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Aug 2009

6 Things Business Owners Must Do ...

... To Shorten the Lifespan of Their Business

 

By Beverly Floyd

 

Of course, I’m being facetious!  But as a good friend so aptly stated:  "It's a reminder of those things that management does every day in order to accomplish self-defeat." 

So here it is . . . do one or choose all six to shorten the lifespan of your business:

1.  Forget that you love what you do.  Better yet, forget to love and appreciate your employees and customers.  Adopt a "beat the daily grind" mentality - work long, hard, relentless hours and have no clue why you're doing it.  Establish strategic policies, principles and partnerships but leave your passion at home along with the corporate vision and desire to serve.  Just go through the motions - after all, it's just another day of the "same ol, same ol".

2.  Operate under fear.  Haven't you heard?  We are in a global economic crisis - the worst recession since the Great Depression!  The unemployment rate is now in double-digits and you're next!  Yep, you have every reason to plant seeds of pessimism and negativity throughout your organization - so go ahead and invite fear to impinge on sound decision making, team cohesion, staff morale, and customer relations.  After all, you'll be handing out pink slips and waving the white flag of surrender in no time!  You should be afraid.  Be very afraid.

3.  Jump on the bandwagon.  Follow the Joneses without thoroughly researching their ideals for a proper fit (one size does fit all ... doesn't it???) Besides, the 'blind leading the blind' can't be that bad since neither one of you can see the other's mess.  Oh, and never-ever learn from previous setbacks - simply forget to remember the timeless truths that built your organization.  When you face a stumbling-block, leave it there so you can trip over it again, and again, and again - repetition is a good thing.  Right?

4.  Be a self-serving and oppressive leader and hire other self-serving and oppressive leaders.  Drive your employees crazy with impulsive, off-the-cuff demands.  Don't provide them with resources to do their jobs, instead let them learn to make brick without straw.  Never ask for their input and always mock their ideas.  Last, but certainly not least - keep your staff under your thumb, otherwise they may thrive and take your company to the next level ... and God forbid that happen!

5.  Fool yourself into thinking you're better than you are.  Repeat this statement three times each day:  "There is no room for improvement."  Stay in denial regarding the strength of your organization and its products, services and employees - then sit back and watch your company fall beneath industry standards.  Besides, you don't have the time, resources, initiative or energy to learn and grow your business.  Say it again:  "There is no room for improvement.  There is no room for improvement.  There is no room for improvement."

6.  Have an attitude of complacency.  Leave "well enough" alone.  Who wants to run a Fortune 500 company anyhow???  (Not you)