Writing a blog article really shouldn’t be difficult. In fact with iPhone’s and iPad’s you should be able to write a new article anywhere – wherever you get the inspiration.
This article is created using an app on the iPad called Blogsy. Now all I need to do is save it an upload it to the correct place!
Monday, June 27th, 2011
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
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Thursday, May 19th, 2011
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LIMITED SPACES – 12 BUSINESSES ONLY! - Available only to 4Networking Members Reserve your place NOW… http://watfordlink4growth1905.eventbrite.com … Kickstart your business TODAY!
For further details contact :
© Link4Growth Limited Registered in England and Wales : Registration No. 7592096 |
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010
With the harvest safely gathered in, and the Harvest Festival celebrations having taken place my thoughts turn to thinking about how we sow the seeds of our business.
In the parable of the farmer comparison is made to where the seeds fall and the likelihood of them growing to strong plants to be harvested and in turn how this resembles ones faith, but this blog is not about God and faith but of using the same analogy to look at how we plan and focus on our business.
So stay with me, if the seeds are the ideas and actions of planning the success of our business are we looking at where they are falling?
In your own basket of ideas each one is a potential life line of growth for your business but how many seeds falls on the path? Scattered in an area where there is no hope of nurture and growth, no forethought as if this is the right place or even time to market your business.
Then there are the ideas that are shallow they may grow quickly but without substance no long term commitment given to the depth of the idea, no follow up, no plan just lanky ideas that wither and die.
In the parable some seeds fall on a place with too many weeds that stop the growth of the plant and the plants die.
Are you competing with the same tools in a crowded market place with no new ideas to stand out from the competition so that soon you are overtaken and wither back letting those stronger ones raise above you.
But what about where the ground is good, the idea stands out, the foundations are strong. You have clear actions which you review and refine regularly in essence you water it tend it until it bears fruit.
Are your business seeds scattered in too many directions, look at where these ideas are falling, is the message right for the ground it is falling on. Have you planned the success of your business and having planted the seeds are you continuing to nurture and prune until it bears fruit?
Monday, October 11th, 2010
One of the biggest fears people have about accountability is that they will be punished for their actions. Blaming people for events that have already happened does more harm than good. This can lead to people being secretive about their actions and competitive with their peers. We end up looking out for “number one” more than for the success of the business.
If mistakes were celebrated as learning opportunities, then the focus is shifted from finger pointing to jointly figuring out how things should be done differently in the future.
Perhaps meetings should start with a celebration of the week’s biggest screw-up!
Moving from a culture of blame to one of trust and honest problem solving usually comes down to the way we behave with each other.
Creating a culture of accountability means developing a climate in which people can speak openly, admit to mistakes without fear, and worry more about serving the customer than looking better than a colleague.
This article was prompted by thinking about being ‘held accountable’ and how this is viewed
Webster’s define “accountable” as “Subject to having to report, explain or justify; being answerable, responsible.”
The Oxford dictionary defines as “required or expected to justify actions or decisions”
Notice how the definition in Webster’s begins with the words “subject to,” implying little choice in the matter.
This confession-oriented definition suggests accountability is viewed as a consequence for poor performance
So how do you encourage a culture of shared accountability?
- Earn the trust of your colleagues or support network, by doing what you say and saying what you mean all the time.
- When mistakes or problems occur, focus on the future. Own up to it and accept the natural consequences for them.
- Then to correct the problem and prevent it from happening again, concentrate on what needs to be done next and don’t dwell on what was done.
- Remember that intent is not the same as performance. Follow through on commitments by regularly checking in on progress. Make existing or ongoing projects a regular agenda item and share the current status, successes, and need for help.
- Be explicit about accountability and expectations. Talk openly and preferably face-to-face about responsibilities, performance standards, deadlines, potential consequences or implications of your actions, etc.
- Be supportive. Help people talk about their progress on their commitments, and offer help when they are stuck or unsure.
So perhaps next week the first agenda item is………
Celebration of the week’s biggest screw-up!
Then focus on what to do next not what has happened.
Saturday, October 9th, 2010
I have been putting off writing about the impact of procrastinating on my business for a while now, however Procrastination is taking the “P” out of me and my business.
Starting at the beginning – what does procrastination mean?
Merriam-Webster: “To put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done.”
TheFreeDictionary.com: “To postpone or delay needlessly.”
Lets look at two aspects of Procrastination
- Why do we do it?
- What impact does it have?
Why do we do it?
So, why have I been putting of this Blog? Perhaps, it wasn’t important enough or perhaps I didn’t know what to do or even I simply wasn’t motivated to write it. So why have I written this Blog now. That’s simple, I have given myself a kick up the rear and decided I wanted to get blogging. Are you procrastinating over something? Firstly you need to understand why you are doing it. Generally this falls into one of 4 reasons…..
Not Committed?
If you are not committed or motivated to do a job then the chances are you are not convinced about what impact it has if you do it or the consequences of not doing it?
Not skilled?
If you are putting something off because you do not have the resources or skills to do the job. This might be real skills that you will need to acquire or infact a lack of confidence because you have not done the task before
Don’t want to do it?
Is the task unpleasant? Having an awkward conversation, completing a messy task. If the task is important then the choice is either get on and do it or delegate to someone else.
Afraid to do it?
What are you afraid of? Fear of failure or fear of success? The chances are the fear wont go away until you actually get on and do. Is the outcome of doing the job worth overcoming the fear?
Impact of Procrastination
There is the obvious impact ie the job doesn’t get done. But have you also considered the following?
- Physical and psychological effects – depression, lowered self-esteem, and insomnia
- Reduced motivation / Morale
- Damage to Business Relationships
- Loss of Reputation
- Loss of Sales / profit
- Increased cost of business
So next time you put something off, consider what impact this is having on your business.
My next Blog will look at the top strategies used to help eliminate Procrastination, but don’t take too long in deciding if you want to subscribe to this blog to read about it!
Friday, October 1st, 2010
Hi & Welcome to the Virtual Management Board’s Blog.
If you have ever worked in a large corporate organisation you will already know that the Boardroom is the place where all the key decisions are made. Have you ever wondered why?
Well, its the place where you can bring together a wide range of expertise which provides challenge to each other, holds the individual accountable for their actions, providing support to solve problems as well as generating new ideas. The Boardroom is a real asset to any organisation.
Small businesses do not have the luxury of a Board of Directors, it simply is not affordable or indeed appropriate. However they certainly can benefit from a virtual boardroom of trusted business people. Your peers who sit on this board will hold you accountable, challenged you about your activities as well as have the opportunity to support you in developing your ideas or solving your problems. Your fellow businessman create a virtual board of directors which makes a real difference to the development of your business.
Daryl Hine
