Archive for the ‘Success Principles’ Category
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
Just read a column by Peggy Post, director The Emily Post Institue (yes that Emily Post) entitled “Oh, Behave!”, AARP May/June.
It prompted me to think about business manners today, or the lack of them I should say. What sort of messages do we send young people today when they see our business leaders, government officials and politicians conducting themselves in very unmannerly ways? They yell; they curse; they mock each other; they call each other names; they look you in the eye and say “I didn’t do it and I promise not to do it again”; and most of them are the fifty plus crowd.
How can we serve as models to our young business and political leaders when most of what they see are instances like those above. Granted our society has and is changing. We are tech oriented; we have more people doing more things; we go at a faster pace; we have less control over events that impact us; we are global and deal in a variety of cultures; communication is instant. All of this at a time when rudeness and a lack of manners seem to be growing.
Like Ms. Post said, “…honesty, respect and consideration … never change regardless of the political, social, or cultural landscape. These ethics are the foundation for the manners that lubricate our society’”. Maybe the fifty something crowd should take a little more proactive stance. We need to raise the bar on how we treat each other, not lower it. Next time we see offensive behaviour let’s remind ourselves and others, not all of us were raised that way.
Posted in 50+, General Business, Management, Success Principles, entrepreneurship | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
I was just talking to a long time client today about various “happenings” in her business. The company is growing and adding many new services. Certainly an exciting time for any business owner. It has been the result of a lot of hard word and dedication. Unfortunately, this growth has also resulted in internal problems.
One of those problems, and certainly not a small one, is the owner lost control of her company. As a result of losing control the owner was becoming overly stressed and is losing business. Fortunately, the owner realized what was happening and is beginning to make the necessary changes to regain control and get the business back on track.
The specifics of how control was lost or why is not as important as how this happened. Basically, it occurred because the owner lost focus of the plan to grow the business. Management of the company was put into the hands of others, who had less passion for, and experience in the industry. While the owner was off doing what they thought was best, the management team had other ideas of how the company should operate and grow.
As a business owner, you need to constantly stay focused on the plan you put in place to achieve your dream, and not delegate it to others to work that plan. You need to work it, and if others are hired to help you, manage them closely and keep them accountable to you. Otherwise the results you achieve will be that of others.
Posted in 50+, Business Info, Economy, Faces Over 50, General Business, Management, Success Principles, entrepreneurship, family business, finance, marketing | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Although we use a GPS now more than we do roadmaps, I was looking at an old map recently and got to thinking about its similarity to a business plan.
Main thouroughfares or interstates are your basic idea.
Intersections or exit ramps are options you must decide to take -sometimes it is even necessary to reverse course a bit when you make a wrong turn or take a wrong exit just don’t back up the “off” ramp.
Corners or curves can be handled unless you’re going to fast or not paying attention; then you can lose it.
Above all, a map shows you were you started and where you are going. This is the same focus for a business plan.
A business plan won’t keep you from making mistakes but, like a map, it helps you to stay more or less on the right road until you get where you want to go; even with a few corrections along the way, Like our old maps, or the new GPS in your dash, it’s always good to have a plan ready and to actually use it.
Posted in 50+, Business Info, Economy, General Business, Management, Self employment, Success Principles, entrepreneurship, family business, finance, marketing, networking | No Comments »
