Before I was so rudely interrupted by Captain Sunshine (who I have to admit may have had a few good observations), I had tried to make several points in the previous two columns:
· RIGHT-SIZE YOUR BUSINESS. NOW…….SHRINK OR SINK! BY CHRIS BROWN, FORMER CEO OF WIEDENBACH BROWN
· IT’S TIME TO BE BOLD! BY CHRIS BROWN, FORMER CEO OF WIEDENBACH BROWN
His retort:
· COVID WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING….STRATEGICALLY SPEAKING THAT IS BY BILL ATTARDI
Well, Captain S makes a lot of sense with his strategeries….’follow the customer’, ‘buying habits will change dramatically’, ‘the C’s have it’, ‘retrain your outside sales force’ etc. but, and a big BUT, I can quote Yogi too…..’It ain’t over till its over’! And the COVID19 pandemic and its economic disruption ain’t over. So I suggest we talk about a blend of both our advice. All of our businesses are at a tipping point, or are experiencing multiple, different tipping points. The key message here is to be prepared to act, and take care of your business. And that preparation starts with a personal reflection. Are you taking care of yourself, really taking care? Long hours, stress, fear, anger, confusion and sadness may all be result of the COVID crisis. And all can be dealt with attention to our personal well being first, while planning for our business future. More on that from my consultant brother at the end of my closer to this Captain Sunshine and Chicken Little debate……..
Not quite the last step:
Critical appraisal of every key aspect of the business, and willingness to make previously unimaginable decisions comes next. What part of your business is most needed and appreciated by your most valuable clients? What part of your business truly differentiates you from your competition? What parts of your business are least profitable? How do you get out of them? What part of your business is the most profitable? How do you focus your resources to increase it or them? What new talents do you need? What upgrades are needed for your existing business technologies? What new technologies do you need to acquire? What organizational changes and personnel re-assignments are necessary? Who are your rising stars, who will be leading the organization in the future? Move them up now!
It’s time for clear, radical, daring thinking and brave and bold and fearless decision making.
Your business, your career and your personal future are at stake. As are the careers and financial futures of the great people who have helped create your success to this point. And they are the team who you will rely on to carry out your new strategy, to survive the greatest ever threat to your business, one that could never have been imagined. And you are smack in the middle of that deadly crisis, with no end in sight. Time to ‘deep breathely’, and act as if your business life depends on clear thinking and fearless decision making. Because it does!
BUT FIRST…….. the last steps, but you should make them the first! Courtesy of my sometimes smart aleck consultant brother Tim who warns DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE OVER 40…..YOU PROBABLY WON’T DO ANYTHING WITH THIS INFORMATION ANYWAY. OR WILL YOU?
“How are you taking care of your # 1 Asset – YOU, Inc.? Before you can lead anyone else you must lead and care for yourself first! To be your best, focusing on the core fundamentals of well-being, in the areas of Eating, Moving, Sleeping, Breathing, Focusing and Celebrating, is critical and scientifically proven to enhance our lives. How to do this? It takes knowledge, discipline and daily practice.
An essential part of our process is to incorporate ancient wisdom and modern science with practical tools to be your best in these essential core fundamentals. When you do, your team will as well and when we are all becoming our best personally, we will all prosper professionally!”
(Courtesy of my brother Tim Brown, OPTIMIZE coach and SANDLER trainer. More information about Tim and his program at www.bwellwithtb.com)
AND FINALLY……..in case you missed Mike Kershner’s amazing renaissance in lighting panel on lighting business innovation with Sero Cardamone, Chip Israel and Chuck Swoboda, it should be required watching for everyone in the lighting industry, it’s that compelling! Let’s have a conversation about the urgency of innovation on the business side of lighting, or we all stay taxi drivers! (The video will only be available until January 15, 2021)