Put on Your Consumer Vision

I often speak to groups about networking and building a successful business.

It often surprises me that people fail to try to see things from a consumer aspect.

To build a successful business you need to offer three things:

1. Be there (in person, on mind, and at their fingertips) and ready to deliver
2. Make a favorable and lasting impression
3. Provide value (not the cheapest price!)

To do the above you have to look at your business from a consumer standpoint. You already think you do all three. But, do they? Why don't more think that of you and your business?

I challenge you to partner up with a fellow business professional (not your best friend) and offer to review each others businesses with your consumer vision or consumer goggles. It would go something like this:

• We each agree to spend 3 hours reviewing each others businesses over the next 30 days
• We will review the following materials or items: (examples) storefront, business cards, marketing materials, philosophy, presence in the community, etc...
• We will deliver a written report to each other on such a date when we meet for coffee. The report will include our impressions of the materials, recommendations and/or feedback on how to improve them and our overall impression of your business (in the three key aspects stated above in this blog).

Now, just because your business partner doesn't accept each recommendation doesn't mean the exercise was not valuable. Remember, business is not personal! You learned about your business from another persons perspective- and you offered your valuable insight to them on theirs. You've already won by doing the exercise.

Revising the Plans of Life

I can recall being a teenager and laying out some of my future plans. Ironically, college wasn't one of them for this small-town south central PA girl. Falling in love was- to a gorgeous and hard working perfect man. I was also planning to have two children by the time I was 28.

"Wow," is all that I can say when I think back to that plan. Maybe a little "what was I thinking?" too.

Fast forward almost 20 years. I'm 34 (35 next month). I've completed both college and graduate school and have a resume that is 2 pages, condensed. The children never came along. And the perfect man hasn't either. I've realized perfection was a bit far fetched. (smile)

I've watched dear friend realize my original plan. And, I've had the pleasure to live vicariously through them- as they have through me on my very different journey.

I believe planning is great. I think goals drive us to live better. I also believe we can be headed down a path that isn't right for us at times. A wise person will analyze their plan for appropriateness at regular intervals. Is is still the right way to go? Why or why not? Revise when and if necessary.

Don't fail to realize when your path needs readjustments. Don't get caught up in "oh, but for 10 years I've wanted this, so it HAS to happen....". Be smarter than that. Stubbornness and laziness will lead you to fail every time. Don't confuse being driven, goal oriented and focused with being resistant to diversions. A great person who is all of those things also has the ability to revisit the plan, revise and reset the path.

At 34 I dedicated myself to revisiting the more social aspects of my life (versus academic and professional). I'm delighted each day I get to walk in my new path- that came a few decades behind my original plan.

Have fun with your path. Don't take it too seriously that you fail to see the larger pictures.

Where is Your Gold Medal?

Will you be watching the 2008 Olympics staring 08/08/2008?

If so, you'll see men and women who are at the peak of their careers going for the gold. They are the best of the best. They've worked many years to get to where they are. The world will be watching them to see if they succeed or miss the mark.

I enjoy the Olympics for that very reason. I love to support others (even if only from my couch in my living room) and cheer them on. I also love the Olympics because of the way it related to my own life. I'm far from being in top physical condition. I've never won physical challenges in my life. However, I have worked ever so hard on things - for years at a time - and had my work culminate in a win or loss in a matter of minutes. I've desperately wanted for things to happen in my life. I've known both success and failure at things that seemed to mean the world to me (at the time).

What would your gold medal be for? What is it that you strive for? What does a win look and feel like for you at this point in your life?

Do you want to have a baby more than anything? Do you want to be more valued at work? Are you struggling to finish a 10-year task?

Make this Olympic period be yours. Decide what gold you are going for. Train for it. Work at it. Develop your cheering section. Make it happen. These sorts of achievements can be once in a lifetime. Go for it!

Do You Take Responsibility for Other People's Actions?

Recently, I've been disturbed by the level of irresponsibility that exists. However, I'm not talking about on an individual level. I hope that we all accept individuals should be responsible for their actions (well, most individuals there are a few exceptions depending upon age and mental capacity). My upset has been more with the powers that oversee individuals, whether it be a company, a governmental agency, etc...

Your employees/contractors/volunteers... represent you. Your employees/contractors/volunteers... represent your company/city/board... Across all pay ranges and all titles you need to make sure these individuals are acting in a manner that you can be proud of (and bank on). YOU are at risk if they are not. Your company/city/board...is at risk if they are not.

You MUST have strong training programs in place (again, at all levels for everyone). You MUST have frequent examinations (by an outside or unknown party) to test that this training has been implemented. And, you MUST take immediate action when you identify an individual that is not upholding the mission, vision, and values of your work. There are no exceptions.

Remember, the smallest most insignificant interaction to you (or your employee) can turn a potential life-long customer/fan to your competitor. And, they will take all of their friends with them.

Is your "house" in order? Make it a priority for the next 90 days. You'll thank me for it.