What is the value of empathy? Why do individuals who have a strong sense of empathy tend to do better in their communication style? Can you improve empathy in your communication style? How does seeking to understand then be understood, help you become a better communicator? Learn more about empathy and communication and how it can contribute to the growth of your business.

Where best is the line drawn between investing in future returns versus immediate returns?  The question has long been asked of most things, including in semi-famous scientific experimenting with providing children the option of one candy immediately, or two candies later, and deserves to be asked from the perspective of business.  Just like the Canadian who breaks out the BBQ and cleans his car to be able to enjoy them in the short-term weather, an entrepreneur has to decide on a daily basis where his efforts will be expended.  Is it worth pulling out the BBQ, enjoying a steak, then dealing with the effort of re-packing it up?  Or is the effort better invested elsewhere?  Similarly, is it worth the time invested on the entrepreneur's part to garner a short-term gain, or is that effort best invested in longer-term returns?

9 out of 10 resolutions, as mentioned in last month's newsletter, fail before the end of January.  If you can't stand proud and claim to be in the 10% who are still holding strong, perhaps it is a good opportunity to at least let the failed resolution bring some value.  The crisis that the vast majority of resolutioners, and really, in a more broad sense, people in general face, is that of trying to treat the symptoms, rather than the root cause.  Particularly precarious in business, this fundamental failure of logic leads to recurring issues, painful situations, and undue stress.

Resolutions, especially those of the new year variety, have always been a bit of a curiosity.  More recent studies would suggest that approximately 8% of people actually keep their resolutions, despite the staggering number of people who make them.  That means, year after year, roughly 90% of the 'resolvers' don't actually use the word resolve in any sense of its definition.  Resolving, and a resolution, is supposed to be a firm, definite, and serious decision to do something.  If 9 in 10 people are failing to keep up their resolution, how could anyone possibly say that the tradition of new year's resolutions makes any sense?  They might as well be called new year's hopes, wishes, or dreams.

The first snowfall of the season has finally landed on the doorstep of BMI's HQ - at least, the first snowfall that seems to be sticking around.  The snow is actually quite late this year, compared to years past, though that should not be taken as a complaint.  Instead, it actually looks as though the snow is matching the generally slower pace the world has been operating on in the past months. Last year, BMI encouraged that the days and weeks leading up into the Christmas season be spent with laser focus, denying the urge to let the impending holidays start bleeding out into both days prior and after, and similarly, to prevent work from crossing over into the holidays.

The astute observers among you might recognize that the BMI newsletter, usually diligently sent on the 1st of the month, is, in fact, a few days later this month.  Whether you call it fate, chance, or just a creative accident, the tardiness of the newsletter coincides nicely with the topic.  Extending far beyond a characteristic found only in business owners or entrepreneurs, a general sense of reluctance and hesitation when starting something new seems to pervade through most.