When all is said and done...more is said than done!

 

We have a great idea!  A new initiative, a new product, a new sales plan a new policy..
 
...great that's progress and that is what drives business growth! We announce it to our team, we tell our best clients and we share the good news with our bank and our suppliers.

 

Then?

 

Then nothing happens.  The great idea (everyone agreed it was great) goes nowhere.  Six months later we are asked about the great new initiative and we tell everyone that it is "in progress" and we hope th announce something very soon.

 

Then?

 

Then nothing! The idea just dries up and blows away in the wind.

 

Not the end of the world it happens right? Well, yes it does happen but the problem is that if it happens more than once then the enthusiasm for our initiatives also drys up and blows away.

 

The reality is that life is not easy and getting things done is not easy but if we make a habit of not getting things done then we will loose the support of those around us and without support we can achieve nothing.

 

Making things happen is a key component of leadership and like it or not if we are in a position of influence then we are leaders.

 

We lead our staff.  We lead of suppliers. We lead our team.

 

 

1) Your Team

Being a "leader" is different than being a "boss".  As a boss we can demand attendance but little else. If people are afraid to loose their jobs then you can expect average performance but if you want your business to excel then you need your employees to excel and that take real leadership.

 

Leadership is not easy and is truly an art form. Leadership is not demanding performance of others but rather inspiring performance.

 

In order to inspire performance we must walk our talk and follow through on our words - ideally every word.

  If employees like us they will cut us a bit of slack and still follow but people want inspiration not excuses.   Over time, productivity will fall and the best will leave.  We will have created and environment of mediocrity.   

 

 

2) Your Suppliers

 

Suppliers will take us at our word but if we don't deliver the goods our reputation will suffer. Often we are able to book orders of a new product based on a promised delivery, however, if we don't come through with the goods we may loose that grace in the future.
 
Public companies face this in a very public way. Whether on Wall Street or Bay Street, principles of public companies must present their earning projections for the next quarter to financial analysts and if they do not perform the market can be brutal.

 

If you tell your best supplier that the cheque is "in the  mail"  you better rush it to the post office!

 

 

3) Your Customers

 

In sales, the word gets around and the sales person who is big on promises but small on results just doesn't get taken seriously. 

 

The company that leaves the salespeople to blow in the wind and deal with the fall out of promises not kept will loose their best sales people.

 

People don't think much about trust anymore but if you think about it business could not exist without it.  We can protect ourselves with contracts and guarantees but much still falls on our believe that the other people is a good as their word.

 

Do what you say you will do and you will go a long way to separating yourself from your competition. So few individuals and so few companies are as good as their word anymore.

 

In reality it is not always an easy thing to do.

 

If, however, when all is said and done you have done what you have said then your success will be well in hand.