Meeting Strategies
Knowing When to Use the ‘Cat’s Paw’ with Grace
A ‘Cat’s Paw’ is a tactic where you use others to accomplish something you wouldn’t do directly.
It’s a power play—subtle, effective, and sometimes necessary.
Use sparingly and gracefully.
When stakes are high, and direct involvement may lead to fallout, the ‘Cat’s Paw’ creates a buffer.
It’s not about manipulation; it’s strategy.
The skill is deploying without leaving fingerprints, ensuring all parties feel they’ve acted in their best interest.
You use the ‘Cat’s Paw’ when you need influence without ownership of the action.
Deploy it to solve problems, not create them.
A well-executed ‘Cat’s Paw’ is like the wind: felt but unseen.
Grace comes from clarity—know your endgame before engaging others.
“True influence isn’t loud; it moves through others like a whisper.” – Mike Brewer
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Find the Thumbscrew: The Hidden Lever of Success
We all have a thumbscrew.
It’s the small, seemingly insignificant point that can make or break us.
In business, the thumbscrew might be a unique customer insight or a process inefficiency.
In life, it could be a habit or mindset.
The key is to identify and leverage it.
When you find the thumbscrew, you gain incredible leverage.
Your energy is amplified, your efforts more effective.
It’s on you to find it and focus on it.
Your thumbscrew is your catalyst for personal and professional growth.
Never underestimate the power of small details.
“Discover your thumbscrew, and watch your world transform.” – Mike Brewer
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The Power of “Yes, And”: Transform Your Conversations
Sponsored by theGuarantors
Imagine you’re in a meeting, ideas flying around, and someone pitches a wild concept. Instead of shutting it down, you respond, “Yes, and…”
This is the principle of “Yes, And.” It’s a tool from improv comedy that is useful in business, too.
When you say “Yes,” you validate the other person’s idea.
It shows respect.
Adding “And” builds on the idea.
It encourages creativity and collaboration.
This principle transforms conflict into cooperation.
Try it in your next conversation. You’ll see immediate results.
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Business Advisory Groups: Catalysts of Industry Evolution and Leadership Excellence
Let’s focus on the value of a Business Advisory Group (BAG). Picture a roundtable of subject matter experts (SMEs), each a master in their particular business domain. Vistage is a good example.
The singular purpose is to help people improve their lives and their businesses.
A Business Advisory Group acts as an accountability group. These groups pool together seasoned professionals from various sectors—finance, marketing, technology, real estate management, and more—to offer a multidimensional perspective on business operations and strategy.
The chairperson, often a figure seasoned by years of business cycles steers discussions that help mold thoughts, strategies, and business evolution.
The character of a Business Advisory Group is defined by its integrity and commitment. These are not consultants; they are partners in every sense, vested in the success of the businesses they advise.
Great businesses aren’t built by individuals alone but by visionary groups.
Business Advisory Groups are sometimes the unsung heroes behind many of today’s business success stories.
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Turning Adversity into Opportunity: Multifamily Business Success
Adversity shapes the best multifamily business practices.
When Russell Crowe accepted his Oscar for Gladiator, he quipped, “And for anybody who’s on the downside of advantage and relying purely on courage, it’s possible.”
This rings true for individuals in multifamily and full-blown organizations as well.
Every challenge can become a stepping stone if viewed through a lens of opportunity.
Are you facing rising costs or dipping occupancy? Or worse, dipping economic occupancy?
Use these moments to innovate and refine your operations.
Strengthen resident relationships, improve property management, and optimize maintenance processes.
Adversity forces creativity and resilience, which are essential for long-term success.
Remember, obstacles today become the foundation of tomorrow’s success.
Adversity may cloud your present, but it clears the path to your future.