In times of crisis, strong leadership becomes the cornerstone of survival and success for businesses. Throughout history, we have witnessed remarkable leaders who have navigated their organizations through turbulent times with resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking. In this blog, we will explore the valuable lessons learned from these successful business leaders, highlighting their key traits and strategies. By understanding and implementing these lessons, aspiring leaders can better equip themselves to lead their teams through crises, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth.

Warren Buffett – Embracing Long-Term Thinking

Warren Buffett, renowned investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is an exemplary leader who emphasizes the importance of embracing long-term thinking, particularly during times of crisis. Buffett’s approach involves looking beyond short-term market fluctuations and focusing on the intrinsic value of businesses.

During the 2008 financial crisis, many investors panicked and made impulsive decisions based on fear and uncertainty. However, Buffett remained calm and steadfast in his investment principles. Instead of being swayed by the immediate turmoil, he saw the crisis as an opportunity to acquire undervalued companies and investments with strong long-term potential.

Buffett’s ability to maintain a long-term perspective and capitalize on opportunities during turbulent times has consistently yielded remarkable results. He believes in investing in companies with enduring competitive advantages and robust fundamentals, rather than being driven solely by short-term market trends.

By staying true to his investment philosophy, Warren Buffett has not only weathered multiple crises but also positioned himself as one of the most successful investors of all time. His patient and strategic approach serves as a valuable lesson for leaders facing crises, reminding them to focus on the long-term prospects of their businesses and make informed decisions based on intrinsic value rather than short-term market volatility.

Steve Jobs – Visionary Leadership and Innovation

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., was a visionary leader who exemplified the power of innovation and forward-thinking during times of crisis. Jobs’ ability to anticipate trends, think differently, and drive innovation has left an indelible mark on the business world.

During Apple’s challenging period in the late 1990s, the company was on the brink of collapse. However, Jobs returned to Apple and spearheaded a remarkable turnaround. He focused on revolutionizing product design, launching groundbreaking products such as the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Jobs understood that to succeed in times of crisis, organizations needed to disrupt the status quo and offer products that would captivate consumers.

Jobs’ commitment to innovation went beyond product development. He fostered a culture of creativity, collaboration, and risk-taking within Apple, inspiring employees to think outside the box and push the boundaries of what was possible. His relentless pursuit of excellence and unwavering belief in his vision transformed Apple into one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Mary Barra – Transparent and Accountable Leadership

Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors (GM), has demonstrated exceptional leadership by prioritizing transparency and accountability during times of crisis. Her approach serves as a valuable lesson for leaders facing challenging situations.

Barra faced a significant crisis when GM encountered a major ignition switch defect in 2014. Rather than evading responsibility, she took immediate action and led the company through a comprehensive recall and compensation program. Barra acknowledged the severity of the issue, accepted accountability, and implemented measures to rectify the situation.

By embracing transparency, Barra effectively communicated with stakeholders, including customers, employees, and the public, to restore trust in GM. She initiated cultural changes within the organization, emphasizing the importance of accountability, ethical behavior, and prioritizing customer safety.

Leaders can learn from Mary Barra’s approach by recognizing the value of transparent communication, accepting accountability, and implementing necessary changes to rectify crises. By fostering a culture of openness and responsibility, leaders can inspire trust and confidence in their organizations, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Richard Branson – Resilience and Adaptability

Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, is renowned for his resilience and adaptability, making him a remarkable leader during times of crisis. Branson’s ability to pivot and find new opportunities in the face of adversity has been instrumental in the success of his ventures.

When the airline industry was severely impacted by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Branson responded swiftly by adjusting routes, reducing costs, and launching innovative marketing campaigns. His resilience and determination allowed Virgin Atlantic to recover and thrive in a challenging environment. Branson’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances showcased his astute understanding of market dynamics and his commitment to finding innovative solutions.

Branson’s leadership lesson lies in the importance of embracing change and remaining agile during times of crisis. By proactively assessing the situation, identifying new opportunities, and quickly adapting strategies, leaders can position their organizations for resilience and long-term success. Branson’s boldness, risk-taking, and ability to think outside the box serve as valuable inspirations for leaders seeking to navigate turbulent times.

By fostering a culture of adaptability and embracing change, leaders can empower their teams to overcome obstacles, seize opportunities, and drive organizational growth even amidst the most challenging circumstances.

Conclusion

Leadership in times of crisis demands resilience, strategic thinking, adaptability, transparency, and accountability. Through the stories of renowned business leaders like Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs, Mary Barra, and Richard Branson, we have learned valuable lessons that can be applied to navigate today’s volatile business landscape. Embracing long-term thinking, visionary innovation, transparent accountability, and resilience in the face of adversity are key qualities for leaders to inspire confidence, make informed decisions, and drive organizational success. By studying these exemplary leaders, we can gain insights that will help us navigate uncertainty, overcome challenges, and thrive in times of crisis.

In today’s competitive job market, acquiring the right education and skills is crucial for unlocking your true potential and achieving professional success. One program that holds immense promise in this regard is the Higher National Diploma (HND) program. Offering a practical and career-focused approach to education, an HND program can provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in your chosen field.

In this blog post, we will explore five compelling reasons why pursuing a Higher National Diploma program can be a transformative step towards unlocking your potential and realizing your ambitions.

1. Practical and Industry-Relevant Education:

One of the key advantages of an HND program is its emphasis on practical and industry-relevant education. Unlike traditional degree programs, HND programs are designed in collaboration with industry experts and employers to ensure that graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge demanded by the job market. The curriculum often incorporates real-world projects, case studies, and work placements, enabling students to apply their learning in practical settings. This hands-on approach helps develop a deep understanding of the subject matter while honing valuable skills that are directly applicable to the workplace.

2. Enhanced Employability:

Employers today seek candidates who possess a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Pursuing an HND program can significantly enhance your employability by providing you with the necessary skill set desired by employers. HND graduates are well-equipped to handle the challenges of the workplace and can seamlessly transition into professional roles. The emphasis on practical learning ensures that you gain relevant experience, making you a valuable asset to potential employers. Additionally, HND programs often incorporate industry certifications, further boosting your employability and signalling to employers that you have met industry standards.

3. Clear Career Pathway:

A Higher National Diploma program offers a clear and structured career pathway. The program is specifically designed to align with industry requirements and prepare you for specific job roles. Whether you aspire to work in business management, engineering, healthcare, or any other field, an HND program can provide you with specialized knowledge and skills tailored to your chosen career path. This targeted approach allows you to enter the job market with a competitive edge, ensuring that you are well-prepared to pursue your desired career.

4. Progression Opportunities:

One of the unique aspects of an HND program is the opportunity for further progression. Upon completion of an HND, you have the option to continue your education and pursue a higher level of qualification, such as a bachelor’s degree. Many universities recognize the value of HND qualifications and offer advanced entry options to HND graduates, allowing them to continue their academic journey and earn a degree in a shorter duration. This provides flexibility and opens doors to additional career opportunities or even entrepreneurship.

5. Personal Development and Confidence Building:

Apart from academic and career advancement, an HND program also contributes to personal growth and confidence building. The practical nature of the program challenges you to step out of your comfort zone, take initiative, and develop essential skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. The hands-on experiences and exposure to real-world scenarios help build self-assurance, enabling you to navigate professional challenges with confidence. These personal development aspects of an HND program are invaluable and contribute to your overall growth as an individual.

Conclusion

If you’re seeking a practical, industry-relevant education that unlocks your potential and propels you towards a successful career, pursuing a Higher National Diploma program is a wise choice. The hands-on approach, enhanced employability, clear career pathway, progression opportunities, and personal development aspects make it a compelling option. To take the first step towards unlocking your potential, enrol at DeMont Institute of Management & Technology, renowned for its HND programs that empower students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in today’s competitive job market. Embrace the transformative journey of pursuing an HND program and open doors to a brighter future.

At DeMont, we take immense pride in nurturing the talents of students and equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in their chosen fields. Recently, we organized the highly successful inaugural batch of the DeLEAD program, an immersive learning experience designed to empower students and unlock their leadership potential. This four-day program proved to be an incredible opportunity for students to enhance their knowledge, develop essential soft skills, build lasting connections, and pave the way for a promising future.

The DeLEAD program brought together a diverse group of students from different schools, creating an enriching environment for learning, collaboration, and personal growth. Throughout the program, students had the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, forge new friendships, and learn from one another. These interactions allowed them to broaden their perspectives, embrace diverse ideas, and cultivate essential social skills that are crucial for success in today’s interconnected world.

The program featured renowned industry experts who shared their expertise on a range of subjects, igniting the students’ passion for leadership and innovation. The sessions covered a wide array of topics, including “Tapping into a Leadership Mindset,” “Rewiring Entrepreneurial Mindset,” “Discovering your X-Factor,” and “Digital Transformation.” Led by these luminaries, the students were exposed to cutting-edge concepts and valuable insights that inspired them to think big and embrace their potential as future leaders.

Through engaging discussions, hands-on activities, and interactive workshops, the DeLEAD program provided students with a platform to identify and harness their leadership abilities. The expert facilitators encouraged students to challenge themselves, step out of their comfort zones, and develop the necessary skills to excel in their chosen fields. By promoting real-world application and practical exercises, the program empowered participants to gain confidence and thrive as effective leaders.

At the conclusion of the program, each student was presented with a certificate of participation, acknowledging their commitment to personal and professional growth. Armed with newfound knowledge, skills, and a robust network, the students walked away from the program with a heightened sense of self-belief and determination. The DeLEAD program not only enriched their educational journey but also laid the foundation for a promising career pathway, setting them apart as true leaders.

Digital marketing is an invaluable tool for businesses looking to reach a larger audience and increase their sales. By leveraging the power of digital marketing, businesses can engage with customers in a more meaningful way while also increasing their visibility and reach. This can be achieved through a variety of tactics, including social media, content marketing, pay-per-click (PPC), and search engine optimization (SEO).

Social media is a great way to connect with customers, build relationships, and increase brand awareness. Through social media, businesses can share content, interact with customers, and promote their products and services. Content marketing is another effective way to increase visibility and reach customers. Content marketing involves creating content that is valuable and relevant to your target audience. This content can be used to educate customers, build trust, and increase sales. Finally, SEO is an important part of digital marketing that helps businesses rank higher in search engine results. By optimizing content for search engines, businesses can increase their visibility and reach more potential customers.

Digital marketing is revolutionizing the way businesses promote and sell their products and services. As the use of digital technology continues to expand, so does the opportunities to reach potential customers and expand your business. Unlocking the power of digital marketing can help your business reach more customers, increase sales and profits, and help you stay ahead of the competition. In this article, we will discuss how to leverage digital marketing to maximize your business’s growth and success.

Digital marketing is crucial for the success of any business, and here are just a few reasons why:

1. Increased visibility and reach : With the rise of the internet and digital devices, more and more people are spending their time online. This means that by using digital marketing strategies, businesses can reach a wider and more targeted audience than they would through traditional marketing methods.

2. Better ROI : Digital marketing often has a higher return on investment (ROI) compared to traditional marketing methods. This is because digital marketing strategies allow businesses to track the effectiveness of their campaigns and make data-driven decisions to improve them.

3. Better customer engagement : Digital marketing allows businesses to engage with their customers in real-time. This can be through social media, email marketing, or even through live chat on a website. By engaging with customers, businesses can build stronger relationships and improve customer loyalty.

4. Cost-effective : Digital marketing can be more cost-effective than traditional marketing methods. This is because it allows businesses to target specific demographics and only pay for results, such as clicks on a website or conversions.

5. Stay ahead of the competition : In today’s world, almost every business has an online presence. This means that to stay competitive, businesses need to have a strong digital marketing strategy in place. By investing in digital marketing, businesses can stay ahead of the competition and continue to grow.

In conclusion, digital marketing is essential for the success of any business. By increasing visibility and reach, improving customer engagement, and offering a better ROI, digital marketing can help businesses to grow and stay ahead of the competition.

Whether you’re looking to start a career in the marketing field or enhance your current skills, you’ll find the right course at DeMont. We offer Higher National Diploma in Marketing awarded by Pearson, UK that explores marketing techniques, current marketing trends, the expansion of marketing into digital platforms and management etc. Choose from a range of courses and find the right program for you.

Introduction 

Healthcare professionals or healthcare workers (sometimes abbreviated HCWs) provide healthcare treatment and advice based on their formal training and experience. It includes those who work as nurses, physicians (such as family physicians, internists, obstetricians, psychiatrists, radiologists, and surgeons), physician assistants, registered dietitians, veterinarians, veterinarian technicians, optometrists, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, medical assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dentists, midwives, psychologists, or those who perform allied health services.

Healthcare professionals are in a constant battle against preventing the spread of diseases while also trying to provide the best attainable care for their patients. This can sometimes be a difficult balance to find, but to best achieve this, healthcare professionals must have essential skills that allow them to effectively communicate with other members of the medical team, understand the importance of documentation, and utilize critical thinking to provide the best possible care for their patients. There are a variety of essential skills for a healthcare professional to provide quality care to patients in this blog, we will provide five (5) essential skills for a healthcare professional.

Five Essential Skills

1. Effective communication

As part of this responsibility, health professionals need to be able to take the time to listen to their patients and understand their needs, as well as be able to effectively communicate with other members of the healthcare team. This also includes the ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals. It includes both written and verbal communication. It is also important to be able to communicate with people from a variety of backgrounds, as this can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to a patient’s care.

2. Critical Thinking 

Critical thinking is a systematic thought process that questions information and intelligently analyzes, evaluates, and challenges assumptions. It is a way of thinking that does not simply accept information at face value but critically examines it to determine its accuracy, validity, and meaning of the available data. There is a business equation that specifies that a healthcare professional must be able to analyze a set of data to arrive at an objective conclusion. There is a crucial step that needs to be taken before deciding on such a situation, and that is the division of the information into its constituent parts, followed by its evaluation and analysis to help us gain a deeper understanding of it.

3. Leadership Skills

It is important to distinguish between a leader and a manager: a leader is a person that can assess and coordinate the work of a group of healthcare professionals, both clinically and non-clinically, to provide the highest quality of care for their patients. Healthcare leadership can come from any team member, which means that if you hold a supervisory position, as well as a non-supervisory one, you can demonstrate leadership. Having a strong leader on your medical team is important because it ensures that all of them know their respective roles and work together toward reaching a common goal. Leaders use analytical thinking skills to assess complicated situations and develop effective strategies for resolving them.

4. Teamwork Skills

Providing high-quality patient care is a key skill that is considered most important as part of a teamwork strategy. Healthcare professionals must possess both clinical and non-clinical skills to provide high-quality patient care and to work effectively with others. Thus, it encompasses both clinical and non-clinical skills that are integral to teamwork. A team player in healthcare can manage their time effectively, stick to their commitments, and provide consistent quality care. Team players are willing to accept and adapt to changes in an industry that is constantly evolving. In addition to earning respect from others (patients and colleagues), they also earn respect from others.

5. The ability to follow procedural rules

Operating rooms are filled with many things. However, there are a lot of things that take place before and after a procedure. Your patient should be aware of the process and risks of the procedure. As part of procedural skills, you should prepare your patients before the operation, wash their hands, and follow up with them afterward. There are several procedural skills that healthcare professionals must be competent in. These include infection control measures, sterile techniques, and the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE). In addition to these clinical procedural skills, a healthcare professional must also be able to demonstrate nonclinical procedural skills such as time management and organizational skills. 

References

HCWs With Long COVID Report Doubt, Disbelief from Colleagues”. Medscape. 29 November 2021

Burmeister, Amy (31 August 2022). “Delivery of Modern Healthcare”. freeCE. Retrieved 18 September 2022

World Health Organization, 2006. World Health Report 2006: working together for health. Geneva: WHO

The sales numbers aren’t adding up, you’re employing every strategy you found on Google, but nothing seems to click. Where are you going wrong? Maybe your marketing budget isn’t in place but how much is enough to get your brand noticed? How do you calculate if it’s too much or too little to generate any return on investment? As always, the challenge is to find the right balance while getting plenty of quality leads. 

So how much should you spend on marketing? 

A survey conducted by CMO in 2021 showed that organizations spend anywhere between 10.4% – 13.7% of their company budget on marketing. Although this number varies from industry to industry, this could give you a small idea of how much you should be spending on marketing. What you might want to break down is how much of that budget should you spend on different marketing strategies. With the world of tech taking over, companies are shifting much of their marketing efforts to digital platforms.

In addition to dividing between digital and traditional methods of marketing, you need to figure out which channels get your better results. The easiest way to put this is, spend more money where you’re getting the most return. Make use of analytical tools to determine which channels perform consistently over time and which ones are not yielding good value.  

5 Things to Consider When Setting a Marketing Budget 

There are multiple strategies companies use to develop a marketing budget. Here are some guidelines that can help you in setting the perfect marketing budget for your company 

Industry : One of the common ways is setting a percentage of revenue for marketing based on your industry type. You can learn how much your business can allot for its marketing budget based on the table below

Industry	Marketing Budget (% Of Company Revenue)
Communications Media	10%
Mining and Construction	3%
Service Consulting	21%
Consumer Packaged Goods	9%
Consumer Services	6%
Education	3%
Energy	1%
Banking, Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate	8%
Healthcare	18%
Manufacturing	13%
Retail Wholesale	14%
Technology	21%
Transportation	6%

New Companies: Business running their operations between 1 – 5 years of age can invest anywhere between 12% – 20% of their total revenue towards marketing. Whilst this might seem a lot, you need to remember that there are many sharks looking to capture the market share. You need to let the audience know that you exist, and therefore your marketing strategy should be aggressive. 

Established Companies: Businesses older than 5 years of age can invest between 6% – 12% of their total revenue. If your business is older than 5 years and you haven’t yet invested in any marketing, you may see which strategy works better and tweak your budget accordingly.

Market: A Business-to-Business (B2B) should invest 7% – 8% of its total revenue towards marketing. Whereas for Business-to-Consumer (B2C), ideally, they should be spending about 9% of revenue on marketing.

You need to consider business goals when creating your budget and depending on your overall business strategy, you may opt to create a marketing budget that could be higher or lower than your industry’s average. How do you do that you ask? The final piece to this puzzle (drum rolls) is to find out:

Target Cost of Acquiring New Customer: A goal-driven marketing budget should determine the target cost for acquiring a new customer and how many new customers you aim to get through your marketing strategy. The last step is to multiply those and add any fixed costs. For instance, you set your target cost as $100 per customer, and you are aiming to get 100 new customers, and your fixed cost is $5000. So, the total cost would be

(100 x 100) = 5000 = $15000

If you’re busy running your business, you could also make use of a digital marketing company so that you can focus on other aspects of the business. We all know that there are certain marketing strategies you must spend time and money on so that you don’t FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). But how much does a professional digital marketing service cost? Here’s an estimate

SEO	$500 – $10,000 + per month
PPC	5-20% of monthly ad spend
Content marketing	$1000 – $10,000 per month
Social media marketing	$200 – $5,000 per month
Email marketing	$200 – $1500 per month

Do bear in mind that these prices vary depending on your business, and you will need to consider your goals when creating your budget. As you run your marketing campaigns, you might want to tweak them to improve the overall performance. There’s no magic formula for reaching your goals, but you can use these steps in building your brand while spending wisely.

References

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/243790
https://www.rogerwest.com/strategy/calculate-annual-marketing-budget/

https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/15766-how-to-develop-a-marketing-budget.html

https://www.webfx.com/blog/marketing/how-to-plan-a-marketing-budget/

Mondays can be hard, but with a little bit of discipline, it can be the best day of the week. We often dread its arrival, especially after an eventful weekend has passed, and now we must head back to the workweek. But Monday can also be an exciting beginning. We need to change our mindset and with the right approach, it can stimulate efficiency and productivity for the entire week. It takes determination to start the week with focus and optimism and it is exactly what the most productive people do! In fact, several studies show Monday is the most productive day of the week.

Here are some tips for making your Mondays more productive :

1. Monday is a fresh start

Mondays are a new beginning. Take every Monday as a fresh start regardless of what may have happened during the weekend. Weekends are there to break from your regular routine so that you can arrive refreshed and recharged and ready for the start of the week. More importantly, preparation is the key to embracing Monday and making it your most productive day.

2. Have a positive attitude

So much time and energy are wasted when you are in a bad mood. Productive people don’t like to waste any energy, and do not want the week to lag from a bad start. Focus your mind on joyful productivity from the moment you wake up and be excited about what you can accomplish.

3. Wear your power outfit

Your clothes influence how you feel so why not take advantage of that on a Monday morning and choose a power outfit for yourself. Choose something you feel great in that will help you set your mind – and the week – to success and achievement.

4. Arrive at work a little early

Start your week off on the right foot so instead of sleeping in until the last second, arriving to work just a little earlier can give you time to straighten out your thoughts and organize. Use the time to plan your day and the rest of the week.

5. Set realistic goals for the week

Be realistic about how your time will be spent. You can use an online calendar or applications to help you set and achieve realistic, attainable goals for the day and the week. Using an online or hard copy notepad can help you organize your thoughts, activities, and deadlines to create an action plan.

6. Establish a routine

A routine gives you more freedom as it reduces the psychological impact of changing your environment and making decisions. When you create a routine, it allows you to easily switch from your weekend mindset to your weekday mindset. This helps you to improve your concentration, mood, and focus.

7. Track your success

Keep a log of your daily activities. Track your process and keep it results-oriented. Track the accounts won, tasks completed, and achievements unlocked. On your most productive days, review what you did to make them so productive. Keeping track of your success keeps you focused on not starting things, but actually finishing them. In this way, you end the day off on a high note and it keeps you motivated and excited for the rest of the week.

8. Save meetings for later

Cancel Monday morning meetings if possible or reschedule them for later in the day. You and your colleagues will appreciate having the time to get a leg up on the week’s work. Commit to your work and try to avoid any distractions. After two hours, get up, walk around, stretch, and have a drink of water.

9. Schedule a little ‘me’ time

It’s up to you to decide the best, most productive use of your time. Making exercise part of your Monday routine in whatever way you can helps set the tone for the rest of the week. Exercise also boosts your energy for the rest of the week.

10. Change your mind set about Monday

You must stop seeing Monday as a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, and you have to start looking at it for all of its possibilities: the opportunity it presents for a good start, the opening it gives you for a productive week.

Sources:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/340029

https://www.randstad.ca/job-seeker/career-resources/workplace-culture/how-to-make-your-mondays-memorable/

https://www.inc.com/kevin-daum/5-simple-things-super-productive-people-do-on-monday.html