On a construction site, three masons were working. Each one was busy with a trowel, cement and bricks. A passer-by went up to the first one, who looked very bored and asked him what he was doing. "Im laying bricks," he said sullenly.

The passer-by then approached the second man who looked somewhat more enthusiastic and asked the same question. "Im building a church," was the reply.

Walking up to the third mason who was whistling, the passer-by again asked the same question. The mason stopped his whistling for just a moment and with great joy and excitement said: "Im building a cathedral." This response astonished the passer-by.

So, what is the point of this brief story. Simply - What are you building? Why do you work for your company or why did you start your company? What is the underlying reason you firm is operational?

We all need a purpose, a vision, a mission call it what you like to motivate us to action. A vision is a rallying cry. It is a short, powerful statement. It empowers all the shareholders and makes them believe they can do whatever needs to be done.

Think of the following: We will overcome! Or Workers of the world unite! A famous hotel chain had a simple vision: Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen.

What is your companys vision? It is a rallying cry? Or is it like one of those typical, long winded, expensive, stale corporate statement hanging on the walls in many reception areas? The real question to be answer is: Are you living that vision? HINT: If you arent living that vision, this may help to explain why you are not doubling your results.

Copyright 2005(c) Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Good Day. Thanks for visiting. I hope that you have enjoyed my articles. In 1999, I founded ADVANCED SYSTEMS because I saw that performance could and should be doubled in warp time. Individuals, small and large businesses could not afford expensive solutions that may or may not deliver improved results in 12 months.

From my corporate, small business and education experiences, I recognized the individuals must have opportunities for connecting their passion to their purpose to secure the desired performance results, but many lacked the necessary skills, strategies and tools.

With over 20 years in sales management and 10 years in education, I understand how to unite productivity with profitability by developing a proactive working culture. My previous experiences resulted in cost savings through one of the first implementations of a computer software in a wholesaler distributor to the creation of a vendor performance assessment.

Since facilitating over 500 sessions, developing and editing over 25 training programs and writing numerous articles focusing on performance improvement, I bring a results focused approach to my clients. Also, I am proud to be one of the first five nationally certified facilitators of America?s Rising Stars (a Student Leadership developmental curriculum).

My passion is to help others connect their passion to their purpose to double performance. As The small business coach in Chicago, my clients have easily doubled their performance. Since our greatest resource is our young people, I am now working with large urban schools to generate the same results.

Education Background

• Graduated with honors from Purdue University with a B.A. in Education
• Earned M.S. from Purdue University in Instructional Design and Curriculum
• Published in the national trade journal, The Supply House Times, and numerous national newsletters
• Developed seminars and training on diversity, communication, leadership, sales, effective trade show behavior, networking, knowledge management, goal setting and improved educational outcomes
• Co-authored M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capicities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement, to be available in 2006
• Working a another book focusing on performance in public education
• Speaker in a national bureau - Resource Associates Corporation