Never confuse movement with "Action"

In business terms the face of the United Kingdom has greatly changed in recent years.

Whereas once our manufacturing gave us a high level of export opportunities we seem to have become a haven for the financial Industry.

Our skills base is disappearing and we can no longer rely on our costs being competitive.

Of course, no-one would ever doubt our quality but in a disposable age it’s getting harder to quantify our price, or is it?

Have we just forgotten how to do it, maybe?

Inevitably, our good ideas have been reproduced in other parts of the World and as India and China improve their success, their quality of life is likely to go up whilst ours will go down to compensate for the economic change.

Too often, decisions about the interests of business are being made by those who have no experience of it.

I have done business extensively outside the UK, particularly in Europe.

The last decade has revealed a huge difference in approach.

The UK is still living in the past, telling everyone that British is best whilst having missed that actually, it has not been true for some time.

We have lost our focus, are not putting in a full shift mentally and have lost the desire to train and motivate our Staff properly!

In short we have become lazy.

Perhaps that sounds harsh and if so here may be part of the problem.

We don’t like being challenged and our defence mechanism kicks in.

We see ourselves as “rightful heirs” to the crown of business success.

It’s the same response given to our national football team.

Aren’t we really the best because it’s our game!

Well, look at the Trophies in the cabinet.

Something is afoot because we are no longer winners.

Many Staff have a “look busy – the Boss is on the prowl” mentality.

Momentary shows of looking busy may make it seem like we are moving – but never think that means there’s any “action” to provide a successful outcome.

Doing our job just for the pay, as is the case with some, means we would not be honouring our agreement.

Putting in a proper day’s effort for a day’s pay is the basis of any employment.

It applies at all levels of jobs from the Managing Director to the Cleaner.

Doing as little as possible for as big a reward as possible has crept into the nations thinking.

Don’t be surprised if someone much keener replaces you if this is an issue.

Every part of a business has to be measured for its effectiveness.

Each individual or unit within a business impacts on outcomes.

Imagine not knowing a part of a business is failing, if only in attitude.

Its unfathomable and poor management that must end quickly for sure.

Like the best football teams a business needs to be well organised, skilful and have a winning mentality.

Accepting mediocre results is terminal.

Try this:

Get your Staff together and ask them spontaneously to convince you why your Company and your products are genuinely the best.

If you hesitate together, no member of your team should speak with a customer until they have been refreshed. The lull you hear is what the outside world also receives. Hardly inspiring to the listener is it?

Sometimes, Managers or Team Leaders are the worst offenders, having lost touch with what’s important. They have set a bad trend.

Speaking in generalities impresses and convinces no-one.

A crisp, well reasoned set of benefits will get you an audience.

If staff have no belief it will never reach others.

When you don’t believe – enthusiasm disappears.

Why is your product £100.00 more expensive than an alternative?

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is vital.

The problem is that whether your staff is strong or weak determines your future.

Never underestimate Europe and the Rest of the World.

They watched, listened, learned and overtook us.

Whilst we were sleeping they took the game to a new level.

It’s now high time we got in better shape and became certain we are fielding our strongest team.