Risk and reward

How much of a risk taker are you?
How is this reflected in your organization?
Do others follow your risk-taking example?
It’s no secret that CEOs set company tones.
And they attract risk takers like themselves.
New research shows this is a healthy sign.
Risk-takers are more aggressive about success.
They tend to run more profitable organizations.
They create higher value and greater esprit.
Cautious CEOs create cautious organizations.
Less successful, less profitable ones, too.
First responders are risk takers, too.
They have to be. It’s the nature of the work.
That does not mean they take foolish chances.
When buildings are ablaze, they run forward, not away.
All of us saw this on the 9-11 newscasts in 2001.
Email me your feelings about these brave individuals.
What do you think we have learned from 9-11?
How do you feel we have handled our security risks.
We will include this in our 9-11 Commemorative.
Email your thoughts to JerryBellune@yahoo.com
Our deadline is Friday, August 26

Success strategies in a sagging economy

This week we’re going to talk about money.
Is your income sagging in today’s troubled economy?
If you don’t accelerate your income, what might happen to you?
Lost customers? Lost market share? Your job on the line?
In my new workbook, we outline practical ways to cut costs.
We also show you how to accelerate revenues.
The workbook is designed for business owners and CEOs.
If you’re neither of those, stop reading right here.
Oh, all right. If you want to be a CEO, keep reading.
Rule #1: If you don’t make the sales, your competitors will.
Here is a strategy to accelerate your sales and revenues.
Strategy #1: Check the pulse of your market.
Plan a half-day retreat for your key sales and financial executives.
Get out of the office and away from the phones.
Have everyone put their cell phones on vibrate.
Show them this year’s numbers compared with last year’s.
Discuss what conditions changed and their impact on sales.
Take time to discuss potential tactics and strategies.
Welcome all ideas and ask everyone to suspend judgment.
That means, no putdowns. No "We don’t do it that way".
There are no stupid ideas. Some will just be better than others.
One lame idea may spark a brilliant idea from someone else.
Pick the top five and discuss what must be invested in each.
Decide which will produce the most revenue at the least cost.
Make your priorities crystal clear for everyone:
What you need to tackle first. What should come next.
Who will do what by when should be clear.
Tomorrow, I’ll share another strategy with you.
For more on such strategies, click here.

Find a friendly business model

A sure way to succeed is to find a successful business model.
Then model your business on what they’re doing right.
It may not even be in your industry.
We can learn from success in many other industries.
We have taken successful ideas from:
1. Reading the business media. These include:
Success and Entrepreneur magazines. Business Week.
The Wall Street Journal. Selling Power. CEO. B2B.
Publishers Auxiliary. Circulation Idea Service.
2. Friends in our industry who are not in competition with us.
Show up at your industry’s trade association meetings.
Attend their functions and network with fellow members.
3. Friends in other industries willing to share their success.
Their tactics and strategies can be customized for our business.
Make friends with people in business associations.
Attend your local chamber of commerce events.
Develop friendships where you can help them and vice versa.
Tomorrow we’ll talk about what to ask successful entrepreneurs.