Most Important Business Skill

The Power of People Skills

By far the greatest obstacle to success that I see in others is a poor understanding of people. A while back the Wall Street Journal published an article on the reasons that executives fail. At the top of the list was a person’s inability to effectively relate to others.

One day I was talking to someone who was complaining about not winning a business contract that he had bid on. “It wasn’t fair,” he told me. “All the people involved knew each other, and we didn’t have a chance. It’s all politics.” But then what he went on to describe wasn’t politics. It was relationships.

Authors Carole Hyatt and Linda Gottlieb indicate that people who fail on the job commonly cite “office politics” as the reason for their failures, but the reality is that what they call politics is often nothing more than regular interaction with other people.

If you haven’t learned how to get along with people, you will always be fighting a battle to succeed. On the other hand, making people skills a strength will take you farther than any other skill you develop. People like to do business with people they like. Or to put it the way President Theodore Roosevelt did: “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”

What does it take to succeed?

Success isn’t something that’s cut and dry.  How successful someone ends up being is dependent on a wide variety of factors, including genes, attitude, personality, and- quite simply- luck. 

But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything that you can do to affect your own success.  All else being equal, the person who develops the necessary skills to succeed will end up more successful than the person who doesn’t.

Of course, the skills that would be successful for someone in, say, engineering would be entirely different than the skills necessary for someone to succeed in retail.  But there are some skills that bridge the gap between fields and situations, general skills that really anyone in any field can use to get ahead.

One good example is critical thinking.  No matter where life takes you, knowing how to evaluate a situation and puzzle your way through a problem will help you out immensely.  Whether you’re trying to find a foothold in a saturated market or navigate the treacherous waters of city building codes critical thinking will serve you well.  However, it is a tough skill to learn.  Websites like criticalthinking.org can help by offering suggestions on how to work through problems logically, but in the end it’s a skill that you’ll only learn by trying. 

Another excellent life skill that everyone should learn is networking.  Networking is so much more than the pale definition bandied around by business seminars.  At its base, networking is the act of building a community of relationships that can help support you in your various endeavors.  It’s more than knowing someone who can either get you a job or find you a client, it’s knowing people who can connect you to a greater pool of knowledge and ideas.  If you want to be a mover and shaker, someone with their finger on the pulse of modern life, work on building your network.

And when all else fails, knowing how to research will put you head and shoulders above your competition.  Someone who understands how to properly research a problem is never truly at a loss.  And given the sheer amount of information out in there it’s more likely that knowing how to find the solution to a problem will be more useful than trying to memorize every thing you could possibly need to know. 

All of these skills are useful no matter what you decide to do or what field you end up in. And the lessons that you learn while developing them are keys to your success, if only you’re willing to take them.

The Importance of Critical Thinking

Magnetic Consulting Group once again offers pieces of advice and suggestions to help you in your personal and professional life. 

No matter what field you are in, or wherever life takes you, there are certain things that are immensely important to understand and know how to do.  One of those things is critical thinking. 

Critical thinking is the disciplined process of actively and skillfully evaluating information in order to decide what to believe or do.   It’s a skill that is as much as use in puzzling your way through a word problem as it is in deciding whether someone is telling a lie. 

All great leaders think critically and strategically.  They evaluate current situations and see how they might develop in the future.  They can look at a emerging pattern and see the implications of any action, which is an incredibly useful skill for anyone in management.

But how do you develop critical thinking skills?  How can we change the way we solve problems and expand the way we think?

Luckily the first step in developing critical thinking is to start paying attention.  How do you solve problems currently?  Do you try to avoid them?  Do you automatically go with your gut feeling?  Do you waste time worrying about problems rather than trying to solve them?

Looking at your day and noticing patterns in your thinking is the first step towards expanding your intellectual horizons.  Once you know what you need to work on the next step is to practice thinking through problems in a reasonable fashion.

What does that mean?  Primarily, it means that when problems occur you carefully examine the issue rather than jumping to a conclusion.  Engage in what-if thinking. If you implement a solution what are the potential consequences?  What would someone outside of the situation, like a customer or friend, think of the potential solutions?  Discuss the situation with someone else and pause to make sure that you’ve  covered all the bases.

But more importantly, be sure to keep an open mind and be willing to change directions.  Consider the reasons why you feel compelled to follow a certain path and take the time to decide whether that is the soundest decision you could make.

All in all, establishing critical thinking skills is one of the best things you can do to improve your life.  Because the more you think about problems, the better your solutions will be.

Magnetic Consulting Group Is Excited About The Kickball Tournament This Weekend!

http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=792565&Itemid=29

Magnetic Consulting Group plans an event to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness. The Sacramento marketing firm is gathering local companies, friends and family for a charity kickball tournament with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen For The Cure foundation.

Magnetic Consulting Group is a sales and marketing firm founded in Sacramento in 2010. The company specializes in client account acquisition and retention. National service providers hire the company to represent their service to current and new account holders.

The Susan G. Komen For The Cure association is a non-profit organization that raises money for breast cancer awareness and research efforts. The organization was founded Susan’s sister, Nancy, as a promise to do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.

Since being founded in 1982, the organization has raised over $1.5 billion for research, education and health services, making it the largest breast cancer charity in the world. Komen has more than 75,000 volunteers nationwide, 122 affiliates in the United States (47 of 50 states), and 3 affiliates in other countries. The organization has allowed for the development of many new treatment options and a higher quality of life overall for breast cancer patients and long-term survivors.

The event will take place at Mann Park in Folsom, CA. Magnetic Consulting expects a turnout of over 40 people.

“We are constantly looking for ways to get involved in the community and make an impact. Our team is very career oriented and they understand the balance between focusing on work, personal and community involvement. I am excited to be able to continue this with several other charity organizations before the end of the year,” explains Eric Dvorak, President of Magnetic Consulting Group.

The company has worked with local animal shelters and participated in a charity poker night with Operation Smile in May.

Magnetic Consulting Group Teams Up With Susan G. Komen And Passionately Pink For The Cure

http://www.prlog.org/11568448-magnetic-consulting-group-teams-up-with-susan-komen-and-passionately-pink-for-the-cure.html

 Jul 01, 2011 – Magnetic Consulting Group has started a donations page for the Komen Foundation.  Magnetic Consulting Group recently held a fundraiser associated with the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  The company wanted to further team up with the foundation and has created a “Passionately Pink For The Cure” to raise money for the cause. 

Magnetic Consulting Group is a sales and marketing firm located in Sacramento, CA.  The company, established in 2010, is contracted with national clients and specializes in acquiring new business and retaining clientele.   

The Susan G. Komen For The Cure was founded in 1982 by Susan’s sister, Nancy G. Brinker.  The foundation was based on a desire to make a difference and a promise made to her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.  The goal of the foundation is to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness.   

Having invested more than $1.9 billion since inception in 1982, the foundation has become the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, They aim to work together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. 

The “Passionately Pink For The Cure” campaign is an awareness and fundraising program benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. The goal of the organization is to end breast cancer forever by supporting the work of the organization started by one sister and named for the other. 

“It is important for us as a company to be involved in the community.  Our team works extremely hard for our clients and they feel a big part of having a fulfilling career is to be able to give back.  We have volunteered for several foundations and are excited to have the opportunity to raise money again for the Komen Foundation,” explains Eric Dvorak, President of Magnetic Consulting Group. 

The company will be holding a second kickball tournament to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research.  Magnetic Consulting Group has also volunteered and raised money for Operation Smile and is planning to work with the local animal shelter.

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Magnetic Consulting Group Raises Money For Operation Smile

http://www.prlog.org/11548677-magnetic-consulting-group-helps-raise-money-for-operation-smile.html

Magnetic Consulting Group joined local companies, family and friends in a charity poker night to raise money for Operation Smile.  On May 14^th, several members of the local community gathered to play poker and raffle prizes all to raise money for the charity.

Magnetic Consulting Group is a sales and marketing firm founded in 2010.  The Sacramento based firm is in charge of acquiring and retaining clients for its national clients.  Companies hire Magnetic Consulting to act as a middle man between the services they provide and the account holders who are using the service.

Operation Smile is a non-profit organization established in 1982 to help provide surgeries across the world to children born with facial deformities.  According to the organization, more than 200,000 children are born with a severe cleft condition each year.  Since its inception, Operation Smile has become one of the most prominent children’s charities in the world and currently has a presence in over 60 countries.

Saturday night’s poker event was an open invite to local community members as well as local companies.  All profits from the participants buy-ins went directly to Operation Smile.  The event took place in Sacramento with a buy in of $10. 

“We were excited to be able to participate in the event.  I know how much the team here understands the value of working hard, not only in their careers, but also within the community.  I think with that mentality, the members of our team will be able to do great things both in and out of the workplace,” explains Eric Dvorak, President of Magnetic Consulting Group.

Since they have been in business, Magnetic Consulting Group has been involved in several community service efforts from helping out in local events to helping at a local animal shelter.  The company is currently planning a charity kickball tournament to raise money for Susan G. Komen For The Cure to raise money for breast cancer awareness.

Magnetic Consulting Group Raising Money For Charity

http://www.prlog.org/11548663-magnetic-consulting-group-plans-charity-event-to-raise-money-for-breast-cancer-research.html

Magnetic Consulting Group plans an event to raise money for breast cancer.   The Sacramento marketing firm is gathering local companies, friends and family for a charity kickball tournament. 

Magnetic Consulting Group is a sales and marketing firm founded in Sacramento in 2010.  The company specializes in client account acquisition and retention.  National service providers hire the company to represent their service to current and new account holders.

The Susan G. Komen For The Cure association is a non-profit organization that raises money for breast cancer awareness and research efforts.  The organization was founded Susan’s sister, Nancy, as a promise to do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.

Since being founded in 1982, the organization has raised over $1.5 billion for research, education and health services, making it the largest breast cancer charity in the world.  Komen has more than 75,000 volunteers nationwide, 122 affiliates in the United States (47 of 50 states), and 3 affiliates in other countries. The organization has allowed for the development of many new treatment options and a higher quality of life overall for breast cancer patients and long-term survivors.

The event will take place at Mann Park in Folsom, CA.  Magnetic Consulting expects a turnout of 40 people.

 “We are constantly looking for ways to get involved in the community and make an impact.  Our team is very career oriented and they understand the balance between focusing on work, personal and community involvement.  I am excited to be able to continue this with several other charity organizations before the end of the year,” explains Eric Dvorak, President of Magnetic Consulting Group.

The company has worked with local animal shelters and participated in a charity poker night with Operation Smile in May.  

Magnetic Consulting Group Inc. Launches The New Website This Month

PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 10, 2011 – Magnetic Consulting Group Inc. launches a new website this month.  The company, established in Sacramento in 2010 is growing and expects to expand to multiple locations within the next year.  Magnetic Consulting Group has created a new user friendly website so the public as well as current and potential clients can stay informed as they grow.   The new website can be found at www.magneticconsultinggroup.com. 

Magnetic Consulting Group is a sales and marketing firm that specializes in growing business clientele for national service providers.  Magnetic Consulting Group Inc. is contracted with some of the world’s largest fortune 500 corporations.  The company’s main client is one of the top telecommunications companies in the West.  Magnetic Consulting Group is in charge of handling the client's accounts through one-on-one consulting with their current and potential customers.

The new website is filled with ten pages of information geared towards current clients, potential clients, consumers, current co-workers, and future employees.  The main Home Page includes an overview of the company’s services along with a section to follow Magnetic Consulting Solutions on other social sites and blogs.  The website also allows for people to use either navigation or links to specific highlighted sections on the website for a more user friendly style.

“I am excited for the new website.   We have grown so much in the last few months and we expect to expand even more within the coming months.  It is exciting to be able to have a way to keep everyone informed as we grow,” explains Eric Dvorak, President of Magnetic Consulting Group.

The About Us tab includes short bios on the executives of the company and a subsection including a gallery of photos for the team.   There are sections highlighting the clients and services and contact information.  

One tab is specifically devoted to press releases and articles about the company while another tab emphasizes the work Magnetic Consulting has done to give back to the community.  

“Even though our company is a for profit firm, we think it is important to make an impact on the community.  We have recently started getting involved in some local and national charities,” says Dvorak.  “It is important that the company and our team know how important it is to be active within the community and I expect us to participate even more as we grow.”

Since the company expects growth this year, they have also added a Careers tab that outlines the open positions, training provided and benefits offered to employees.  Users can click on links to their favorite job sites at the bottom of the Careers page to see any available openings that might be posted.  

The FAQ tab goes through the answers to the most common questions Magnetic Consulting Group has received.  Finally, the Leadership tab offers information to co-workers and public with links and updates on the latest coaching tips on management, leadership and business.

Magnetic Consulting Group expects to expand to two new locations within the next 12 months and reps say the website and blogs will be updated to reflect any changes to the company.

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Magnetic Consulting Group is a sales and marketing firm contracted with some of the world’s largest Fortune 500 corporations.

In Sacramento, the company works with one of the top telecommunications companies in the country.

Leadership And Coaching At Magnetic Consulting Group

At Magnetic Consulting Group Inc., we believe the quality of our work and the growth of our company will rely heavily on the evolution of the leadership within the company.  We believe that great leadership is created through a process of constant self development through continuous coaching on both professional and personal levels.

Executives within the company are trained in areas of time management through being selected to attend Franklin Covey's school of managment. 

Here are some examples of what we send our executives to as part of training them to handle a management position. 

- Lessons From Franklin Covey
- Course We Provide For Executives To Become Franklin Covey Certified

We are also constantly looking to improve the level of management we provide and teach.  Through seminars, we have recently taken on learning the lessons taught through Ken Blanchard's Situational Leadership coaching and John Maxwell's school of thought on leadership.

Below are some links to the lessons we have been incorporating into our coaching process. 

- Ken Blanchard's Situational Leadership
- John Maxwell's Blog On Leadership 
- Situational Leadership Lessons

Check Out Magnetic Consulting Group Goals

Our Goals    

Our current goal is to acquire and maintain our client's accounts throughout the Sacramento area. Through one-on-one negotiations with their current and potential customers, we are in charge of increasing their clientele and strengthening the relationships they have with their account holders. We expect to take on more clients this year and expand our services nationally within the next year.
The plans are to open 2 more locations within the next 12-16 months by training managers onto other programs in other industries such as telecommunications, energy, and retail. Then, rapidly help our clients reach their goals with a steadfast commitment to expand into every major to mid-sized market across the country.

Find Out About Our Clients And Services

Services

As other, more indirect channels of marketing have evolved, an increasing gap between product and consumer has emerged. At Magnetic Consulting Group, our sales force bridges this detrimental gap through actual in-person contact with existing and potential customers. When compared to other marketing channels, the benefits to our clients are invaluable.

In-person interaction with prospective, as well as existing customers enable our sales and marketing representatives to cultivate a rapport with the consumer. Thorough, courteous, professional and product specific presentations by our representatives create a positive and lasting impression.

No other form of marketing can deliver such personal, specific and professional results. Period. Large corporations tend to lose touch with their customer base and what is important to them. Magnetic's approach enhances brand loyalty, which translates into increased revenue, reduced "churn" rates and long term success.

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Clients

Magnetic Consulting Group, Inc. is contracted with some of the world’s largest fortune 500 corporations.  We work with one of the top telecommunications companies in the country.  The national client is one of the leading providers of fiber optic technology and computer networking that provides advanced digital TV, high-speed Internet, and digital telecommunications service together as a fully integrated experience.

The client provides fiber optic technology and computer networking to bring clients digital TV, faster internet capabilities and a more intelligent telecommunication services. Magnetic Consulting Group helps consults clients on how to bring it all together by customizing a bundle specific to their own personal needs.  

More About Magnetic Consulting Group Below

Welcome to Magnetic Consulting Group, Inc, a privately owned sales and marketing firm located in Sacramento.  

Magnetic Consulting Group was established in 2010 and specializes in client acquisition, account consulting and retention.  

Magnetic Consulting Group focuses its energy on building clientele for a business by bridging the gap between large corporations and the account holders that use their services.

In the ever changing world of technology, the art of verbal communication has been lost. We believe that business is very simple; acquire great customers and keep them happy. The most effective way to market a company or product is by creating a relationship with the customer and presenting information the old-fashioned way: with a smile and a handshake.

Our Vision

Our vision is to help our clients grow.  We provide our clients with an effective and proven way to penetrate their target market.  Our goal is to become the worldwide leader in outsourced direct sales and marketing. Within the next year we forecast expansion into 3 additional markets and will continue to create opportunity for decades to come.  To accomplish this, we need to successfully train and develop a management team comprised of managers with the same vision.

Our Mission

Our mission is to consistently meet our clients' goals and exceed their expectations. We plan to set the standard for success in our industry by bringing Magnetic Consulting Group to the forefront of outsourced sales and marketing. We will accomplish this by providing continuous development, professionalism, integrity, and commitment to both our clients and associates.  While promoting an environment of hard work, dedication, and organization, we will develop our employees and empower them to grow professionally and personally.