We’re All In This Together

It costs you nothing to be kind and generous 

I know, this phrase has been way overused in the past several weeks — but it’s true! We are all in this together — but we’re also separate. We’re all adjusting to the new norm, at our own pace in our own way, and we’re all experiencing this in different ways. Some of us are doing it with our family and friends, and others are doing it alone. 

We are all trying to survive and thrive as the world around us changes minute by minute. It’s not easy! We’re trying to work from home and be productive, even as we’ve been forced to become home school teachers overnight, function as full-time parents, and lost virtually all connection to the outside world — all while trying to maintain good relationships, still be good friends, and much more all at the same time! That’s a lot to swallow. 

Each of us has a different story of how the great shutdown has impacted us, but we are doing our best to stay connected, reach our cus...

The Power of Conversations

Reflections of my lunch with an industry leader

 A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to have lunch (and some wine) with Jerry Lohr, the founder of J.Lohr Vineyards & Wines, while I was in Paso Robles, California for a few days.  It was one of the most informative and inspiring conversations I’ve ever had! 

Over 50 years ago, Jerry embarked on a career change and the results of this change have a lasting impact on his family, their community and the world of wine.  Jerry is one of the pioneers of developing the Central Coast wine region and lead the way for making this one of the most prominidate areas to grow and produce wine - specifically Cabernet Sauvignon. 

While this column is not about J.Lohr Wines, I want to set the stage for you.  Jerry is in his 80’s, he works everyday and is active in the continuing growth of a multi-million dollar company - one of the largest in the world and an industry leader, to be exact.  He is a community leader, an env...

April 2020

How will this month define you?

 It’s 4:30 am as I write this column, which seems to be my new norm. Up around 3:30 am, take the dogs out, make some coffee then head into my office to work.  Sometimes I read or listen to a podcast, work on business plans and ideas, email, or sometimes I just sit in silence. 

This morning I read an article written by my college roommate and long time friend, Joe. In his article, “What Can Be?” he shares his belief that what we are all going through right now is a “defining moment in our history” and I couldn’t agree more. It’s a defining moment, not just in our history, but in our lives. 

In one year, when you look back to April 2020, what will you see?  What will you remember?  What will your family, children, friends, colleagues and clients remember, about you?  Just for a moment, ponder this question. 

Who are you going to be?

Do I want to get up at 3:30 am? No, but it's my new norm.  Why?  Well, the answer is not what you think.  I”...

5X Connection

Developing and Increasing Meaningful Connections in a time of crisis

No doubt the world we live and work in has been turned upside down over the past few weeks!  Our offices and showrooms are closed, we’re working from home, our manufacturers are closed, our friends and colleagues are being laid off or furloughed, and our customers are slowing their projects or cancelling them all together. None of us really know when this is going to slow down, much less end — we are not in control, and that’s a scary feeling. 

But there are a few things you can control — your attitude, your mindset, and your actions! 

Now is not the time to sell (with a few exceptions, and I mean very few) — customers aren’t interested in your latest product introduction, your new finishes or your high quality, low cost task chair  — customers are focused on their health and well being and that of their coworkers, family, and friends. They are worried about the future of their company and frankly — ...

Reflections from a coaching conversation

A few weeks ago, I was wrapping up a 6-month coaching engagement with a client who is new to his role and somewhat new to our industry.  This purpose of our final call together was to talk about his progress, learnings and his plan moving forward.  

Why am I writing about this? Well, this was one of the best wrap up calls I’ve ever had! I’m super impressed and blown away by the monumental progress he made during our time together and his continued commitment to learn and grow. Without a doubt, one of the best parts of my job as a coach is witnessing growth in my clients — because they are the ones who make it happen, I just help them along the way.

At the end of our wrap up calls, clients get to ask me questions (finally) and put me on the spot for information (or in this case — guidance). I really enjoy the questions, and I get the opportunity to share my many years of experience and learning with them directly.  

And sometimes — I get real...

How learning from others can impact you as a leader

Have you ever met someone that you knew would have a positive impact in your life, from the moment you met them?  Someone with a story so powerful that it made you reflect on who you are and where you are going. A person you would like to spend hours talking to and become friends with. Hopefully you have, because it’s an amazing opportunity and experience.  And it happened to me recently.  

While attending the BIMFA 360 Leadership Conference, I had the pleasure of meeting Ernest Shackleton. His story is amazing, his impact immeasurable, his commitment to his people aspirational, and his legacy is one that will be told for years to come. Ernest is a courageous leader that lead his team through turbulent times and created an atmosphere of commitment and loyalty by putting the needs of his team first.    

But here’s the issue, Ernest Shackleton died in 1922. I would have never met him or learned about his amazing journey and impact, h...

 If you wait until you're ready, you'll be waiting for the rest of your life.

I'm Sid Meadows, and welcome to Success Soundbites. I'm really glad that you're here with me today because you know what? If you wait until you're ready, you'll be waiting for the rest of your life. That is a really powerful question, or statement. And why is that? Because, guess what, friends? You're never ever going to be 100% ready.

I'll use myself as an example. Three years ago, when I started embarkCCT, I had a little bit of a business plan, a little bit of a financial plan and a couple of clients, but I was nowhere near 100% ready. And if I had waited until I was 100% ready to start my business and to enter the world of entrepreneurship, I'd still be waiting today because there's no such thing as 100% ready, because you cannot prepare for the unknown. You can't prepare for the things that you just don't realize are going to happen or haven't thought of because I've experienced so much learning in the ...

Are you a student or a worker? It's kind of a strange question, isn't it? Well, let me tell you the answer.

I'm Sid Meadows and welcome to Success Soundbites. I'm really glad that you're here with me today while we take just a moment to explore being a student or being a worker.

Recently, I was wrapping up a coaching session with a client. And at the end of my coaching sessions, I give my clients the opportunity to ask me any question they want to, and I will answer it as honestly as I possibly can. And so, this client, particularly, asked me what it was that he needed to do in order to further his career and to advance his career. You know what my answer was? My answer was to be a student.

What I mean by that is, be a student of your industry, be a student of your job, and learn and educate yourself as much as possible about the industry that you're in and the job that you perform. It doesn't matter whether you're in sales or customer service or marketing or any role within a...

Three simple actions you can take to make 2020 your best year yet 

It’s February and according to the research, 66% of you have given up on your New Year’s Resolutions. You made it a full month (or almost a month) working on your resolutions, or at least attempting them, before you got side tracked or gave up on them all together.  So, now what?  

Hopefully, you still have the desire for improvement and growth in your life and career! If you want to create massive momentum to make 2020 your best year yet, I’ve got 3 simple actions you can start implementing today — and here’s a hint — they aren’t hard or complicated, they just require commitment!

Action #1: Cleanse

No, I’m not talking about a juice cleanse. Though I’ve never done that before, I hear it’s great and challenging all at the same time, it’s just not for me —at least at this time. What I’m referring to, is a digital cleanse. Google defines this as a detox — stepping away from your digital life —  which is not a bad idea,...

Do you control your calendar, or does it control you?

Welcome to Success Soundbites. I'm Sid Meadows, and I'm the founder and principal of EmbarkCCT. I'm really glad you're here with me today for this week's version of Success Soundbites as we talk about controlling your calendar.

As we venture into not just a new year, but a new decade, increased productivity is important for all of us. And my clients, on a regular basis, are asking me, "Hey Sid, what are simple ways that I can improve productivity?" And I always start with the very first question, "Are you controlling your calendar or are you letting other people control it?" And the typical answer is most people agree that other people control their calendar. So how can you really improve your productivity? I believe the answer to this question is simple and a really easy thing for you to implement and it's called block timing.

Block timing is a concept where you make an appointment with yourself. And in making that appointment,...