I don’t know if we’re truly out of the recession (I think not, despite the cited data). In the months ahead things may improve, stay the same or get worse. Of that much I’m pretty sure.
The point is that there are things that successful businesspeople should always be doing whether the market is up, down or sideways. Here’s a brief reminder of some of those things:
- Keep the pipeline full. Never stop searching for new customers.
- Take care of customers. Never neglect the customers you’ve already got.
- Solve problems. It isn’t enough to offer products or services.
- Take responsibility. Understand current conditions but don’t use them as an excuse.
- Build new relationships and foster existing relationship.
- Try new things. The cliché is true: the best never rest. Innovation keeps you ascending.
- Be financially prudent. Live beneath your means. Save for rainy days as they always come.
- Count your blessings. No matter how bleak things may seem, there are always blessings.
- Aim to be distinctive. Excellence doesn’t offer much competitive advantage.
- Keep learning. Ideas are the fuel of current and future success.
What would you add to the list?
Great list, Mark. I would add to be empathetic, but diligent in negotiations and creative with ideas when customers/clients/vendors use the tough economy as an excuse for not doing work (either way).
If you spend too much time on things that you can only be “good” at – you will never become truly great. Find what you can be the best in the world at, and do it better than anyone else can!
I would add; Do these together. You’ll never make it through carrying this load yourself. Bring others along.
Great list. I’d like to add: Keep your vision in mind and keep aspiring to its achievement. A true vision is a constant reminder to stay focused on all those other things a businessman must keep doing.
Dear Sir,
Thank you!
The ‘R’ Factor – ‘Resilience’ matters a lot too?
The great fighter James J. Corbett said it best:
‘Fight one more round. When your feet are so tired that you have to shuffle back to the centre of the ring, fight one more round. When your arms are so tired that you can hardly lift your hands to come on guard, fight one more round. When your nose is bleeding and your eyes are black and you are so tired that you wish your opponent would crack you one in the jaw and put you to sleep, fight one more round – remembering that the man who always fights one more round is never whipped.’
Thanks and regards,
Geetha
Great insights, as always Mark. What impresses me about your list is that they are full of action – as in, “don’t just sit there being shell-shocked at how good, bad, or mundane (“up, down, sideways”) things are like most do. Engage in your situation and MAKE something happen. Working hard at the right things is what creates success.
The only additional things I would consider is that results from this list are best realized when viewed from your Values/Vision (the foundation of WHY you’re doing what you do.) This keeps things in perspective no matter what is happening around us.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a list to take action on… (thanks for the reminder!)