While a fair portion of the media (and yeah, I get the irony of saying that) seems intent on talking about nothing but bad economic news, there are good things happening out there as well and they deserve equal time.
For example, I’ve been encouraged to see the Beacon spending more time covering stories about folks taking control of their destiny – such as last week’s story about learning new trade skills at FVCC.
By the same token, you have to watch out for Pollyanna. I understand that warning you about Pollyanna might seem a bit ironic, given that I’ve been known to see opportunity in a pile of horse biscuits, or to say things like “Decide not to participate in the recession”, but bear with me, OK?
Last week, I noted that one of the best things you can do to manage your destiny in the long term is to start your own business (ipso facto, I am not a Beacon employee).
I realize that isn’t for everyone, so this week BIP is aimed at employees and employers.
“In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” – Eric Hoffer
Before you think that Hoffer was some kind of Ivy League fancy pants who just spouted off about things and never held a real job, you might be surprised to find that he was a longshoreman for 20 years and wrote in his spare time. You can learn more about Hoffer at Wikipedia, rather than have me duplicate it here.
You’ve probably figured out by now that I’m talking about the inevitability of change.
It’s easy to see why you should be focused on this inevitability given today’s business environment, but the fact is that it’s a critical strategy no matter how good or bad business is.
My question is this:
How are you preparing yourself, your staff and your business for change?
Hoffer said “…no one really likes the new. We are afraid of it.” I don’t think that’s news to anyone. What’s important is that you constantly educate yourself (and your staff) and prepare for change so that you don’t have to make a knee-jerk reaction to it.
Watch Congress for a while and you’ll see legislators react to problems in that fashion. Washington’s solution to a problem is often to <a href="http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/legislating_montana_small_businesses_out_of_business/7197/" target="_empty"create new legislation that confounds the market and the consumer.
In severe cases, actions like this by both sides of the aisle result in a monstrous pile of paper that was rushed through the legislative process, allowing no one sufficient time to read the legislation prior to casting their vote.
Such things are not typically a result of strategic preparation; they are more often the result of a lack of foresight, oversight, preparation and most importantly, strategic action.
As business owners, you should know better.
Hoffer also said “Man is perpetually unfinished“. I like to think of myself as a work-in-progress. I’m sure my wife does.
Professionally, we are all unfinished – and that isn’t a bad thing unless you’re left untended.
As a business owner, do you set an example of constant improvement?
When did you last read a book and pass it along to the staff to read? When did you last read (and pass around) a blog or industry publication that strategically addresses your industry’s challenges?
Sometimes it’s really hard to find the time to keep up, what with American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and all that really important stuff going on.
How do you encourage your staff to improve their skills and make themselves more valuable?
Thinking “if I help them become more valuable, they might leave” is how your business ends up with 1950-ready employees in a 2009 industry.
One last Hoffer quote: “It still holds true that man is most uniquely human when he turns obstacles into opportunities.”
I can’t think of a better opportunity than we have now, but you must prepare and take strategic action. Waiting around for someone else to wipe your mouth simply isn’t going to cut it.
Want to learn more about Mark or ask him to write about a business, operations or marketing problem? See Mark’s site or contact him at [email protected].