So now for the push…..let me ask you in which circumstance would a $500 phone bill not be a problem?  Any guess?  How about if you were making $4,000 a month?  Yes, you can see how that would be a problem.  How about if you were making $1,000,000 a month?  My guess is that if that were a case, then a $500 phone bill wouldn’t even hit the radar.  Now hang on, a minute ago the phone bill was a problem, however in a different context it wasn’t.

In this case, we look at this type of scenario as a breakthrough exercise, especially for leaders, however only if you use this.  This is in fact a real life case with a client of ours.  As we challenged him on how to use this, he found that is focus was more on the little things and he had taken his focus off of creating growth.  It seems so little, and yet, it was a pattern in his thinking.  You get what you focus on and if you are focusing on things that can’t be changed, then you are focusing on the wrong thing….simple as that!!! 

If you want to learn more, read our book…..It Is What It Is, Or Is It…..All About Business, click the link on the left and order!

Until next time…..

I know that you will agree that in those moments when you get clear and focused, you have been able to achieve some incredible results.  It’s true!  The thing is that for many they think this only happens when the moon and stars align.  What if that wasn’t true?  What if you could have better control of your focus?  What if you could be clearer all the time?  What would that type of clarity produce for you in leading your company or organization?  Bottom line, achieving growth and results requires focus.  It is those who not only understand this, but who take the action to find the tools to make that happen, are the ones who win the race…..simple as that!!

Until next time….

So what does this mean to you and your business?  Well, to start, chances are that we will continue to see an influx of immigration into the country, as labor markets continue to tighten.  The demographics of the workforce and what is important to them, in their lives, is also changing.  Finally, with the shortage of workers in some areas of Canada, our job market has changed from an employer driven market, to one that is more driven by the desires of employees, and as we go forward, this is only likely to continue to be more of the case.

As a business leader, how do you maneuver through and capitalize on this reality?  We believe that the first thing you need to do, is to let go of your old model of what it means to work….sorry, that model is not going to work, anymore.  Many of us entered into the workplace at a time when there was a shortage of jobs and as a result were willing to work the long hours, with all the demands, because it is what we believed we needed to do. 

This is changing and you need to change with it.  You can spend all day and a lot of energy, trying to fit the square peg in the round hole.  At the end of the day, you will find that the pegs will just leave.  Stop talking and listen and watch your employees….rather than tell them, “this is what I want”, ask yourself, “what do they want?”, “how do they behave?”.  Just as important, listen to your customers (after all they are changing, as well, as I am sure you recognize).  Do the work to really understand all the stakeholders and then….get creative.  Those companies who employ that type of creativity, will be the ones who come out on top….guaranteed.

It is easy to get caught in the, “we have always done it this way, and everyone just needs to fall in line…..employees and customers”, however, we will tell you that the true testament of a leader, is one who is more flexible than everyone else….how are you doing?

Until next time….

What struck us in his story was how easy it can be to get caught up in an identity and how, before long you can lose who you really are.  There are numerous people, especially in the social media, who have expressed their disappointment and their feelings of betrayal, related to what he did.  Now, certainly everyone has the right to express their thoughts and ideas (it seems we are, here in this blog…lol!), however what if, what has most upset about this, is that it is a reminder to themselves about whether, in fact, they are doing the same thing.

How many people do you hear around you that tell you they hate their job, and yet stay for the money?  How many people do you hear tell you that they would change something if they had more time or money, and yet seemingly waste time and money on things that in the end, they will tell you are meaningless?  Could it be that you tell yourselves whatever you need to, in this moment, to make what you are doing seem acceptable, although in the end it is really just an excuse?  Could it be that the reason, we so hate what Lance Armstrong did, is because it reminds us of us?

He said that he lost $75 million in one day, when the truth was revealed.  My question is, if you were facing the same stakes….the money, the reputation, the philanthropy, the sponsors, etc., could you let that “house of cards” fall.  This situation wasn’t built over night.  It took years of little compromises, which before long culminated in what we see before us now.

A different perspective, we know.  All we ask, is you ask yourself, how many compromises have you made and how much effort is it taking to keep your “house of cards” intact?

Until next time……

If this is the case, let me ask you one simple question.  Are your goals geared more towards growing your business and in attracting customers or are they focused more on stabilizing your business?  Sometimes when you set goals, it is easy to get caught in the trap of what is right in front of you now.

As you know as a leader, it is your job to protect yourself from the problems and to come up with solutions however more importantly, we will ask you, “want are you focused on?”  Those companies focused only on solving the problems of today within their companies, often find that they miss those things that are important to their customers over the long term.  There is only one way to grow a business….focus on your customers and what is the next thing they are looking for.

As you look at the goals you have set out for the coming year, notice whether the thinking behind them are expansive or contractive.  If you goals are weighted towards, reducing costs, stabilizing systems, etc., then the thinking in your organization is contractive in nature.  On the other hand, if your goals are around entering new markets, attracting different customers, etc., then you are thinking expansively.  At the end of the day, a business is either growing or dying….make sure you are leading and investing in growth!

Until next time….

We would also like to thank the individuals who contributed the testimonials both on the website and in our brochures.  When you choose to work with those who think differently, amazing things do happen.  Chris, Jill, Greg and Dwight are the inspiring leaders they are, in that they sought us out to push them in their thinking, around what is possible, and doing so, each created a new level of performance for themselves and in their organizations.

Our website contains more information around the services that we provide, so please take the time to look over the information, to find a fit for you and your company.  We are continually uncovering new information we know will be of value to you in your company, so we hope you choose to follow us.

Until next time