Words of wisdom for this week.
“Imagination in business is the ability to perceive opportunity.”
– Abraham Zaleznik
OK, 2009 with all of its struggle, disappointment and frustration is now a memory but the question remains; what will you do to ensure that 2010 is filled with opportunity, prosperity, success and profitable growth? Too many people today are stuck in the fears, failures and uncertainty of the past. Letting these mindsets dictate your future will only ensure that 2010 is nothing but a repeat of last year.
Over the years I have observed numerous client organizations that have weathered a variety of economic highs and lows and one thing I have discovered is regardless of the organization’s; history, size, market, products or services and competition, there are those that are willing to reinvent their organization and there are those that choose to remain stuck in philosophies, policies, procedures and market approaches. It’s a new world folks and it requites creativity, imagination, innovation and courage to step into the unknown with passion and confidence.
I will assume that if you have survived a turbulent year that you are doing more right than wrong but on the flip side I will also assume that you could be doing more right and less wrong. So the question for this week is; are you willing to re-visit everything in your organization; people, products, core business philosophy and everything else that impacts your long term success and profitability and your very existence? If not, admit and accept the simple fact that you may be one of those business leaders who is ruled by your ego and past success. If you are, I ask you, what are you willing to let go of to ensure that this time next year you will be able to look back with a smile and knowing – that you were willing to let go of sacred cows, poor performing employees, outdated policies and the attachment to any management style that may be counter productive.
Exactly what does re-invent mean when it comes to your business and its operations? For starters I urge you to take a serious look at:
- Poor performing products.
- Employees who lack passion and creativity.
- Market segments that are not worthy of your continued resources.
- Your fundamental business model.
- What’s working and what isn’t.
- Delivery systems that need to be trashed or changed.
- Technology that is no longer adding value to your business proposition.
- Your fundamental approach to people.
- Your compensation philosophy.
- Your new product/service development approaches.
- Your potential corporate disconnect areas. (Read my latest best seller – Corporate Diusconnect)
- Your strategic planning philosophy and approach.
- Your employee development philosophy and investment.
There are many more critical areas that warrant further and on-going investigation but if you will spend adequate time with the above you will be well ahead of your competition and most businesses today as the average business leader, manager and executive is more stuck in survival tactics than planning and development or innovative and effective business approaches and strategies for the future.
I’m not suggesting that any of these need to change but I do believe they are worthy of a new set of eyes given the change in customer buying habits, needs, challenges and fundamental values.
So, the ball is in your hands for 2010. What will the next 12 months bring as you move week by week into your future? Healthy growth or becoming a statistic.
If you think you need a fresh set of eyes to look at any areas of your business that may have some dysfunction or are less than effective, give me a call. I’ll be happy to discuss how I can assist you in an unbiased evaluation of any areas of your business that may be in need of assessment.
Make Some Memories Every Day…