..what's wrong with management?

lack of communication, which disables integration of the company's Mission and Vision statements on all levels - that's what seems to be wrong with "today's" management.

within an organization, everyone should understand each other's similarities, differences, and most importantly, the overall objective of the firm - strategy then becomes the responsibility of the manager to figure out how to navigate through that group of individuals and achieve maximum output via optimal capacity, which inturn translates into higher profits. The key ingredient is simple: Communication.

Communication is key. Yes, we've all heard it before - but are you really communicating as a manager? Are you engaging your people and becoming one for a common purpose? And are you getting "it" done?

manage with purpose, with integrity, and with all fairness. Keep a stark focus on your goals and deflect the soft punches. You will be tested, yes. Keep focused and stay true. Communicate your ideas and listen to the ideas of your people, let them communicate with you. YOU WILL FAIL. Eliminate ALL biased as you listen and make decisions that will help you better meet your objectives.

com·mu·ni·ca·tion   /kəˌmyunɪˈkeɪʃən/ Show Spelled[kuh-myoo-ni-key-shuhn]: the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs.

key word: "interchange" of thoughts, opinions, or information - listen closely and the world will be yours. Listen to your people, all of them (not just a few here or there) and communicate to establish your strategy, implement that strategy, and get it done.

let's all stand up and become the leaders of tomorrow, I dare you.

Your best interest at heart,

The Montilla Group

What's TMG been up to?

Putting the pieces together.

As many of you all already know, The Montilla Group is aiming to be a "Turnaround Specialty" firm - which is focused at corporate renewal and turnaround management.

For the last few months, I have been focusing on obtaining my accounting degree from the University of Central Florida - that, coupled with my previous degree in marketing (from the same school) and my plans of obtaining a law degree in the near future, consulting provided by the organization will help provide distinctive value on a few levels to our clients.

In addition to the hard skills that TMG provides (and will provide) to our clients, the overall network created by soft skills (people skills) throughout years of experience, indicates that the value will not only lie within the unique perspective provided by the 1st degree to our clients, but will reach well beyond the 2nd and 3rd degree as well.

2010 brought many challenges and much adversity, but it has helped better shape the mission and overall goal of the organization.

As we head out of a recession, businesses all over the world will be weary in their internal and external processes. Few will want to take their business to the next level, many will want to keep idle and weather the storm, but all will want to ensure that they are in the right position to rebound from the financial meltdown. Below is an excerpt from turnaround.org - a nonprofit organization aimed at turnaround specialist.

"Periods of economic and financial distress pose special challenges to the capabilities and decision-making processes of most professional management teams. Not only do such occurrences increase demands on existing managerial abilities, but they also create a whole new spectrum of legal, accounting, and financial considerations that impact the renewal process. Today’s increased competition, cyclical and volatile financial markets, and economic trends have created a climate in which no business can take stability for granted.

As once-stable, profitable, and competitive companies struggle to improve operational and financial performance, the expertise of corporate renewal professionals is critical to this revitalization process. The chances of successfully navigating the corporate renewal process increases through the use of qualified turnaround professionals, who have the experience and expertise to apply sound practices of turnaround management to failing businesses. While many companies have turned to downsizing as a stopgap measure to improve their economic health, downsizing alone has its own adverse consequences in that it thins the ranks of managers groomed to assume top positions. Moreover, a volatile business environment may turn once-successful, growth-oriented CEOs into hesitant managers who no longer can provide strong leadership during periods of retrenchment.

New lender liability laws also have increased the need for turnaround management. At one time, banks could take control of client companies that were in serious financial peril. Today, courts view this action as equity participation, forcing banks to avoid direct involvement with corporate management. A turnaround specialist, operating as either an interim manager or consultant, may replace a company’s CEO and temporarily take over the decision-making processes of a company to lead it toward stability. Alternatively, a turnaround professional may become an active advisor to a troubled company’s board of directors."

Yes, we are just beginning. But impossible means nothing - it only means it hasn't been done yet. We believe in ourselves, our clients, and our work - previous experiences warrant our ability to move in this direction and we're confident we will continue to gain our supporters vote of confidence.

Don't get lost...

in a world where social media and an online presence is everyone's goal, don't forget the simplicity and the need of "personalizing" your message - humanizing yourself.

just like the .com and the real estate boom, the social media boom will pop as well.

of course, keep in line with your business strategy among other things, and continue your quest to integrate yourself accordingly within the online social community - but at the same time, don't get lost.

develop a hybrid of sorts when making cold calls, don't forget the telephone, and NEVER forget the importance of meeting someone face-to-face over all other options.

use social media to develop your online presence and to give yourself an online identity - but don't get lost, and don't forget about the feeling and overall impression you have on someone when you meet face-to-face. Remember, words are words with little to no emotions...

Do competitions really find the best talent?

just take a look at "Star search" - a talent competition between 83' 95' whose sole purpose was to find the best talent around the nation and help them achieve stardom.

but wait, it gets better - most of the individuals who won at the competition turned out to be a bunch of "nobodies". Not saying that the competition was a waste of time, rather that it overlooked the individuals who have had the biggest impact in the entertainment industry - it did the complete opposite of what it was meant to do.

ABC News 20/20 published a great article cover this exact flawed perception, here is the link: www.abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=123814&page=1

What's the point? Personally, I think competitions are sometimes overrated and can overlook some important factors - long term factors. And it also goes to show the flaws that other people have by judging other people, and the inability for them to find true talent.

The same thing can be said about business competitions. Don't get me wrong - business competitions are good as the allow individuals to flex their muscle, but let's not forget that it is all theoretical and it looks good on paper -- it's all about execution from there.

Much like the winners of Star Search looked good performing on stage at that time, and did nothing to execute their talent in the long run - business and industries alike are weighed mostly by the success of that talent.

Sure, there will be success - but think about it: all the individuals who have had the most impact on this earth did it on their own terms, not on anyone else's.

Take a look at today's most successful individuals: Justin Bieber (who loaded his YouTube Videos on his own), Mark Zuckerberg (who dropped out of college and went against all odds), and all those celebrities who failed on Star Search (Justin Timberlake, Brittney Spears, and Usher *among others) -- a lesson can be learned here...

...it's not always what other people say or how they judge - rather, who much you want your dreams and goals and how convinced you are that you will achieve them. Then, it becomes a challenge to see them fruitate.

Joel A. Montilla

What's in a name?

Everything and nothing.

Branding can be difficult at times as the name your company takes on will implicate what it stands for.

Two actions can be taken:

1. Find a name that will fit the mold everyone has in their minds regarding your services and/or product or can simply make it easy by making the name of the product and/or service. But don't forget the international implications of the word or phrase you use.

2. Forget the above statement and go with whatever you want (obviously keeping in mind that international implications). If you're that good, your brand will be remembered by all. Take for example Google and Virgin - enough said. Both companies who have registered their own feelings and meanings behind their words and the world has had no other choice but to adapt to their liking.

Keep it short, sweet, and simple - and always stay true to yourself and your vision when thinking of a name...

The Cow vs. The Milk

Milk comes from cows, we all know that - but do we know if the cows even agree with what we do to get the milk? Is there feelings taken into consideration? Maybe, maybe not.

The point is at times, it is better to do what benefits a group as a whole - making a decision not to address the smaller group at that point. You can't please everyone at the same time, so you have to be selective in your strategy.

2 vs. 12 is lopsided and the 12 seems more ideal than 2 - so in a sense, the 2 at times will be outweighed and might even by disappointed by your decision. Stick to it.

We milk the cows for the nutrition they give - we don't ask the cows if they like what we do because the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Keep an open mind in business and remember to keep everyones ideas, thoughts, and decisions in consideration when strategizing your plan - but remember, at times you will have to milk the cow and disregard what the cows thinks about you doing so.

Protect your brand and your image...

..because no one else will.

Others will come at you and try to take what's not theirs - as proven over time. Everybody wants what they can't have, and in business, it's no different.

conflict of interest, different agendas, biased opinions and lopsided desires will all misconstrued your message and your brand - it's your job to protect the integrity of what you have worked hard for.

Success is measured by the amount of scarifies you make in order to achieve your goals, and your brand represents just that.

so don't give out freebies and don't let others jump on your "band wagon" when all is well and success seems around the corner - the world will take everything from you and walk away the minute there is nothing there for them anymore.

so protect your brand from your friends, family, girlfriends/boyfriends, and the world all together - unless of course you have gone into partnership with one of those individuals, in that case, protect your integrity with your partner and protect your hard work - ALWAYS.