Al Levi

Ever hear the old saying, “You'll catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar”? What's that got to do with you and your business?

Most business owners that contact me are reaching out because they're frustrated by what their employees do and don't do. Rarely does someone contact me to let me know they love what their people do and that they're the best in the business. Most owners think poorly about the quality of work done by their employees. This is truly unfortunate. The negativity actually invites more bad performance.

If you've become addicted to the sport of golf, like me, don't despair. There are very valuable lessons to learn from your pursuit of mastering the game of golf that directly apply to mastering the game of business.

When I first moved out to Phoenix, I brought the souvenirs of my career with me - a bad back and bad knees. My wife suggested that I sign up for a yoga class, which I did for stretching and such.

Working with contractors who have put their companies into troubled waters, I've developed an analogy that helps them understand what has to happen now.

Some tips on getting your employees to do what you want, the way you want.

Offer your employees a career, not just a job.

Judging others too quickly without all the facts can lead to problems.

First impressions mean a lot in this business.

Today's sacrifice is paving the way to your future's success.

All you owe him or her is an opportunity, not a guaranteed job for life.