Many stalwarts have asked many smart questions here..let me ask you a rather dumb one..
'Do you want to be a part of the recession?'?'
Dr Ivan Misner has written, tell yourself , 'I can't succeed in this economic downtime and you are most likely to prove yourself right'
The easiest recipe to be a part of it is by fearing it.
Cos as Franklin Roosevelt has said, 'The only thing we have to fear is fear'
Here is a five point plan that can full proof your business and fortify your career.
1)Soar like an eagles .
Do not get engaged in the race to the bottom.
Loads of companies are busy decreasing the prices . Right?
Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?
The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come.
When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.
Instead of going low on the prices you raise them and raise the value too.
You do the opposite by adding value, customer delight, going the extra mile ..Build credibility.
Work on customer relationships.
Write down the 10 reasons how you can add value to your services.
Position yourself to the top.
2 Shift from being busy to doing valuable work
Research says 80% of the people put in only 20% of the time in a day or much much lesser..
Three slot your day ..understand and make the most of YOUR productive time of the day, it could be Early morning, afternoon or late evening. .
Cut the less value adding work in those hours, Don't get lost in the digital jungle. Cut the crap!!
Create a roadmap and stick to it!
3. Polish your jems Grow your leaders
You don't grow till your staff down the line grows..
Develop your people, boost their confidence, invest in them, train them , make them dress well, look smart talk well. Create a company Image ...cos the equation is simple...they grow equals you grow faster .
Isn't BNI a part of your team? Here's where those structured 1-2-1s come to play!
4. Select your pride
Be careful whom you select to work with. Because only Lions have a pride .
You become like the people you are associated with.
Get associated with the big ones
Get influenced by the influencers, Have the power dates.
Invite those valuable visitors...Create followers.. Become effective leaders not just the managers.
And yes use your social media wisely! Create a strong professional Image both online and offline.
5 Sharpen your axe
Be competitive ... Dress Razor sharp! Make an Impactful first impression. Read, listen and learn.. Invest in yourself because you are your own BRAND, your companies first Image starts with you!
Here's a story I tell my clients , I think you ,might like it too.
Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber merchant and he got it. The pay was really good and so was the work condition. For those reasons, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.
His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he supposed to work.
The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees.
“Congratulations,” the boss said. “Go on that way!”
Very motivated by the boss words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only bring 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees.
“I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.
“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked.
“Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”
Attend the trainings, network and travel . Nothing can teach you faster than experience.
So friends five point your strategy and bid good bye to recession !
