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Armonk, NY Real Estate News

By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Coaches and business executives universally understand the need to acquire talented players and staff, but the critical difference between winning and losing is often defined by the quality of their planning. Winning football coach Bear Bryant felt that good planning was the key to victory. Bryant said, "Have a plan. Follow the plan, and you'll be surprised how successful you can be. Most people don't have a plan. That's why it's easy to beat most folks." Peter Drucker, the "man who invented management," has written thirty-nine books on management and spent more than fifty years teaching and serving as a business consultant. He had similar thoughts regarding the impact of planning on organizational success. He formulated five questions that he felt every company should answer: 1. What ...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
How many of you are parents?  When your child comes home from school with his or her report card and it shows, for example, an A in math, B’s in history and science, and a C in English, What is your response?  That’s right.  Most people will talk to their child about raising the grade in English.  But what if your child might have a real talent in math?  He or she might become a great math genius.  But it might never be realized because time was spent dwelling on weakness rather than leveraging strengths.   Let’s look at that another way.  We have talents and non-talents.  We can create strengths by leveraging our talents.  When we spend time doing this we are insuring our success.  We actually create our weaknesses by depending on non-talents.  Here is an example.  Let’s say that you h...
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By Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
(The Flooring Girl)
What is the difference between red oak and white oak hardwood? Oak flooring is the most popular species of hardwood here in Armonk NY.  Oak is a very practical wood, is readily available (grown and made in the US), very affordable and very easy to stain so you can find the color you prefer.  But many consumers don't realize that there are 2 species of oak - red oak and white oak flooring. If you are installing new hardwood flooring everywhere, either red oak hardwood or white oak hardwood will work, and your choice will probably be dependent on which look/color you prefer as well as the price (the prices of red oak/white oak fluctuate, so in general there is not usually a major price difference, but this can vary slightly at any given time frame or based on the brand/grade/width of hard...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
So now let’s tie it all together.  In our previous blogs we have covered the points of the five pointed STAR Model which includes Strategy, Structure, Process, Rewards and People. Of critical importance is the center of the star, Business Results. This should be a metric that reflects the future strength of your business or organization and needs to be forward leading.  In theory, when these strategic results are accomplished the future is good.  Examples of these indicators could be increased market share, volume of sales from products/services introduced in the last three years, customer loyalty index, or your employee engagement index, etc. When these types of measurements are used and met, sustainability is greatly enhanced. What does your organization measure and is it a leading or...
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By Michael F. Levy
(Grand Lux Realty - Armonk and Westchester NY)
Armonk NY is a wonderful place to live. Armonk is a hamlet town of North Castle in Westchester County, New York. Armonk is home to the global headquarters of information technology company IBM and bond insurer MBIA, and the Americas headquarters of reinsurer Swiss Re. Smith's Tavern, a historical site and landmark of the Revolutionary War, is located in Armonk and is the home of the North Castle Historical Society.   Downtown Armonk  The North Castle Public Library, a member of the Westchester Library System, is also located in Armonk.   Whippoorwill Country Club is located in Armonk and is one of Westchester's best courses.   Armonk plays host to several events that take place annually. Most notably is the Armonk Outdoor Art Show, a fine art and fine crafts juried show sponsored by Fri...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
In previous blogs we have covered Strategy, Structure, Process and Rewards in our star model. This leads to the last element – people. Let’s look at a couple of scenarios: Scenario 1: You’ve hired a highly skilled and knowledgeable individual expecting him/her to be one of your next top performers. As time goes by, you just don’t see this individual living up to your expectations. How can this be? He/she has the skills and knowledge to do the job. Compared to, Scenario 2: You’ve hired an individual that didn’t have the best skill set, but there was just something about this person that you really liked, so you decided he/she was worth the investment. This individual asked for assistance when needed and became one of your top performers. How can this be? He/she didn’t start off by having...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
In our last blog segment we covered process on the STAR Model.  Now we will talk about rewards. Rewards and recognition systems can mean many different things to organizations.  Some organizations may think of very formal programs.  Others may think of informal recognition that focuses on thanking your employees and showing appreciation. The key here is that the rewards and recognition systems need to be in alignment with your strategy whether your system is formal or informal.  At this point I would like to define what I mean by rewards and recognition.  A Reward is defined as something given or offered for a special service. Recognition is defined as a favorable notice or an acknowledgement. For example, let’s take an organization that is structured to be team-based in order to exceed...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Let’s move from Structure to Process on the Star Chart. A process is defined as a series of interrelated steps or operations directed toward a particular result. Many organizations begin with clear processes in place. Historically, those processes have served the organization well – after all they’ve allowed the organization to achieve past results. However, organizations often get stuck in “doing things the same way because that is the way we’ve always done them.”  Have any of you every heard that statement.  I am sure that all of us have heard it. However, customers’ wants and needs change.  Have your processes changed to meet those demands? In order to create sustainability, organizations need to focus on ensuring their customers are getting what they want (product/service), when the...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Let’s continue with part 4 of this blog series.  We discussed the importance of having an organization in alignment as illustrated in my STAR Diagram.  The diagram includes alignment in Strategy, Structure, Process, Rewards, People, as well as Leadership. After Strategy the next key element is structure. Structure is defined as interdependent departments or business units of an organization that working together to achieve an organization’s strategy. As part of the structure, an organization clearly lists who has authority over the policies and procedures of these business units.  Does your structure support your strategy? How do you know? Here are a few thoughts that may help you determine if your structure does in fact support your strategy. Let’s take a closer look at structure. Ever...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
In part two of this blog series we emphasized that a healthy and sustainable organization is in alignment.      I encourage organizations to look at each element or point of the diagram below:   Strategy, Structure, Process, Rewards, People, as well as Leadership to determine how well they are working together. And most importantly, see how all of this impacts your external customer. Every contributor’s goal should be creating and maintaining a loyal customer base in order to achieve desired business results. It all starts with your strategy – what’s your game plan for the next 18-24 months?  How has your organization defined success: where do you want to go, what do you want to accomplish, and how are you going to make that happen?  How will you measure it?  How does your strategy affe...
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By Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
(The Flooring Girl)
Yes, it's my 2 year anniversary here on Active Rain.  I started July 4th weekend (July 3rd to be exact)...a time when things slowed down and I finally had some time to check what Active Rain was all about.  (It had been on my "to do" list for 5 months).  Thank goodness I checked this place out because it has propelled my business to new heights and connected me with so many wonderfully talented people. BAR - BEFORE ACTIVE RAIN: I didn't even know what SEO meant, let alone how to do it My website was getting less than 200 hits per month (and prob. half of those were me) I had never written a blog post about my business. My nickname of The Flooring Girl didn't exist Some highlights: The post with the most hits and most reblogs:  What types of hardwood are best for pets? It was reblogged 3...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
What do you think about when you hear marketing?  You may think about getting more business, getting your message out, branding your company, doing a web site, having a newsletter, doing a multimedia campaign, or combination of all. There are many different companies that you can call to do any of these things.  You can find them anywhere.  Many are found on the Internet and could be located anywhere in the world.  View Larger Map I want to introduce you to a local company in Katonah, Westchester County, NY that does all of these things well.  Vance Klein is the owner of Crosscheck Designs.  Vance offers his many years of Madison Avenue experience to the local business owner in Westchester County.  Vance and his company have over 25 years of graphic design experience in corporate, agenc...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Many of you reading this blog know Debbie Gartner, “The Flooring Girl” of Floorcoverings International of Westchester and Fairfield.  I have known Debbie for four years.  I became her customer a year ago. From the first time I met Debbie at networking events and local BNI chapters she always presented an image of professionalism and total dedication to her business. It was time for us to sand and refinish a floor and also put down some new tile in our entrance hall.  There is a well know name that advertises on the radio.  My wife called and a high pressure salesperson came.  When I came back from shopping my wife showed me a written sale.  I could not believe it.  I knew enough about quality to realize that she had purchased inferior flooring.  We cancelled that immediately and called...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
A number of years ago people used to go to the phone book when they needed to have work done in their house.  I am sure many of us can remember the listings that began with AA then AAA and even AAAAAA.  The idea was to be the first phone number in the yellow pages (for those who remember).  People would call the first number and ask a price and then, many times, ask if the contractor could take off more.  Then they would call the next one in the book.  Unfortunately, today people are trying to do the same with SEO as if that is all they need. That works well for a commodity item where the only differential is the price.  But your home or your building is a sizable asset that needs to be protected.  You need the job done the right way with the right materials, no more, no less, and you n...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Unless you absolutely love computers, as I actually do, you just want your computer system to do the job of running your business.  The very thought of losing your customer files, financial data, or personal pictures can strike fear into your heart. If you worked in a larger company you called IT whenever you had a problem and they would be able to fix it.  On the other hand as a small business owner you tend to call a person who claims to be the computer expert.  This may or may not be the case.  But what is the cost if you are wrong?  You don’t want to think about lost data. When my client Dan Sherman left the corporate world he chose to buy a CMIT Franchise.  He is the President of CMIT Solutions of White Plains.  As Dan says on his website www.cmitsolutions.com/white-plains/ “More o...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
If you live or work in Westchester County you are probably aware of the local chambers of commerce, The Business Council of Westchester, and the Westchester County Association.  However, there are many other network organizations out there ranging from BNI to other informal groups. I would like to tell you about another group, The Westchester Business Connection.  This group was founded by three people in September 2008.  The partners all had their own businesses.  They include Joe Corbalis who has a flooring business, Grace Borrani, a Realtor in Yonkers, NY, and Jaime Garry, a Graphic and Web Designer in Yonkers, NY.  I became their business coach about a year and a half ago.  I started working with them to help them discover how to take their business of networking to the next level. ...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Several years ago Alfonso Ciampa,  co-owner of Home Improvements by Antonio Ciampa, approached me to help him develop a plan to take his home contracting business to the next level.  As a business coach working with family businesses I saw a great opportunity for Alfonso to make a difference by separating himself from his competition. The company was started by his father, Antonio over 30 years ago.  Through hard work and attention to detail Antonio, an immigrant from Italy, built a reputation for  “European Craftsmanship American Made”.  Like most contractors here in Westchester County New York Alfonso and his father had more business than they could handle until the slowdown followed by the meltdown in the Fall of 2008.  In 2009, Alfonso worked with me to put together a business plan ...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
I am sure everyone has their favorite restaurant.  The reason it is your favorite could be that they make a menu item just the way you like it.  Or they always have a table waiting for you, or they greet you by name when you come in, ask how you are doing and ask about your family.  In short the restaurant gave you a great guest experience. I am a business coach based in Armonk, NY and I have had the pleasure helping my clients in Westchester County develop customer loyalty programs that produce great sales and profits. One of my clients, Tana McGuire, owns the Tuscan Grille Restaurant at 518 North State Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY  10510.  View Larger Map  Like Sam Malone of Cheers, Tana always makes you feel at home and you are always glad you came.  When Tana purchased the restaurant ...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
In part one of this blog series we talked about jumping off the hamster wheel and taking control of your business.  Are you ready to become a leader in sustainability? Let’s spend some time talking specifically about your organization. What key measurement does your organization use to determine success? Most people answer with sales and profits. Are sales and profits a good measurement? Absolutely, profitability is important; however it’s not the only measurement. Sales and profits are results past decisions. Therefore these are LAGGING INDICATORS; they are FORWARD LOOKING INDICATORS.  You cannot,therefore, cannot forecast your future sustainability by only looking at sales and profits. Sustainable businesses focus on developing a loyal customer base. Peter Drucker said, “The function ...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
I am starting a series of blogs on Business Sustainability.  Is your organization healthy enough to survive in today’s demanding times? Is your organization a sustainable business? The business environment is changing so rapidly … are you ready for the changes? For the sake of this blog, let’s start by defining two terms that will be important points discussed going forward... sustainability and loyal customer base. Sustainability can be defined as an organization’s ability to survive in today’s economic times, to meet societal demands, environmental and political issues/regulations, as well as being able to forecast the wants and needs of the future.  I refer to this age being able to adapt to the changing business climate. I work with organizations that have decided that creating and ...
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