Predix Blog - Recent News

Kim Gillcoatt is April’s Employee of the Month

by Jeff Coruccini | on Apr 30, 2012

When it comes to being a true champion within our Better Learning Systems (BLS) companies, look no further than Kim Gillcoatt who holds the title of Client Services Champion for a reason. She offers outstanding support to all teams in our BLS company exemplifying Ease, Value and Trust every day. Kim provides Ease in coordination of projects internally and externally for our customers; and Ease in terms of working together across our 3 companies. She has everyone’s back which is why it was a landslide in voting her employee of the month for April!

Kim has been an employee of Predix going on three years. Here’s what Lori C. had to say about Kim, “Her Value is seen 24X7 doing whatever it takes to accomplish a task that has been given to her. In the 2 years she has been in this role, she has never missed a committed deadline – which is truly remarkable. Kim provides Value daily in supporting the executive team in numerous projects for all of BLS including research, coordination for internal employees and external clients, sales efforts, marketing, recruiting efforts, and client servicing”.

We are so fortunate to have Kim as part of our team, here is some insight to Kim outside of the office:

1. How many siblings do you have? One little sister, Erin

2. What is your favorite movie? Tough choice – I’ve probably watched Dirty Dancing more than other movie, but The Princess Bride is a top contender too.

3. What is your favorite band? Zach Brown Band

4. What is your favorite vacation spot? Anywhere near the water.

5. What was your high school’s mascot? The Saints.

6. What is the weirdest combination of foods you have eaten? I’m not too adventurous when it comes to food…

7. What is/was the name of your favorite pet? Our dog, Finley, a crazy, lovable mutt.

8. What was your first car? A Geo Prism.

9. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be? I would love to go to Europe.

10. Would you rather sky dive, bungee jump, zip line, or parasail? Zip line, definitely. I’m way too chicken to sky dive or bungee jump!

11. What is the funniest saying you have heard working here? That’s a hard one, I laugh every day!!

12. If you could eat dinner with anyone from the past, present, or future, who would it be and why? I would want to have dinner with my grandfather, I never got to meet him and would love to get to know him!

Kim Gillcoatt showing off her certificate with Lori C.

What is your mobile strategy?

by Kim Gillcoat | on Apr 13, 2012

Just yesterday, I had the privilege of going through a LearnCast® certification, what an eye opening experience!  When we merged with LearnCast® and LearnKey® in 2011, I was excited to learn more about both companies, their services, and how we could best integrate.  But, I really had no idea how relevant and exciting this new technology would be, for us here at Predix, and for our clients!

Do you have 1 minute?  Do you want to experience LearnCast® first hand?  Scan this QR Code with your smart phone or tablet (we recommend HP CodeScan) or click on the QR Code.  Take a look at this course, What is Predix?, that I built!

In our certification, my eyes were opened to the incredible growth in the mobile technology world.  We are living in a world filled with virtual employees, on the go sales teams, and traveling service reps.  Companies are marketing, selling and servicing mobile customers.  We live in a world where we all want information, updates and communication that fits our fast paced, on the go lifestyles.

Companies need consistent messaging that reaches employees and customers, wherever they are.  They want instant feedback and results on communication, so they can be constantly fine tuning their strategies and resources to have the most impact and stay cutting edge.  LearnCast® provides incredible, customized solutions for companies and mobile strategies of all shapes and sizes.  What’s your mobile strategy??

Why won’t my employee just do what I ask???

by Kim Gillcoat | on Mar 30, 2012

Have you ever been confused or frustrated that your employee or direct report won’t simply do what you asked them to do?  Why do you have to keep asking them to complete a seemingly simple task?

Speaking from personal experience, I can be one of those employees who can get ‘stuck’ and not move forward on a project.  I want to move forward, trust me, I do!  But, even more so, because I have the need for a lot of information when completing a task, I want to make sure that it is done right and that I get the perfect outcome.  I have the High Conformity trait!  If you ask me to do something, I want to know as much as you will tell me about the project.  What are the expectations?  What is the timeline for completion?  What should the finished project look like?  Where can I find answers to questions that I have?  You can never give me too much information!  I love information and details, I want it all, it helps me make sure that I can get the right outcome!

Often, the answer to why people get stuck is based in behavior!  When working with owners and managers, we constantly give coaching tips for how they can best support their employees based on their behaviors, what they need to be most successful.  If we aren’t giving our employees the support they need behaviorally, we can’t expect them to outperform and excel!

So, if you are my manager, or a co-worker asking for help on a project, I really do want to help you, I want to do the best job for you and for our company that I can!  But, if we are going to work well together, please give me specifics; please keep the lines of communication open so that I can come to you with questions, so I don’t get stuck.  Then, we both win – I move forward on projects, and you can be assured that I will do everything in my power to get you the right output!

Do you have someone on your team who is getting “stuck”?  Who isn’t doing what you ask?  Do they need different support from you to accomplish their tasks?

Behavior Opens Doors in Communication!

by Kim Gillcoat | on Mar 09, 2012

This week, I facilitated a PDP Client Administrator Certification in Seattle, what a blast!  It is always great to connect with clients face to face, and immerse in behavior for two days.  In working with Know Your Talents™ as the Client Services Champion, everyday I get to help companies and individuals maximize themselves and their employees, everyday I get see firsthand the breakthroughs that happen when people are working with their talents, rather than against them!

Yet still, each breakthrough is amazing, it is always fresh and exciting.  All throughout the certification, we discuss how our behavior motivates us and others, impacts our communication, our work style, our leadership style and so much more.  Throughout the certification, people begin to have those ‘ah-‘ha’ moments, when they see how their behavior is impacting their current role, and how it can further impact their team and their organization.  Participants also begin to see how they can better maximize the strengths and abilities of their team, more efficiently work together.

In reflecting on the certification, one of the most fascinating things to me when talking about behavior is the ability to be direct and make an immediate impact on someone.  Though certification, we empower a company to integrate behavior internally, and experience these breakthroughs everyday!

With behavior, it isn’t good or bad, it just IS.  So, in focusing on behavior, every person you talk to, you get right into their core, their strengths and their current adaptations.  Behavior allows you to discuss their internal conflicts, their stressors, their pain in working against their behavior, or their success and satisfaction in maximizing who they are every day.  No defensiveness, no walls to break down, just immediate open communication.  How powerful is that?!?!?

In sales, what is the difference between being “pushy” and being “persistent”?

by Lori Coruccini | on Feb 24, 2012

As a seasoned sales professional for 30 years, a sales trainer and publisher of Know Your Talents™ – Sales Process for Champions, I have coached and managed sales representatives to be persistent and determined in their sales efforts.   In our sales coaching, it is a constant reminder of ‘Where are your manners?’ Ask for permission up front to ‘infringe’ on those with whom you know you will be continually making the rounds and making ‘friends’!  I suggest that you ask up front, ‘Do you mind if over the next few months while we are learning about one another, that I call you or stop by to share one of our newest products or services that I know can bring you value, or if I email you perhaps something of interest? I promise not to waste your time!” Set the expectation upfront with your prospect. It is very rare that they will turn you down, even if they have existing relationships with other providers. If you commit that you will only bring something of value and not waste their time they will be glad to take your call. It doesn’t matter what industry, it’s basic sales.

What motivates your employees?

by Kim Gillcoat | on Feb 17, 2012

Earlier this week, I spotted this question on LinkedIn:

What are those intrinsic factors that maintain the enthusiasm of an employee and ensure his motivation at work?

Imagine how powerful the answer could be – not only for you as an employer, but for your employee as well!  Everyday, we help individuals drill down and define their motivators, what touches their core, what drives them to perform at a higher level.  Through our Know Your Talents™ Behavioral System, we can quickly identify a list of unique motivators based on a person’s individual behaviors and talents.  Through a Motivation Review, we can help an individual define and set goals based on these unique motivators.

So, to answer this question is easy, but the answer is different for each and every person.  We are all motivated by different environments, rewards and opportunities.  It is critical to an employee’s success to identify and confirm that your company will be able to provide opportunities that drive their unique motivators.

Imagine that you are hiring a new sales representative.  The role will require a high percentage of out of town travel, long working days and the availability to be on call.  You have two top candidates with great experience and both seem to be a great fit.

In going through a Motivation Review, you identify that Candidate #1’s top motivator is Family.  He is motivated to provide for his family, spend time with them, help coach his son’s little league team and be at dinner with them every night.  This is a great motivator, but NOT a great fit for your work environment.  It won’t be long before Candidate #1 feels de-motivated and unhappy, traveling and working long hours.  Something will break, he will turn over or won’t produce.

Then, in going though a Motivation Review, you identify that Candidate #2’s top motivators are opportunity and freedom from routine.  He loves new challenges and experiencing new places.  He will thrive with the opportunity to travel and promote his career.  He will be a great fit for your company culture, you can easily provide an environment where Candidate #2 will be motivated!

So, what are the intrinsic factors that maintain the enthusiasm of an employee?  There isn’t a blanket answer or factor that applies to your ‘employees’ in general.  Each employee is motivated by something different, and as soon as you are able to identify and tap into that, imagine the power and performance you can expect from that motivated employee!

Can you teach someone how to sell?

by Lori Coruccini | on Feb 08, 2012

Earlier this month, I ran across this question on LinkedIn: Can sales be taught?

We hear this question from customers all the time so I wanted to share my response here:

Yes, sales skills can certainly be taught to anyone, however, identifying someone’s behavior is key to remove barriers during the sales process. Being a seasoned sales professional for 30 years, a sales trainer and publisher of Know Your Talents™ – Sales Process for Champions, I observe over and over again how enlightened individuals become when they begin to understand why their own behaviors may be the barrier to their success in sales.

At times, there may be parts of the selling process that can be painful to individuals because of their behavior stopping them. Let me give you an example: if a person has a natural behavior which includes patience, typically folks with patience do not want to ask for the business! Of course, with training, they understand that they have to ‘ask’ for the business. However, in order for this person with patience to feel comfortable and be able to give themselves permission ‘to go there’,they need to learn their own trial closes that feel comfortable. The person with patience feels as if they need to ‘earn’ business, not ‘win’ it. When they understand their own transition statements and trial closes, only then they will ask for the business and feel great about doing so.

No matter what type of sales it is, whether it be products or service, more and more companies today are first considering what behaviors are needed when hiring into the sales role. Once the right behavior is identified….then let the training begin!

Predix Merges with LearnKey and LearnCast to create Better Learning Systems!

by Lori Coruccini | on Feb 01, 2012

It is with great pleasure that I announce a strategic merger making Predix a part of one of the most powerful learning solutions worldwide. You can read the entire press release about our merger and the new company Better Learning Systems here. Over the past six months my team has been working jointly with elearning brands LearnKey, Inc. and LearnCast. These companies follow the same mission and vision as I do for Predix which is to drive the ultimate learning experience. This could not have been accomplished without the hard work of my team and new board of directors- as this places Predix and our “Know Your Talents™ system” in the drivers seat with learning.

Many of you who know me understand my true passion for allowing learners and students to learn the most important thing they can, their own talents. This merger allows my team to do that with a much broader audience. Thank you valued clients, friends and family members – as I am thrilled to be a part of this new organization. For more information visit: www.betterlearningsystems.com.

Know Your Talents and LearnCast at the Insights Conference

by Kim Gillcoat | on Jan 31, 2012

Last week, Sarah and I exhibited at the DKI Insights Conference in Austin, TX, we had a great time!  We gave our booth a ‘face lift’, check out the new banners.  It was so fun to integrate Know Your Talents™ into the innovative technology of LearnCast®.   Our banners now have QR codes for two awesome LearnCast® courses – one including a free demo ProScan survey, one showing a course created on how to manage and motivate an individual employee, a quick reference tool for managers on the go.

Sarah and Kim with the new Know Your Talents Booth

People had a blast pulling up the courses, we received great feedback on the new look and the new offerings of Better Learning Systems.  With our new QR code to the demo survey, participants could pull up the survey on their personal iPads and tablets, no need to wait in line to take the survey!  Then, the reports were instantaneously emailed to them.  We were able to service so many more people, and so much quicker.

As always, it was great to reconnect with so many clients!  And this time, with our new offerings through Better Learning Systems, we were able to take our support to the next level, I look forward to integrating LearnCast® and LearnKey® further!!

Predix is a “Rising Star” – Top International Sales Award from PDP

by Lori Coruccini | on Aug 21, 2011

I’m pleased to announce that Predix has won the 2011 Rising Star Award, recognizing Predix as a Top International Sales licensee of PDP for the fifth straight year. We are very excited and honored to receive this recognition as it aligns with our strategy to become one of the top management consulting firms focused on leveraging behavior to outperform. Now more than ever behavior is such an integral part of any company’s people development strategy.