Monday, April 26, 2010

Forget About the Competition: Lead & Develop Success

"It's mind over matter, I don't mind because you don't matter." -me

The "you" in this quote refers to the competition. Its time we stop giving our energy and focus to them.  Your own ability to deliver a quality product and outperform the rest depends on your leadership not theirs.  You take control of what happens in your business.  Every second given to checking out the competition is a second away from your personal best. 

When asked what they do to outperform the competition, Ron McManis of McManis Family Vinyards responded: "Our focus is on three things: quality, consistancy and value."

Ron is not checking out the competition's quality and consistency.  He's focusing on his business and what he controls and accomplishes.  Competition is a diversion from success. When you started your company or developed a vision, did it have anything to do with competition?    Maybe quality, consistency and value is what you too want to deliver.  Decide on what they looks like to you. 

Forget about the competition because they don't matter.  What three things you do to lead, succeed and consequently, outperform the competition?

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Turning A Gamble Into Certainty

What do a future restaurateur, human resource consultant and a wine maker have in common? They all asked the question “Should I start my own business?” The one question they all had an answer for was, “Do I want to continue doing what I am doing?” That answer “no” was the key motivator for starting their business. In these difficult financial times starting a new business seems like a gamble but it does not have to be.

A good start would be to reduce the risks by confronting reality. That does not mean giving in to fears and coming to a full stop. It means research the means to creating a successful business. Gain certainty with real answers for making sound decisions. Reduce risks by changing any gamble to a specific known. Allow yourself to make S.M.A.R.T. decisions.

 
On September 11, 2001 Jim Waters was a New York City firefighter faced one of the most tragic experiences of his life. Not long after he made a career and life changing decision to turn a hobby into a dream. To meet him you need only visit his now family owned and operated Waters Crest Winery in Long Island’s North Fork wine region. He’ll forever be remembered as one of America’s heroes. He also made it on to my list of favorite winemakers.

 
In both careers there is risk. Both careers require you to make very important decisions; some life threatening others financially distressing. So when it comes to the transition it is simply a matter of how to make the change. There are always tough choices in life – so gamble with it? Live life knowing, with certainty, it is the right life for you.