If (and when) you want to identify the elements that you CAN control within your business, on which one of these actions do you focus first?
– Reevaluate priorities
– Finding gaps
– Efficiencies in process
– The resilience of people and process
It’s probably tough to choose only one as the top priority because they all matter, but we have to start somewhere. We created a poll and asked our business peers; most picked to start with finding the gaps. What would you choose?
There are many things in our lives, including our businesses, that we don’t control.
So, how can we become comfortable with the unknown, the uncontrollable, and stay grounded to the things that we can control?
In my experience working with companies over the years, one of the most challenging things is just to start. What we do at Red Direction is that we are (most of the time) disciplined about the time investment. That’s something that we can control.
The reason why I say “most of the time” is that this year has been full of challenges that we couldn’t predict.
Because of that, we try not to think from even more perspectives than before – positive or negative. We, as a team, decided what we rely on to tell us which processes and actions and reports are useful to adjust priorities.
We want to be helpful in each situation we face, tapping into our energy level and environment to insert our usefulness as a part of the business routine … our mapped journey.
Bottom line, more perspectives will benefit you right now. Answer these three question to know where to get information to make solid short-term decisions:
- What does our dynamic SWOT say about our positioning right now?
- What trends have we been seeing, and what change must we watch as it will impact our revenue?
- What must we do right now to stay as on-course as possible?
Red Direction tapped ten business leaders to share their top tips on change management, and how to regain control of the process.
“Perception is how we analyze, absorb, and respond rather than react to situations. There is a point we must be able to say I’ve done all that I can do, and then let go and allow us to receive the result.” – Christine L. Bowen, Creative Entrepreneur, Media Personality, TOTAL Presence Consulting
“It’s hard work to overcome a negative belief.” – Joel Dawson, Professional Speaker – Joel Dawson Consulting
“When we recognize stress and persevere in spite of it – that is the definition of courage. Reframe a situation to look at it differently which opens up possibility as long as you don’t violate factual reality.” – Scott Scowcroft, Owner of the Scott Treatment
“Prepare your team, there are only so many resources. The more we can set ourselves up for consistency, the closer we get to having consistent experiences. ” – Adam Toporek, President CTS Service Solutions
“The people speaking up are the people most dedicated to the mission statement. Create a space to allow people to say what needs to be said – without repercussion.” – Steve Rohr, Author, Show Publicist for OSCARS®, Professor, TEDx Speaker, TEDx Board
“First question is: What is SWOT. What resonates with me is gaining interest and personnel to help make my organization a success. I never anticipated that I would be running a nonprofit, so I never prepared. I’ve learned a lot over the past 8+ years though, and do my best to keep on course. However, it’s difficult without having people in specialized positions to help make this happen.” – John Vogels, Founder & Executive Director Martyred Angels Foundation
“Creative leaders, and leaders that really gain loyalty from their staff and retain the highest talent, are the ones that make it a point to celebrate, pause, acknowledge, and then make a plan. “- Lizabeth Wesely-Casella, CEO L-12 Services LLC
“The purpose of failing fast is learning. What are the edges of what you’re trying to do? And then, the faster you get to that place, the more specifically you can pivot to find that area where everything opens up.” – Cynthia Del’Aria, CEO/Founder Raika Technologies
“It’s understanding and then thinking about how you can turn a weakness into an opportunity. I often talk, talk to different folks within our company, and I try and coach them on that path.” – Ed Vincent, Founder & CEO FestivalPass
“Strategy that considers the whole business will be stronger. It takes courage to recognize and write down weaknesses and threats.” – Jess Dewell: Red Direction, Operations and Strategy
As additional reading material, I suggest the following articles:
The Future of Work: A Guide to Building Understanding and Resilience – by Michael Riall
Is your business out of control? Regain your control! – by Dr Vesna Grubacevic
How to manage change in your business
Still feel like you need a bit of help with some business direction on this topic? Then ACT to Plan by contacting me for a 30-Minute Unstuck Quick Consult. We’ll discuss your aims, where you are, and where you should be to move deliberately toward your team-building goals!
