Winning In Business

In my last newsletter, I spoke of "Winning in Business".  Take a few minutes to find out if you are winning or losing in your business.

How do you rate?  Are you winning or losing in business?

Rank your answers from 1 to 5 on how well you are winning.

Core Business Processes
 All the core business processes are documented.

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We measure our core business processes to ensure they are functioning as designed.

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We have multiple individuals trained on every core business process.

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Maintain Mission and Vision
We have a defined mission and vision statement
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Every employee knows the mission and vision of the company
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Employee reviews measure activity and achievements toward the mission and vision

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Embrace Change
All business processes are part of continuous improvement processes

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Everyone is encouraged to recommend change
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All change attempts are celebrated - both success and not

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Continuously evaluate business processes

Feedback is sought from employees to improve business processes.
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Strategy meetings are conducted at least annually to determine business shifts.
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Market trends and competitor evaluation is part of regular strategy meetings.
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Customer Value Proposition

Feedback is sought from customers regularly

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Customer "Wants/needs" meetings are held at least annually

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Customer trends are monitored and tracked
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Action:

What is one thing you can do to improve your situation?

If you would like to discuss these in more detail, give us a call.

Four Success Leadership Traits

Four Success Leadership Traits

How do you rate?  Are you leading your business to a higher plain of success?

Rank your traits from 1 to 5 on how well you lead.

 1. Work in the business – at the appropriate level!

My business and / or team has a shared vision of  the future and everyone is committed to it's achievement.

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Everyone's key goals and objectives are directly tied to the vision of the company.

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2.  Hire, retain and grow good team players
 We have a set of clearly defined process for all new hires
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Every employee has a training and coaching plan
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We have a defined process for any under performing employee
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3.  Manage activities, not results
All processes have key activities that are monitored
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Everyone in the organization is empowered to create/improve processes (even outside their department)    
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4. Make sure that everybody gets to play
We regularly "poll" our team to measure their engagement level

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Every on in the organization has a personal motivational plan 
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Action:

What is one thing you can do to improve your situation?

If you would like to discuss these in more detail, give us a call.

Top Five Critical Management Issues

Top Five Critical Management Issues

Based on the Institute for Corporate Productivity study, what is your critical management issues in your business?  Rank them from 1 (most critical) to 5 (least critical)

Leadership skills and strength in my organization

              1              2             3             4            5

Managing and growing the talent of my organization

             1              2             3             4            5

Managing and implementing change in my organization 

             1              2             3             4            5

Managing and coping with change occurring outside my organization 

             1              2             3             4            5

Developing and executing solid succession plans to insure the future of my organization 
             1              2             3             4            5

If you have other challenges facing your organization, please post your comment and let me know.

Action:

What is one thing you can do to improve your situation?

If you would like to discuss these in more detail, give us a call.

The "Four Great Fears" of Leadership

The "Four Great Fears" of Leadership

How am I doing with the "Four Fears"? 

1 - Not at all like me                  2 - Somewhat like me                        3 - Exactly like me

Great Fear #1 – I’m Not a “Natural Leader”
 1. Just like any other skill, I invest time, money and energy in improving my leadership.

              1              2             3

 2. I evaluate, through feedback and self-evaluation, my strengths and weaknesses as a leader on a regular basis.
              1              2             3

Great Fear # 2   Fear of Failure
3.  I celebrate risks, mistakes and errors.
              1              2             3

4. My team is energized by trying new ways and being challenged to "fail".

              1              2             3

Great Fear # 3   I Don’t Know How to Motivate My Employees
5. I am excited and passionate about our business and the daily work I do.
              1              2             3

6. I understand every team members personal passion and have connected it to the mission of the business.

              1              2             3

Great Fear #4   I Don’t Know What to Do Next

7. I evaluate everything in my business that helped us achieve success and am willing to change it.

              1              2             3

8. We do not rely on "the way we have always done it" to grow the business.                            1              2             3

Results: 

1 - 10 - You have are a consumed by the "Four Fears".

11-20 - You are managing the "Four Fears".

21-24 - You have master the "Four Fears".

Evaluation:

What are 3 things that need to change in order for your score to improve? 

If you would like to discuss these in more detail, give us a call.

Are you a LEADER or a "Downside Manager"?

Are you a LEADER or a "Downside Manager"?

How does my leadership rank? 

1 - Not at all like me                  2 - Somewhat like me                        3 - Exactly like me

1. I know what motives each member of my team.

              1              2             3

2.  Each member of my team knows exactly how they contribute to the overall mission of the company or department.

              1              2             3

3. I have told each member of my team, in specific terms, how they are valued by the company within the last month.

              1              2             3

4. I have defined training (formal and informal training) plan for each team member to help them improve their contribution to the organization.
              1              2             3

5. Every team member has an up to date career plan.

              1              2             3

6. I meet with my team members at least quarterly to review their contributions, goals and expectations.

              1              2             3

Results: 

1- 8 - You have are a "downside" manager.

9-14 - You are trying to engage your team with "traditional" models.

15-18 - You are leading your team by treating them as unique and valued members.

Evaluation:

What are 3 things that need to change in order for your score to improve? 

If you would like to discuss these in more detail, give us a call.

How does your business plan compare?

Do you plan to win or fail to plan?

How does my plan rank? 

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1. I have a plan for my success that is less than 1 year old.

              1              2             3

2.  I have key goals that define "Where" I want my business to be in 3-5 years from now.

              1              2             3

3. I have between 3 and 5 key business objectives that define "What" needs to happen to reach my key goals.

              1              2             3

4. I have clearly defined measurable results associated with my objectives.

              1              2             3

5. I have timelines established for each objective and the key actions required to reach them.

              1              2             3

6. My company strategy defines the "How" of reaching my Goals.

              1              2             3

7. I review and update my business plan at least once a year.

              1              2             3

8. Everyone knows how they contribute to the Strategy, Goals and Objectives of the business.

              1              2             3

9. At least monthly, the business plan is reviewed and "course corrections" are taken.

              1              2             3

10. I have complete confidence that my business plan will help me reach my desired results.

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Results: 

10-15 - You have a plan that is stale and needs repairs.

15-25 - You are trying to align your business activities with your business plan.

25-30 - You are executing your plan and reaching your desired results.

Evaluation:

What are 3 things that need to change in order for your score to improve? 

If you would like to discuss these in more detail, give us a call.

Ten "Business Commandments"

Real leaders know there is a difference between "busy" and productive". Our aim is to achieve our goals -- to be truly productive.

Here are the Ten "Business Commandments".  Take our test and see how you score.

How do you rank? 

1 - Not at all like me                  2 - Somewhat like me                        3 - Exactly like me

1.  Work "On" your Business not "In" your Business

              1              2             3

2.  Control your To-Do List

              1              2             3

3. Have a Positive Attitude

              1              2             3

4. Always Look to Grow

              1              2             3

5. Don't Be Fearful

              1              2             3

6. What More Do I Need to Learn?

              1              2             3

7.  Forget Plan B!

              1              2             3

8. If It Isn't Written It Doesn't Exist

              1              2             3

9. Does Everyone Have the Ability to Make Decisions?

              1              2             3

10. Is Everybody Part of the Self-managing Group?

              1              2             3

Results: 

10-15 - You are under the control of your business

15-25 - You and your business are at odds with each other

25-30 - Your business is under your control

Evaluation:

What are 3 things that need to change in order for your score to improve? 

If you would like to discuss these "commandments" in more detail, give us a call.