Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Wednesday Update

The Day by Day Database is up to date.



from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2slNzRg

Sales Managers Need Coaching And Development Too!

Virtually everything one reads about driving sales performance and productivity focuses on the sales person.  1000’s of books and articles provide endless advise to help improve sales people skills.  Billions are spent in training and skills development—all focused on the sales person.  Billions are spent on tools–again all aimed at the sales person.

Increasingly we are recognizing the impact that managers have on individual and team performance.  There’s a lot of data about the impact of disciplined approaches to coaching on sales performance.  Win rates are much higher comparing those managers having a disciplined approach to coaching versus those that provide no or informal coaching.

Likewise, revenue attainment, quota attainment, virtually any measure we have shows how front line sales managers have huge impacts on sales performance.

So much of what we look at in sales enablement focuses on enabling sales people—but there is scant discussion about this for sales managers–particularly front line sales managers.

There seems to be a feeling that just because they have the title of “manager” they must know how to do the job.

Recently, I conducted a round table discussion with managers from a number of companies.  Some were experienced managers, some were relatively new.  None of them had any training on their roles as managers, all had been tossed in and expected to learn through osmosis.  Few had any coaching from their managers–most discussions focused on forecasting (is there anything else that managers ever talk about?).  There were discussions about problems–problem people.  Discussions about overall organizational performance, and programs du jour to get performance back on target.

When I asked the group if they had any coaching from their managers, less than 20% replied they had.

Front line sales managers represent the highest leverage we have in driving individual and team performance.  We know all our money invested in training is wasted unless the front line sales managers is coaching and reinforcing things on an ongoing basis.  We know unless they are recruiting and onboarding the right people, unless they are setting and managing performance expectations, the organization won’t perform.

But how do managers learn about these things?  Where do they learn about why this is important, what do do with who, and how to be most effective?

Just because they have the title of “manager” doesn’t reduce the need for training, development, and ongoing coaching.  Even as a top “C-level” exec, I’ve always learned from the training I may have gone through and actively sought coaching from my manager–in a few cases this meant members of the board.

For front line managers this is even more important.  If we expect them to maximize the performance of their teams, we have to do everything possible to help them be successful–maximizing their own performance.

Front line manager training, development, coaching has a huge payoff–it enables these managers with the skills, knowledge, and tools to drive performance in the organization.

It’s time top sales execs started to recognize this.  It’s time to start focusing on the development of these managers.

If we aren’t making these investments, how do we ever expect to have the investments we make in our sales teams pay off?

What are you doing to develop and coach your front line sales managers?

 



from Partners in EXCELLENCE Blog — Making A Difference http://ift.tt/2s0BktW

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

3 Tips to Converting a Tub to a Shower

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Converting a bathtub into a shower is not as difficult as you may think. If you don’t use your bathtub for bathing, why not convert your old bathtub into a walk in shower? Here are 3 tips on converting a tub to a shower.

Determine Spacing & Placement
A bathtub to shower conversion is easiest when you situate your new open shower in the space left behind by your bathtub, since your drain lines and water supply will already be in place. Moving plumbing can add significant cost to the project, plus require bringing in a plumber.

Spacing Required for a Walk In Shower:

  • At least 30 inches by 30 inches of floor space.
  • At least 80 inches in height.
  • At least 15 inches between the side of the toilet and the shower wall.
  • Or at least 21 inches between the front of the toilet and the shower wall.
  • If you plan to install a swinging door, make sure to account for the swing. Source: BudgetDumpster

Waterproofing and Drainage
Properly sealing the shower floor from water leaks will help protect your home from problems associated with water leaks, like wood rot, drywall damage and mold. Hot mops are prepared onsite and are the best way to waterproof the shower pan.

A standard drain may not be sufficient to stand the test of time. To ensure your shower remodel lasts for many years, select a high quality and durable drain. Source: Angieslist

Which Type of Shower Works Best for Your Space?
Now that you have some ideas about what you want your shower to look like, you’ll want to consider the best type of shower to install in your bathroom.

Shower stalls
All-in-one shower stalls that can be added to an existing tub-sized space can make your job easier. Many options exist with built-in ledges and shelving; some even have seating areas. The stalls typically include a curb to contain water and the option of installing any type of door you wish — or even just using a curtain.

Tiled shower curbs
A tiled shower created in the existing wall space usually necessitates a curb or ledge that will hold the door and keep the water inside the shower. The curb should be tall enough to contain moisture and short enough to step over easily. Curbs should also be polished and have smooth edges to reduce injury.

Curbless showers
Showers with no lip to contain the water make it much easier to access the shower, especially for the elderly or disabled. But beyond that, curbless showers offer a particular open look that is appealing and modern. The curbless style can also save you a little space if you’re making the most of a small area.

The issue with a curbless shower, of course, is the difficulty of containing the water. This problem can be minimized by choosing a shower screen — essentially, a pivoting glass door — and a directed showerhead that keeps the flow of water moving away from the rest of the bathroom. Source: HomeAdvisor

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

The post 3 Tips to Converting a Tub to a Shower appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.



from Perfect Bath Canada http://ift.tt/2uh2MVa

Q & A: How Do I Use My Steam Bath For The First Time

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

So, you’ve taken the plunge (so to speak) and purchased your very own steam shower. Perhaps you’ve opted for a pre-fabricated, modular type that’s ready to use as soon as the pieces are properly secured and sealed. Or, perhaps you’ve splurged on a complete custom steam room. Whichever course you’ve followed, you can now have a personal spa experience any time you feel like it.

Even though you have the user instructions that came with the steam shower unit, and advice from either our support technicians or your own contractor, you may be wondering how exactly you should use your steam shower for the first time.

Best tips for getting most enjoyment out of steam shower.

Begin by ensuring that your body temperature is at room temperature or cooler. Then, turn on the steam function. Sit back on the bench and soak up the warm steam for no more than 30 minutes. Afterwards, you can cool off by stepping out of the steam shower unit. Or, you can stand under the cool spray of the water. The key to enjoying the whole experience is to move gradually from one step to the other. Don’t shock your system by jumping into hot steam or standing under cold water at the end.

combo steam shower and bathtub

Did you opt for a combination steam shower-whirlpool tub? Lucky you! You have the option of switching at will between a relaxing steam shower and soaking in a luxury steam bath. As with the steam shower, make sure your body is not already too warm before slipping into the whirlpool tub. The key is to always make sure that you don’t overtax your circulation. “Used properly, a steam bath will help to overcome the stresses of everyday life, to relax and recover, and to gain new strength and improve general physical and mental well being” .

Do you have questions about how to use your steam shower or whirlpool tub? Ask us!

Contributed by: Perfectbath.com steam shower experts

The post Q & A: How Do I Use My Steam Bath For The First Time appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.



from Perfect Bath Canada http://ift.tt/2sYNpkW

The 200 K Hitter

Aaron Judge is on a pace to strike out 200 times in the 2017 season. In 74 Yankees games, he struck out 92 times, or 1.24 K per team game. Over 162 games, that would be 201 strikeouts.

Judge also collected 86 hits, 1.16 per Yankees game. Over 162 games, that would be 188 hits. The most hits by a batter with 200 strikeouts in a season belongs to Mark Reynolds and Chris Davis. Both collected 150 hits. Reynolds struck out 223 times in 2009, the year he set the record. Davis struck out 208 in 2015, the year he equaled the record.

Judges strikeouts are not slowing down. I thought maybe as he fought for a triple crown he might start making more contact, but June is not over and is already his highest strikeout month of the year. High strikeout players are supposed to trade singles for home runs. They are not supposed to hit for a high average. Miguel Cabrera was able to win the triple crown by reducing his K rate. Fans used to think Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle struck out too much, but they produced high batting averages as they struck out around 100 times a season, not 200 times. Judge is breaking the mold of what a power hitter can be.



from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2tlepht

Games of the Day

The Cubs against the Nationals features the number two and number four ranked pitchers in ERA since 2014. Jake Arrieta ranks second with a 2.67 ERA, Max Scherzer ranks fourth with a 2.84 ERA. Scherzer pitched better in terms of walks and strikeouts, but Arrieta allows many fewer home runs.

The Cardinals send Carlos Martinez against the Diamondbacks and Taijuan Walker. Martinez’s record of 6-6 does not reflect his excellent ERA of 2.87. In 100 1/3 innings he struck out 110 batters while walking just 35. He pitched poorly on the road, however, where the majority of his walks and home run were allowed. Walker gets roughed up at home, despite five walks in 25 2/3 innings. It’s all about power, as half of the 26 hits he allowed in Arizona went for extra bases.

Enjoy!



from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2sduENz

Unboxing Dark Souls: The Board Game by Steamforged Games





I've never been a huge fan of the Dark Souls video games (I prefer fun to frustration usually!) but some might remember I tried the demo of this board game adaptation at Salute a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it, I love co-op games in general. I'm usually a bit wary of these miniature games on kickstarter, I feel a lot are sold more as miniatures with some token rules. Steamforged however are a well established gaming company with the popularity of their flagship game, Guild Ball over the last few year. Sadly I haven't got a group together yet to play it so this will just have to be a contents review!

First up with all kickstarters, did they deliver with their promise? The original shipping estimate was April and I got it in May so that is an acceptable tolerance level, congrats guys! This is only phase 1 so there is still more to come but this is everything they initially promised. Let's see what we get shall we?

The box is bulky as most miniature games are:


Opening it up you're immediately greeted by the iconic death screen from the video game.


Under that we have the standard set of cards, the card stock is good quality and the cards are very clear with no tiny text (which I appreciate as I'm forever having to read out cards for my parents with some games!)



A large cardboard box might contain some miniatures?


It does! A bevy of bosses! The base game comes with 2 main bosses (The Dancer of the Boreal Valley and Dragon Slayer Ornstein & Executioner Smough) and 4 mini bosses (Gargoyle, Titanite Demon, Winged Knight and Boreal Outrider Knight) Also a aset of wooden subes for recording information on character sheets (which have recessed slots for them)


The sculpts are good and you can see how big they are.


Another cardboard box contains the rest of the miniatures (the 4 heroes as well as 16 lesser enemies)


And here are the intrepid heroes that the players can choose from.


Next up perhaps the most important part of any game, the rule book. A bad rulebook can ruin a game. This one is A4 in full colour and as far as I can tell from flicking through it is well presented.


Cards, rulebook, miniatures....what else does every kickstarter game need? Tokens! These come on the standard pop out sheet complete with player equipment sheets (that look awesome, an area where I feel the likes of Zombicide skimped slightly.


Finally we have the board tiles 9 of them, double sided.


I'm impressed with the quality of the game, the components all look to be well produced and thought out (I love the hero cards and wooden blocks system, so much better than the flimsy card sheets you usually get with these type of games)

The game was £80 on Kickstarter with £75 early bird pledges and is available from the usual retailers right now for £100. Shipping was £20 on kickstarter (which I felt was a little high) so it comes out pretty much the same.


from Noobs and their paintbrush http://ift.tt/2sNyRWT