With the recent change in the economy many people share their doubt, fear and apprehension. Much time is spent thinking and talking about things that are of concern to us, but not at all in our circle of influence (that which we can change). We cannot change the economic state, but we can certainly change our habits to weather the storm and make the best of it. This is the art of being PROACTIVE.
Reactive people spend time and energy thinking within their circle of concern; things that are of concern to them, but not necessarily within their ability to do something about. Proactive people spend their time and energy working on the things that they can do something about.
Recently in a team-building seminar we used the current state of the economy as an example of a concern, in order that we could practice thinking proactively about what we could do to be a part of the solution toward achieving the goals of the organization. The ideas generated from the synergy of the group were brilliant.
We can use this economic circumstance as an opportunity to:
Retain Our Customers
- Get to know our customers’ needs better by listening to them, making them feel understood, and demonstrating with our time and our actions that we really care about them.
- Make contact with customers to increase sales, and or use a referral program to reward those customers who refer new ones.
Achieve Better Efficiency
- Schedule to use everyone’s time most efficiently.
- Determine capacity building strategies by planning for the continued education of staff to increase the productivity and effectiveness of the entire team.
Improve Internal Communication
- Come together as a team to plan for the upcoming year, set goals, discuss systems that need perfecting, and strategize actions necessary to achieve goals, with established checkpoints along the way.
- Instill the value of our products / services to customers. The value of the product or service must exceed the value of the cost spent, and the customer must be aware of this value to maintain their need.
… Improving cash flow, reducing costs … the list went on and on.
When we think back to the reason we got into business in the first place, committed to the benefits of our customers, would it be true to admit that the current economic state is better than ever?
On a Personal Note
Adjusting our spending habits has benefits. The 3 R’s (reuse, recycle and reduce) is definitely in style. Frugality is the new black, and replacing frivolity. We now have a chance to appreciate life’s subtle pleasures, and the environment benefits too. From Hummers to hybrids, this could be a cultural shift that pushes us into a new age of post-materialism. How much stuff do we really need anyway? Are too many good things getting in the way of the best things? Time with family, rest, exercise, reading, and an overall appreciation of what we have already versus a focus on what we have-not could be like Buckley’s cold medicine – awful tasting however good for what ails us financially, spiritually and physically.
When you summarize this approach to thinking, you could say that the current state of the economy is slower than it has been but will eventually turn-around as the economy is historically cyclical. Our time, thoughts, action and energy can be put to great use during this time as we are able to better manage and improve our customer relationships, skills development, continued education, communication, business planning, and personally, become more content and healthy by acting on what is truly best for us.
“It’s not what happens to us, but our response to what happens to us that can either hurt us, or benefit us.” writes Dr. Steven Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It’s our choice. We are responsible (response-able = able to choose our response).
An old friend taught me early on in life that the best things in life are in fact free! Best wishes for a happy Holiday Season, rich in the simple pleasures that life has to offer.
Penny