Barney Austen On Posterous

I had the pleasure of meeting an old school friend the other day who has been involved in a number of successful ventures.

A really genuine bloke who appears to have the midas touch when it comes to business decisions.

I asked him how he came up with his ideas.

Paraphrasing - he basically said that he doesn't touch anything that hasn't been done before or has no proven market.

He just looks at making his offering different (target a new niche, higher quality, different channels....).

Just being different has worked for him (along with alot of hard work of course!).

Just being different can work for you too!

When things go bad, putting your head in the sand, or anywhere else for that matter, is not an option.

We all have a tendency to do this, but those who realise they are doing it and get on with sorting out the problem are those that will generally fair better.

Problems never go away by themselves. We need to recognise this and get on with dealing with the problem at hand rather than letting it fester.

Whether we use someone else to sort the problem out for us (does this invoke an image of a hitman I wonder :) ) or we get on and do it ourselves is irrelevant.

What is relevant is that the problem gets sorted.

The problem goes away.

Stress levels drop.

Life moves on!

Photo: Christophervanbelle

I was watching the Dark Knight again the other evening.

There is an excellent scene in the hospital when the Joker shares his views on "the plan" vs. the anarchy that he is believes in. He tries to convince us all that he has no plan - he just "does".

The man of course has a plan, no-one could create the chaos he creates without one! It's just his version of a plan.

We all need a plan, one that allows us to create the vision we are trying to achieve.

Without one, unless we happen to be extremely lucky, chaos will ensue and we will not achieve the end we are seeking.

Make that plan. Check that it makes sense. Execute it. Keep an eye on how you are doing. Replan if necessary.

A plan will keep you on track!

Sometimes we have a good day.

If we are used to being under pressure and duress and a good day arrives where things go exactly according to plan with no hassles - it actually seems like something is wrong!

We feel like something bad is looming!

Now, if you have done nothing to help yourself get out of the pressure/duress and continious problem cycle - then possibly something bad is looming as a consequence.

If you have been working to make things better by improving your business in some way - then maybe this is your reward and you are going to start having other good days.

Celebrate this achievement.

Go on  - have a treat!

And think, if this is going to become the norm - then you can start doing all those other things that you know you need to do to grow and develop your business.

Goodwill comes with a customer when you have generated a solid working relationship with them.

Goodwill comes with a customer because you have delivered what you said you would when you would.

Goodwill come with a customer because you acted openly and honestly with them.

Goodwill is depleted when one part of a company fails to deliver it's promises.

Goodwill is depleted when the truth to the client starts being selective.

Goodwill is depleted when you can't stand over your word.

Goodwill is not easily won back!

Why meetings need to have a purpose - think this little video says it all! Enjoy.

One of my failings (one of my many a few would say!) is that I tend to say more than necessary.

This is especially true if I am passionate about the topic on which I'm speaking. A fault that was picked up on Dragons Den earlier this year!!

I operate, when unchecked, on the 100 words is better than 10 principle.

For getting a hard point across, or when you need to make a quick decision, this is not the most effective way of communicating.

If I catch myself rambling now, I stop, take stock and finish off.

If I want to make a point - I say it as directly as possible. Get it out there on the table for discussion and then move on.

This is difficult. It is taking alot of practice, but hopefully it'll be worth it in the end.

Flowerly language sometimes has no place in the business world.

Say it how it is and get on with it.Don't be rude or insulting, just clear and concise!

And on that note, I'll stop writing.. or have I made the point well enough...I'm not sure... maybe I should write more...

No, no - clear, concise and with brevity.

Time is money!

We've all heard the expression that a team is only as strong as its weakest link.

Weakness is a very subjective term. It can relate to many things, but in a team sense usually relates to a physical or mental capability.

Any skill can be learnt so to me, the biggest challenge in any team is getting everyone "on-side".

The biggest break in any chain comes when the attitude towards the success of the endeavour is less in one member of the team than the rest.

The leader or manager of that team has to recognise if this is the case with any team member(s).

Find out why the motivation is not there.

Make it personal to the team member - what's in it for them and the team.

Share and encourage.

Attitude is a state of mind.

An effective manager can overcome this. If they can't - who is at fault? The team member or the manager?

"I want to see results"

"I want to see tangible benefit"

"What have you been doing? What can you show me?"

.....

The challenge with planning or implementing process change is that it takes time.

Instant gratification and process change are not good bed-fellows.

This is a problem when you are involved in planning or process re-engineering (either from the offset or as a consequence of a major problem in an organisation).

Management expect to see instant results from process change. In reality, results take time to see and are measured in step changes over a period of days, weeks or months depending on the change being implemented.

If you are engaged in this type of activity, ensure that the key players are aware of this. Demonstrate how the changes will be measured once implemented.

Set expectation or else you will be deemed to have failed.

Verbal communication is a wonderful thing. It allows us to share ideas and express our views.

In business, we use it to help us determine what we want. Unfortunately (and I'm guilty of this myself), we reach a verbal agreement and the detail doesn't get put down in writing so there is a reference point.

If there is a problem - who is right, who is wrong? What exactly was agreed?

This leads to unnecessary conflict.

So if you make an agreement on anything, make sure the details are captured in writing and signed off by both parties.

This is your baseline and reference point.

It saves an awful lot of hassle!