Would you like a proven, informed Strategist who cares about your successful outcome to review your next plan, before it doesn't perform as desired?
We help companies skip the part where they have to figure out the 'Who, What, When, Where, Why and How' of what went wrong by leveraging our insights to help ensure successful implementations.
Your people, your goals, guaranteed results.
Keep doing what you do best and we'll keep doing what we do best. Strategies and Solutions to increase results and profitability for our clients.
Foster. STRATEGIES. Group.
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Dear Conference Hosts:
Please start choosing to lean back into quality over 'pay for play' for your speakers. To charge people to listen to people you charge to speak is surreal.
👉 What does a keynote speaking position even mean if it was bought and paid for?
👉 How does this help serve your audience going forward?
👉 Does it ensure value and benefit your participants?
👉 How does it build engagement and interest from others by volume of participation?
👉 What if you spent all of that effort into bringing in greater talent, and could then actually charge more?!
#DrivingExcellence
#BusinessStrategy
#BusinessGrowth
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1187
On Three Important Things You'll Want to Know as August Begins!
😁 Hiring is Still Roaring!
🤯 Conference Season Planning Starts Now
🧐 Business Growth Requires Outstanding Talent...Don't Wait and Lose Opportunities
What else would you like to talk about today?
I'll be touching on EVs and additional earnings reports later this week.
For today,
Must- see conferences on your list?
Won't miss presentations?
Let's discuss.
#Automotive #AutomotiveAdjacent #BusinessGrowth #TalentAcquisition
#Careers #CareerOpportunities #ExecutiveCoaching #GrowthStrategy
#SalesSuccess #LeadershipMatters
#GROW! #BetterTogether #StrategicPartnerships
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Trust me on this one: Your C-Suite is not beyond reproach. They still need to adhere to company policies, have levels of achievement/accomplishments, commit to and prove they are growing their leadership skills and most importantly, they need to be good at their job and be outstanding leaders.
Here are 3 signals to look for that indicate you may have some issues to address 'upstairs':
1. Your company's current performance is not meeting forecasts. This concern normally flows straight downhill. Note which departments seem to suffer or fail to meet expectations or timelines most frequently. Instead of swinging towards middle management, look up the chain of command.
Quite often this is where we find
-Lack of clarity to their teams
- Personality clashes between department heads limiting progress
- Inability to create a successful plan
- Blame
2. You hear murmurings of issues, but don't want to risk C-team collegiality.
It's your responsibility to the company and to your employees to ensure safe work environments for your people. There is a direct correlation between hindered sales, missed targets, diminished profitability and employee churn.
3. The 'I've been here forever + Peter Principle players'.
Longevity and tenure alone are not enough at these levels of leadership. Require your leadership team to actively demonstrate how they are still continuously improving their skills to run their arena. Lip service is useless. Provable facts of participation.
Quick test: Ask what metrics are most critical for their teams. If they provide numbers commonly known from 2+ years ago, they are not paying attention to current trends and competitive adjustments in the market. Insist that your leaders are constantly adjusting metrics based on KPIs relative to your business. After this, it is important they can teach others how to achieve these numbers, what data shaped their decisions and open conversation to other data pointing to further changes. In addition, they should have a regularly scheduled exercise of monitoring compensation as it aligns to company objectives.
To close for the moment, in addition to poor business guidance, we are hearing about too many 'bad apples' in leadership.
HR standards are for everyone and the leaders must uphold the highest levels of integrity, not the lowest. Oh the stories I could tell you. Not historical anecdotes, you must ensure your leaders are in check today.
1185
ICYMI: Yesterday I shared 3 insights on 3 important topics impacting most of my network.
We're making sure everyone had a chance to see this before the next video drops.
Three topics, one take, #BetterTogether insights from ⭐Laurie at Foster Strategies Group.
What else would you like added information on this week?
What topics are affecting you directly?
And where are YOU today, friends?!
#AutomotiveLeadership #CreatingSuccessModels #BusinessGrowth #CareerStrategy #TalentAcquisition #Conference #EventROI #Hiring #Strategy
#DrivingExcellence #GROW! #ReimagineAutomotive
1184
Automotive Influencers in Sales, Heads Up!
Alright then: I haven't had the chance to directly interact with Sales Associates and ECom Directors in a minute, but one of my clients has a very cool offer designed just for them.
👉WHAT IT DOES
Drives traffic directly to professional Sales Associates who are already working to become Influencers inside Automotive *regardless* of the Dealership, Brand or OEM they work under.
Offer Sales People the opportunity to build their clientele faster through early interactions with highly engaged shoppers, outside the typical 3rd party or SEO-driven channels.
👉WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
Any Sales Professional who can prove they have at least 1 year's experience at a Franchise or Independent Dealership within 30 miles of a city with a population of at least 75,000.
👉REQUIREMENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL
Excellent grasp and usage of multiple Social Media platforms
At least 1000 followers in at least one of the following: TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram
Above average CSI ratings, proof will be required
⭐⭐⭐OPEN TO DISCUSS
With Progressive Minded ECom Directors, Sales Trainers, et al.
Sales Associates will all be eligible for weekly rewards, recognition and entrance to sweepstakes.
They will also benefit directly from the clientele they increase.
If you are an Automotive Influencer in Sales or know one, this is going to be exciting...game-changing even. Stop waiting for t #automotive #dealership he Dealership to dole out leads, receive them directly from shoppers looking for a great experience.
To be included in this first round, apply to https://lnkd.in/eRDK9MT and we will keep you up to the minute.
We will be moving fast.
But you're an Influencer, you're good with that!
Leads Straight to Sales!
#TikTok #LinkedIn #Facebook #Instagram #Twitter #Pinterest
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Meet Shane Stender 🌊, an outstanding industry colleague
First off, Shane has no idea I'm doing this!. Be ready to contribute your own insights on Shane at the end.
👉The minute I learned about the high-caliber of industry leadership Shane offered at Silverback Digital Marketing with owner Jeff Cossar I wanted to know more. They have a terrific backstory and currently serve hundreds of companies in and outside of #Automotive with their exceptional services.
👉Then I found out he competes in IRONMAN events and I was awestruck. He suddenly inhabited the same space in my mind as The David Goggins!
✈️He recently competed again in Europe. It's only a little embarrassing to admit that while he was in France doing another Ironman, I was traipsing around Paris with a friend. 😳 It was a competition of miles walked around the City of Lights vs the untold miles Shane ran, biked and swam!🏃♂️🏊♀️🚴♀️
After this, I learned of the mentorship programs he actively participates in with his alma mater, West Virginia University, even as he requested my help with a recent female grad.
What doesn't Shane do and do well?
Since I am still not aware of his full impact, I want more of you to weigh in with 'how you know Shane' as I introduce him to my network.
Who should I introduce next?! Stand by...there is always something exciting here and always someone interesting to highlight.
We are #BetterTogether.
Feel free to submit a recommendation!
#Creative #Media #Mentorship #WVU #WestVirginiaUniversity #PartnershipsMatter
#Automotive #Advertising #LeadershipMatters #Mentorship #IronMan #ManagingPartner #SilverbackAdvertising #leadership #digitalmarketing #france #university #paris #europe #ShaneStender
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Needing an advocate today?
I've got you covered.
Inside Automotive, outside in business everywhere, I help people and their companies set and reach higher targets. Strategically.
If you need a quick reminder of 'Who You Are' and your incredible talents, I'm right here. Always.
#BetterTogether #LeadershipMatters #MakingADifference #BusinessGrowth #PeopleMatters #CareerGrowth #CareerStrength #ExecutiveCoach #ExecutiveStrategy
1181
Wishing your friend and mine, Bill Zadeits a very happy birthday!
A great leader in our industry, a fantastic colleague and a friend to all who cross his path.
I think I can hear the celebrations happening at his office across the state in Raleigh from my office here in Charlotte.
Celebrate great people, especially on their birthday.
Happy, happy birthday Bill!
#LeadershipMatters #Automotive #Conference #Media
Cherokee Media Group #AutoIntelSummit #AutoRemarketing
Joe Overby Nick Zulovich Amanda Dunlap Justine Mirsky-Blank Dana Nusbaum Jessica Johnson
1180
Good morning!
Wednesday is a unique work day for me. It's at once my favorite and the one I have the most stress over.
We start the morning on Wednesday with 60% of the week at our fingertips, yet by the time we close down, the pressure of having only 2 days, 40% of the week starts to concern me. We're running out of 'week'!!!
Do you get the same feelings?
Which day is your favorite?
On which day do you feel like you are the most productive?
Have you ever measured it to know your own data or RI? (Real Intelligence ;) )
I'm starting to track this closely for myself as I continue to finesse my scheduling and time-blocking by task and client.
Whether we're ready or not, our Wednesday is upon us.
Make it a great one, by design.
#Automotive #LeadershipMatters #ExecutiveStrategy #Performance #GrowthStrategy #HappyWednesday
1179
Thought of the Day, or TOTD if I'm being cool.
Many of you have 'older' men in leadership at your organization with wives who have always stayed at home and supported their careers and kept the family going in their extended absence.
If that was their family's choice, that is fine and up to them!
However, with these dynamics in place if this is the case, there could be an unconscious bias these male employees possess toward the women who report to them. They may not see their careers being as important, their career growth opportunities as necessary, their inclusion in conversations and even events, i.e., golfing, et al as missing by design. Intentional or not, the results are the same.
This is not something to take lightly, but rather to learn more about, openly train on and discuss. You will want to look at their metrics carefully in regard to personnel as they may see things through a different lens than what your company's leaders or owners- and women- have in mind.
We are all hopefully learning and growing as we become aware. However, you may have some in place who may need more than a nudge.
Always remember, employees typically don't leave companies- they chose your company after all.
They leave their managers/direct 'bosses'.
Final thoughts:
1 Out of all of your leadership team what percentage is male
and
2 What is the compensation distribution between your men and women in leadership roles?
3 What is our current Talent situation?
Acquisition, Onboarding, Performance and Career Growth/Promotions?
You can't afford to lose great people and I know you want to attract the best talent.
For a thoughtful conversation, reach out and I'll share how we can drive a difference.
https://lnkd.in/eRDK9MT
#Automotive #Talent #Careers #LeadershipMatters #BetterTogether #CareerGrowth #BusinessStrategy #UnconsciousBias #ConsciousAction #Equity #GROW
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Strategy.
Such a word, strategy.
Spoken so easily, designed, delivered and executed on flawlessly so rarely.
Strategy.
It's our middle name.
We provide businesses in and beyond #Automotive sound, sustainable and successful solutions. When you are ready to experience improved results and increased confidence, we will show up.
The only question is do we meet this week or next.
Strategy. It starts here.
#FosterStrategiesGroup #BetterTogether #PartnershipsMatter #LeadershipMatters #BusinessStrategy #Growth #Improvement #Performance #ExecutiveGuidance #OEM #DealershipSuccess #MergersAcquisitions #TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #RoleClarification #MetricsThatMatter #EOS #KPI #Traction
1177
Currently in creation mode.
Video content is simultaneously so much fun and engages all of my creativity, but it also requires a clear strategy.
And good strategy takes time and concentrated effort. I should know. That's what I do every day.
Channeling my inner Moira. Back to work ladies!
1176
Seriously?!
If you're laying people off and telling them to call me, that's a nice compliment I suppose but what are we supposed to do from here?
You also didn't take the time to let me know this was coming and have made no attempts at financial arrangements with me formal or otherwise.
Try to do better for your people.
Give them a reinstatement package to help them secure professional services that they need now that you used them up and tossed them out. You act like you did something. Yeah you did.
Meanwhile, your people are in distress.
They are shaken.
They are surprised.
But you knew this was coming and failed to make any kind of plan along the way for the people that trusted you.
I love helping people throughout our industry but get tired of the laziness from would-be leaders simply tossing these people over to me and walking away as if they've now done their job.
Don't worry, I'll treat your people better than you did. Even when it's on my own time and out of my own budget.
#NotImpressed
Can I please use my hashtag #LeadershipMatters here so you can absorb the meaning?
Back to my busy Friday with my paying clients.
👉 If you experienced a *surprise layoff* let me know. I will help you somehow, however you need!
Just be a little patient with me, please.
#WhenAnEmojiIsBetter
#Automotive #Careers #Marketing #Agencies #TalentAcquisition #OEM #Layoffs #PeopleMatter
#Strategy #BeKind #EmployeesMatter
#Integrity
#WomenOwnedBusiness #GROW!
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Seriously?!
If you're laying people off and telling them to call me, that's a nice compliment I suppose but what are we supposed to do from here? You haven't discussed this with me and we do not have any type of arrangement formal or informal.
Try to do better for your people. Give them a reinstatement package to help them secure professional services that they need now that you used them up and tossed them out.
They are shaken.
They are surprised, but you knew this was coming and failed to make any kind of plan along the way for the people that trusted you.
I love helping people throughout our industry but am disheartened by the laziness of would-be leaders simply
tossing these people over to me and walking away as if they've now done something.
Don't worry, I'll treat your people better than you did. Even when it's on my own time and out of my own budget.
#NotImpressed
Can I please use my hashtag #LeadershipMatters here #leaders so you can absorb the meaning?
Back to my busy Friday with my paying clients.
If you experienced a *surprise layoff* let me know. I will help you somehow however you need! Just be a little patient with me, please.
1175
Seriously?!
If you're laying people off and telling them to call me, that's a nice compliment I suppose but what are we supposed to do from here? You haven't discussed this with me and we do not have any type of arrangement formal or informal.
Try to do better for your people. Give them a reinstatement package to help them secure professional services that they need now that you used them up and tossed them out.
They are shaken.
They are surprised, but you knew this was coming and failed to make any kind of plan along the way for the people that trusted you.
I love helping people throughout our industry but am disheartened by the laziness of would-be leaders simply
tossing these people over to me and walking away as if they've now done something.
Don't worry, I'll treat your people better than you did. Even when it's on my own time and out of my own budget.
#NotImpressed
Can I please use my hashtag #LeadershipMatters here #leaders so you can absorb the meaning?
Back to my busy Friday with my paying clients.
If you experienced a *surprise layoff* let me know. I will help you somehow however you need! Just be a little patient with me, please.
1174
It's a gorgeous Saturday here in Charlotte. After enjoying quiet time outdoors this morning, watching the squirrels eat almonds I placed nearby, I was thinking about winter, and what 'winter' means in business.
These little yard rats are always preparing, always planning. Never hoping things will be fine, never taking their feet off the pedal.
If they stop, they will die.
How many businesses have we seen begin to coast once things seemed 'fine'?
How many people have reached a certain level of success in their career, yet stopped learning, planning, and growing, only to be caught in a state of malaise or inadequacy when business demands changed or heated up?
The interesting thing about my furry little neighbors is that as busy as they are, they are enjoying the journey. I'm watching them race and wrestle their way back up through the branches ever higher, even jumping over to an adjacent tree where I didn't realize they had another 'home'.
There is joy in the journey. I have recently started using my own 'Laurie Foster-esque' phrase, calling what I do and help others with is 'Work-Life Harmony'. Forget 'balance'- this sounds so unstable and uncertain to me...constantly teetering, juggling, tipping over...frustrating.
When I think about how harmoniously my work, my 'real' life, my talents and my interests have been woven together, it truly feels like a wonderful piece of music. Lots of layers, high notes and interesting chords. Plenty of fortes- and pianissimo when that's needed also.
Yes, these squirrels allowed me to think about preparation. And it's not work when you watch and listen to how beautifully you can always be creating the music you want to hear.
Planning is a wonderful gift. And my planning session today for the remainder of 22 and the bustling conference season deserves to be orchestrated well.
Prepare intentionally for what's ahead and enjoy the dance...just like my backyard friends.
Enjoy your weekend, friends!
#BackyardMagic #WorkLifeHarmony #Planning #Preparation #CareerGrowth #Performance
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We warned you this was coming! It's time to double-down on all of your People Efforts. Read through to the end to learn how we make a difference for companies like yours.
If 'The Great Resignation' wasn't making your Employee Retention and Acquisition efforts costly and time-consuming enough, enter 'Quiet Quitting'!
I am smooshed for time (!) between important client calls this morning, but want to share 3 FSG Insights for you to remember as you start your week.
⭐✈️Three Ways to Avoid Quiet Quitting, The Great Resignation and Improve Employee Retention, Loyalty and Performance
👉👉👉 1. Purpose Matters- Do everything you can to make sure every business unit and every single employee is aligned with your company's vision, understands their role in the ultimate success of accomplishing goals and hears (not just 'knows') their contributions are seen and appreciated. Loyalty and purpose are intricately aligned!
👉👉👉 2. People Matter!!! Ensure that every employee at every point on the #orgchart sees they are valued. There has never been a better time to redouble your efforts to ensure each person- even leaders- see outwardly that they are recognized, encouraged, supported, heard, and...wait for it COMPENSATED! Start bonusing and paying your current performers as you would pay if you have to replace them with a person who knows little to nothing about your company. The high, unseen cost of employees 'quietly quitting' or resigning includes performance loss, hiring, onboarding, and on and on. Keep your People- Keep them Engaged!
👉👉👉 3. #LeadershipMatters- Yes this is my coined hashtag because it says so much. Your Leadership Team is currently either successful or failing in regards to Talent.
They also will benefit from many of the items mentioned in 1 and 2 above. Make NO assumptions that every one of your Leaders is a great Leader. In fact, assume otherwise. Good intentions mean nothing if you're losing at the People game...and can cost you everything. Literally everything.
As I support organizations like yours, we will always drive greater Performance, Purpose, and Profitability through your People. Every single time.
If you want to avoid Quiet Quitting, attract better #Talent, improve the #Performance of your #LeadershipTeams, and keep the great #People you already hired and trained, reach me today...after 3- it's a busy morning/early afternoon! DM me now and I will show you how quickly and seamlessly we improve businesses, restoring greater confidence to #Owners, #CEOs and #Leaders.
Back at it...but wait, this is 'IT'! What a great life when you are capable, committed and enjoy the work you do and whom you do it for.
#WorkLifeHarmony #QuietQuitting #GreatResignation #Careers #Talent #People #Leadership #Automotive #CorporateTraining #ExecutiveCoaching #GrowthStrategies #Performance #LevelUpLeadership #GROW #FosterStrategiesGroup
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Remember Who You Are.
Remember What You Set Out To Accomplish.
Remember Everything You Have Done To Get Here.
Remember All Of The Lives You Have Impacted.
Remember Where You Still Need To Go.
Remember That People On Every Step Still Have Unmet Goals.
Remember 'We' Will Help You Achieve Those Dreams.
Remember That You Deserve It.
Remember That We Are Counting On You.
Remember, Remember and Breathe That Feeling In Right Now.
remember who you are.- laurie
#YouveGotThis
