Think and Manage Like a Winner; Defense is a Losing Strategy
Think and Manage Like a Winner; Defense is a Losing Strategy
Companies start the belt tightening process forgetting the priorities they set when they were on the upswing. That usually means they protect payroll and benefits at all costs by reducing their spending in “non-essential” areas, like marketing, research, and staff development. The balance that made the company successful becomes skewed. For you football fans, how many games were lost when the winning team put in the prevent defense? It seldom works. As much as it makes us feel better to take care of our people, the real challenge for business leaders is to make the tough management decisions that are in the best long-term interest of the organization.
I’m not advocating a cold disdain for your employees. Quite the opposite. Employees are the most valuable asset of any organization. But there are lots of ways to take care of your staff. I have clients who cut salaries 20% across the board rather than lay off employees. I have clients who laid off employees; it gave them no pleasure. But these leaders understand that maintaining a strong viable company poised for growth and capable of doing all of the things the company needs to do to remain strong and grow when revenues fall is the only way to protect and take care of employees in the long run, and today. They aren’t managing not to lose, they are playing offense and making decisions to win.
These are difficult times demanding that business owners make difficult decisions. They are especially difficult to make in a small company where the relationships are strong between all employees and the culture of the organization is largely a product of those relationships. This is when the guidance of a good business coach is vital. It is lonely at the top and opportunities to “think out loud” seldom exist for the owner. The coach can help you through the analysis process and help you deal with the emotional challenges that accompany these decisions. The very survival of your company depends on your ability to make these difficult decisions during difficult times and a good advisor is vital.
Or did you cut that expense category out of your budget?
© Copyright 2009 Bill Gschwind
Think and Manage Like a Winner Defense is a Losing Strategy - To learn more about this author, visit Bill Gschwind's Website.
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As I meet with business owners, they tell me that they are battening down the hatches and waiting for the storm to pass. Economists date the beginning of this recession to December 2007, over 15 months ago. Does anyone see the end yet? Just a thought…what if the storm doesn’t pass, or it takes 18 months? 24 months? Will you survive? When your company was smaller and in its growth phase, how were you allocating resources over your expense categories? Are you maintaining your target ratios in your key performance areas?
Companies start the belt tightening process forgetting the priorities they set when they were on the upswing. That usually means they protect payroll and benefits at all costs by reducing their spending in “non-essential” areas, like marketing, research, and staff development. The balance that made the company successful becomes skewed. For you football fans, how many games were lost when the winning team put in the prevent defense? It seldom works. As much as it makes us feel better to take care of our people, the real challenge for business leaders is to make the tough management decisions that are in the best long-term interest of the organization.
I’m not advocating a cold disdain for your employees. Quite the opposite. Employees are the most valuable asset of any organization. But there are lots of ways to take care of your staff. I have clients who cut salaries 20% across the board rather than lay off employees. I have clients who laid off employees; it gave them no pleasure. But these leaders understand that maintaining a strong viable company poised for growth and capable of doing all of the things the company needs to do to remain strong and grow when revenues fall is the only way to protect and take care of employees in the long run, and today. They aren’t managing not to lose, they are playing offense and making decisions to win.
These are difficult times demanding that business owners make difficult decisions. They are especially difficult to make in a small company where the relationships are strong between all employees and the culture of the organization is largely a product of those relationships. This is when the guidance of a good business coach is vital. It is lonely at the top and opportunities to “think out loud” seldom exist for the owner. The coach can help you through the analysis process and help you deal with the emotional challenges that accompany these decisions. The very survival of your company depends on your ability to make these difficult decisions during difficult times and a good advisor is vital.
Or did you cut that expense category out of your budget?
© Copyright 2009 Bill Gschwind
Think and Manage Like a Winner Defense is a Losing Strategy - To learn more about this author, visit Bill Gschwind'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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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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