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"Operating at your optimal performance comes down to having better life systems not motivation."
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"I have designed an operating system for success that will cause an outright revolution of transformation in your life."
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8 TIPS TO BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

First, don’t make your business about money. You and your team will not be inspired. Focus on a purpose and a mission. A lot of business owners and executives make the mistake of thinking that staff are motivated mainly by money. All the research proves otherwise. My approach is to pay staff what they are worth but don’t use sticks and carrots to motivate them. Since the GFC people want to be motivated by the mission more than anything. So put purpose before profit.

Wharton Business School published a book called “Firms of Endearment” which shows businesses that are focused on a purpose ironically made the most profit. They outperformed the S & P 500 by a ratio of 9 to 1 over a 10-year period.

Second, look after your staff BUT do not accept mediocrity. Expect and demand excellence.

Third, hire people that can work on parts of your business you’re not good at. Stick to what you’re good at.

Fourth, accept that you are not perfect. Keep learning to master your craft. Attend training seminars as much as you can. Get a business coach and mentor. Make sure it is someone with a little grey hair. In business, experience is everything.

Fifth, start a rainy day fund in case things go wrong. Economy, poor health or whatever. This takes the pressure off and you start working for love and not money. Work becomes a sport. You start to play with confidence and not fear.

Sixth, do NOT diversify into areas of no competence. I meet many people who make money and instead of re-investing it in their own business they go into other areas. I knew a guy who was a very successful mortgage broker. He made a lot of money but instead of investing it back into his own business, by say, hiring more staff or opening a shop front, he opened a café. He lost a lot of money and took his eyes of his own business.  So, stick to what you know.

Seventh, work harder not just smarter. I do not believe in or adhere to the 4-hour workweek. I appreciate Tim Ferris and his adventurous spirit but the constant focus on making a quick dollar is what’s wrong with Western Economies. We do not lack intelligence. We lack a strong work ethic. We constantly focus on making money quickly instead of working hard daily. Building a business is brick-by-brick, day-by-day, there’s no easier way.

Eighth, stay focused on the micro. Ignore what is happening at the macro level. We cannot control that. So don’t be obsessed with the business news. It makes you fearful and you start to work defensively and out of fear. Business is like sport. If we start playing defensively we stop scoring and eventually we lose the game.

There are a lot of businesses that made it through the GFC stronger and bigger and more confident. It’s because they focused on what they could control. If you have a good brand and good product then all you have to do is to stay focused on delivering to your customers. Look at APPLE!

Next week I will share with you the secret 9th and most important reason why some businesses are outperforming their competitors.

DO YOU STOP TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS?

I was recently asked to comment on the importance of business coaching and why so many business owners are reluctant to get and pay for coaching. This is a snapshot of what I said.

Hello, I'm Mister Ed

Business has to view coaching/mentoring as another staff member. They must put a value on that resource like they would any other employee.

The problem you will find is that most business owners do not view non-fee earning activities as valuable. It’s sad but true that most business owners do not value what coaches provide. Why? Because they cannot measure it. And also because it takes a long time to translate into increased income and profits.

Most business owners think short-term. Consequently they drift along in the realms of mediocrity. For me they are no different to people who never stop to ask for directions, or builders who commence construction on a project without detailed specifications. They make costly mistakes. Implement the wrong strategies. Lose time and miss opportunities. Worst of all they get lost in the detail of business and lose the enthusiasm and the passion they once had for their craft.

A lot of business owners I come across make the mistake of thinking that having a coach is like admitting defeat. Or worse they think they know more about their business than a coach. They miss the point that a coach is not there to tell them what they don’t already know. Rather a coach is there to take their business and their personal life to the next level. The level where champions compete.

You see, business is no different to sport. The best entrepreneurs and sports people work with coaches. They recognise that to compete with the best you have to be coached to peak performance. A good coach can help you achieve this.

Here are a list of benefits of working with a coach:

  1. You lift your energy and enthusiasm.
  2. You It takes the pressure off staying touch with latest concepts.
  3. You stay focused on the big picture.
  4. You improve your personal life.
  5. Your staff will start love and respect you even more than before.
  6. Your customers will notice the difference.
  7. Your family will notice the difference.

I believe that having a business coach is essential – especially in our digital age where information and strategy is evolving so rapidly.

The question is not whether your business can afford a coach. The real question is, can you afford NOT to have a coach.

Happy Easter festivities to all. A time for family and eating lots of good food!