Description: This article describes the EXCEL Model, a teaching and coaching tool developed by The Flippen group, College Station, Texas and adopted by many organizations. It focuses the leader on the needs of the team. The five components of the model are: Engage, X-plore, Communciate, Empower and Launch.

Description: Feature article discussing the pros and cons of insurance companies in stretch management, using dreams to set business targets with no idea how to get there.

Description: Peer Review by Ken Hartwell from Smaller Consulting Firm Section, June 2003, Issue No. 2.

Description: Brains are lazy to conserve energy. This inclination must be overcome to achieve greater creativity and innovation.

Description: Managerially Speaking: Why Is the Machine Leaking? by Marcel Gingras from The Stepping Stone Newsletter, October 2004, Issue No. 16.

Description: In the midst of the activity and glitter of Times Square, one group of actuaries devoted an entire SOA meeting one morning to developing their communication knowledge and skills. The workshop titled, “Actuaries can Communicate,” was designed to identify ways to communicate more effectively as an actuary, to develop individual communication competence and to practice communication skills central to the work of an actuary. From The Stepping Stone, April 2005, Issue No. 18.

Description: One of the most underrated skills, when it comes to developing client relationships and personal relationships, for that matter, while serving your clients well and managing the people on your team, is the skill of listening. From The Stepping Stone, April 2005, Issue No. 18.

Description: This article examines the application of a twelve-step program to managerial situations thereby achieving more productive managerial behavior and greater effectiveness.

Description: This article stresses the importance of aligning goal-setting, prioritization and performance evaluation.