Andrea Jung, is CEO of Avon Products, was interviewed in today’s USA TODAY’S Del Jones. The lessons in the interview can have a direct influence on how you are running your business. She’s the most-tenured female CEO in the Fortune 500, having outlasted such notables as Carly Fiorina of Hewlett-Packard and Anne Mulcahy at Xerox.

What are the most important aspects of your business to focus on in the current economy? What decisions can you make to improve morale and save money?
What spending patterns have changed? What is your most important focus? What risks can you take?

The answers can help you and your business. Here is a summary, plus tips that Dr. Brian uses in his consulting. All statements in quotes are directly from the article by Del Jones interviewing Andrea Jung, in USA Today article.

1) “Communicate, communicate, communicate frequently and face to face, not in an e-mail. Communicate the purpose of the vision and the reason for tough decisions.” Talk to your managers and supervisors. Let employees know what decisions are being made and why. The higher degree of communication within an organization, the higher degree of trust begins to filter throughout an organization. The better the trust level, the higher the morale.

2) Reinvent yourself: Start work today like it is your first day at work. What would you do differently? What impressions can you make today? What are the changes you would make? Blocks to change include lack of vision. Are employees clear on where you are leading the organization? Reinventing yourself also means taking risks. Risks today need to be looked at in terms of gain 4-5 years from now.

3) Talent: How do you develop your people? When you can consistently develop your team members to optimize, it becomes easier to promote from within. When your people are under performing, train first. After that, it may be time for a change. “As a CEO, talent is a number one priority.”

4) Customers: The psychology of the consumer has changed forever. Savings will continue to increase, spending may be flat. It is now necessary to have a high workforce retention rate, as well as attract new talent.

What is the status of your top employees? Are they getting ready to leave as soon as another opportunity arises? Are they staying because they want to, and see the future at your business? What strategies are in place to keep your people and attract top talent?

Dr. Brian Grossman has 15 year experience training leaders to be their best and helping companies retain their best employees. Contact him directly at 818-939-9426 or drbrian@drbriangrossman.com.