Monday, December 10, 2012

2013 without a Plan is a Dream

"Goals without Actions are Dreams, Actions without Goals are Chaos”
Japanese Proverb

I borrowed this old proverb to make my point in the subject line. Does it feel like Chaos most of the time around your place of business. Does it seem like everyone is really busy, but busy just reacting all day keeping their head down and putting out fires and helping customers? 2013 is upon us and the only way I know to improve your company is to build a plan and execute that plan. A plan that includes Goals, Core Purpose, Vision, Tactics and Strategy, and an assessment of your Strengths , Weaknesses and Opportunities and Threats. The Leadership Matrix ebook or presentation can lead you through this or you can bring someone in to facilitate. Either way I suggest the first step is building a plan.

The second step is to build a rhythm into the business so that you take the Tactics/Actions, prioritize them and meet weekly to follow up and ensure execution.

This plan cannot be done and then never looked at again. To Start the process I suggest you hand out this StartStop Keep document to every employee and have them return it to you. This can be the input, from the front lines, to begin to plan your 2013. Ideas that can make you more efficient and effective business. Whatever you do, build a plan for 2013 and a process into your business to execute it over time.
 
As Yogi Berra said,  “If you don’t know where you  are going you might not get there”.

 

Zig is Gone, But Not Forgotten

  "Shy salespeople have skinny kids."  
Zig Ziglar  

One of my favorite "sources" of learning died last week (November 28th). Zig Ziglar made sales an art form, while he taught us to be better people and live better lives.  

He will live forever through his stories, books, audio programs and keynote speeches. The sly old country boy who became world famous and helped three generations of salespeople refine the art of serving, not selling their clients.  

Here is a short video excerpt from one of his presentations and a short podcast that demonstrate the power of his stories:


Overcoming Fear

All the best,
Rick Wallace