Month: November 2014

New Year, New Goals

We have been busy working on business plans for a local non-profit group as well as learning to write proposals for grant requests. We haven’t got everything nailed down quite yet but we are diligently educating ourselves.

We are also reevaluating our own business and marketing plans. In just one year, we have changed as a business and so have some of our goals.

We have started early so that we are prepared for the new year.  What are you doing to prepare your business for the new year?

How to Prioritize When Everything Is a Priority by Greg McKeown

I am constantly pulled in different directions. Usually, I say yes to every request that comes my way. I try to do everything whether it is business or personal and I find myself in a mass of nerves crying in a corner. Figuratively people not literally.

I have had to realize that I cannot do everything for everyone. I have had to learn to delegate and trust others do the task that I have assigned them. So far this has worked out. I am not a bundle of nerves and things get done a lot of faster; sometimes, even better than I could have done them.

My problem comes when I am prioritizing. With two business to manage, I constantly think every thing needs to done right now. Greg McKeown has some great tips in his article How to Prioritize When Everything is a Priority that I plan to use starting today.

Quote From Joseph Joubert

The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress. ~Joseph Joubert, Pensées, 1842

Ever get into a discussion with a co-worker about how to fix the direction or leadership of your company or business?  Did you argue about who had the better solution or did you listen and try to see their point of view? Were you concerned about winning your co-worker to your side so that you had support? Or, were you trying to gather information and find the best solution to allow the company or business to move forward?

Everyone, from the janitor to the president, within a company or business has an idea or solution to solve problems. The problem is not finding a solution but putting aside your ego; especially, if someone has a better solution. In other words, we need to learn when to be a leader and when to be a supporter.

How To Tell Your People They’re Worthless by Paul LaRue

How To Tell People They’re Worthless

I saw the title of the this article on Linked In and thought what the hell. I decided to read it and see what it was about.

It is about having high standards for employees but not supporting or encouraging the employees to reach for those standards. I have worked at companies who have developed this attitude through lack of leadership and lack of communication. It seems I always land at places that need help with communication but they have no desire to change. The ship is sinking, its not their company, why fix it?

Any business or company is a a small backdrop to a bigger picture. The employees of that company have families that they support who are in turn supporting local business. Without, your business or company, the local economy in your community suffers. You say why fix it? I say I am ready for the challenge to keep people employed and communities strong.

Sometimes this doesn’t always work, the ship will change direction or it will sink. However, the point is your attitude, whether a leader or just an employee, determines if your company or business succeeds or fails.

By Melinda Anderson