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People who know me know that I see everything as a process, something which can be designed, tweaked, and improved.
I love it when a good plan pulls together and inspires people.
But I’ve discovered that there’s a dark side as well: Not everybody likes to think in process steps. Most people, in fact. Which then means that I’m speaking the wrong language for them.
Read the rest of this entry »I sure get tied up in all these activities I’m engaged in. My to-do list is endless.
But it’s critical to spend some time reflecting on what’s going on. How am I doing – REALLY? Is the business healthy? How about my key relationships?
And when I’m surrounded by all this noise and distraction, it’s SO hard to do!
Read the rest of this entry »Sometimes I find it hard to see a positive future. Perhaps you also have days where it feels like you’re stuck in problems and drudgework.
I’ve found that it’s really much more about my own attitude than what’s happening outside me. I’m the one who’s stressing myself out.
I suppose this might happen to you as well?
Read the rest of this entry »One of my challenges is being able to constantly flip between the big picture and the detailed picture. And I know others can struggle with this too.
I’ve been neck deep in spreadsheets, which is not exactly my most favorite place to be. And then I get yanked over to dealing with someone who felt ignored. Then over to that email conversation I forgot to reply to yesterday.
Sometimes it feels like I’ve done nothing but look at details.
Read the rest of this entry »The traditional wisdom is that businesses are best run with unemotional logic and analysis. And there indeed is a place for that, but it misses the elements that engage customers, partners and employees.
There’s a place for passion, purpose and story. To have your soul shine forth.
About five years ago, Simon Sinek introduced us to a concept he called “Start With Why.” Check out his TED Talk if you haven’t seen it.
Read the rest of this entry »We have this tendency to make things too complex in business. I spent many years of my career doing just that – trying to cover all the cases and contingencies.
But at its core, business is very simple. You sell something that people value, and they give you money because you’re solving a problem or serving a need. And you do it efficiently enough so the business can continue.
But “the devil is in the details”, right? Absolutely.
Read the rest of this entry »I’m involved with several organizations for which this is the beginning of the new year. Not on the traditional calendar, but in the way we think and plan and organize.
January 1st is just an arbitrary date, right?
So now might be a good time – as good as any – to make some decisions.
People who run charities or other volunteer organizations have a big advantage over those of us in the for-profit sector: They know they have to tap peoples’ energy in a different way.
Because, of course, they can’t pay those volunteers. Well, maybe with a bit of beer and pizza, but that’s about it.
Over the course of my life, I’ve volunteered my time and energy in many places. And I’ve led teams of volunteers myself. Am I crazy?
Read the rest of this entry »I heard the recent report of a Nepali team reaching the summit of K2, the world’s second highest peak, during winter. A magnificent achievement of incredible difficulty!
But, of course, the lurking question is: Why bother?
“Because it’s there”
— George Mallory, 1924, on summiting Everest
Not everything can be measured in quantifiable terms.
Read the rest of this entry »You might think that today’s message is about reflecting on the year’s goals, and progress made. With what this year has thrown at us, I doubt that ANY of us are on progress with what we were thinking at the beginning of the year.
Either way ahead or way behind, perhaps out of business entirely.
In my case, I experienced a massive “pivot” this year, delivering a lot of services producing amazing Zoom events for clients. It’s been fun, but certainly not my business plan.
Read the rest of this entry »
The Values-Based Business 