Mandy Cooley's Page

I am not lacking in skill: for example, I am good at finding deals! Shopping is a skill of mine... Not necessarily a skill my husband likes me to hone, but one that is good for my family (and my wardrobe).



We recently acquired a new client who had managers with a lot of skills, too. They are a pretty typical business that thought they had their act together



> One multi-unit manager (whom I will refer to as This Guy)

> Two or three managers per site

>… Continue

I ran into this video while reading today's edition of John Maxwell's Leadership Wired. There were so many things about it that made me think of Smaller Indiana!



1 - It is all about how we grow when we give and serve. This venue (SI) is all about serving through gifts - giving time, energy, attention, knowledge - for the sake of growing one another and the communities in which we live.



2 - The end asks us, as viewers, to "smove" - which is a great parallel to the smoosiers… Continue

I’ve been writing a series on the culture and the spirit of company policies; particularly, the policies that are included in an employee handbook. I think there are many factors that impact the culture of a business, but policy is CERTAINLY one of them. Employees, like children (no disrespect intended to either group), just want to know the rules, how far they can bend them and what happens if they break the rules. However, similarly, they also like to know what they are going to get as part… Continue

Once upon a time, I was the director for a nationally owned child care center. Since leaving that position, I find myself having conversations with new parents or soon-to-be parents that are curious about the insider scoop. So here is the start of some scoop…

You, as the business owner, need to stay out of trouble. You have enough to do in the daily operations of the business, you don’t need unnecessary drama. Employee manuals, as I have said before, are designed to establish guidelines and expectations for employees. But, there is a certain protective nature to them as well – protective of the business, that it. Four policies that cover key aspects of protection for the business owner… Continue