How’s your business confidence?
Does this excerpt from a conversation between two business people (BP1 & BP2) sound familiar to you.
BP1: How’s business?
BP2: Ok, but you know it’s a bit quiet at the moment
BP1: Really? Well you know we’ve found the same
BP2: Is that right. Funny you should say that, everyone I talk to is saying that business is a bit quiet
Do you recognise this conversation?
Perhaps you were either BP1 or BP2 somewhere, sometime recently.
Regardless…stay with me…there is a major point to this article.
Both BP1 & BP2 are in danger of missing an opportunity and just being market followers.
Why? Because they are receiving signals, from the market place, that may or may not be accurate or relevant.
What do you mean Paul?
What I mean is this.
Sure it’s important to keep abreast of what’s happening in the economy locally, state-wide and nationally and sure it’s important to get a sense of how others are doing … however if that is the extent of your market and competitive analysis and associated planning then you are kidding yourself and consigning your business to less than optimal performance.
You may ask, “Aren’t you being a bit harsh Paul?”
Well frankly No!
Consider these matters:
Even if BP1 or BP2 know each others industry or even businesses intimately it does not necessarily qualify them to diagnose issues with the level of business that each is obtaining.
Given birds of feather flock together – it’s hardly scientific to base any form of decision making on a straw poll of limited sample size from within your own circle.
On closer inspection the rationalization behind conversations like the one between BP1 & BP2 that are happening all over the country is that everyone likes to feel that they are “normal” and that what they are going through is “normal”. In essence people and companies that do this are market followers.
Hello, wake up…
If by “normal” you mean under-performing – who wants to be “normal”? Not me and I hope not you.
I trust that you will aspire for your business to be exceptional rather than settling for mediocrity or worse.
If you want to be an effective “market maker” it’s CRITICAL to protect your mind and attitude because they will, whether you like it or not, have a direct influence on the sales and profitability of your business.
Market Makers have the courage of their convictions and often act in ways that are counter-intuitive or counter cyclical to the general market. They promptly and fearlessly make decisions recognizing that they need to keep moving – after all a fast moving target is harder to hit.
You can choose to be an eagle who soars high above the clouds (of circumstances) or you can continue to cluck around with a lot of other “turkeys” who validate their lack of performance through excuses and blaming external factors (e.g.: the upcoming Federal election; rising interest rates and changes in business or consumer sentiment).
Did you note that even in nature both the “turkeys” and the “eagles” are subject to the same external factors (wind, rain; drought etc) however the eagle is much better prepared because it can, among other things:
See for long distances – even at night
Take advantage of wild wind currents
Move and adapt quickly to changes in the environment
Enjoy the freedom and security that others only wish for
Whereas the turkey:
Has functional yet limited vision
Is largely earth bound
Is (compared to the eagle) unable to move with great speed
Is unable to soar above the clouds and so is subject to the brunt of the weather & surrounding circumstances
Is relatively easy prey (good eating) for others
There is much more that could be said about turkeys and eagles and what we can learn from their respective characteristics. I encourage you to take some time and think through the analogy and how it applies to your business.
How would you honestly categorize your business – turkey or eagle?
How would your employees categorize your business?
Are the two answers the same or different?
And if your business is a turkey that dreams of being an eagle – what are you going to do about it and when?
Of course if your business is a turkey and you are comfortable that it’s a turkey – well that’s ok – just don’t kid yourself that you will enjoy the freedoms and benefits of an eagle.
Finally, for a bit of fun I recommend the following two movies
The Devil Wears Prada
The Last Holiday
Apart from the entertainment value of both movies, it was great to be able to find a movie that I could watch with Reina that we would both enjoy. Guys, you know what I mean, some chick flicks just don’t do it for me – however with these two movies it was different. And for those of you that can’t switch off from work then if you follow the movies carefully there are some great underlying messages such as the application of the “Book of Possibilities” from The Last Holiday. Everyone, including your kids should have one of them! | 
