Thinking Big...And Long!

"Go big or go home".  I love that saying.  It stirs a desire to be brave, take action and attempt dramatic goals to achieve amazing results.

But risk-taking alone does not often end up with results that are sustainable.  For that you need to include a more long-term, strategic approach as well.

Thinking big and long requires a solid understanding of the fundamentals of success - proven considerations such as:

• exceeding the customer's expectations
• consistency in delivery of service by employees
• effective teamwork
• an internal culture of excellence, integrity, and passion
• leaders who model appropriate behavior
• establishing non-negotiable core values, vision, and standards
• balancing decisions based on employees, customers, and financial/operational outcomes

Everyone wants success - but they also want that success to be long-term.  When deciding actions to grow your organization, only the best leaders/businesses demand both the long-term sustainable elements as well as the continuous efforts to aggressively strive for "game-changing" ideas that will WOW customers, engage employees, and produce growth and results everyone can be proud of.

Imagine the difference if everyone legitimately pursued world-class excellence.

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

The Cost Of The Wrong Employee

Too many times, I hear managers complain about how it is "impossible" to "get rid" of an employee that is not producing.  The truth is, ANYthing is possible - with sufficient motivation.  If the CEO said "Fire him today or you will be fired", there's little doubt about who would be walking out the door.

That said, a significant problem is that most managers don't consider the true cost of keeping the wrong employee. 

Internal costs:  Team finds it more difficult to complete tasks.  Internal strife lowers morale.  Other employees stop trying to achieve higher standards because there is no consequence (proven by your willingness to allow the "bad apple" to get away with the poor behaviors).  Attitudes/behaviors are "dumbed down" to lowest level you accept.  More mistakes.  Slower work due to lost efficiencies.  Higher costs to do business must be either absorbed into budget (less profit or less invested in internal benefits) or passed on to customers (less value for their investment).

External costs:  Customer experience suffers.  They visit/buy less.  They tell others about lukewarm or disappointing experience.  Brand/reputation suffers.  Others won't do business with you.  Sales decrease.

Then, senior executives WILL get upset at bottom line results and look for the root cause - and what (or who) allowed it to continue.

If you don't hold them accountable (YOUR responsibility), then there are costs...for which YOU will be held accountable.

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Is Your Organization Healthy?

Organizations are much like organisms.  It is important to stay healthy to be most effective and happy.  When was the last time yours had a "check up"?  Perhaps it is time for your business to check your vital signs and other indicators of health?

First of all, the best (whether individual or corporate) understand a basic truth: Health is NOT just the absence of disease.  Instead, true health is the presence of vitality! 

Consider your current organizational symptoms.  Is your operation getting optimal results?  Is there dynamic, principle-based leadership throughout the organization?  Do all the different "parts" (operational functions) interact effectively with each other?  Are there indications of illness in one part of your company that is negatively affecting the rest of the business?

One way to think about your organization is similar to how your body operates.

The Brain - Unclear/unhealthy focus "directs" the rest of the body (Leadership must provide a compelling vision, standards, and communicate guidance to all parts of the operation).

Various physiological functions (lungs/breathing, blood/circulatory system, food/digestive system, protection/immune system, etc.) all must work together like departments/divisions of a business to walk, talk, and accomplish anything.

Ask yourself some questions:

1. If you had a physical problem that was causing you pain or limiting you significantly, wouldn't you do something (ex. visit a medical specialist) to correct that situation?  Why wouldn't you do the same for your business?

2. Is your business operating at peak health?  If not, what are you "feeding" your company?  Does it have a healthy "diet"?  Does your operation have proper balance?  Are you "working out" and challenging your business to improve and grow?  Are all the different functions aligned and working together properly to ensure the best outcomes?

3. How are you (and your colleagues) participating in your well-being?  Do you have a plan that serves your "body" so you can best serve those customers that you were born to serve?

Take your vital signs and consider the health path you are on now, and where it is leading you.  Then make a decision about your corporate lifestyle.  Will it lead to where you want to be in your future?  Will it allow you to leave the vital legacy you want to leave?

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

**For world-class results, get proven solutions by contacting former Disney business performance experts at 1-888-MDJONES/635-6637 or online at www.SmallWorldAlliance.com. 

Same Tools + Better Use = Better Results

One thing I've been surprised to learn from working with the world's most successful companies: They don't have any "secret" pixie dust that magically helps them achieve consistent success.  In fact, they have the same resources any other organization has in their industry.

So what sets them apart from the rest of the pack?  Strategic execution.

World-class organizations simply focus their significant efforts in a disciplined way that naturally get superior results.  

Of course, simple isn't usually easy.  But it IS do-able.

Here's the basic roadmap:

• Identify and institute the non-negotiables that make you different and better than anyone else in your industry.
• Develop your leaders and hold them accountable for being consistent role models - in every way.
• Develop and engage employees so they can effectively work together as a team on the right things.
• Understand, engage, and WOW your customers with attention to the details they care most about.
• Be better today than you were yesterday.

Of course, the "pixie dust" includes a lot of hard work.  More than the competition is willing to do.

The good news?  After you gain momentum, it gets easier.  A LOT easier.  

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

"Different Culture" or "Bad Service"?

When in unfamiliar environments, we often have "different" experiences from what we are used to.  For example, when waitstaff does something that you, as a customer, is uncomfortable with, is it the differing culture that is the culprit, or is it legitimately bad service?

Of course, we all benefit if we are constantly aspiring to engage in new cultural experiences from the different perspective - all for the sake of genuinely improving our abilities to embrace that valuable diversity (while still not denying our own culture - which is the topic of a different conversation!)  What if, in the face of an unfamiliar environment, the "foreign" delivery of service is uncomfortable to the customer?  The question is: At what point can we rightly judge a service experience was good or bad?

The issue here is twofold.  First, you will benefit by being open-minded about the natural tendency to feel a little uncomfortable with anything different from your standard experience.  Is the discomfort simply because you aren't used to it?  Sometimes an experience isn't good or bad - it is merely different.

Secondly, the bottom line in any service situation is that the customer dictates the standards of quality.  The customer alone is the one who determines if the service was good or bad.  For example, if someone who had never been to a city before went into a five-star fine dining restaurant and was completely unfamiliar with etiquette and the use of silverware, etc. and a typical five-star service was delivered - without consideration of the wants of the dining customer - and that "uneducated/ignorant" customer disliked how they were treated, it would rightly be categorized as a poor service experience.  The key to this scenario is that the server was not considerate of the guest's desires.  That alone dictates whether or not the service was good or bad.  If the customer walks away unhappy, then it was bad.  Period.

This illustrates why it is so vitally important to truly understand the guest's point of view.  We cannot appropriately exceed their expectations until we know what the criteria is.

Are you delivering "service" based on your criteria or that of your customer?

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

"Doing" World-Class

One of my greatest disappointments - and frustrations - is how people view the success of legitimate world-class organizations.  I often hear how "normal people" can't possibly hope to achieve the amazing results of such industry leaders because of some supposed "special" abilities, resources, people, or circumstances that all others do not have.

To that I say "What a load of garbage"!

Working directly with dozens of Fortune 500 companies, I have seen first-hand exactly what they do (and don't do) to achieve the outcomes that everyone marvels at, and one thing has become evident: Other than some technical patented widget/process/design, they all have the same access to resources as you or anyone else.

An outrageous claim?  I challenge anyone to identify one thing they have that you don't (besides the scale that results in success over a period of time).  They have offices, computers, paper, phones, budgets, products, customers, employees, leaders, money, time, etc.  Just like you do. 

The only significant difference is the WAY that they utilize those resources.

They have better results than anyone else because they approach all the same issues that you have (leadership, teamwork, passion, time management, creativity/innovation, hiring, training, communication, recognition, etc.) BETTER than anyone else.  Period.

The other thing world-class companies do consistently better than anyone else?  How they implement.

If you examine every huge success and you'll discover a series of actions that created the ultimate outcome. 

All do-able (they proved it by doing it - with NO superhuman powers.)
All started with a first step (which was followed by every other step until they succeeded.)

The truth is that ANYone can attain world-class results...IF they improve HOW they approach their business.  Stop working harder on things that don't optimize your potential and start adapting proven success practices - then improve them daily to stay on your A-game.

Want help?  Go to http://www.smallworldalliance.com/ for proven results.

Think about it.  But more importantly do something about it...today!

Fatal Benchmarking Mistakes

Much has been said of benchmarking – the act of looking to best-in-class companies and measuring yourself against their methods. Of course, the expectation is to gauge how you compare with industry leaders, identify where you can improve, and adjust your methods to achieve those same best-in-class results. Most fail because they are going about benchmarking in the wrong way.

The second most common mistake is to simply adopt what the benchmark is doing. This often fails because your culture and/or circumstances are different than the benchmark organization. The better approach is to adapt their methods so they make sense in your unique situation. Consider how you can improve the best practice by tailoring it to your business.

But the biggest mistake, by far, is that people tend to focus only on the benchmark’s tactics. Attempting to copy present-day actions will certainly help – but only in the short term. The problem with this approach is that legitimate industry-leading organizations are continuously improving. To adopt a best practice and stick with it will only ensure that your competition will eventually pass you by. A fatal mistake.

The key characteristics of world-class companies that make them different and better are not just what they do – but how they think! Why do they consider things the way they do? What are the priorities? What are the non-negotiables? How do they create consistency when circumstances are constantly changing? How do they deal with all the swirling details that we all have to juggle and, with essentially the same resources, achieve better results?

When you benchmark the right way, you gain insights that matter – and that make a long-lasting improvement to the health of your business. The choice is yours: tap into the solutions that will spark your sustainable breakthrough or adopt a short-term approach that will struggle to gain traction and will ultimately fail.

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Priority: Plan or People?

No one argues that having a plan is important to the success of any business. As the saying goes: "Plan the work, then work the plan".

But in this world of limited development resources and finite time, it is vital to prioritize our efforts to ensure the very best results. So in the midst of the battle for your attention, which should be the default choice when the line is drawn in the sand?

Develop your Plan or develop your People?

World-class companies have an insight about this dilemma. They've seen how circumstances constantly shift and change - requiring our plans to adjust as we go. Sure, the general direction of our strategy may remain the same, but the fact that we have to evolve the plan in order to stay relevant is an indicator - much of what we plan never happens because of future adjustments. Arguably, the time/energy invested in those parts of the plan that evaporate is wasted. So, the answer is:

Develop your People!

Here's the reason: A team of "robots" waiting to be told what to do when circumstances call for changing the plan is always a losing proposition. If we develop our team so that they can adapt to any situation; they can work together effectively despite the ambiguous circumstances, and create value. Then you have a resource even more valuable (because they execute) than a well-intentioned plan. In fact, they can be trained to actually develop plans and make relevant/in-the-moment decisions as they encounter the unpredictable forces of your hyper-competetive workplace.

Plans are vital - however People trump the Plan every day of the week. So do both - but place the priority on your people. An A-Team will always find a way to achieve the extraordinary.

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

WWYCW?

Have you ever noticed how often companies seem to focus on the wrong things? For example, look at any company's policy/procedures and ask yourself the question: Is each one of these bureaucratic hoops to be jumped through for the benefit of the customer...or their company?

We've all seen the little rubber wrist bands with acronyms - standing for a wide variety of thought-provoking causes. Here's an acronym that reflects a cause that all successful business people are passionate about:

WWYCW?

It actually has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is What Would Your Customer Want? This is critical guidance when faced with solving a problem or making any decision during your work day. If your customer is always the center target of your focus, and you take into consideration how your decision/action will affect them, then you are already well beyond what "ordinary" businesses do. You become different and better!

The second meaning is the next most important meaning - What Would Your Competition Want? Make no mistake - your competition wants you to be average, predictable, slower, less attentive, less engaging, less efficient, more greedy, more selfish, and less thoughtful about your business. The reason is so you will make it easier for them to win in your industry. The reason it's important to know what your competition wants is so you can do the opposite! They want you to zig? Then you should zag!

Just a quick reminder about two things to consistently consider to achieve consistent success. (Feel free to make some bands if you'd like!)

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Nice Is NOT Enough!

It seems that people have become more focused on service as a competitive edge. That is good. The problem is that, compared to proven world-class companies, they are going about it all wrong.

To truly provide superior service, you need to provide more than just niceties. Training on how to smile and say please and thank you will not create an engaging, value-added experience for your customers. In addition to developing a caring relationship with with them, you have to provide legitimate expertise that helps them accomplish whatever they can't do on their own. (Think about why they are looking for your products/services in the first place!)

What the most successful know: It's not either/or...it's both/and.

Not only is service you provide critical, but the way you provide that service is critical as well. Pretty much anyone can provide one. It's only those who can succeed in both aspects will have the competitive edge and triumph in their industry.

So, do an informal assessment today (preferably with your team...and your customers!) - How does your product/service compare to your customer's expectations/wants? How does your offerings compare to their other options (your competition)? How does the experience (how you serve them) compare to their expectations/wants? How does it compare to the other options?

If you want to exceed all their expectations and earn their loyalty, you'll need to deliver excellence in all aspects of their experience...with both relationship AND expertise.

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

The 3:2:1 Rule

Looking for better results? Most people are. Here's a frustrating fact: Consistently successful organizations don't focus most on the outcome - but they still get better results than the rest. Here's why...and how...

Performance is a result of skilled effort - which is a result of passion and commitment. World-class companies get better results because they track backwards to the internal root cause and focus on improving there instead - guiding the process until they achieve the superior external results they desire.

If you want a 1% increase in performance, then you need a 2% increase in effort (the kind your customer values) - which is sparked by a 3% increase in commitment (by your front line team - who delivers the effort.)

Some call it the "3:2:1 Rule". Yes, some of the investment gets lost in the shuffle (that's human nature for you), but done well it's worth it. Remember, the percentages of internal results don't have to cost a lot of money - just well-placed leadership, engaged relationships, and targeted innovation.

You can use this proven approach to set up your own improvement plan. For example: If you want a 2% increase in your financial results, you begin by investing in improving your team's engagement/commitment level by 6% (interact with them, listen to them, challenge them, develop them, etc.), which will affect a 3% increase of performance on their behalf (the power of pride, integrity and ownership!) - gaining you the 2% bottom-line results (from satisfied/loyal advocates) you hope for.

So, if you're interested in achieving consistent external results (like those proven world-class companies), focus on the internal resources that get you there first. ANY small steps towards engaging your team will become a catalyst for improvement in your outcomes.

The 3:2:1 Rule. As simple as 1, 2, 3!

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Getting Extraordinary with Ordinary

I'm not much into formulas. I'm not a number-crunching/stats kinda guy - over and beyond the bottom line "what are the results?" type. However, after many years of talking with other leaders about what it takes to get superior results, most are stunned to hear what I have found while working with dozens of Fortune 500 companies:

Ordinary tactics + discipline = Extraordinary results.

Let me explain:

Have you noticed that when you read about what world-class companies say they do to achieve amazing outcomes, you (like most professionals) think "well, that's obvious" or "that makes sense"? Most of what these outstanding businesses do is not super-secret, mysterious proprietary strategies or tools. They follow a path to success that has been followed by many other consistently successful companies before them. the have leaders that are role models. they engage their employees in working together effectively and in creating innovative solutions. The exceed the expectations of their external customers by attending to the details that they care most about throughout their entire experience. they focus on low/no cost investments that make good business sense for the long-term.

Then why isn't everyone getting world-class results as well? They don't (sufficiently) focus on the "ordinary" discipline of consistent implementation. They fail to be consistent/fair in their accountability of behaviors. They don't take the risk of being courageous enough to be transparent in how they face the truth/reality of their individual and team performance. Ordinary "do the right thing" effort has, unfortunately, become uncommon.

It's easier to talk the talk than to walk the walk. It's easier to write a bonus check than to have a thoughtful token of appreciation. It's easier to entertain the idea of success rather than experience the sacrifice required to achieve it.

There's nothing extraordinary about proven strategies - we know what to do. If we're not getting the results, it's because we simply fail to:
- take a cold, unblinking look at ourselves
- take the time to identify root causes and the natural consequences
- invest in building healthy, long-term working relationships
- won't consistently make the constantly-required behaviors that lead to the results we desire

Those who want the easy way out always balk at this truth. It's not sexy or "business as usual". But it is simple - and what has been proven to work. Just look at those renowned organizations who are experiencing consistent success. What works - works!

So if you want extraordinary results, simply look to proven (ordinary) tactics and the tried and true (ordinary) discipline of implementing those tactics. If you need help, go out and get it, but no one achieves real success until they bridge this gap. NO one.

So, you want to be a SOMEone, or a NO one?

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Pixar Magic Can Be YOUR Magic!

You may have heard about Pixar's recent accomplishments: Record-breaking attendance for IMAX; Unprecedented 11th straight #1 box office opening week. Stunning!

The interesting thing is that Pixar is not achieving this by accident. Here are the steps that YOU can follow to get the same amazing results:

Begin with Your Story. What are your foundational Values? Your primary Vision? The deep-down wants of your Customer? With Pixar, EVERY decision is measured against these three things. Until you clearly identify and communicate these issues, you WILL waste time, effort, and money.

Set the Stage. Innovate rather than imitate. Your organization is unique. Don't copy what other world-class companies do. Instead, copy how they THINK - and then apply that process to your unique situation. Continuous improvement by doing what makes the most sense for YOU is the key.

Recruit the Cast. Taking your business to the next level is achieved only via your employees. In addition to the "stars" that are thew role models for your business, consider actively engaging those who are unhappy with your current outcomes. For Toy Story 3, Pixar gathered all the "black sheep" who had been complaining about how things needed to be improved and put them to work to accomplish that task. Give your malcontents a chance to "put up or shut up"!

Now, go out there and do something unprecedented!

Think about it - but more importantly, DO something about it...today!

I Believe Too!

Just came across a wonderful quote by John D. Rockefeller that covers volumes in one paragraph. Definitely worth reading - and re-reading - to get the full value. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did (and continue to)...

“I believe in the supreme will of the individual and in his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe that every right implies a responsibility, every opportunity, an obligation; every possession a duty. I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master. I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but it owes every man an opportunity to make a living. I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living and that economy is a prime request of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs. I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man's word should be as good as his bond; that character-not wealth or power or position- is of supreme worth. I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross (waste matter) of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free. I believe in all-wise-and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individual’s highest fulfillment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will. I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.”

Every sentence = pretty deep stuff. The question now is "What do YOU believe"? and "Are you living your life in way that reflects that?"

And, most important, "If not, why"?

Think about it - but more importantly, do something about it...today!

Who's YOUR Most Loyal Customer?

I just returned form delivering the Pre-Conference workshop for the Society for Human Resource Management's Strategy Conference in Phoenix. We visited several world-class operations - including the Westin (one of the upscale Starwood hotel brands), Cold Stone Creamery (making ice cream buying a real experience) and the famed Mayo Clinic.

During the visit to the Mayo, several professionals spoke to my group revealing the best practices that have created the Mayo reputation/brand. The Chief Human Resource Officer, the Human Resource Manager, and the Operations Manager all shared amazing information that, according to the attendees, was extremely helpful from an operational standpoint. The interaction that made the most memorable impact was when a "customer" volunteered to share his experience with the group.

This patient just happened to overhear that our group was going to be there and offered to recount how he was treated during his liver transplant...just 5 WEEKS EARLIER. He went on about how the clinical aspects were over his head, but every Mayo employee he worked with took the time to, not only educate him so he could make the best choices - or execute his multiple procedures and surgery impeccably, but that they interacted with him in a way that made him know they CARED.

Tragic that experiencing the "care" in "health care" is so rare these days.

This "customer" went out of his way to prepare, drive out, and stand in front of a group of strangers to brag about an organization he is loyal to.

Impressive. That spoke volumes to everyone in the room. Passionate customers who are justifiably loyal usually have that affect.

Mayo earns that loyalty - and reaps the benefits as well.

The question is: Who is/are YOUR most loyal customers? Are they sacrificing to be an advocate for YOUR company? Have you EARNED that commitment?

Think about it - but more importantly, do something about it...today!

Pixie Rust

Disney is known for it's attention to detail. Always making sure every aspect of the Guest experience adds value, rather than undermines value.

In other words: Making sure everything is "show ready" for your guests creates Pixie Dust...if not, you risk having Pixie Rust.

The only way we can fend off the decay of every day wear and tear is to be vigilant on maintenance. Not just with our equipment and other "things" resources, but also with the most important resources we have - our human resources.

I often hear people ask about how Disney (and other like-minded "legendary" companies) achieve consistent excellence. Well, it doesn't come by accident. They do the hard and disciplined WORK of maintaining what matters.

That includes their people. Training every day (informally, in addition to the formal kind) accomplishes several things:
1. it keeps everyone's attention on what matters
2. it keeps everyone's skill level high
3. it builds a culture of discipline and excellence
4. it positions the entire team for success - in any circumstances

Talk about return on investment. The results speak for themselves at every world-class organization.

Funny how the wanna-be's complain that they can't seem to get those kinds of results, when all they need to do is execute on the right things consistently every day. Continuous improvement can help ANYone turn Pixie Rust into Pixie Dust.

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Formula for Business Success: Follow and Improve

Everyone seems to be "getting back to basics" - and, for one, I'm glad. As long as the basics include a sophisticated look at long-term success.

To that end, I've been pondering how to simplify a formula for success without getting too simplistic. So far, here's what I've come up with:

Follow your heart (your passion) +
Follow your customer (their passion) +
Improve your skills (your product/services) +
Improve your relationships (engagement with employees/customers)

To me, based on what I've experienced/seen at world-class organizations all over the world, the overlap of all those things seems to equal "Success". Interesting how best-in-class companies lead by following - and are the best because they constantly get better. Pretty simple.

Maybe if leaders would take time to really get clear on these issues, they could take action in a way that paid off with growth and profits. Having this kind of a discussion with your team and your customers will likely reveal some pretty valuable insights.

Just a thought when pondering your own success.

Think about it...but more importantly, act on it - today!

Right Tool + Wrong Approach = FAIL!

Okay, I saw something interesting today (I think every day holds something interesting to notice if we pay attention). Anyway, walking into a store from the parking lot, a man was trying to help a teen-aged girl who had locked her keys in her car. He had a "slim jim" (an illegal tool that cops and n'er-do-wells use to gain access into a car quickly when needed) and was doing his best to unlock the door.

Here's the hilarious/relevant part...

Normally, when you use this tool, you slide it between the window and the door and run it along the length of the door until you find the locking mechanism (do NOT ask me how I know this). Done correctly, it typically takes about 5-10 seconds.

Based on the expressions on both their faces (and the sweat pouring off the guy), it was obvious this guy had been working at this problem a long time. Unfortunately (...wait for it...), he was placing the "slim jim" into the TOP of the window and bending it, etc. like people used to do when using a coat hanger to unlock the old flared door locks!

It took me a minute or so to enjoy the humor/stifle my laughter before I offered to help. (Of course, I'm not admitting actually using the illegal tool to help, I'm just saying "I helped"...ahem.)

Anyway, it's interesting to me how this situation mirrors business life in other ways. We can have a great tool that really works well, and screw it up by using the tool the wrong way. Sometimes our old thinking/approach undermines the new tool. The resulting failure is then mistakenly blamed on the tool and not the person wielding the tool. This is why is so valuable to have someone who has been there and used the tool - successfully...in real life, not just theoretically - to show the way.

I've noticed something else very interesting: When experienced people who have had real success with the real (new) tools are successful in making things dramatically improve - the people who used the same tool ineffectively are typically mystified - often making lame excuses such as the successful people "have better circumstances" or "there must be something missing that caused me to fail".

Self-deceived whiners. The truth is, if someone - anyone - is successful with an approach/tool, then that approach/tool can be adapted to fit your circumstance...if the critical aspects are implemented properly.

Think about it...but more importantly, act on it...today!

The Top 50 Most Innovative Companies!

My friends at Fast Company magazine just released their list of 50 most innovative companies, which included some interesting insights we can all benefit from.

The first is that 33 of last year's winners did NOT make it onto this year's list. The insight? Innovation (and the relating benefits) dies if it is not consistently nurtured/supported. Innovation can command price premiums and leverage market share, but only if you "prime the pump" first with a culture that supports it. Use it or lose it. Ouch.

Secondly, the consistent success stories (like our benchmarks Disney, Google, Apple, Ideo, etc.) focus on the same proven strategies and tactics that translate to consistent external brand and business results - even in this hyper-challenging economic time.

Taking the right action when the competition is cowering and waiting for some magic dust to save them, achieves more than a head start. It generates employee engagement, inspired heroism, and efficiencies inside the organization, and differentiation, customer loyalty, and brand buzz outside the organization...all of which captures the ever-elusive competitive edge professionals everywhere want but miss because they refuse to focus on what really works.

It's sad to watch companies stagnate and wither because they are more committed to their policies and procedures than to their employee or customer experiences. By resolving to be innovative and connecting with their customers - both the external customers and the internal (employees) customers - any business remains relevant, dynamic, and growing. According to world-class benchmark companies, this is an exciting and rewarding position to be in.

We all make choices every day. The question is: will it result in "rewards" or in "pain"?

In other words: Are you going to use it, or lose it?

Think about it...but more importantly, act on it...today!

FINALLY Bring Your Goals To Life!

Okay, it's a new year and we all want to have a new/better life. BlahBlahBlah... Let's cut to the chase: What do the most successful people do to consistently achieve their goals - even in difficult times?

No, they aren't superhuman and they do not have better resources/opportunities (at least before they started realizing their goals), they just do what ordinary people will not: THEY STOP SETTLING!

The most successful leaders/organizations simply don't settle for anything less than excellent. They make a real commitment (not just some temporary "resolution") and take real action - not settle for merely talking about action items or plans to act. Every success began with a single step - a call, an email, a conversation with someone or connection with something that could help exceed typical results and get extraordinary results.

A true breakthrough starts with a real investment of yourself to connect with proven approaches to success - not some lame "law of attraction" psycho-babble. "Wishing" is not a legitimate business strategy.

Contrary to common belief, the first step is NOT being aware that you want to be better. Awareness (and "wishing") doesn't count - we all want to improve. The real first step is doing something - taking physical action!

Identify someone who has earned success and physically contact them - ask them how they did it. Don't settle for just telling people about your plans - show them by doing.

So...stop reading right now and start doing...right now!

Oh, and have a Happy New Year too. (and by "Happy", I mean "kick-ss successful")

Think about it...but more importantly, act on it...today!