Steady as She Goes

"Steady as she goes" is an order for a helmsman to keep a ship on its current course. The same term could apply easily to a business that is navigating the dangerous waters of growth, diversification, or generational transition.

 

Before you plunge your business toward a period of expansion, fundamental change, or operational shift, did you take the time to map your route? Yesterday I had an amazing crew of people at a GrowthCLUB seminar, where we did exactly that. Plotted our course, measured the distance between points, and made sure the goals and steps of the trip were feasible, satisfying, and profitable. We ensured that the next 90 days would be a journey toward success.

Where are you going in the next 90 days?

Furthermore, did you consider how to keep your ship on course? No one can predict life's curveballs - there will inevitably be one or two or many thrown across your path. Personally or professionally, you can expect storms that have the strength to throw you off course. How will you maintain the road we just laid out? How will you keep your focus on the goals you want to achieve? How will you avoid sabotaging your own success?

A business coach is that voice - the one that says "Steady as she goes."

How will your team members buy in to your vision? When the storm comes, will they batten down the hatches or throw in the towel? No captain can man a ship on his own - your key players need to be standing by your side. How will you address their concerns and help them fair the journey?

It's called TeamRICH - a seminar all about communication, team-building, and cooperation.

How will you read your terms of navigation? Business financials and Key Performance Indicators will indicate red flags, rocky areas, failings or strengths. No captain journeys too far without checking his navigation devices; similarly, no business owner can realize success without watching its progress in the books.

That's FinancialMASTERY - a seminar all about business financials. Knowing what they are, what they  mean, what they're telling you, and how you should make decisions based on what they're telling you.

Finally, when you glimpse the lightkeeper's beacon and realize a key strategic goal in your business's success, I hope you will take the time to recognize the value of your hard work and self-discipline. I hope you will realize the valuable contribution of each team member as well as your own strength as a business owner. I hope you will realize the full extent of what you have achieved, how you got there, and why you got there. I hope you will be able to measure the results, quantify them, and know in solid terms where you are and where you have been. And hopefully, where you're going next.

 

Because your success is my success.

DAVID GREEN

ACTIONCOACH LETHBRIDGE

309 10 STREET S

LETHBRIDGE AB  T1J 2M7

1.888.891.3302

iambusinesscoaching.com

 

What is Essential to Your Business?

What are the top priorities for your business? Is it staying on top of technical skills and technology? Is it maintaining a strong marketing presence? Is it ensuring your service is spectacular? What is the "make or break" element to your business?

Prioritizing the strategies for growing your business depends on the factors that drive success in your industry. You want to be sure that you maximize effectiveness where it truly matters, and work on the support systems to maintain that element while your company grows.

Economic recessions give businesses an opportunity to cross-examine all the functioning elements of their operation and cut costs in areas that are not central to their success. When money becomes tight businesses often fall back on the barebones systems that will keep their operation going, without sacrificing the effectiveness of elements that are essential to their success.

When you examine the workings of your business, be sure you have the elements of your operation prioritized correctly. While most businesses attempt to cut costs in marketing and advertising, this can be one of the biggest mistakes you can make. No business survives unless potential clients are aware of who they are, where they are, and what they do. Other businesses may try to trim their services and will sacrifice long-term clients in the process. Do you know how to manipulate the workings of your business effectively, to get the results you want?

If you're not sure how to prioritize your business elements, how to manipulate processes and personnel to increase productivity or profitability, or you're wondering exactly how to maximize profits in the coming year, give me a call. Running a business is no small task, and accessing the ActionCOACH knowledge base of thousands of business owners and case studies worldwide can bring amazing results to your bottom line. Learn the systems that will give you the greatest return on investment now and far into the future - isn't that one of your top priorities?

Does Your Phone Compliment You?

A few years ago, Apple redefined the parameters of advertising a product. Not only does a product need to be functional, but it also needs to be convenient, personal, and beautiful. Those are no longer added bonuses - they are defined as a necessity. After all, the products you use become part of your image; therefore, they should complement and compliment you. You don't want something perfectly functional that doesn't also look good sitting on your desk, do you?

Consumers no longer see a sign, make a phone call, and patronize a business that can serve their needs. In an oversimplified sense, this may still describe a small percentage of business activity. But years of thriving economic conditions have made changes to our perception of needs and wants. It's not unusual for consumers to browse shopping malls, online websites, and even Facebook with a subtle inclination to impulse buy. Looking for someone to tell them what they want (or better yet, what they need), consumers are open (and have become accustomed) to powerful marketing messages that suggest where that "extra" money should go. Apple was one of the first companies to capitalize on a changing consumer mindset, and gave it a boost to a new level when they rolled out all the "I"s. It's not a "youPad" or a "wePod." It's a fashionable, necessary accessory that links you to the top bracket of the consumer crowd. "iPhone" - do you? You must - it fits your needs. Whatever they are - it fits them. Functional? Of course, but that's not where the real value lies. Doesn't it look slick? You need one. You're slick, too. Everything about you should say "slick." Are you listening to me? You should. I'm slick. iPad.

Cue a new consumer reality. Suddenly needs and functionalities are on the same par as wants and extras. In fact, they sometimes fall behind. Don't waste your money on something that satisfies your needs. Spend it when you can have your cake, eat it, get the solid silver plate, and have your teeth (and your friend's teeth) cleaned afterward. Why settle for just cake? That doesn't do anything for you, does it? Peripheral advantages - that's what you really need. Cake is just cake. My cake will make you a star. Isn't that what is most important, after all?

It's a definitive shift in advertising structures and schemes. No longer can businesses expect that because they put up their shingle people will come running to buy their product or service. In fact, it can be detrimental to a business if this is the extent of their marketing. It's not about you providing a service or product - however good it is. It's about delivering it in a gold package, in a surprisingly good timeframe, with bells attached and ideally a self-softening ingredient that will automatically soothe the skin of the consumer when they open it. Value in your product? It's there - right under the big red bow.

Advertising - it's no longer just putting up a sign. It's not just the value of your product or service - it's how you deliver it. It's how you follow up with it. It's how well you center the consumer in your processes. Put an "I" in it, if you can.