Passivity is a real problem in some businesses. It is the opposite
of action. Under the mistaken assumption that things will somehow
get better on there own, many business leaders “circle the wagons”
at the first sign of trouble and wait for a “miracle” to rescue them
from the situation.
Some would even say that passivity is the “original sin.” In the
Biblical story of Adam and Eve, the serpent tricks Eve into eating
the forbidden fruit while Adam, who was there, does and says
nothing. Immediately after this passivity, Adam and Eve encountered
a few problems in their garden business. Soon, Eden’s Garden
Enterprise had to deal with weeds, disgruntled workers, turnover and
strife amongst the management team. They even managed to alienate
their biggest customer. Not much has changed since then – ALL of
our businesses encounter similar challenges.
Though patience in business truly is a virtue – passivity nearly
always leads to disaster.
Here’s a little field trouble-shooting guide to anti-passivity:
|
Problem |
Action |
|
Customer is unhappy |
Go see them in person (or call if face-to-face isn’t
possible) and discuss a resolution to their problem.
Remember it’s 7-12 times more expensive to get a new
customer than to keep an existing one! |
|
Revenue is slow |
Get with people and share your company vision with as many
as possible. Talk with people with whom you’ve done
business in the past. Identify those with whom you’d like
to do business in the future. You don’t have to be pushy or
sales-oriented. Just show interest in them as people – ask
questions and build relationship. |
|
Employee problems |
Get out of the office with this/these employees and deal
with the issues head on. Let them tell their story from
their perspective and LISTEN. Then explain clearly steps to
resolve the situation. Make sure they know what is and is
not acceptable. Even if it should be “common sense” spell
it out. |
|
Trouble making decisions |
Identify a diverse group of advisors whom you can trust to
be your sounding-board on difficult decisions. Meet with
them regularly and LISTEN. The biggest mistake leaders make
in these groups is to assume their situation is unique and
special. Its not. There’s nothing new under the sun.
|
|
Setting priorities |
Priorities that endure are those that take people into
consideration first. Discover the needs of all the people
who touch your business (including yourself) and endeavor to
meet each one. Basing priorities only on financial
considerations may produce short-term benefits, but never
creates long-term business vitality. |
|
Keeping balance |
Don’t get caught up in the assumption that business growth
is your only goal. At least once a month (once a week is
better) take a walk in the park or woods alone and get in
touch with what your heart’s true desire is. What is it
that really motivates you? When you allow yourself to
dream, what do you see yourself doing? Where does your deep
fulfillment come from? We live in a land of
dreams-come-true. Don’t settle for anything less. |
Sir Isaac Newton introduced us to the truth that “for every action,
there is an equal and opposite reaction.” If you’re experiencing a
lack of movement in your business – perhaps it is because you have
not yet taken the first action that will eventually produce a
desired and positive reaction. A chain of reactions is momentum. A
history of momentum is legacy. It ALL starts with a single
calculated ACTION.
Paraclete
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