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Business Improvement Motivation Sometimes Comes From the Most Unlikely Sources

Guest post by: Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Article Overview: Where is the source of your motivation? Have you ever looked at your competititors as a motivating force for your business growth and success? Learn how one CEO did just that.

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Business Improvement Motivation Sometimes Comes From the Most Unlikely Sources

In 1997, Michael Dell of Dell Computers publicly stated that the best thing Apple computers could do to avoid financial failure was to dissolve the company and return the money to the shareholders. Obviously, Steve Jobs saved that message because on Friday 13th of January 2006, Mr. Jobs sent an email to all employees sharing how Apple's shares are now worth more than Dell's. (Source: New York Times, John Markoff)

The best thing that happened to Apple in the 1997 outside of rehiring its founder was the gauntlet that Dell threw at the feet of Steve Jobs. Coming in as CEO, Jobs had an enormous challenge, but he and his team persevered and accomplished what many in the industry thought impossible.

Motivation is a tricky thing. By its definition, motivate means an inner drive. Yet, so much can quench that inward movement from existing belief systems to outside external forces. To keep that flame of motivation burning brightly within every individual is an ongoing challenge. Occasionally, we may have unintentional help from outside sources as in the case of Mr. Dell's remarks.

How many times have you been ready to quit, give up and then someone throws a personal challenge or a gauntlet at your feet? All of the sudden you realize that only difference between can't and can is one simple apostrophe and the letter t. Your thoughts are now full of positive energy that is pumping throughout your body. The childhood story of the Little Red Engine becomes your personal mantra, "Yes, I can, Yes, I can." Success in now so much more real.

Who knows whether Apple would have surpassed Dell without the false prediction of Michael Dell? What I do know that in working with my small business coaching clients is that everyone can benefit from the likes of those who believe that they can foretell the future. For we all know the future is what we make it to be and not what someone wants it to be.


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2006© All Rights Reserved. Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S.

This article may be freely published. Permission to publish this article, electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included, with a live link, and the article is not changed in any way (grammatical corrections accepted).

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Home > Business-Coach > Leanne Hoagland-Smith > Business Improvement Motivation Sometimes Comes From the Most Unlikely Sources
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About the Author: Leanne Hoagland-Smith
RSS for Leanne's articles - Visit Leanne's website

Executive consultant, sales coach and speaker, Leanne Hoagland-Smith, partners with innovative and crazy busy leaders who want to dramatically improve their team results. What this looks like differs for each firm and why a free strategy session is offered just by calling 219.759.5601 CDT USA to have a conversation about the results you are seeking. If you prefer you can forward a request to coach@processspecialist.com

Her book, Be the Red Jacket is a no-nonsense and quick read to help discover potential gaps that may be keeping you from your goal to increase sales. The forward is by Evan Carmichael of EvanCarmichael.com

Remember if you think you cannot or you think you can either way you are right. (Henry Ford). Sales Coaching Tip:  Change your thoughts; improve your results.

Click here to visit Leanne's website
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