’t it?
Apps
With personal fitness and health, including mental, at the forefront for many people now, this one from Nike is especially good for workouts at home – where we’ve all spent more time lately. Workouts can be live and on-demand led by trainers, and there are also livestream Q&As and healthy cooking content. No more excuses.
Looking for a new communication tool? This one sounds slick. Super useful in a pandemic, it creates communities and friends groups over text, voice and video chats.
Restaurants
The latest in Mexican restaurants being talked about. This one’s billed as modern Mexican. It’s on East Battlefield sandwiched between Great American Taco Co. and Metropolitan Grill. Hmm, seems fitting.
Nashville-style hot chicken is at our door in Springfield. The go-to is chicken tenders, hush puppies and potato salad. Oh, and must try the “Mother Clucker” heat level. Just have plenty of napkins within reach.
Management hacks
Here’s the tip: Set a slow, strategic transition plan with flexibility and communication at the core. If moving a staff to working from home, maybe begin with one day a week and give yourself grace that you don’t have to answer it all right now.
Give the employee the time they need to talk … about work, personal, etc. Might be five minutes or 50 minutes, but they determine how long.
I’d love to hear more recommendations from readers, so if you’ve got something great of your own to pass along, email me at the address below. Also feel free to connect for more information on any of the above recs or tell me what you thought of them – good, bad or otherwise.
Meanwhile, keep spreading those good recs.
Springfield Business Journal Editorial Vice President Eric Olson can be reached at eolson@sbj.net.
The first southwest Missouri location of EarthWise Pet, a national chain of pet supply stores, opened; Grey Oak Investments LLC relocated; and Hot Bowl by Everyday Thai LLC got its start.
