Be aware of the side effects of an “ailing” economy

There are many side effects in a challenging economy.

Lower confidence and Increased anxiety lead to fears for some.

Fear of lost employment and an Immediate need to control finances are troubling for many.

It’s Interesting to see how people deal with pressure but it’s more vital than ever that business managers radiate a sense of optimism in their ability to weather the challenges and come out stronger.

There’s no doubt that if bad decisions have prevailed in a Company that under pressure they will reveal themselves. The Company will “take on water”.

Good management is one that expects challenges and is prepared.

They do not intend to become a victim but rather, they grasp the opportunities that others will shy away from. They have “tools” prepared.

Fear is disabling.

It can lead to a “do nothing” mentality that betrays lack of skill and a blind faith approach.

Where there’s no plan....there’s no thinking and a bad outcome.

In a storm a good Captain realises his responsibility and relies on his experience and training for such occasions. He has refreshed and refined his skills. He has also prepared his staff to be fully competent.

It’s now that the opportunity exists to set yourself apart from those in panic and be the Leader you are needed to be.

Communication is vital in times of challenge.

In recent months I have heard of Staff leaving Companies in Increased numbers, some with years of service.

The reason?

Their Company has had a new buyer and it’s been assumed the Company is in trouble. If it’s a foreign buyer it is felt even more certain.

No-one thought to communicate the benefits or how it ensured more success and stability for everyone.

Never assume people understand things. Include them and reassure them. They are your Investment.

Losing good people having trained them well is like throwing your assets overboard.

Develop a Team approach and each member of your Team will support the other and pull together.

Too many managers are “aloof” and when tough times arrive they are viewed as weak, with no known credentials to lead.

A Captain needs to be visible, decisive and alert.

We may not feel it at times but staying outwardly assured will affect outcomes.

We would never hesitate to care for the needs of our Family.

Well, in business our staff are also our Family.

It only takes the same motivation to take them forward, in spite of any pressures.

Leaders are not “born”....they are “developed” and tested by challenges.

Let’s be ready for the test.

More Importantly.... lets prove our “worth” by succeeding where others may fail.

Henry Ford rightly said:

Coming together is a beginning...

Keeping together is progress...

Working together is success.

Never lack courage and success will be yours

“This is not a profession you are likely to succeed in so I am going to have to let you go”.

Many aspiring Professional Footballers may have received these words, only to feel devastated by their Impact.

The words sound harsh to the receiver and are no less easy for the one saying them.

I know because I have had to do it a few times over the years.

When you have provided the setting, the tools, the support and encouragement and explored every avenue...It’s fair to expect a member of a team to succeed.

If it becomes obvious they are out of their depth or lack motivation it would lack honesty and care for their future to Ignore the obvious.

Like football, business is a results game.

The luxury of times past in having time to nurture people has gone.

If they lack the talent to succeed in one environment they need to find another that they will thrive in.

I am grateful that over the years when I have needed to “sit someone down” they have largely already realised they are not moving forward.

The satisfying part has been years later when they have thanked me for prompting a new direction, having achieved great things in another setting.

It’s a big responsibility looking after your Staff and too many Managers Ignore the responsibility of assessing and developing Individual skills to meet the needs of a team or business.

Doing the easy things alone never makes you a good Manager.

A weakness in a team is down to the Manager just as a great team reflects a good lead.

As a Manager you work for your team. Never get so arrogant that you only see them as “working for you”. It’s divisive.

They will follow a good lead that earns respect. There is no hiding place.

If you are not a good Manager...they will know.

Never blame them for your own weaknesses.

Give them credit for their own strengths.

Reg captured the spirit that sets us apart

Britain’s oldest Man. Reg Dean, died last week at the age of 110.

His observation of life shortly before adds credibility to the Idea that wisdom comes from knowledge and experience.

He said:

“Always look for the best in people and never do a task for reward or prize – always for the best Intentions”

Reg will have seen the best and worst of human nature and It does him credit that he never lost his positive view of how we can make a difference.

Can there be any doubt that our Intentions. good or bad, are revealed in our actions?

Reg was not just being old fashioned.

His generation understood that being “principled” benefitted everyone.

It always amazes me that a generation that had the toughest trials never lost the desire to care.

Even through adversity he could think beyond himself.

Thanks for the sound reminder Reg.

Be ambitious...but manage to succeed

We read a great deal about Corporate Business in the Press and many might be forgiven for thinking large Companies are the saviour of our economy.

This is a perception that, in part at least, springs from the strong marketing budgets used to produce high profiles.

The reality is that it is the SME sector that has the biggest Impact on our prosperity.

You only need to look at the general breakdown of figures to see the Importance of SMEs:

•            represent 97.8% of all UK businesses

•            provide 58.2% of jobs

•            create 52.4% of GNP

Figures are never well understood without some definition – so perhaps this will help:

•         ‘Micro’ businesses:

–       Less than 10 employees (including Start-ups)

–       Less than £1M annual Turnover

–       Often less than three years in business

•         ‘Small’ businesses:

–       Between 10–50 employees

–       Greater than £1M annual Turnover

–       Usually established more than three years

•         ‘Medium’ or ‘established’ businesses:

–       Between 50–250 employees

–       Greater than £10M annual Turnover

–       Established more than five years

New business ventures are advised that the magic figure for safety is three years as many ventures fail before this stage.

For those who have been around a few years though, one great challenge is financing the next stage of development.

These are critical moments for Companies with ambition.

It takes strategic thinking, a project mentality and strict measurement.

If it cannot be funded it cannot succeed.

All aspects of a business exist to produce a return.

Any area of a business that falls short needs early attention.

In an Ideal world the primary stages of growth will be self funded through success.

Where finance is needed it needs to fit the framework of “not becoming a Slave to the Lender”!

Too many businesses have been ruined through losing financial control.

Business is a long distance race that needs small, medium and long term goals.

Each operate around each other but you need to eat now to be healthy later.

It’s possible to be so close to your business that distractions engulf you.

No-One who is successful can do everything alone.

Have the right team and never be frightened to delegate.

Our time needs to be spent where we add greatest value.

After all....we expect everyone else to produce best return!

The EU will expand your Brand success

One of the most enjoyable pleasures that I have enjoyed over the years has been meeting business people around the world to form successful partnerships.

Everyone recognises the Importance of the USA, China and India in the future prospects of the markets but too often we forget the value of markets closer to home.

No-one would ever have thought that European Countries would face such challenging economic Issues.

The common outcome is that more than ever, everyone realises the Importance of trade for prosperity.

One thing we should never doubt is the EUs positive approach to valuing good partnerships.

I have enjoyed them in most Countries and think with great affection to the Czech Republic, Scandinavia, Benelux, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Poland, Ireland and beyond.

One striking feature resonates with them all.

Each could recognise an opportunity and engage whole Souled in partnership. They saw positives and built from them.

When persuaded of an opportunity they were decisive and set off to make it work.

These days we might argue that such good opportunities are less but for those who grasp them, there is no better time to benefit.

Customers need good Ideas that make them more productive, efficient and viable.

If you are a UK Company, never forget that people prefer to buy locally or regionally.

They feel assured of support and care.

Distributor partnerships are of great value.

It’s not the numbers of them that make it work though; it’s the quality of them.

Finding a good partner, valuing and supporting them can make a huge Impact on your growth and reputation.

Build your Brand by building partnership and the outcomes will be very positive.

Developing a “Network” is like forming a Family.

2013 should set us apart from others....

2012 will be remembered in a variety of ways by all of us.

If there is a positive highlight for you – cling to it.

When we look back we can likely pick out a few lessons, successes and disappointments.

What is Important is that we all embark on 2013 with new energy and determination to make the highs more frequent than the lows.

The difference is always determined by our outlook and attitude.

For some the future may include a new direction but for others it may be an opportunity to complete goals already set.

I must say that without a challenge I am a restless soul.

I am fortunate that my drive seems to have grown each year, likely because as I reach a goal I can see another beyond it that keeps me moving, learning and reaching out to achieve more.

I have long since realised that good focus and best use of time produces best results.

Strategic thinking and application can take you a long way and bring great satisfaction.

More than ever in a business we all need to combine sales, marketing and commercial skills to recognise and maximise our opportunities.

A new year is likely to need a different response from us as we look to do things better than our competitors.

Knowing our own strengths but knowing their strengths too will help balance the right mix to maximise our market share.

People make things happen.

Knowing our team is vital and playing them to their strengths is vital to outcomes.

In football a Centre Forward has a different mindset to a Full Back.

Each is essential but playing them out of position will bring disaster.

Confidence is soon lost when people are confused about their roles.

Good Managers recognise this.

Optimism must become the norm.

Belief is vital in any search for success.

Best leadership never loses belief.

If you can see the opportunity – you can achieve it.

“If I ruled the World” – a song from Brussels for UK Industry

I read with Interest recently that a very desirable perfume, together with others, faced an unexpected challenge.

Apparently “those who know best” in Brussels had decided that a small level of Ingredient in the product should lead to new labelling giving the warning that the perfume may be Allergenic.

I can only Imagine the rush of blood pressure in the perfume Industry!

I should say that based on a Yorkshire question of “How much!?” I have never bought the product.

What I do know is millions have bought the product over decades with no report of allergies.

It brought my past life rushing back and gave rise to two thoughts:

The perfume Industry is rich enough to fight or delay it....

but in the end “those who know best” will prevail.

I began the 21^st Century (not my personal 21^st Century you will understand!) in a fight with the EU with a small, Innovative Company offering vitally needed solutions in Industry, from a Chemical background.

What we would achieve was astounding, freeing Industries like Aerospace, Manufacturing and Engineering to solve vital Issues and continue to thrive.

We spent hundreds of thousands of pounds to prove that proposed decisions were about to be made with neither research nor evidence at the heart of it, that would damage our Innovation, our Industry and peoples jobs.

The clever part was that the EU would substitute such need for proof and refer a “precautionary” approach, at that point unheard of, but now well rehearsed.  

In reality they substituted the need for proof with speculation and opinion that would keep a special group in lucrative work for decades.

These last five years has seen me as a “neutral”, but I was reminded of the farce of Committees and Politicians who have little use in the real world, having to grab our attention in case we forget them!

“Tinkering” is what they practice – but damage is what they do.

As I have experienced the corridors of these “Black Arts” that has grown up in Brussels, I know the humour, frustrations and damage to people’s lives.

I have accepted a challenge to write about it, coming to you through trade press and concerned news press, soon.

You will be amused, yet stunned at how your life is determined by unknown faces.

Be warned that it will raise anxieties about the trust we place in others in power.

 

What of a title?

I thought “Your life in their pockets” but it’s hard to argue with my Grandsons alternative.....”Lobby Mr Blobby”.