Archive for October, 2009
MAKE SURE YOUR DUCKS ARE IN A ROW
Imagine this… What if you were to highlight the details of a business problem to the executives of a particular organization. What do you think their response would be?
The CFO would likely say… “It’s a resource problem.”
Human Resources would likely say… “It’s a people problem.”
R&D would likely say… “It’s an information problem.”
Marketing would likely say…“Let’s double the marketing budget.”
While I fully advocate that marketing is an absolute necessity for any business or organization to thrive… more marketing isn’t always the answer. To be successful, any organization needs to have their ducks in a row. Marketing; however, is just one duck.
Better marketing is good. A better reality is even better! Evaluate your business, your service, your systems, your leadership, your marketing. Keep getting better at what you do.
Your brand is the perception your clients and prospects have of your business or organization. Keep improving your brand.
THE LOW COST TRAP
I’ve known business owners that have made a strong marketing case for becoming and/or being the low cost provider… but it’s been my observation that the low cost position can kill a business.
The great low cost providers are vulnerable from multiple angles. Just when the system for lowering costs has been fully refined… somebody else inevitably comes up with a better system and cheaper suppliers. And as if this problem isn’t enough… these business owners find it virtually impossible to inspire their employees due to limited budgets, meager surroundings… and a constant need to recruit under-paid and under-appreciated workers.
Always remember, your clients and consumers can almost always find a cheaper way to get your products and services, and few efforts are less rewarding than trying to compete with the cheaper ways of those bottom-dwellers.
Stay away from the rock bottom.
IT TAKES A LIFETIME TO MOVE MOUNTAINS
Tags: Business, endurance, Inspiration, Lance Armstrong, Leadership
I regularly find myself being frustrated and discouraged by what “seems” to be insufficient progress in my efforts to make a significant impact in life, in business… and even my own personal leadership. My guess is that from time to time… you do too.
Lance Armstrong once said… “When we make incremental change, we are on our way to monumental change.”
Max Weber (pronounced maks vaybere); one of the founders of the modern study of sociology and public administration, once said… (paraphrased) “Progress is the slow boring of hard boards, and anyone who seeks to do it must risk his own soul.”
Doesn’t life, business and leadership seem to take on that same challenge? Change comes in excruciating increments to those that want it. If you want to move mountains, it takes a lifetime.