Cheryl Cran

Cheryl Cran strongly believes that harnessing generation intelligence in the workplace is the bright future of business. Cheryl’s presentations on leading the generations and corporate culture include real-life examples and case studies along with practical solutions. Audiences love her direct approach to leadership and strategic management of the generations in the workplace.

Cheryl’s consulting firm Synthesis at Work analyzes business trends that focus on leadership and communication strategies for increasing profits and productivity. Her research includes 15 years of audience response surveys, generational focus groups and employee surveys.

In her fourth and most recent book, 101 Ways to Make Generations X, Y and Zoomers Happy at Work, she provides strategies for companies on target recruitment, retaining employees and succession planning for Generations X and Y.

For 12 years, Cheryl worked as a top-performing leader for GE Capital, Mortgage Insurance Company and Bank of Montreal. During her career in finance she thrived in difficult economic times and motivated her teams to business excellence through two recessions. In 1994, Cheryl joined the business strategy department of a nation-wide consulting firm - after great success with their clients she established her own consulting practice Synthesis at Work. For the past 16 years Cheryl has worked in such varied industries as finance, construction, oil and gas, forestry, resources, health care, government, film, hotel/hospitality, retail and entertainment. Cheryl has the unique ability to apply her expertise in individual client circumstances to provide customized business solutions.

Cheryl’s change management and business strategy ideas and articles have been featured in Forbes magazine, Metro New York, The Globe and Mail, Readers Digest, Selling Power magazine, Builder Woman magazine and The Financial Post. She is a monthly commentator on workplace issues on a Vancouver cable news program and frequently participates in radio and television interviews.

Cheryl Cran's Blog Entries:

Generation X Makes Great Leaders- Begin Succession Planning Now!

• J) The Evolution of Communication - Then and Now

  Communication has evolved in the business world over the past thirty years.

  Before the advent of technology we relied on body language, eye contact and word choices. With telephone communication we learned about smiling while talking, voice modulation and communicating without visual cues.

  Technology began to change the way we communicated-Email was developed in the 1970's, in the 1980's chat rooms were developed, in the mid 1990's we had instant-messaging, forums, guest books and groups like MSN and in the 2000's we had blogging, tagging, and interactive white boards were developed. In the past few years we have texting, commenting and interactive websites.

  So that was then and this is now- how do we communicate today in a way that creates success, increases results and saves time?

  This keynote addresses the evolution of communication as well as practical and useful tips on how to integrate all aspects of good communication such as:

  - How to choose the best form of communication for different situations (examples and case studies shown) such as tele-workers, sales and conflict scenarios  

  - How to increase connection with clients, colleagues and staff by integrating verbal, written and technological communication.

  - How we can increase our effectiveness by taking full ownership of our communication

  - How to communicate in a way that builds instant rapport, trust and allows you to influence others in an inspiring way

  In this keynote Cheryl Cran, CSP uses videos, movies and humorous examples of how communication used to be and how it is now and what we can do to be the most effective communicator today.

• I) Take Positive Control of the Future!

  What if you had a crystal ball?
  
  Cheryl Cran can help you see what the future holds, what the trends in the workplace are and what we need to do to take control of the future.
  
  Based on Cheryl’s best-selling leadership book, The Control Freak Revolution: Make Your Most Maddening Behaviors Work for Your Company and to Your Advantage, this keynote shows how being a positive control freak is necessary in tough times. It motivates and teaches audiences to channel their passion for quality and performance into specific positive leadership techniques that prepare everyone for challenging times and the future ahead.
  
  By utilizing positive control, leaders can influence coworkers and achieve results that would make their competitors envious. This keynote is fun, vibrant, full of content and puts a unique spin on positive controlled leadership skills. Cheryl steers audiences through humorous examples of why negative control leads to failure, and how harnessing positive control of the future can lead to a fun, funky brand of leadership that inspires others to follow.

• H) Make the Generations Happy at Work

  Years of in-depth research, hours with focus groups, and analyzing audience response data are the foundation of Cran’s business excellence strategies for organizations and their leaders. Her understanding of corporate culture produces tailored keynotes and training programs that promote strategic management and organizational change.
  
  In her new book 101 Ways to Make Generations X, Y and Zoomers Happy at Work, Cran analyzes business trends to confirm that companies focusing on the uniqueness of their workforce will gain competitive advantages in the workplace. Her research was backed up by recent US Conference Board and Emirates Business 24/7 surveys revealing that businesses focusing on happier workplaces will be at the forefront of innovation and increased productivity in the next decade.
  
  Generation Intelligence
  
  Generation intelligence is a strengths-based approach that provides organizations with a business strategy to develop the best, most highly developed leaders who engage their workforce in becoming personally accountable for business success. Cran focuses on leading the generations and teaches empowerment skills that move leaders and their teams to engage fresh ideas, innovation and creative breakthroughs.
  
  Knowledge Sharing is Key
  
  Succession planning for the generations becomes more manageable when the corporate culture supports the attitude of generously sharing what each person knows. Cran shows Zoomer leaders (boomers who refuse to age) how to generously and enthusiastically share what they know to provide tools for Gen X and Y workforce success. Leaders who are open, willing to share and who thrive on helping other people succeed are the leaders that Gen X and Y employees seek.
  
  
  The Future is About Results
  
  What could be achieved when leaders focus on results rather than time on the job, or the confines of a job description? The best organizations will achieve business excellence by doing just that - focusing on the gifts and skills of their workforce to increase productivity. Cran provides empowerment skills and strategies for all generations to create an encouraged workforce, support innovation and increase the contributions of Gen X and Y employees for increased results.

• G) Who's Your Back-Up? Succession Planning with 3 Generations in the Workplace

  It’s time for Zoomers and Gen Xers to be looking ahead to 2020 and planning their succession. There is no more time to focus on the lack of skills or the apparent lack of work ethic of Gen Ys. Rather, the focus needs to be on the strengths of each of the generations. Strong leaders build people up so that they can one day take over their job: they generously help people grow.
  
  Building a succession plan requires leaders to be ‘we’ focused and to be willing to invest time and money on building the skills of their teams so that they can one day move into leadership positions.
  
  This keynote is based on Cheryl’s recently released book: 101 Ways to Make Generations X, Y and Zoomers Happy at Work.
  
  Attendees will leave with:
  • The key steps to building a successful succession plan
  • Tools for leaders to make a commitment to build the succession plan
  • Ideas on how to build succession plans into the overall strategic plan
  • What to do if the talent you need is not in your current talent pool
  • The skills needed for leaders to successfully share what they know
  • Tips on how to do skills assessments that will give leaders a snapshot of the potential leadership abilities of the people on their teams
  • Examples of the succession plans of highly successful organizations and how they have helped to build employee engagement, profits and productivity
  
  The return on investment from this session will be that your leaders and your company can prevent the hassles of reacting to the loss of good talent and instead be proactive by having a plan to continually build up your people and their career paths. The increased productivity of this approach will mean more profits and happier employees.

  All of Cheryl’s keynote titles and content can be customized to speak the language of your organization. Cheryl is happy to provide a pre-event call with potential clients to discuss your event and create a custom program for you and your group. 

• A) Lead Gen X, Y and the Zoomers in Turbulent Times

  This keynote is based on Cheryl's soon to be released book, Who Is REALLY in Control? 101 Ways to Make Generation X, Y and Z Happy at Work. A recent USA Today article asked Zoomers (Modern Boomers) if their retirement plans have changed due to the economy and the response was 41% intend to retire later than planned. This clearly indicates that generational communication in the workplace will be an area of opportunity for the next few decades.
  
  Deciphering generational labels can be confusing, so it's easy to see how clarity in the workplace can be a challenge when team members claim vastly different perspectives. Add to that the current turbulent work environment and you have an added challenge to navigate these times of massive change.
  
  The future success of your organization is dependent on the people you have on board. A seasoned guide, Cheryl Cran, will show your team that, while differences of opinion are the rule, the gaps between their perspectives aren't as large as they think. Using her trademark humor, relatable examples and interactive elements, Cheryl motivates business audiences by providing real-world techniques that equip your group to face the challenges of inter-generational communication in the workplace.
  
  This keynote is designed to educate your group on generational traits and to provide everyone in your organization with the means to unite members of different generations in achieving extraordinary results. In it, Cheryl reveals how to lead and work effectively with coworkers of multiple generations and differing personalities.

• F) Finding and Keeping Good People

  We are in a 'war for talent.'
  
  As we enter into an era of changing demographics, traditional sources of labor are getting tighter. Rural companies have specific challenges: finding workers who aren't already working for another business in the community or finding workers who are willing to work seasonal or part-time. In this presentation, leadership expert Cheryl Cran will provide ideas and strategies on how your company can find and keep good people.
  
  Attendees will leave this session with:
  
  

  ·Creative ideas on how to maximize what we know about the different generations and how to attract the best generation for the job
  ·Where to find the right person for the job based on the needed skill set, attitude and work requirements
  ·How to create a referral network by word of mouth, technology and likeminded businesses
  ·How to maximize the concept of 'pooled talent' and 'shared talent'
  ·Strategies on how to keep the right people on board, to keep them engaged and eager to work for you longer term or again in the future
  ·5 action steps they can use immediately to find and keep the right people
  

• E) Be a Positive Control Freak!!

  Positive control freaks make phenomenal leaders and workers. Based on Cheryl's new leadership book, The Control Freak Revolution: Make Your Most Maddening Behaviors Work for Your Company and to Your Advantage, this keynote shows how being a control freak isn't necessarily a bad thing. It motivates and teaches audiences how to channel their passion for quality and performance into specific positive leadership techniques that are palatable for all team members.
  
  Let's face it. We all have an inner control freak. Some of us just embrace it more easily than others. The fact is that, sometimes, you simply care more than others that things get done a certain way...the right way!
  
  By utilizing positive control, leaders can influence coworkers and achieve results that would make dictators envious.
  
  This keynote is fun, vibrant and puts a unique spin on control freakiness as a positive aspect of leadership. Whether you are a workplace leader or not, we all have to demonstrate personal leadership and this keynote puts a humorous slant on what we need to do to create greater success in our work and in our life.
  
  Highlighting the advantages and drawbacks to controlling tendencies, Cheryl steers audiences through humorous examples of why negative control leads to failure, and how harnessing positive control can lead to a fun, funky brand of leadership.
  
  Program attendees will learn:
  
  

  ·When being a positive control freak is a really good thing
  ·When being a freaky control freak is harmful
  

• D) Say What You Mean: Connect to Communicate

  How to Thrive in the Social Media, Multi-Generational and Fast-Changing Workplace
  
  Welcome to the communication age. Thanks to the internet, social media and email, everyone is on information overload.
  
  The new currency is people skills and communication is cash.
  
  Advanced communication can mean the difference between having award-winning individual departments and having a Fortune 100 company.
  
  Communication is often touted as a necessity by executives and leaders...and left at that. The reason the topic of communication surfaces repetitively is that, even though it is universally acknowledged as important, people don't always communicate in the most effective ways.
  
  Some of the most common workplace communication challenges are a result of the following:
  
  

  ·Constant, incessant change of people, processes and technology and the diversity of teams
  ·New teams are formed with new people bringing in generational and personality dynamics that can make it seem as if we are starting from scratch
  ·Challenges with highly technical people communicating with non-tech people
  ·Companies restructure and downsize and those left to deal with the changes struggle to regain footing within the new workplace
  ·Companies merge and get bought out, sowing confusion over who does what and who is responsible
  ·A "silo" mentality prevails and pretty soon interdepartmental communication is fraught with excessive email threads, misunderstood objectives and garbled strategy
  

  
  
  Cheryl Cran presents the solutions in this keynote or seminar:
  
  

  ·How to communicate with connection, purpose and positive outcomes
  ·What to do with the differing generational approaches to work
  ·How to improve communication between high tech and low tech teams
  ·How to set up systems within teams to ensure open communication and focus on project success
  ·How to blend social media communication with traditional face to face, January 2010 phone and email communication
  ·How to increase interaction, understanding and information sharing between ALL of the generations
  

• C) Boldly Lead the X, Y and Zoomers

  This keynote is based on Cheryl's latest book to be out in Spring 2009 titled, X Y Zoomers - 101 Ways to Build a Workplace of Choice that is Attractive to ALL of the Generations.
  
  Cheryl herself is a "cusper" between "Gen X" and "Zoomers" (or Modern Boomers). Add to that her "Gen Y" children, and Cheryl's life demands generational multilingualism.
  
  Simply deciphering generational labels can be confusing, so it's easy to see how clarity in the workplace can be a challenge when team members claim vastly different perspectives.
  
  In the end, however, it takes a seasoned guide to show your team that, while differences of opinion are the rule, the gaps between their perspectives aren't as large as they think. The future success of your organization is dependent on the people you have on board.
  
  This keynote is designed to educate your group on generational traits and to provide everyone in your organization with the means to unite members of different generations in achieving extraordinary results. In it, Cheryl reveals how to lead and work effectively with coworkers of multiple generations and differing personalities.
  
  Using her trademark humor, relatable examples and interactive elements that get the audience involved, Cheryl motivates business audiences by providing real-world techniques that equip your group to face the challenges of inter-generational communication in the workplace.
  
  When the diverse members of your organization learn to understand each other and communicate effectively, your productivity will soar.
  
  Program attendees will learn:
  
  

  ·How to lead and communicate with team members of different generations
  ·How to leverage knowledge-sharing among the generations
  ·How to communicate with a wide array of different personalities
  ·How to interact with others in a way that creates greater results and less stress through greater understanding of the generations
  

  
  
  Program attendees will leave with:
  
  

  ·Increased awareness regarding the needs of members of each generation and what it means for the future of the workplace
  ·Crucial information about workers in different generations regarding talent attraction and retention
  ·New ideas on how to take existing skills to the next level
  ·Attendees leave inspired to take action and to be accountable for superior interaction with coworkers of different generations
  

  
  
  One of the most common remarks after one of Cheryl's generational programs is "Wow. I just didn't know..." Your audience is guaranteed to learn, to look at the corporate landscape with an entirely new perspective and will leave with an appreciation for the A-B-C's of Gen X, Y and Z.

• B) B.O.L.D. Leaders Rock! Lead to Attract Them, Lead So They'll Stay

  This energetic and candid program is designed to bolster your boldness and inspire focused, assertive action by leaders of all types and styles.
  
  Bold leadership doesn't have to mean "in-your-face" leadership. Being bold is recognizing opportunities to evolve your team and taking action.
  
  The fun of the keynote comes from Cheryl's dynamic presentation, her pull-no-punches delivery, and the infectious audience response. It spreads through the crowd and energizes the room, making it clear that the audience has embraced their ability to lead in a simple, but very powerful, way.
  
  Whether or not you think you lead, it's a fact that we all must demonstrate personal leadership. This keynote looks at everyday leadership decisions through a humorous lens and then provides steps to create greater success at work and in life.
  
  What is the one thing that leaders must be to succeed? B.O.L.D.!
  
  Your bold leadership encourages other to act with passion, conviction and confidence, and attracts similar people of action. And if there are bold employees who are stifled with bland leadership, they aren't likely to stick around for long. Lead to attract them, and lead so they'll stay!
  
  Program attendees will learn:
  
  

  ·Proven leadership techniques that attract high performers
  ·Leadership strategies that retain high performers
  ·Insights on BOLD leadership:
  

  
  
  

  Brave with change
  
  Owning your stuff
  
  Leading the generations
  
  Doing it, not just talking it

  
  
  Program attendees will leave with:
  
  

  ·A fresh look at how each of us may be creating unknown obstacles to our success
  ·A new perspective on what it means to be balanced and powerful
  ·A renewed ability to take focused action to achieve the next level of success in work and life
  

  
  
  The ideas in this keynote have been called "provocative" and the interactive element puts a fresh spin on how to boldly lead.

• It was a pleasure to work with you leading up to the event, you were responsive and professional. I appreciate the efforts you took to learn about our business and people strategy and how you used this information to customize the presentation. You kept everyone entertained, laughing and most importantly learning.
  KPMG
• Cheryl Cran brings huge value as a communication and leadership expert. Working with Cheryl has helped our company to grow exponentially over last year—we increased our staffing due to tremendous growth and her presentations on communication and leadership as well as her consulting processes has provided us with substantial return on investment. We know how to build homes, Cheryl Cran knows what is needed inside the company to grow the leaders and produce outstanding results.
  Renaissance Development
• Our event was a huge success and it would not have been possible without your engaging presentation. The energy in the room was charged as you engaged everyone in a very interactive presentation. At the end of the evening everyone felt empowered, invigorated and ready to tackle the world. Energy, passion and results!
  Brian Jessel BMW
• We had over 820 participants in the first employee session, over 700 at the second one and over 200 leaders at the leadership session - the presentation was authentic, powerful and she provided tools anyone could easily use, should they choose to. The message of personal accountability was delivered with wit, humor and passion. This was one of our most successful events. Numerous participants also commented on this.
  Regina Qu'Appelle Health
• Cheryl was a great way to end the day. Cheryl had lots of energy and was able to create dynamics amongst the participants.
  AstraZeneca
• Thank you so much for your keynote - your message, your style, your humour and positive attitude are infectious.
  Canadian Association of Financial Planners
• You kept everyone entertained, laughing and involved during a luncheon keynote - not an easy feat!
  Human Resources Development Canada
• Cheryl, thank-you for another terrific event. Our organization enjoyed having you come back to work with another segment of our employees. The management staff enjoyed both the content and specifically your fun and interactive style. Your enthusiasm, positive outlook and realism about the issues and challenges facing people in the work place today made your presentation a worthwhile commitment. Thank you again.
  Motion Picture & Television Fund
• ... She tied in advice for leading the 4 generations in the workplace and greatly increased awareness and understanding of generational differences - a very current and relevant topic in any workplace. Cheryl is a dynamic speaker who incorporates humour, meaningful stories and exercises to provoke discussion and fully engage her audience.
  Health Canada

• 
  April 2010

  101 Ways to Make Generations X, Y & Zoomers Happy at Work

  This new book by Cheryl Cran, 101 Ways to Make Generations X, Y & Zoomers Happy at Work addresses the future of work and how the different values of each generation influence and shape today’s workplaces. This book contains 101 ways companies and leaders can adapt to the generations within the modern workplace.

  
  
• 
  January 2008

  The Control Freak Revolution: Make Your Most Maddening Behaviors Work for Your Company and to Your Advantage

  Leaders in business are typically criticized as control freaks. The Control Freak Revolution shows you that being a control freak is actually a good thing, and why CEOs look for leaders who can use control to increase employee and team effectiveness.

  
  
• 
  July 2006

  50 Ways to Lead & Love It!

  50 ways to lead and manage others with joy and less stress.

  
  
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  November -0001