Coaching Businesses to Success News Update

Tricky old times eh?

With all the stuff going on in the world that is easy to get despondent about, I've been reminding myself that it's important to keep things in context, where you can.

Now, I'm not going to tell you that there is nothing to worry about. Nor am I going to tell you that everything is going to be alright. I'm going to tell you something that is much more valuable in current circumstances.

It's about 'Circles of Influence'.

You have a circle of things that are within your control and a bigger one (it's a big world!), outside it, that is not.

The idea is straightforward enough. If you have no influence over it, spend as little time as possible thinking about it; or worrying about it.

Where you can move things from that bigger outside circle, into your own circle of influence, then do so. Where you can't, be honest with yourself and don't waste time or energy over it.

I know it's easy to say. I know that I'm not walking my own talk as much as I could, because the outside world is a worrying place right now. I'm just trying not to waste energy on things I can make no impression on.

To keep ourselves in a business context, you can apply this in the workplace too. I know from your e-mails that many of you work in larger organizations where you often cannot influence the requirements of you that are passed down from 'on high'.

And how frustrating that can be - trust me, I've been there.

Yet by accepting that some things required of us are just that and pretty immovable, we can get past wasting emotional energy on them and focus on where we really can influence things - in the delivery of the outcome and the ways we can approach that.

This way, we take some control back, focus on what we can do, and spend less sleepless nights on the things that are simply outside our own 'circle of influence'.

That's as true of your own business scenarios, as it is of the current challenges the world is facing.

For me, it's been a fascinating week. I'm about to launch 'Super Successful Manager!', a new 12 month subscription site for managers who want to 'fast-track' their development. I'll be sending you a special announcement during the week that will reveal the unique program I've been working on.

And, exclusively for readers of this newsletter, an amazing price lock-in for you, as a thank-you for reading and supporting me over the last few years.

Watch out for it!

October 15, 2008 11:12 - You Are The Weakest Link - Goodbye

They say that anything is only as strong as the weakest link.

This is just as true in business as anything else.

Passing through the new Terminal 5 early one morning this weekend on the way to a client meeting, I was reminded of this.

T5, as it is known, has had the paradoxical razzamatazz introduction of the very best of architecture, whilst the most appalling initial operational performance of anything this year.

So, I was intrigued to have a look and experience this phenomenon.

I gave myself enough time and, to be on the safe side, I took as much of my important material in my laptop bag as I could, you know, just in case!

The experience was pretty 9/10 for me except for one little incident.

There were a couple in front of me who had a baby and there was some dispute about the arrangements for baby milk that was taking a time.

I got through and their trays that had been scanned were clogging up the conveyor belt, with two empty trays behind. Mine were in sight, but were behind a little perspex screen.

I know it was a heinous crime, but I moved one of the empty trays.

A scruffy looking woman (I thought it was a man at first), shouted loudly at me to put the tray back (it was then that I noticed the sign).

When I tried to explain that I just wanted to get my bag, she shouted the same thing. I waited for 3-4 minutes till the debate over the baby milk was partly resolved and they emptied their trays.

I got my stuff.

The whole T5 experience was soured, for the operational correctness of 'security' - which is a lovely excuse so often hid behind these days. Not tom mention the ego of the individual.

Two things to think about this week.

1. How well do operational decisions about processes your customers have to comply with affect the overall impression your business gives the world?

2. How clear are you and your people of the impact that just one individual can make on those upon the very survival of your business depoends - your customers or clients. And if so, who is your weakest link.

Otherwise, Terminal 5 is pretty cool so far, (if a bit 'The Terminal), though I haven't actually boarded my flight yet, nor have I got to the other end and collected my suitcase.