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Mark & Mike -
Not to blow you you guys' heads up too big, but I've been wondering why your podcast series works so well? There are lots of podcasts out there, but very few I can tolerate for more than one or two listens. Manager Tools really outshines the vast majority, especially for 'casts about management.
I thought about what makes these work so well and have a few ideas:
1. The content is superior. Most management advice is drivel and most management podcasts don't even do a good job of putting the drivel across. You guys have got the goods.
2. The sound quality is superior. I forget I am listening to an audio production. That is not the case in many 'casts, especially when one party is phoning in. I don't care how you do it, but the transparency of the audio is great. This makes a big difference -- other 'casts have great content but OK-to-mediocre sound that drives me away after a while.
3. Your relationship makes the whole thing work. If it was one person or one person with guest, it would be a different feel and a different relationship. Somehow, you two being great friends makes me feel like you're my great friends!
I don't know how much of it is deliberate, but I think you've got a good thing going.
Thanks!
Lou
Why does Manager Tools work so well?
Lou-
Thank you for such a kind note! We're thrilled that you are getting value from our work.
It's not deliberate at all - we just stumble around in the dark and get lucky, every week, every month, for a couple of years. Helluva deal. :wink:
Mike knew my content was valuable, I knew I could count on him to produce it fabulously, and we're lucky, we're very good friends, and genuinely enjoy every minute on air, and off air too.
We consider ourselves blessed to have gotten here, and know that listeners like you make the difference.
It really is a PRIVILEGE to do this for you.
Mark
Re: Why does Manager Tools work so well?
[quote="Lou Florence"]Not to blow you you guys' heads up too big, but I've been wondering why your podcast series works so well? There are lots of podcasts out there, but very few I can tolerate for more than one or two listens. Manager Tools really outshines the vast majority, especially for 'casts about management.[/quote]
I second this. I am wondering why they never taught this stuff in my management classes! It was all about operational theory, budgets, finance, etc.
I feel like I am getting my 2nd MBA. Any chance to get "certification" or "online learning credits" in the future?
Why does Manager Tools work so well?
Tony-
We see a lot of that kind of stuff happening in the future.
We're about to announce our first Effective Manager Training Conference, in April, for just 100 folks. At some point, we see ourselves doing that regularly, and figuring out how to align with industries to get credit.
We believe that if all the management training vendors came to one of our conferences, we would blow them away... just due to USABLE content.
Finally... it'd be cool someday to have managers tout their Manager Tools certifications. Hey, it could happen.
Thanks for the kind words, too.
Mark
Why does Manager Tools work so well?
Oh, man...that sounds incredible. Here's hoping I'm in a position to benefit from it!
Why does Manager Tools work so well?
Mark, I think you hit the reason this works, at least for me. Its USABLE. You and Mike have worked very hard to distill things down to a fine, detailed level. Most other people teaching management would say "do O3s with your people" and think that was enough for someone to go on.
That you provide this much value to us is truely amazing. Thank you.
Tony, as far as schools go, I often wonder the same thing. I believe that business schools don't understand how to capture the relationship skills in a teachable format and therefore can't teach it. That's true from top to bottom.
Brian
Why does Manager Tools work so well?
For me the reason that I like the podcasts so much, is that they are distilled down to such a practical usable level and put across in such a knowledgeable and friendly way.
For example when giving feedback
"these are responses you might get and here's how to deal with it"
Even if the exact responses aren't covered it has already helped you prepare by making you think about the responses that you think your own guys might give and the appropriate answers.
Each cast comes across in the same way and of course there are always the forums to follow up on anything.
Alastair