If you don’t have a long term vision of where you are going you are on the road to nowhere – especially in trying times! & #8232;Anything will put you off with predictions of economic doom all around, you will be easily dragged under.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish” or “cast off restraint” or “they stumble all over themselves” Proverbs 29:18
TIP: Stop watching the media news reports – these are mostly filled with mis information, (mostly written by young reporters eager to get ratings) and are definitely one sided.
Set Long Term and Short Term goals under your vision
LONG TERM
• If you don’t have a long term overall vision, set one!
• If you do take it out and dust it off.
• Make sure it is succinct, straightforward and to the point. Make sure it is short, easy to understand and up to date.
• Don’t be daunted by the current climate, this is a long term project.
SHORT TERM
• Set achievable short term goals to head towards your vision
• Think differently about your marketing. Don’t stop marketing!
• Look at savings in your business. Savings on things such as telephone costs, insurance premiums, loans etc. (www.saveonbills.com.au is a good company to contact for help).
Don’t lose focus
DON’T KNEE JERK
A few companies have advised me they are cutting staff, marketing and whatever else they can. I responded, “You are closing up then?” – “No!” they exclaimed, “Well”, I said, “You’re acting like you are.”
Customers do have money, but will be more selective where they spend.& #8232;One client I advise ‘Computer Support Partners’ offer a $49 service for your computer ($69 for service under 3 days or $169 for 24hr service). Over 70 of customers spend much more than $49 on such things as extra RAM, hard drives, virus protection etc. The company does well in a very competitive field and their customers see the service as a great deal and are willing to spend more.& #8232;There is still a market and available money for you to tap into even in tough economic conditions.
If you overreact when times seem hard you will pull back in the wrong areas. Think, plan and strategise with your team keep in line with where you are heading.& #8232;Think differently about your business but stay within your long term 3 – 5 year goals.
A STRATEGIC WAY FORWARD
1. Write down (specific to your business or product) your
• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Opportunities
• Threats
Ask staff to contribute their thoughts as a team
1. List actions that need to be addressed, who will do these and by what date
2. Review the progress and monitor results regularly to make sure strategies are working
TIP: Outline the plan for the next 90 days. As you near this mark, reset the task for the next 90 days. To see real results you will need to keep this up for 12 months.
BRING YOUR TEAM (& FAMILY) Along
LIVE IT OUT
This is the dream everyone should be a part of, paint the picture for them, involve them in the planning and celebrate every win along the way.
• Be passionate Make it genuine, not just words
• Display the vision and mission where everyone can see
• Make small copies for the whole team
• Re enforce it at every staff meeting
• Make it fun. Be creative have competitions, quizzes & prizes for those who come up with an idea that works, achieve the goals set or simply have the most positive input.
Taking a Positive Approach
Recently I read a story about a critical, negative barber who never had a pleasant thing to say. A salesman came in for a haircut and mentioned that he was about to make a trip to Rome, Italy. “What airline are you taking and at what hotel will you be staying?” asked the barber.
When the salesman told him, the barber criticized the airline for being undependable and the hotel for having horrible service. “You’d be better off to say at home”, he advised.
“But I expect to close a big deal. Then I’m going to see the Pope”, said the salesman.
“You’ll be disappointed trying to do business in Italy”, said the barber, “and don’t count on seeing the Pope. He only grants audiences to very important people. “
Two months later the salesman returned to the barber shop. “And how was your trip?’ asked the barber.
“Wonderful!” replied the salesman. “The flight was perfect, the service at the hotel was excellent; I made a big sale, and I got to see the Pope”.
“You got to see the Pope? What happened?”
The salesman replied, “I bent down and kissed his ring”.
“No kidding! What did he say?”
“Well he placed his hand on my head and then said to me, “My son, where did you ever get such a lousy haircut?”
In life, there is an eternal principle, “what you sow you reap “. This is especially true when it comes to our attitude. If you are a critical, negative person, life will treat you badly. On the other hand, if you have a positive joyous attitude, the joy you share will be returned to you.
In order to improve your attitude here are a couple of tips
• Be thankful for what you do have. Focus on what is good in your life at the moment, your friends, family and lifestyle
• Hang around the right people, You can’t soar like an eagle when you hang around with the turkeys
• Invest in yourself. Be a student of men, learn, read books, listen to cds in your car. Invest in your mind. Grow daily
• Believe in yourself. Never forget your self worth; Invest daily in positive self talk and affirmations
Author Resource:
Tony Gattari of Achievers Group is a business keynote speaker and guest speaker. His passionate enthusiastic style makes him ideal as your next sales speaker, marketing speaker or keynote speaker. Tony Gattari has worked with over 120 businesses. See http://www.achieversgroup.com.au for more info.
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