Ask About This ArticleTim Fulton
I just received Christmas wish lists from both of my sons and my wife. They
all have very lofty expectations for this holiday season. I will doing more
than my part to stimulate the nationÆs economy by the time I am done
shopping and will be deep into government-like deficit spending by year-end.
I know that many of you have yet to complete your own holiday wish list and
I would like to provide several suggestions. Here we go:
1. A portrait of your best customer. This would hang right behind your desk
to remind you and your followers why you are in business. Having a hard time
making a tough business decision? Just turn around and consult the picture.
WhatÆs in their best interest? Trying to make a difficult hiring decision?
Would you want this applicant spending considerable time with this customer?
2. A Greyhound Bus miniature. My wife gave me a little red sports car
miniature several years ago because she said she could not afford to give me
the real thing. Why a bus? Just a reminder of author Jim CollinÆs (Good To
Great) suggestion of your role as the bus driver in your company. As the bus
driver you must make very important personnel decisions. It is your job to
decide who gets on your bus and where they are to sit. You must also decide
who doesnÆt get on the bus.
3. The book "Good To Great" by Jim Collins. I believe that this was the best
read of the year. Keep it close to your desk for frequent reference.
Consider how you measure up as a Level 5 Leader.
4. A mirror. Every once in a while we need to remind ourselves who is in
charge. We forget and allow the patients to run the asylum. When things are
going well look into that mirror and take credit. Likewise, when business
takes a turn for the worse, pose for a brief time in front of that mirror
and take responsibility for strategic action.
5. A subscription to Inc Magazine. I consider this Inc to be consistently
the best reading for small business owners. Dare you plan on joining the Inc
500 this year?
6. A set of Dumbo elephant ears. It pains me to suggest that as a rule small
business owners in general are not good listeners. We tend to listen with
our mouths open and lips moving. The Dumbo ears, strategically positioned in
our office, will remind us to make better use of our ears and less of our
lips. Steven Covey said it best when he suggested that we should "Seek first
to understand and than to be understood".
7. Walking shoes. We are spending way too much time behind our desks wading
through endless streams of electronic mail. Tom Peters prescribed many years
ago that the best leaders should "MBWA" (manage by walking around). Set
aside a certain period of time each day just to walk around your office,
sales floor, or factory and see whatÆs going on. This can send a very
powerful message to the troops that you are sincerely interested in their
work and can open up lines of communication that may never open by
themselves.
8. A picture frame. Find a picture that best illustrates your passion
outside of work, insert it into this frame, and place this picture in a very
conspicuous position in your office. This is a reminder that there is life
outside of this office. It may be a picture of your family, or the 18th hole
at your favorite golf course, or your Harley.
9. Personal note cards. When was the last time you send a personal thank you
note to a customer? An employee? A supplier? We have become much too
comfortable with electronic messaging and have forgotten the power of a
personal touch. I know some CEOs that make a habit of sending at least one
personal note a week to a key business stakeholder.
10. I have saved the best gift idea for last. ItÆs a gift certificate to
yourself in fact. You fill in the amount and the store of choice. Why? You
have worked very hard this year under very difficult economic conditions.
While recognizing all of your employeeÆs efforts this year, you may have
overlooked the highest performer of allàyourself. Hence, treat yourself to
something nice. YouÆve earned it. FYIànext year will be no easier.
Happy Holidays.
Tim Fulton is a nationally recognized small business consultant and
management trainer. He is also a very popular public speaker. Tim can be
reached at timfulton@....
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Tags: small business owners, business decision, year end, best interest, reminder, hard time, followers, holiday season, sports car, wish list, jim collins, bus driver
