Ben RidlerWhen the going gets tough…

Hello All

Having had a whirlwind start to the year with Tom Peters here, trips to China and Australia, it's great to be getting back into some real work.

There is no doubt that this is a scary market and to do well there's a few key things that we need to get right.

Here is my latest thinking on the things that will have the biggest impact this year:

1. Invest in learning, upskilling and getting new perspectives. So far this year I've spent 8 full days in seminars and workshops and have read 4 business books. Why? Because I don't think that doing what I've always done or thinking like I've always thought are going to be enough this year to realize the opportunity. I've also spent some time with some very smart people and learnt about things they do well. Visiting Naomi and Red Balloon days was one of those "A ha" moments. I can see why Tom Peters keeps telling us women are going to be running everything (and probably already are). I've not seen a better run company or better company culture, Naomi is my vote for best example of a super CEO.

2. Examine your offer in light of the new environment. Things have changed, needs have changed and perspectives have changed. Therefore you need to make sure that your offer is still positioned in a way that appeals to your potential clients. In a downturn like we are in, people are more motivated by avoiding loss than by creating value. Take a look at your core business, the way you position and promote it and ask yourself, is this still what my clients desire, need, demand? If not, get some external perspectives, and some internal ones. Talk to your customers, your team and your coach, question everything and be prepared to do some things differently.

3. Engage your team in your businesses success and failures, growth and development, plans and results. The most important thing that you can do as a business leader is to get your team to care as much about the success of your business as you do. They want to be involved. If you've done a good job at getting the fit right, we've got all the tools, processes, systems and stuff that you need for it to work. I know the main obstacle is always "me", the leader. So it's time to open our minds as to how much more we can involve our teams, clients, suppliers and everyone else around us. The companies that will thrive this year are the ones that have everyone involved in them doing well. We owe it to our people to let them help us this year so that our companies don't become casualties.

As always, be positive, lead from the front and have fun. Remember, the only professions where pessimists beat optimists are Lawyers and Psychiatrists.

Kia Kaha

Ben