As the New Year begins, we should start to think about how we will conduct our business, both professionally and personally.
I looked at a few Web sites and have distilled some thoughts for all of us to consider this year. The following comes from the thehumanfactor.biz Web site:
• From a people/process perspective, Old rule: Strive to maintain the status quo, but react quickly when change happens. New rule: Don't wait for change to hit you. Anticipate it, plan for it and make it happen on your terms.
• Old rule: Management's job is to make decisions. New rule: Management's job is to facilitate decisions made by those closest to the customer.
• From a competitive analysis perspective, Old rule: Focus your research on competitors inside your industry. New rule: Stretch your horizons. The next competitor that causes your world to implode may well come from outside the industry.
As 2009 has come to a close and we are ringing in 2010, perhaps the most important new rule for today's chaotic market realities is to “constantly challenge what you think you know about your business and the world in general.”
Don't allow yourself to get comfortable with the status quo. Don't allow yourself to get stuck thinking that what has made you successful so far will continue to make you successful in the future.
If you haven't re-evaluated your customers' wants and needs within the past six months to a year, do so now.
The Human Factor site has a Who Said This quote and I think it is fitting for this column. “The illiterate of the 2lst century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” Alvin Toffler.
My favorite quote is, “When you quit learning you stop earning.”
I hope you had happy holidays and that you have a prosperous 2010.
I looked at a few Web sites and have distilled some thoughts for all of us to consider this year. The following comes from the thehumanfactor.biz Web site:
• From a people/process perspective, Old rule: Strive to maintain the status quo, but react quickly when change happens. New rule: Don't wait for change to hit you. Anticipate it, plan for it and make it happen on your terms.
• Old rule: Management's job is to make decisions. New rule: Management's job is to facilitate decisions made by those closest to the customer.
• From a competitive analysis perspective, Old rule: Focus your research on competitors inside your industry. New rule: Stretch your horizons. The next competitor that causes your world to implode may well come from outside the industry.
As 2009 has come to a close and we are ringing in 2010, perhaps the most important new rule for today's chaotic market realities is to “constantly challenge what you think you know about your business and the world in general.”
Don't allow yourself to get comfortable with the status quo. Don't allow yourself to get stuck thinking that what has made you successful so far will continue to make you successful in the future.
If you haven't re-evaluated your customers' wants and needs within the past six months to a year, do so now.
The Human Factor site has a Who Said This quote and I think it is fitting for this column. “The illiterate of the 2lst century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” Alvin Toffler.
My favorite quote is, “When you quit learning you stop earning.”
I hope you had happy holidays and that you have a prosperous 2010.