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Entrepreneur
18 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How to Live Your Mission — and Not Just Rewrite It
Companies love to roll out refreshed strategies and shiny new mission statements — but if nothing really changes on the ground, what's the point? Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Every few years, organizations announce a grand unveiling: a refreshed strategy, a sharper mission statement, an evolved vision and updated values. Leadership beams with pride. Internal comms rolls out the new banners, posters and PowerPoint templates. Town halls are held to "rally the troops." And then, business as usual resumes. No behavioral shift. No operational realignment. No decisions made differently. The strategy refresh becomes a branding exercise, not a transformation. It's not that these companies lack ambition — it's that they confuse articulation with execution. Join top CEOs, founders and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue and building sustainable success. A colleague recently shared that their company had just spent six weeks in back-to-back leadership meetings to rewrite their mission, vision, values and overall strategy. The goal was clarity and reinvention. The result? A slightly tweaked version of what they already had — maybe one new buzzword, a reshuffled value and a refreshed deck. It was a massive investment of time and energy that left most of the team asking: What has changed? This isn't an isolated case — it's a common cycle. Organizations feel the pressure to evolve, but too often the work stops at wordsmithing instead of realigning how the business thinks, acts and executes. Related: 10 Growth Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know Why the refresh rarely moves the needle Refreshing a mission or strategy feels productive. It gives leadership the impression of progress without demanding real disruption. After all, revising words is easier than confronting entrenched behaviors, broken incentives or outdated processes. This isn't about cynicism, it's about comfort. Language is safe. Rewriting a purpose statement doesn't require changing how performance is measured. Updating values doesn't mean retraining managers to lead differently. It's a symbolic action disguised as substantive change. And most organizations don't even realize they're doing it. The new statements are unveiled with energy and sincerity. But when employees ask, "What does this mean for how we work?" the answer is vague at best. There's no operational bridge between the words on the wall and the work on the ground. Related: Today's Top CEOs Share These 4 Traits Misalignment is the real threat Here's where the real danger lies: the greater the gap between what a company says it stands for and what it actually does, the more credibility it loses, both internally and externally. Employees learn quickly that the mission is just PR. Customers sense the disconnect. And talent begins to disengage. If a company updates its values to include "agility" but continues requiring 14 approvals for a basic decision, that's not just a mismatch. It's hypocrisy. The refresh signals change, but the experience reinforces stagnation. This breeds cynicism. Employees roll their eyes at new rollouts. "Vision fatigue" sets in. Leaders struggle to gain traction for future initiatives because the organization has learned not to take declarations seriously. A strategy isn't alive until it shows up in daily choices. If a company says it values experimentation, it should reward smart risks and accept failure as part of the process. If it claims to be customer-first, then customer experience should have a seat at every major decision table. Otherwise, the message is just marketing. To turn a refresh into a transformation, companies must focus less on the message and more on the mechanics. That starts with four key shifts: 1. Stop leading with the language The mission and values aren't a starting point — they're an outcome. Start by identifying how the organization needs to change: What behaviors are missing? What decisions are misaligned? What blockers need to be removed? Once that's clear, articulate the strategy based on how the organization is expected to act differently. 2. Involve people beyond the C-Suite Strategies often get written in isolation by leadership teams that are removed from day-to-day realities. Include voices from across departments and levels, not for optics, but for insight. This ensures the strategy reflects how the business really operates and how it can evolve. Related: 5 Habits of Leaders at the Top of the Ladder 3. Make the strategy usable A good strategy isn't poetic, it's practical. Translate the abstract into the actionable. Create decision frameworks and redesign workflows. Give managers the tools to lead differently, not just new posters to hang. 4. Hold leaders accountable for modeling it The fastest way to kill a refreshed strategy is for leadership to act like nothing's changed. If the top team isn't living the new direction and making hard calls, no one else will either. Accountability starts at the top, or it doesn't start at all. The real work is cultural, not cosmetic Companies that mistake a strategy refresh for cultural change will find themselves stuck in an endless loop of rebranding without real results. The organizations that succeed treat strategy not as a speech, but as a shift. They recognize that words alone don't drive growth — people do. And people follow what's modeled, reinforced and rewarded. So next time the urge to refresh your mission, vision, values and strategy strikes, ask a harder question: What will be different this time? If the answer is only the wording, don't expect anything to change.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Strategy Aims to Raise Another $500M for Bitcoin Buys With New Preferred Series
Strategy (MSTR) has launched its latest fundraising vehicle for additional bitcoin (BTC) purchases. The STRC Preferred Stock (nicknamed "stretch" by the company) will have an initial dividend rate of 9%. The company is looking to sell 5 million shares at $100 each for a total of $500 million. STRC will join the company's other preferred series of shares — STRK, STRF and STRD — not to mention the common stock at-the-market program, through which MSTR raised $736 million just last week for more bitcoin acquisitions. Strategy, of course, is gorilla among corporate bitcoin holders with more than 600,000 coins worth about $72 billion. MSTR is little-changed in after hours trade. Sign in to access your portfolio
Geeky Gadgets
5 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Master Microsoft Project 2025 : Transform Chaos into Seamless Success
What if you could transform chaos into clarity and turn even the most complex projects into seamless operations? For project managers, the stakes are high—deadlines loom, resources stretch thin, and unexpected challenges arise. Yet, with the right tools, these hurdles can become opportunities for efficiency and innovation. Enter Microsoft Project, a powerhouse platform designed to simplify scheduling, optimize resource allocation, and resolve conflicts before they derail your progress. Whether you're juggling overlapping timelines or coordinating a multi-team initiative, this guide will show you how to harness the full potential of Microsoft Project to stay ahead of the curve. In this piece, Simon Sez IT uncovers actionable strategies and essential features that will reshape how you approach project management. From using the Task Inspector to resolve scheduling conflicts to mastering resource allocation tools that prevent bottlenecks, you'll gain insights that go beyond surface-level tips. Curious about how to adapt to shifting priorities or document critical updates effectively? This tutorial will also explore features like inactive tasks and notes, offering practical solutions for real-world challenges. By the end, you'll not only understand the 'how' but also the 'why' behind these tools, empowering you to lead projects with confidence and precision. After all, effective project management isn't just about meeting deadlines—it's about creating a workflow that thrives under pressure. Microsoft Project Management Tips Key Features for Scheduling and Conflict Resolution Scheduling is at the heart of project management, and Microsoft Project offers several features to help you create and maintain efficient timelines. One of the most valuable tools is the Task Inspector, which analyzes task dependencies, constraints, and resource allocations to identify potential scheduling conflicts. For example, if a resource is overallocated, the Task Inspector provides actionable suggestions, such as rescheduling tasks or assigning alternative resources. This ensures that workloads are balanced and deadlines remain achievable. Another critical feature is the use of task predecessors, which establish logical relationships between tasks. By defining these dependencies, you can create a structured workflow that minimizes delays and ensures tasks are completed in the correct sequence. This approach not only reduces the likelihood of conflicts but also provides greater clarity for all team members. Additionally, Microsoft Project allows you to set constraints on tasks, such as 'Start No Earlier Than' or 'Finish No Later Than,' to align with project requirements. These constraints help you maintain control over your schedule while accommodating external factors like client deadlines or resource availability. Strategies for Effective Resource Allocation Resource management is a common challenge in project management, but Microsoft Project offers tools to help you allocate resources efficiently. One of the most useful features is the leveling delay column, which allows you to add delays to tasks without disrupting the overall project timeline. This is particularly helpful when addressing resource overallocation, as it enables you to redistribute workloads and prevent bottlenecks. Understanding elapsed days (E days) is another important aspect of resource allocation. Elapsed days account for non-working periods, such as weekends or holidays, making sure your project timeline reflects real-world conditions. By factoring in these periods, you can create more accurate and realistic schedules. Microsoft Project also includes resource views, such as the Resource Usage and Resource Graph views, which provide insights into how resources are allocated across tasks. These views help you identify potential conflicts and make informed decisions about reallocating resources to maintain productivity. Using MS Project Schedule & Project Management Watch this video on YouTube. Discover other guides from our vast content that could be of interest on Microsoft Project tutorial. Using Inactive Tasks for Flexibility Flexibility is essential in project management, as priorities and circumstances can change over time. Microsoft Project's inactive tasks feature allows you to temporarily exclude tasks from project costs and resource calculations without permanently deleting them. This is particularly useful for tasks that may be postponed or deemed unnecessary during the planning phase. For example, if a task is no longer a priority but may become relevant later, you can mark it as inactive. If circumstances change, you can reactivate the task and seamlessly reintegrate it into your schedule. This feature provides a practical way to adapt to evolving project needs while maintaining a clear and organized plan. Improving Documentation with Notes Clear and effective communication is a cornerstone of successful project management. Microsoft Project enables you to attach notes to tasks or resources, providing a convenient way to document critical details, updates, or instructions. These notes ensure that all stakeholders have access to the information they need to stay informed and aligned. With formatting options, you can highlight key points within your notes, making them more accessible and impactful. For example, you can use bold text to emphasize deadlines, resource requirements, or important updates. This feature not only improves documentation but also enhances collaboration by making sure that everyone involved in the project has a clear understanding of their responsibilities. Hands-On Exercises to Build Proficiency To fully use the capabilities of Microsoft Project, consider practicing the following exercises: Use the leveling delay column to resolve resource conflicts by applying task delays and observing their impact on the project timeline. to resolve resource conflicts by applying task delays and observing their impact on the project timeline. Experiment with marking tasks as inactive and reactivating them to understand how this feature can adapt to changing project requirements. and reactivating them to understand how this feature can adapt to changing project requirements. Add and format notes to tasks or resources, focusing on improving communication and documentation clarity. to tasks or resources, focusing on improving communication and documentation clarity. Create task predecessors to establish logical sequences and reduce the likelihood of scheduling conflicts. These exercises will help you develop practical skills for managing schedules, resolving conflicts, and maintaining effective documentation. By practicing these techniques, you can build confidence in your ability to navigate complex projects. Streamlining Your Project Management Workflow Mastering the tools and techniques available in Microsoft Project can significantly enhance your project management efficiency. By addressing challenges such as resource overallocation, task dependencies, and scheduling conflicts, you can maintain control over even the most complex workflows. Features like the Task Inspector, leveling delay column, and inactive tasks empower you to create flexible, realistic plans that adapt to changing circumstances. Whether you're managing a small team or overseeing a large-scale initiative, these strategies will help you stay organized, meet deadlines, and achieve your project goals. By investing time in learning and applying these tools, you can transform your approach to project management and deliver successful outcomes consistently. Media Credit: Simon Sez IT Filed Under: Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
What Is Soft Influence? The Most Impactful Employees Aren't Always Loud
What Is Soft Influence? The Most Impactful Employees Aren't Always Loud There's a reason Susan Cain's book Quiet did so well. Over four million people bought her book because introverts felt heard, some for the first time. That message stood out to me because my own experience had often been shaped by the opposite kind of energy. Having worked many decades in sales, I worked around a lot of extroverts. They can be boisterous, and most of them were a lot of fun. However, outside of sales, sometimes the most impactful employees aren't always the loudest. They don't necessarily have to be an introvert either. I've met plenty of extroverts who know the value of a pause and a well-placed question. The impact of that leads to calm, precise, and more meaningful results than people often realize. That result is soft influence. And it's becoming one of the most important forms of leadership at work. What Is Soft Influence And How Does It Work? What Is Soft Influence And How Does It Work? Soft influence is when someone quietly moves things forward in a way that doesn't demand attention. They help people make better decisions, keep projects on track, and offer insights that get others thinking differently. They often have a great sense of timing and know how to ask the one question that simplifies something everyone else was over-complicating. Sometimes their best work happens during the meeting, and sometimes it happens in a hallway conversation afterward. Either way, they make things clearer, calmer, and more productive. In my experience, I've found that people with soft influence are usually very tuned in to the emotions and energy of others. They tend to listen before they speak, and when they do speak, others pay attention because they're not just filling air. They build trust because they're steady, thoughtful, and not trying to take credit or win points. They just want to make the outcome better. What makes this kind of influence so effective is that it's based on trust and respect rather than title or authority. Someone might not be in charge of the meeting, but when they offer a perspective, people stop and listen. Their coworkers notice it, and whether they realize it or not, their managers often rely on it to get the real work done. Why Soft Influence Isn't Always Easy To Recognize Why Soft Influence Isn't Always Easy To Recognize In a lot of organizations, the people who get the most recognition are the ones who speak up first. That works for some, but there's a different kind of power in being the person who holds a team together by asking the right questions and making space for better thinking. You won't always find these individuals leading a big project or standing at a podium. Sometimes they're the ones quietly advising others, helping someone feel more confident, or stopping a problem before it even starts. It's important to point out that not everyone who leads this way is trying to climb a ladder. Some are perfectly happy where they are. They're not looking for attention, and they're not trying to become the next department head. They just want to do their job well and help others succeed along the way. Some lead this way because they believe in servant leadership. They'd rather lift others up than wield power over them. They don't need the credit. Seeing the team succeed is the reward. Others focus on being the person others turn to when something needs to be done right. They enjoy being the go-to for advice, clarity, or a second opinion. That doesn't always mean they want to lead a team or be in charge of strategy. For them, influence is about making a difference in the day-to-day. They're reliable, insightful, and respected. Leadership, in their case, doesn't have to come with a title. I teach a lot of courses where I hear from students who tell me they don't want to be the kind of leader who has to be the center of attention or the one giving orders. Especially among younger generations, there's a real shift happening. Many are more interested in being respected for their knowledge than admired for their authority. They want to contribute meaningfully without constantly being on display. Why Soft Influence Matters More Than Ever Why Soft Influence Matters More Than Ever Think of the workplaces where everyone wants to make noise. Maybe there's always someone sharing, announcing, or reacting to something. But the person who speaks less and thinks more often brings something to the table that others didn't even realize was missing. Soft influencers are good at cutting through all of that noise. They help people refocus on what really matters. They prevent things from going off the rails. They're often the person you didn't realize was holding the team together until they take a day off and suddenly everything feels harder, and sometimes falls apart. They often serve as mediators and help defuse tension before it escalates. They encourage people to slow down and consider different angles. That kind of influence builds strong cultures. It creates space for people to speak up, take risks, and collaborate more honestly. When people ask me how to build a culture of curiosity when leadership resists change, I often point to soft influencers. They can have the biggest impact because soft influence doesn't come with a lot of flash and rarely draws resistance. It works quietly, behind the scenes, making teams stronger without forcing people to compete for attention. It holds a different kind of power, one that builds trust and stability, especially when the environment becomes uncertain. How Leaders Can Support And Recognize Soft Influence How Leaders Can Support And Recognize Soft Influence If you're in a leadership role, it's worth paying attention to more than who speaks the most. Ask yourself who others go to when they're unsure or overwhelmed. Who keeps projects grounded without needing constant direction? Who asks thoughtful questions that keep things moving in the right direction? These are your soft influencers. You can support them by making sure your feedback and recognition systems actually capture what they contribute. Don't just reward the most visible person in the room. Look at who makes others better, who quietly resolves problems, and who creates a sense of calm when things feel chaotic. Give people space to lead in ways that fit who they are. Not everyone wants to stand at the front of the room, and there's no need to push them there. Let them lead through consistency, insight, and how they treat others. You don't have to force someone into a role they never asked for to acknowledge the impact they're making. And talk about soft influence openly. When you give feedback or recognize someone's contribution, be specific. Mention how someone's input helped shift a conversation. Call out how they helped resolve an issue before it got worse. People want to be seen for the things that matter, even if they don't ask for attention. Why Soft Influence Is A Kind Of Leadership That Deserves More Attention Why Soft Influence Is A Kind Of Leadership That Deserves More Attention Leadership doesn't have to come with a title or a spotlight. Some people don't want either, and that choice doesn't lessen their value. The people who lead with soft influence are often the ones others rely on most. They build trust, help teams stay grounded, and keep things moving forward without making it about themselves. Their influence holds things together, even if it's not always visible. If you lead this way, your contribution matters. And if someone around you does, let them know. A lot of teams succeed because of people who make everything work better without ever asking for credit.
Gulf Business
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Gulf Business
How to pick the perfect office perfume
We've all been there – you walk into a meeting, and before you even say hello, your scent has already introduced you. And not in a good way. Whether it's the coworker who smells like a candy store or the one who leaves a trail of heavy musk long after they've left the room, strong perfumes in close quarters can be… a lot. So how do you find a scent that whispers 'polished professional' rather than screams 'walking air freshener'? It's all about balance. Here's how to pick a work-appropriate fragrance that keeps you smelling great, without becoming office gossip. Avoid Scents That Are Overpowering Heavy florals, syrupy sweets, or intense spices might be fine for a night out, but in a shared workspace? It will be the wrong pick. You want something fresh, clean, or subtly warm – think citrus, soft woods, or sheer florals. A great example? Make Sure It Lasts (But Not Too Long) An office-friendly perfume should last through your workday, but shouldn't announce your arrival before you step into the room. Eau de Parfum (EDP) is your best bet as it is strong enough to last and light enough to stay polite. Test drive it. Spray it on your wrist before breakfast. If it's ghosted you by lunch, it's too weak. If your coworker asks, 'Is someone wearing incense?' from three desks away, it's too strong. Match the Vibe of Your Workplace Corporate/Finance? Play it safe with vetiver, sandalwood, or crisp citrus. Creative Agency? You can get away with something a little bolder, like soft leather or amber. When in doubt, bergamot, white musk, or light woods are the best choice. Never Blind Buy Never blind-buy a fragrance for the office. Skin chemistry varies, and a scent that smells divine on one person might turn cloying on another. Visit a When You're Stuck, Go Classic If you're unsure, notes like bergamot, neroli, white musk, and light woods are fail-safe choices. They're universally appealing, gender-neutral, and office-appropriate. Holy Oud Imperial Valley nails this balance, as it is citrusy enough to feel fresh and woody enough to feel polished. Your Perfume Should Complement You, Not Define You A good office perfume is like a great work outfit. It should make you feel put-together without drawing too much attention. Find something you love that also respects the shared space, and you'll be golden. Visit V Perfumes' stores across the Middle East or explore our collection online to find your perfect office scent.
