I always find it interesting to visit with various business people and discuss the challenges they are currently having with regard to running their operations. One of the most common discussion points I have had with many producers revolves around how their cash flow results compare with others.
The rest of the title line is “Desperate Measures.” However, I disagree with that concept. Realizing that there may be desperate times coming in the future (and that’s always a possibility…), we need to be proactive in our approach to business. I like to call it “Thinking for a Change.”
Some of you probably remember the old song recorded by Bob Dylan many years ago. In it, he appealed to many, including Senators and Congressmen, that the times were changing, and that we needed to take some positive action to move forward successfully.
I recently finished reading a book by Dr. Henry Cloud entitled Necessary Endings that included a quote from one of his patients who stated, “I know I live in Hell, but I know the names of all the streets.” That quote really caught my attention and reminded me to make some positive changes in my own company to not get complacent. Do you find yourself facing similar situations in your business? You know – you really aren’t pleased with the way things are going, but at least you “know the names of all the streets.” In other words, it’s not perfect but it’s comfortable.
The devil, in this case, is uncertainty. Everyone in every business faces it at some point! In late 2017, I had a conversation with a Client who said: “There is so much uncertainty, I don’t know whether to contract feed or not.”
Why not? Have you ever found yourself simply accepting what life sends your way? I think we all have at times; You know like the old song from Huey Lewis & The News “I’m taking what they’re giving ‘cause I’m working for a living.” Today I want to challenge each of you to join me in playing one of my favorite roles – that of the Contrarian!
During one of my recent business trips to California, I entered a gas station and, much to my dismay, I found that 1/3 of the gas pumps were blocked off by orange cones. As a result, they were unavailable for use, and as I shared that fact with my bride of 35 years, she commented: “Half of life is blocked with orange cones (the “Cone Zone”), isn’t it?”
What does it take to get to the Next Level? I believe this is a crucial question to be answering in any business. If we continue on the same pathway, will our business get better or could it potentially go downhill? An even bigger question is: “Who might replace my business?” Is there another player out there who could potentially disrupt my industry and take me out of the current process?
What Happens When We Wait Too Long? How to Take the Next Step. Have you ever found yourself faced with a decision that, frankly, you know you need to make, but with which you just cannot seem to take the next step? I know I have, and there are times when all of us have […]
Developing the Genius in You! In my last blog, I discussed being ingenious about how you approach your life and work and how we all we a touch of genius. If you didn’t get a chance to read it, please do yourself a favor and go check it out before you read any further. Trust […]
