This is truly worth the read. The article, entitled Extreme Management, hits businesses squarely in the heart:
"Your sales are down. Your operating costs are out of control. Your cash flow has slowed to a trickle. Your bank won’t give you a loan. Of course you blame the economy. Everybody is suffering, so it’s no wonder your business is in trouble, right?
Wrong. Don’t blame the economy. Recession or no recession, if your business is failing, it’s your fault."
Wanna read more? The New York Enterprise Report
Let me know if you find this article painfully accurate or fatally flawed!
As always, I love your reading your thoughts and comments!
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3 comments:
Cindy,
Some of what this author suggests rings true. A plan is essential. The plan should focus on profit, or be scrapped for a new own. Business should make budgets to plan and adhere strictly to them...while "flexing" to changes in business conditions and/or assumptions. The boss should get out from behind the desk, work the business, sell, build client relationships.
However, much of the rest is nonsense. If you can't succeed Monday through Friday (with some exceptions), if you have to neglect God and family to succeed, if you have to unethically cheat your vendors/suppliers by delaying contractual payments, if you have to be a tyrannical, feared boss, you really should find another line of work. I know may successful people who are/do none of those things.
Not to be too churchy, but I think Section 121 is the finest treatise on leadership in print. How would you like to have power flow to you without compulsory means, based on kindness, love, longsuffering (or patience), guilelessness, charity, with only an occasional loving reproof, followed by an increase in love.
In my opinion, this formula works in church, in parenting, in marriage, and in business or public service, etc.
I'm working on mastering it...but have a ways to go.
What do you think?
All the best,
Rob
Thanks for the comment Rob, I agree with your assessment of this article. I think that sticking to the basics is always important regardless of the times: Staying out of Debt as a small business owner is paramount. Working really hard, especially initially is required, yet work does not CONTROL other priorities like family and community and enabling people to thrive and grow. Work, should ENABLE all of that to be more meaningful and joyful.
I think it is timely because so many businesses have forgotten the lessons so many learned during WWII; to be frugal and generous, wise, and ethical with every day you walk on the planet.
Hi Cindy
All too often people seek to find a means to overcome the trials and tribulations in their lives by relying upon their own experience, wisdom, knowledge but neglecting the that they have another partner. In my view that partner is Heavenly Father. I have never faltered in the midst of crisis whether that is in the midst of combat, life threatening illness, business and professional trauma, or in the midst of a disaster either man-made or natural.
Saying Yes to Life also means acknowledging the power and assistance of One who is greater than us all who can maximize our talents and potential to overcome or at least mitigate the effects of what we are going through. It is this source of power that provides the extra octane that provides the additional spark to our inner will to succeed or even survive. I have been around too long and have witnessed far too much to not deny that this is a true principle
I would not characterize this mindset as Churchy, but harnessing the spiritual power that is within us all through the assistance of a loving Divine Creator.
The words of the LDS Hymn, How Firm a Foundation have provided inspiration to me personally during times of severe trial. I will share the lyrics that are most meaningful to me:
Fear not I am with thee, Oh be not dismayed.
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand.
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee, thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace all sufficient shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee, I only design,
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
That soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not , I cannot desert to his foes.
That soul though all Hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!
Thank you for allowing me to share .
Warm Regards,
Terry
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