Don’t Stand Still; Adapt!!
Bill Marriott, Chairman of Marriott International and quite possibly the best hotel franchise on the planet today, commented recently on a Linked-In article about how good life is, at his young age of 90!
Mr. Marriott looks back at the beginning, the hard work of his parents in their first business (a root beer shop) and how initial efforts showed promise, yet changes in season, weather, and culture caused success to be driven by awareness, innovation, and transition. Selling root beer was a novel and unique idea that attracted the crowd, but who then drinks ice cold root beer in Utah when the weather changes to cold?
Your business hopefully has a solid foundation on which it is operating, a great set of products and/or services, and a client base that appreciates what you do, looking to you for answers to their problems. But sitting still in the “catbird seat” today, and not considering the possibilities of current trends, competition, obsolecence, and change is a dangerous game. One thing is for certain; change will occur. Adapting to that change is an absolute.
On the same page, planning is necessary, and not just making plans, but concretely developing A PLAN. Showing leadership, bringing in the resources of people within your company, asking the tough questions, asking the “What if…?” questions, putting pen to paper and drawing up an outline and a budget and an action plan, all are part of the most effective way to take the next steps. Then, using the knowledge of THE PLAN, implementing its parts, and effectively adapting and keeping THE PLAN alive shows the quality of active innovation, effective leadership and management of the tools that your business has. It can keep you ahead of the competition!!
So now, the tough questions:
- Do you actually take these steps, as the owner or manager of your business?
- Do you lead your business, or do you manage to the direction your business takes you?
- Are there issues at hand that call for adaptation and change, yet never seem to be fixed?
- Are the problems worth solving?
Many owners and managers answer these questions in a manner that is not suitable for positive outcomes. Those that choose to ignore those answer will likely deal with bigger problems in the not too distant future. Those who wish to be better will change the course of the business, today.
Mile Marker Business and Consulting Services, LLC was founded to ask the tough questions, and to help you develop and build THE PLAN for the future. Consider your wellbeing, and the wellbeing of your business. Prove that you are not just going through the motions. Stop at the MILE MARKER, and let’s start that conversation.
“Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.” – Wayne Dyer
