VIDEOS
Short term austerity (holding off on spending money) can quickly save a business #business
Episode 22 is LIVE! In this epi of Ask Christa! a listener asks how to do more with less when every year they are asked to do more with less-- no investment in better tools, no reduction of scope, understaffed teams well over capacity, high expectations to deliver yet no one ever delivers.
Long term austerity (holding off on spending money due to financial hardships) isn't a good strategy. BUT! It's one of the best and quickest ways to save a business that's in troubl…
Thinking about leaving your job? Here's a way to determine the "when"... #personalgrowth #work
Check out Episode 24 that explores the listener question, "When should I leave?"
Only you can decide when to leave, but there are a few things to consider when you're asking about timing-- asking "when" and not "whether."
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! Business Q…
Business is a process-- not a mystery! #business #entrepreneur #learning #professionaldevelopment
Season 3 just started, and this one is all about listener questions focused on BUSINESS CONCEPTS.
Many people feel intimidated by the idea of “business”—but it’s not as complicated as it seems. Here's a simple truth I used to teach graduate STEM students while teaching them advanced business concepts: business is a process—nothing more.
You don’t need to be a born strategist or deep problem-solver to succeed in the business world—there’s room for every kind of thinker…
Ask Christa! How can I feel less intimidated by business?
Note: the frozen frame in the last 5 seconds of the video is a glitch... and we couldn't "fix... the glitch" (IYKYK)-- it's not your browser... but it's also only the last few moments of wrap-up, so I hope you enjoy the content and thank you for your patience!
Summary
In the Season 3 opener of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common intimidation felt by individuals entering the business world and engaging in business concepts, particularly those …
Employers: if you want success, treat your employees well #business #work #leadership
Check out Episode 24 that explores the listener question, "When should I leave?"
Only you can decide when to leave, but there are things to consider that will guide you along on timing. I talk about that in my latest episode.
Meanwhile, for the managers and employers: even your best employees, highest performers, and most dedicated team members WILL ask themselves this question ("When should I leave?") if you aren't treating them well.
Treati…
Time management books don't work for everyone... #business #personaldevelopment #timemanagement
In Episode 21, a listener submits a question, "“... I juggle so many things and sometimes I struggle to keep up with everything. There are tons of articles and books written on managing time but recently someone told me you can't manage time because you can't control it... What is your perspective?”
I AGREE there ARE “tons of articles and books written on managing time,” and that's because no one has figured out a time management hack or equation that works for ev…
Better time management isn't about "life hacks" #business #timemanagement #entrepreneurship preneur
In Episode 21, a listener submits a question, "“... I juggle so many things and sometimes I struggle to keep up with everything. There are tons of articles and books written on managing time but recently someone told me you can't manage time because you can't control it... What is your perspective?”
We ALLLLLL struggle with time management several times in our lives. There is no one-size-fits-all, and while life hacks enable efficiency with time, very few hold the test…
The two common ways people talk about work-- which one are you? #personalgrowth #workfromhome
Check out Episode 24 of Ask Christa! that explores the listener question, "When do I leave?"
Only you can decide when to leave, but it could be helpful to consider how you talk about your job. Is it more than a paycheck? Or is it *just* a paycheck?
Then consider whether your current workplace environment supports how you talk about work (because how you talk about work is how you feel about work...)
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the liste…
Chronic austerity at work (never spending money to "save" money) kills innovation...
Episode 22 of Ask Christa! is LIVE, answer a listener who asked how to do more with less when there's never enough to begin with?
These days, "do more with less" is more about austerity (holding off on spending or investing) and less about finding efficiency (reducing waste). Austerity is a good short-term solution for recovering from a bad situation, but it shouldn't be a long-term strategy or a way of life. Your employees WILL adapt (those who stick around), whi…
Focus on getting the BEST out of employees, not the MOST... #business #leadership #strategy
Top-performing companies don’t burn out their employees—they engage them. There’s a critical difference between getting the MOST out of someone and getting the BEST out of someone.
When companies use culture as a competitive strength, they prioritize engagement, energy, and excellence—not exhaustion, and the smartest leaders know that long hours don’t guarantee high performance.
Steady winners invest in their people and build cultures that bring out their best.
Check…
Only you know when to leave a job, but here's some help... #personalgrowth #professionaldevelopment
Check out Episode 24 that explores the listener question, "When should I leave?"
Only you can decide when to leave, but there are two key things to think about as you consider whether your job is compatible with your ongoing professional needs.
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! Business Que…
Ask Christa! When Should I Leave?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, host Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about the decision to leave a job to pursue career growth. She explores the dynamics of personal engagement and fulfillment in the workplace, the difference between jobs that are merely transactional and those that provide deeper meaning, and the importance of recognizing when to move on. Christa emphasizes the need for individuals to assess their career ambitions and the compatibility of thei…
Workplace trust and respect are POWERFUL!! #business #career #work #leadership
A healthy workplace culture drives competitive value-- starting with trust and respect. Trust grows when you're treated well—and are expected to treat others well, too.
When culture supports dignity, trust, and growth, people don’t just get along—they work better together, and solve some of the most difficult problems.
Check out Episode 20 that answers the question, "What Does a Healthy Work Culture Look Like???"
And check out my show Ask Christa! whe…
Managers impact organizational performance more than any other role... #business #management
There is no single role that impacts an organization's performance like management roles do. Episode 23 of Ask Christa! answers the listener question, "What Are the Top Skills of Effective Managers?"
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
© 2025 Christa Dhimo in partnership with Impono LLC and 21st Century Strategies. Ask Christa! has a pending Trademark. All Rights Reserved.
I record and produce m…
Effective #management starts with knowing HOW you learn, then HOW to APPLY what you have learned...
Check out Episode 23 of Ask Christa! that answers the listener question, "What Are the Top Skills of Effective Managers?"
(it's not what you think...)
Sure, you can list off the usuals: communication, conflict management, motivation, setting clear expectations, coaching for success... all the buzzy phrases...
But none of that matters if you aren't oriented in growth OR know how you best learn (and then apply what you have learned...)
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Great Organizations Make-Day to-Day Decisions at the Expert (Ground) Level... #business #strategy
The best org structures design based on work flow and accountability-- that doesn't mean top leaders automatically make all the decisions. In fact, the best decisions day-to-day are made by the people who know the work best.
Check out Ask Christa! Episode 19 where I explain how effective structures enable decisions based on authority of knowledge: THOSE DOING THE WORK.
AVOID: bottlenecks, unnecessary permission structures
GAIN: faster decisions, more efficient execut…
Chronic austerity at work damages your business #business
Episode 22 of Ask Christa! answers a listener asking "I'm being asked to do more with less year over year... how do I do more with less?"
Tightening spending or having NO spending (austerity) to recover from an unfortunate business risk is the right move short-term... but it should not be used long term. It creates a culture of simply "keeping the lights on..."
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impac…
Ask Christa! What Are the Top Skills of Effective Managers?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the essential skills of effective managers, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and the ability to apply learned skills in real-world scenarios. She discusses the challenges of management, particularly in matrix organizations, and highlights the need for personal growth and understanding individual team members. Christa also provides valuable resources for aspiring and current managers, while acknowledging that manag…
You don't have to *control* time to manage it well #business #personaldevelopment #personalgrowth
I don’t take a position that you can only manage something if you control it. Managing something isn’t always the same as controlling it.
In Episode 21 of Ask Christa!, a listener asks, “Time management has been an important topic for me as I juggle so many things and sometimes I struggle to keep up with everything. There are tons of articles and books written on managing time but recently someone told me you can't manage time because you can't control it. I thought about that …
Culture is More Than Employee Satisfaction! #business #success #career #work
Some people think employee satisfaction is enough to bring out the best performance in your employees, but it's not. Satisfaction at work comes from doing a job well, and that feeling of “a job well done” isn’t just emotional—it’s deeply connected to clarity, support, and capability in the workplace.
But when culture supports your ability to succeed because the workplace gives MORE than satisfaction, everything changes.
Check out Episode 20 that answers the question, &qu…
Flat Organizations: Freedom or Chaos? #business #startup #smallbusiness #strategy
Are flat organizations all they're said to be? (YES THEY ARE!) (the good and the bad)...
Check out the Ask Christa! Episode 19, where I break down the pros and cons of different org structures so that you learn of the strategic advantages and disadvantages-- including flat organizations.
It sounds so liberating: fewer layers, faster communication, quick decisions...
Until it isn't: confusing or nonexistent authority lines, exclusionary communications, blurre…
"Do More with Less" is a dumb phrase... (or is it?) #business #workplace
Check out Episode 22 of Ask Christa! where a listener shares being asked year over year to "do more with less," feeling exhausted, burnt out, unsure of how to squeeze any more from the team... We've all been there.
It's a dumb phrase: do more with less. We know what it means, but what if a company isn't investing in what it takes to actually do more, with less?
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impac…
Ask Christa! How Do I Do More with Less?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common workplace challenge of being asked to do more with less. She critiques the phrase 'doing more with less' as a misguided approach for austerity that often leads to employee burnout and a scarcity mindset. Christa discusses the historical context of austerity measures, their impact on innovation and organizational culture, and the importance of strategic investment in resources and technology. She offers p…
Managers have the biggest impact on our employees-- even YOUR manager. TRAIN THEM. #business
Episode 18 is LIVE and it answers, "Does Management Training Matter?"
I'll ask you this: how many managers have you had where you felt completely taken care of-- even when your manager couldn't offer the raise you wanted, or a promotion you were working toward because of budget cuts or other organizational issues? Managers have the biggest impact on our employees-- why wouldn't we require management training BEFORE someone becomes a manager???
And che…