The battle at Gettysburg is one of the most notable events in U.S. History. It is a battle where more lives were taken than in any other battle in North America. In this small farming community in 1863 Tuukka Rask Jersey , George Meade's Union Army comprising of 90,000 troops met Robert Lee's Confederate Army of 75,000. We can read volumes of literature and accounts of heroes, leaders, front-line soldiers and others directly and indirectly impacted by the event. Certainly there are incredible leadership coaching and other lessons from the lives of these men and women and the strategic events which became the critical turning point in the Civil War.
On the morning of the first day of the three day battle, Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain was faced with a coaching and influence opportunity. As the sun was coming over the horizon Patrice Bergeron Jersey , Joshua L. Chamberlain stood before a group of tired soldiers from the Second Maine Brigade. At that point, these men had been participating in heavy battle for weeks and were seeking mutiny. However, due to the number of casualties prior to Gettysburg, their service at this time was desperately needed. Chamberlain explained that he had been instructed to ?order? these men to join the brigade or they would be shot. Yet, he calmly informed the troops that he did not plan to follow this instruction. He recognized their suffering, and then explained the necessity of their military service and the role they could play. Chamberlain eloquently proceeded to instill a renewed purpose in these men Boston Bruins Jersey , helping them to remember why they were involved and had originally enlisted. He referred to their fellow soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. He sought their commitment to move forward with conviction. ?If we lose you, we lose the war, if you join us, I will be grateful.? To conclude, he proposed a powerful idea: ?Join us,? and if so Clayton Keller Jersey , the situation (the mutiny) would not be revisited. If they chose not to join, he would seek fair treatment in their behalf. ?We are moving out? he concluded, and gave them an opportunity to ponder and determine where their commitment would lie.
Shortly thereafter, as the brigade proceeded to Gettysburg Chamberlain wondered if the men would follow his leadership. As it turned out, one hundred and fourteen soldiers (who had originally planned to mutiny) followed this instrumental leader into battle. All but six men were awakened and made the commitment. The rest went on to make history in the crucial defense of ?Little Round Top? at Gettysburg.
Effective leadership coaching and influence is not a fad. It is a proven technique that has stood the test of time. Although terminology and external environments may change, the concept is the same Arizona Coyotes Jersey , people are a valuable resource and they can be influenced. Looking back at Chamberlain's experience, six men did not make the commitment, and in some situations leadership coaching may not always work perfectly. However, as we face modern crucial battles and attempt to build strong organizations, making the effort to coach is always worth the investment. There are many other instances in history where great leaders utilized some kind of coaching or influence. As leaders today, we face similar challenges that require commitment and sacrifice that only comes from a solid partnership with people. It is as true today as it was back then that ?A leader can only achieve excellence through relationships with others.?
Creating Your Unique Selling Proposition
"Don't tell them what you do. Tell them what you do for them."
To capture a larger market share and remain profitable Ryan Kesler Jersey , you absolutely, positively need to distinguish your products andor services from your competitors. In other words, you need to make your business special in the eyes of your clients: You need to create a Unique Selling Proposition, or USP.
So what is a USP?
Simply put a USP is that one distinct idea that sets you and your business apart from your competitors. Or put bluntly it's your response to the question "Why should I buy from you?"
The competition out there is relentless and the chances are you already work in a very diluted business sector. So, what is going to make you stand out, what is going to get your business get noticed?
What's the one clear and overriding reason why I should do business with you?
I'm looking through the Yellow Pages Ryan Getzlaf Jersey , visiting your website, reading your letter, so tell me, "Why the hell should I buy from you?"
Don't say, "because we offer great customer service", or "we offer a service that's at a price right for you" ? don't we all?! Think about what makes you unique ? what's the one thing that your business offers Cam Fowler Jersey , something so compelling that I'm going to contact you and nobody else?
Why should I, your prospect, choose to do business with you versus any and every other option available to me in your category?
Deciding on your Unique Selling Proposition can take time, and perhaps you don't know what it is? Yet. If this is the case, then I have three powerful ways that you can use to generate your USP.
Firstly, ask yourself these questions:
? What is my business really good at? ? What aspect of my business is totally unique? ? What do I provide that no other competitor does?
Secondly Corey Perry Jersey , ask someone else. Ask a client why they use you ? what is it about company that they like? This can be extremely revealing, as very often their objective view point can turn up something very different from your own perceived USP.
Thirdly, imagine you're the customer. Come up with a reason to do business with your company, and then ask yourself 'So what?' Keep asking yourself this question until you've generated something very unique and special.