I get to work with the industry’s elite, those who close more in a month than most do in a year.  In studying thier personalities and businesses, I have found that there are four common characteristics that tie them together -

1.  The are great communicators

2.  They present very well

3.  They are self motivated

4. They have a positive outlook and attitude

Carpe diem,

There are spenders and saver and investors in this world. Which are you? Sometimes it takes emotional shift to be wise investor of your time, money, resources, assists and energy. Invest holistically, spend carefully, save easily.

Here are some key points to remember:

1. Cut cost in waves. Eliminate as much recurring cost as possible.
2. Assume you’re broke and have nothing to spend.
3. Turnover all spending authorization to a tightwad.
4. Sometimes we get a high from spending…know if this is you.
5. Sometimes spending on business item makes us think we are more successful than we are.
6. When times are good there is no compelling evidence that we should spend more, yet we do.
7. Expect a 10 to 1 return on every business expense or investment. If it doesn’t measure up don’t spend. Invest aggressively, spend wisely.
8. Set a stringent budget that guarantees profitability.

Carpe diem,

Accountability is a great tool for short term change.  It by its very nature helps us change behaviors that we dislike in ourselves.  The challenge is that it is short lived.  Yes, I am well aware that you can establish a habit in 21 days, however, by simply making changes from the outside, the habit will disappear quickly as soon as the accountability is lifted.

Real change needs to come from the inside-out through motivation.  Motivation to be effective must be tied to our values to make us go through the pain of change.  For example, I won’t diet for myself, I may for a day or two, but I will cheat because I value living each day fully more than eating things that taste like cardboard.  Now, I’ve been fit and I’ve been fat.  I don’t like either extreme and think the saying of “nothing tastes better than thin feels” is a lie.  With all that said if I were to venture on a “get in epic Greek God shape” plan (which sounds really cool) I would have to tie that motivation to one of my core values to make it effective.  Since I value my family as a core value I would have to position it in my mind and heart as “health will allow me to live longer and spend more quality time with my kids and future grandkids.” 

Without the tie to our core values, motivation will falter.

Carpe diem,

Profitability is not a option for a business owner.  In hard times, we need to plug every hole, regardless of the circumstances. This plus a strong service will ensure a more sustainable future.

Here’s a list of 30 drains that will eat your profitability alive if you let them –

1. Paternalism
2. Nepotism
3. Poor Morale
4. No Track
5. No Cash
6. High Inventory
7. Discounts Lost
8. bad Advertising
9. Credit Losses
10. Wrong Service
11. Under Performing Market Niche
12. Accounting Error
13. Missing Information
14. Outmoded technology
15. Poor communication
16. Overpayments
17. Poor buying
18. Excessive benefits
19. Excessive décor
20. Company cars
21. Airline tickets
22. Overpaying for tickets
23. Overstaffed
24. Poorly staffed
25. Poor location
26. Plan is weak
27. Over leveraged
28. Owner borrowing from business
29. Poor compensation package
30. Fixing problems with a bandage

Carpe diem,

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One of the most powerful things in your life is your vision (or lack thereof) and your perceived mission. To help crystallize direction for your life and business develop a personal mission statement. Ask yourself what you alone you can do. Not what can you do, but what is it that won’t get done if you alone don’t or won’t do it.

Here’s a simple guide to developing your personal mission statement -

Definition of Mission - The special duty or function for which someone is sent as a messenger or representative; and the special task or purpose for which a person is apparently destined in life; a calling.

What is your personal mission statement? - Your personal mission statement focuses on the special purpose you want to achieve in your life and the special approach you will take to achieve it. It is the consequence of your mission being achieved. It is a description of how the world will be after you’ve traveled through it.

A clarifying question - “If we were meeting back here on ______________________, and you were looking back over the preceding ______________, what would have to have happened during those years for you to feel really good about yourself, your life, and the fulfillment of your personal vision?”

Answer this question to state your Personal Mission Statement- “My unique mission is…”

Once we have vision and mission clearly identified, it becomes very easy to make life changing decisions. Whenever I am faced with a fork in the road of life, The answers will simply fall into place when I simply weigh my options against my vision and mission and ask – “Is this in line with who I am?” and “Does this bring me closer to where I know I need to go?”

Carpe diem,