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The Competitive Edge NewsletterEdition 34The Discipline of Getting Things DoneOne of the things that separate businesses that grow and thrive from those that merely survive is execution... ...To execute is to carry out, to perform, to 'do'... All the strategies in the world won't help in your business if you fail to get things done. Here's how to make it happen... First up, clearly define your objectives for the business in your own mind. Ask yourself, "What do I want to achieve?" "Do I have the people to help me do it?" and "Do I have the equipment?" If not, why not? Before investing in new people or equipment please seek your coach's advice. One of our enthusiastic clients dived in and purchased an expensive piece of equipment that was way over budget. Then she didn't have the funds to implement other changes - or continue on the coaching program - and is back to where she started. So use your coach! To keep in touch with the daily realities, mentally step back and take a panoramic view of your business. What do you see? Synchronicity, with everything working like a finely tuned motor? Or blockages, such as a sluggish worker, paperwork building up or stock gathering dust? If it's not all running smoothly, talk with your coach about working more on the systems in your business. Regularly meet with your team. Keep discussions informal and foster honest dialogue. Be personally involved and remember the 'soft stuff' - people's beliefs, concerns and passions - is as important as the hard stuff of goals, strategies, and results. We can't overrate the importance of good communication. To improve your skills here, ask your coach what book he recommends on the subject. Most business/self improvement books are clear, concise and easy to read in short chunks. However, don't set your sights solely on a harmonious culture. 'Harmony' achieved through unexpressed negativity is superficial and will sap the vitality of your business. So unearth conflicts and resolve them. When you do move onto the 'hard stuff', don't try to cover too much at once. Cultivate simplicity and focus on a short list of very clear priorities. Discuss with your people the gap between goal and outcome. This is the place where things get done. Who will fill the gap? Make everyone accountable by having them confirm what they will do and by when. End each discussion with closure. Regularly review progress and link rewards to performance. Your reward system must be transparent, honest and fair. (If someone consistently isn't performing, you may need to find them a more suitable role, or let them go.) Work with your coach to set up a win/win reward system, one where your people are rewarded for adding value to your business. Finally, 'show up' and set the tone of your business. Showing that you get things done, that you relate well to others, and that you are committed to the task at hand will cascade down through your people. By showing up, we don't mean putting in long hours. We mean when you are there, be proactive. Your people will learn from you, emulate you and therefore free you up for bigger and better things.
Achieving Your DreamsHere's something on a lighter note: Once upon a time a group of tiny frogs decided to have a running race. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants. The race began... Honestly, no one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as: "Oh, WAY too difficult!""They will never make it to the top." Or, "Not a chance that they will succeed, the tower is too high!" The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one... Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher. The crowd continued to yell, "It's too difficult!" "No one will make it!" More tiny frogs got tired and gave up... But ONE continued higher and higher and higher...this one wouldn't give up! Finally, after everyone else had given up climbing the tower, the one tiny frog - after a big effort - was the only one who reached the top! Then all the other tiny frogs wanted to know how this one managed to do it, so a contestant asked the tiny frog: "How did you succeed and find the strength to reach your goal?" ...And it turned out that the winner was deaf! The wisdom of this story is: Be DEAF when people tell you that you cannot fulfill your dreams! _____________________________________________________________________________Business Clarity__________ Quote of the Month"The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success." David Sarnoff ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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