Sat 3 Feb 2007
Consider the obstacles you see in your path. Are you meeting your sales goals? Is your team enthusiastically delivering the results needed to achieve your business objectives?
Almost every obstacle we experience in business, and in our personal lives, can be traced to the initial stage of conception and design. Think about what happens when you launch a new product, change a process or set a goal. It starts with an idea … and an idea always begins with the imagination. From there you take the necessary steps to manifest your desired outcome.
Lets pause then and consider the first stages of a new idea or goal.
1. How does your vision impact the desired outcome?
2. What is necessary to ensure great results?
Lets’ start with question 1. Your vision has more impact on your results than any other step you will take on your journey. The reason - a masterpiece begins with a clear vision of the desired outcome. Just as an architect would not start pouring a foundation without a comprehensive blueprint, so too your vision requires clarity. The clearer your vision, the more likely it is that you will receive the intended results. Being specific pays big dividends with lower implementation costs and better employee morale. Specficity doesn’t mean you stifle creativity or micromanage the process.
Clarity enables decisions that are aligned with your desired result. With a clear vision you’re well equipped to align your people, processes and profits. If you’re unclear about your desired outcome, so too are your employees or partners.
Now consider question 2. Let’s assume that great results are a smooth project that ends in an outcome that meets or exceeds your real underlying objectives. What then is required to ensure positive results? The bottom line - communication … whether it’s internally focused for our personal goals, or externally focused when we communicate business objectives to our team. A clear and compelling message enables a good roadmap. Of course, it’s the people behind the steps that determine the quality of the end result. So, understanding human behavior is paramount to getting great results.
To connect, inspire and energize your team - create a communication strategy that motivates and inspires. People need to understand the WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) factor on a personal level. How does the change or goal affect your employees? You? Your managers? The impact may translate to: lighter work loads, more time with family, career growth, new skills, new social contacts, a greater sense of community, more ideal customers, a healthier workplace … more revenue means more opportunities for everyone.
Do your employees understand how they benefit personally and professionally? An effective communication strategy is like an internal marketing campaign. It generates enthusiasm and helps you improve the likelihood that you will reach your desired destination faster and with fewer obstacles.
May your path be clear of obstacles and your destination just as you imagined!
To the infinite possibilities before you!
