Wednesday, December 28, 2011

What do you stand for?

Every one's talking about core values, beliefs,  manifestos but what does it all mean?  And how do values apply to my business?  What do they have to do with  me?
Actually, values have a lot to do with it.  Whether we define our values or not, they come out anyway, especially under pressure. 

Have you ever been in a business where employees are arguing in front of customers?  Have you gotten different info from each employee so you're not sure who to believe  The owner of this company has no idea what they stand for or where they're headed. YOU don't want to be that guy or gal.   

If you're new to business or your business has been growing, and you need to tweak a little bit, now is the perfect time to sit down and really figure out what you stand for.

But first you have to ask the right questions.

1. What's important around here?  What is important to your business; what are the values that you want to model?   Choose your top 3.

Legendary Service
All about Profit
Self Management
Positive Attitude
Collaboration
Say what you mean
Professionalism
Beat the competition
Quality
Bigger is better

2.  Where are we headed?   You can't answer that unless you know what's important  around here first.  Knowing where you're headed brings your vision into focus.

3. What we stand for?    Do you have a core idea to talk about?  Don't confuse your vision with your position.  A focused direction will show you where to concentrate your physical financial and human resources.  You have no substance,  no reality, no commitment.

4.  Understand the need to fall in love with risk.  Risk is the core of leadership.  Without embracing Risk,  without really falling in love with it,  you'll never voice your vision.   You'll let the fear hold you back.  Risk gives life to zing,  zest and vitality.  If there's no real risk there's no real celebration or rewards. 

5. Learn to motivate people.  In fact it isn't enough to be competent, you have to be able to communicate that competence.  Sell the benefits of your vision especially the emotional benefits.   Most people operate under the WIIFM....what's in it for me.  Get your employees, customers, and suppliers behind the company.  We want know what's  in it for us.



And right now as 2012 is right around the corner,  is your vision connected with your strategy;  have you aligned your strategy with your values; are you positioned to deal with a wide range or possibilities? 




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