The long way around... please be patient...When I first thought of writing a book... any book... the first thing I thought of was creating a goldmine. You know the one... best selling author, on the talk-show circuit, speaking engagements, movie deal... nice thoughts... LOL!When I started writing, all I thought of was finding a way of creating a real goldmine, one that everyone could easily and effortlessly create, but like most people in business, we are so busy that it took me a long time to understand what this 'goldmine' actually was... it was like chasing the 'Holy Grail'!During my research...Well... that's another story, now back to this one...Years ago, I had read Russell Conwells, "Acres of Diamonds", and even though I thought I understood the principles and the context... I didn't. As it turns out, so many other business people also didn't get it!So let's begin the journey.Years ago I heard this tale about the founding of IBM.Thomas J. Watson Snr., and his associates got together and brain-stormed the development of IBM. The goal was to determine what this company IBM would look like in 25 years. Once they achieved this, they started IBM with the attitude that they were already this 25-year-old enterprise, and acted as if the future was NOW.What a concept!Interestingly, this isn't how IBM started. It evolved from another company called the 'Computing Tabulated Recording Corporation' which Watson joined as an employee and eventually became its President. This company was later renamed IBM in the 1920's.But reality or myth, the real message is very clear for all businesses... "Always start with the end in mind!" - Stephen Covey.To that end let's get started in helping you find "Your Hidden Goldmine", so that you can prosper and enjoy the fruits of your labours, now and for a long time to come.
By the way, I need to ask you this question (one of the few that will be asked throughout the book), "Why are you in business?" Or perhaps a better question is "What is the purpose of your business?"Not surprisingly, when I was asked this question a number of years ago by my good friend and mentor Iain (pronounced 'Iron') MacKenzie, I got it very wrong... and I'm a business consultant.I say not surprisingly (although it surprised me at the time), because I have asked this question to clients, workshop participants and audiences over the years, and very, very few have actually got right.Despite the answers we all give, ie. freedom, flexibility, making money, being able to steer one's own course and certainly being able to have control of our lives etc... we all pretty much miss the mark.The answer is...... to develop 'sustained or sustainable profitability'.Because without sustainable profitability, we could be making lots of money in our businesses and still be going broke, just like many of the largest corporations around the world have found out in recent years.Without sustainable profitability we very easily become slaves to our businesses, working 16 to 18 hour days, seven days a week. Eventually the idea of being a wage slave where we have our nights and our weekends free to do other things, starts to look good.The reason I asked this question, is that by knowing the real answer we can now start to build a better business...... by always starting, building and growing with the 'end in mind'.So... spend some time on your business and work out what your business is about and where it is going, and keep in mind that the end, isn't and never was the end... it was always the beginning.Remember... business is simple, NOT easy...
No comments:
Post a Comment