Conor Kenny & Associates

Strategy is flung around like a big damp cleaning cloth.
It covers everything but how we are not too sure.

In conversation with my Dad (who knows a thing or two about strategy) I found myself thinking ‘planning’.
It followed a remarkable conversation with Paul Halpin, a college day pal and a huge success.

You see, planning is all very well – good, if not great.
Planning often starts with strategy and that follows vision.

I felt the chill wind of an unplugged gap.
Something was missing.
One word described it.
Analysis.

Before you dream (vision).
Before you plan (strategy).
Look at the facts (data).
Understand the history (analysis).
Then act (mission).

I guess I’m not the first to discover this.
Who said – “Look before you leap?”

When we wake up it is not just another day.
It is also one day less on our beautiful planet.

None of us are promised tomorrow
We must use our time wisely.

Inspired by a simple chat with a close friend, think on this;

“The only point in starting a new day is to make sure we make a difference.”

How well we would use our days if we follow his wisdom.

It’s easy to say “Watch out, they are a competitor”.
It’s smart to think “Let’s say Hello”.

Competitors are not just competitors, they are educators.
They have a view, a perspective and wisdom that’s worth hearing.

Next time you feel tempt to walk away, say hello.

It’s how great love stories begin.

It’s easy to leave loose ends dangling.
But loose ends can get tangled.

Not so easy to untangle tangled threads.

Next time, don’t leave loose ends linger.
They might just tie you up in knots.

New ideas are great.
Because they are new we don’t know if they will work.
That denies the right to say “bad idea”.

All ideas are good.
Which you pick will determine success.
There is no such thing as a bad idea (assuming a rational mind of course).

Because we don’t know we have to be objective.
The wrong answer is not to try.
The right answer is to try but with a golden rule attached.

That rule is – speed.

Create a culture of really rapid trial and error.

Innovate quick,
Try quick,
Test quick,
Implement quick
Or,
Ditch quick.

That way, you will make progress – with high speed

Sales people often complain about – you guessed it – price.
It’s an easy excuse and gets you nowhere.

How about reversing your thinking?
How about analyzing a successful sale?

Ask yourself and your team these simple questions;

Why did we win that business?
What did we do that made us different?
Where did we add value versus our competition?

Revealing answers that will build your confidence.
And change your outlook.

We can get bored quite easily.
The new becomes the norm.
The norm becomes tired.
Tired is before you die.

When you describe your business do you (if you are a hotel) say things like;
“great people, great service and great atmosphere”

Well, do you?

Guess what, in our world, we hear that every single day.
You do too.
Thing is, you didn’t hear it, you zoned out.

Any wonder that old messages don’t excite us?

Isn’t it time you refreshed your message?
Better still, identify who you are trying to talk to first.
Then, tell them what’s new.
Not what’s old

Lots of marketing people talk jargon.
Jargon is dangerous.
In a world of manufactured language make sure you say things simply.

Brand values is one such term.
We have all heard it but how many really know what it means?

Here’s a useful hint.
Look at your brand values as personality traits. Then list them.

If you begin to use operational words you are off course.

If it sounds like you are describing a person. You are on track.

That’s how you bring a brand to life.
The brand, put simply, is the personality of your business.

Forget full power.
Forget a full power performance all the time.

A big airplane conserves full power.
It’s clever though.
It knows that full power is critical at critical moments.

If you were on full power all the time you would blow up before long.
Full power has to be used carefully in critical moments.

Next time you fly, you will see why.

The Boss realized that he was becoming an autocrat.
The old way wouldn’t work.
He needed to change.
Fear will get a response, it certainly won’t motivate.

The 3 went into the Boardroom.
One was called “I agree”.
Two was called “Whatever you think”.
Three “In my opinion”.

The meeting began and was wonderfully democratic.
Big Boss wanted their opinion on a new plan.
Big Boss loved their input (as long as they agreed).
Big Boss was getting bored.

“What do you think?” he asked No.1
“Oh, I agree” he replied.

“What do you think?” he asked No.2
“Whatever you think” he replied.

“What do you think?” he asked No.3
“In my opinion…..” he replied.

Or, at least he started to.

Big Boss blew a fuse.

“If I want your ‘opinion’ I’ll ask for it”

As the old saying goes;

“If two of you agree all the time, one of you isn’t necessary.”

Encourage, always encourage a challenging view.
It may just be the key to a better future