Building a Business From 30,000 Feet
Building a Business From 30,000 Feet
This isn't one of those dreadful, put-me-out-of-my-misery type moans, but a, "Lord give us strength, she'll be back with both guns blazing" type of moan.
Today, as we discussed her goals for the year ahead, she told me she's planned a trip to Nevada next month and during the flight, will map out her plans for the next twelve months in detail.
Amazingly, this is how she disciplines herself to focus on nothing but her business.
One year, she went on a 20-hour road trip to Nashville with her mother and children and had but one rule for the ride … she would not speak, but would map out a plan for the business she would build.
And on that 40-hour return trip, she mapped out her first business plan.
This woman has achieved extraordinary success over the last decade. After being part of a mass layoff by her banking employer, she found herself out of work and totally unprepared for being jobless for the first time in 15 years.
She decided she had no alternative but to start her own business, and although it was one of the biggest undertakings of her life, has built it into a growing enterprise with a loyal team of employees.
She admits that settling herself down long enough to focus on details is a great challenge for her, and discovered that whenever she took a trip, she was able to discipline herself to do nothing but focus on her business.
On one five-hour flight, she refused to sit with her family, but sat alone with a pad of paper and pen, and mapped out a list of expectations she had of herself and her business. That exercise helped her grow her business to a higher level within a few short months.
She told me this process works so well for her, she's decided to take more trips this year than ever before. Why? Because this year, she's set higher goals for herself than she's ever attempted and she knows she has to remain focused, disciplined and three steps ahead to carry them out.
Her team and family tease her with their moans when she announces she's hitting the road or the skies, but they know that when she returns, the energy and laser-like vision she brings back will spark a fire in all of them as they prepare for the next adventure.
My client recognized that taking time to focus and reflect on both herself and her business was challenging for her, and found her solution by putting herself into environments that remove her from outside distractions.
It may seem extreme (and costly), but it works for her.
If you're having difficulty finding uninterrupted time to focus on your business or personal goals, follow my client's lead and try to find a creative solution that will take you away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
It may be as simple as packing a picnic basket and driving to a nearby park and spending your day alone with your thoughts and notepad.
Or, perhaps grabbing your fishing boat and heading out to a quiet lake, only this time leaving the tackle and rod at home and bringing a pad of paper and pen instead.
You may have to get the creative juices flowing to find out what works for you, but sometimes just a simple change of pace and place is all you need to get yourself into a new rhythm and sharpen your focus as you plan the future of your business.
2007 © Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source
Building a Business From 30000 Feet - To learn more about this author, visit Laurie Hayes's Website.
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When my client tells her family and staff she's going on vacation, a communal moan fills the air.
This isn't one of those dreadful, put-me-out-of-my-misery type moans, but a, "Lord give us strength, she'll be back with both guns blazing" type of moan.
Today, as we discussed her goals for the year ahead, she told me she's planned a trip to Nevada next month and during the flight, will map out her plans for the next twelve months in detail.
Amazingly, this is how she disciplines herself to focus on nothing but her business.
One year, she went on a 20-hour road trip to Nashville with her mother and children and had but one rule for the ride … she would not speak, but would map out a plan for the business she would build.
And on that 40-hour return trip, she mapped out her first business plan.
This woman has achieved extraordinary success over the last decade. After being part of a mass layoff by her banking employer, she found herself out of work and totally unprepared for being jobless for the first time in 15 years.
She decided she had no alternative but to start her own business, and although it was one of the biggest undertakings of her life, has built it into a growing enterprise with a loyal team of employees.
She admits that settling herself down long enough to focus on details is a great challenge for her, and discovered that whenever she took a trip, she was able to discipline herself to do nothing but focus on her business.
On one five-hour flight, she refused to sit with her family, but sat alone with a pad of paper and pen, and mapped out a list of expectations she had of herself and her business. That exercise helped her grow her business to a higher level within a few short months.
She told me this process works so well for her, she's decided to take more trips this year than ever before. Why? Because this year, she's set higher goals for herself than she's ever attempted and she knows she has to remain focused, disciplined and three steps ahead to carry them out.
Her team and family tease her with their moans when she announces she's hitting the road or the skies, but they know that when she returns, the energy and laser-like vision she brings back will spark a fire in all of them as they prepare for the next adventure.
My client recognized that taking time to focus and reflect on both herself and her business was challenging for her, and found her solution by putting herself into environments that remove her from outside distractions.
It may seem extreme (and costly), but it works for her.
If you're having difficulty finding uninterrupted time to focus on your business or personal goals, follow my client's lead and try to find a creative solution that will take you away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
It may be as simple as packing a picnic basket and driving to a nearby park and spending your day alone with your thoughts and notepad.
Or, perhaps grabbing your fishing boat and heading out to a quiet lake, only this time leaving the tackle and rod at home and bringing a pad of paper and pen instead.
You may have to get the creative juices flowing to find out what works for you, but sometimes just a simple change of pace and place is all you need to get yourself into a new rhythm and sharpen your focus as you plan the future of your business.
2007 © Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source
Building a Business From 30000 Feet - To learn more about this author, visit Laurie Hayes's Website.
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David BarrDavid Barr is the President of Venture Opportunities, Inc. David has been a professional business broker/intermediary since 1980 focusing on General Business Brokerage and Mergers and Acquisitions representing client transaction value from $400,000 to $20,000,000. Mr. Barr has handled the sale of over four hundred and fifty companies. David earned a university degree from the State University of New York majoring in economics and business. David holds the Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary and the Certified Business Intermediary designations from the International Business Brokers Association. He is also a Senior Business Analyst and a Texas licensed Real Estate Agent. For more information about David and Venture Opportunities, visit www.bizdealmaker.com. - Visit David Barr's Website |
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Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
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Jeff FosterWebBizIdeas.com is a Minneapolis website design company founded to help people start an internet business by providing them with website, business, and internet resources that help foster the growth of successful online businesses and develop innovative Internet business ideas. We specialize in internet consulting & internet marketing. - Visit Jeff Foster's Website |
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David AchesonDavid Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns. David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson's Website |
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
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