You shouldn’t.
They validate you.
They create a choice.
A choice creates a market.
A market allows for sales.
Sales lead to profit.

Competition allows you shine.
It allows you strategize, innovate and excel.

Next time your people say “I hate competition”.
Look deeper.

Don’t you just love it when capping a figure seems inspired?

“Your maximum salary can be X.”

“Your target is Y.”

“You must achieve Z.”

Somehow, those figures are not infinity, they are ceilings.

Why not use the word ‘minimum’ instead?

The results will tell you a lot about who you hired.
(and their initiative too)

The only way to create something new is to do it differently.
That’s how great brands are born.

If your answer to a customer begins with …. “We have never done that before.”
You have created opportunity and threat.

How you answer will seal your fate.

They are interested because it’s new and that’s why they want you.
If your answer shows fear, fright and someone who is unsure, you will create doubt.

To lead, to pioneer, to trail blaze you must say yes and you must push yourself, your colleagues and your ingenuity.
That’s what successful companies, leaders, problem solvers and pioneers do …. Every day.

Next time remember these words …. “Of course we can.”
Assuming you want to lead and stand out from the crowd.

Investing in people is about the most worthy thing you can ever do.
You are a teacher, you lead youngsters and you have a duty.
How you react will define your legacy.
It’s your choice, your call.

Be warned, investing is not about money, it’s about time, patience, attitude and values.
Money solves much less than you think.

But if money is your only investment prepare for a rebellion.
It needs more. It needs sacrifice and compromise or it will quickly backfire.

If you invest in your training ask yourself these questions and then imagine you were the young rising star.
Is it on company time or my time?
Is it done to develop me or because they feel they ought to?
Is it to benefit me or simply profit the owner?
Is it regarded as a necessary evil or a great exciting outing?
Is it all about money or just about learning?

Don’t worry, the young ones can already answer for you.
Their response to your initiative ought to tell you something.
Something really worth thinking about.

Do you encourage failure or constantly demand success?

Success lies on the far side of failure.

Failure comes from trying new things.

Make sure you encourage failure and a spirit of “Let’s do it”.

Watch your people grow.
Watch your team grow.
Watch the ideas flow.
Watch the profits flow.

The World Cup is throwing up lots of management styles.
The players respond accordingly.

One, Maradona, is being relaxed, free flowing and fun.
Now look at how his players are playing.
The second, our near neighbour, is being a little autocratic.
Now look at how his players are playing.

Why don’t you take an armchair look at yourself and analyse your style.
Better still, see how your players are playing.

That might just tell you.

I like the word ‘dream’.
In business, I prefer the word ‘goal’.

The first keeps it out of reach.
The second makes it a destination.

I worry about the phrase “this might work”.
I love the confidence, energy and drive of “this has to work”.

You choose but it’s not really a choice.
Is it?

Spring this year was delayed due to bad weather.
Business has been delayed due to a recession.
That means ‘starting again’.
Or does it?
If not, should you?

Every business needs a boost, intervention or refreshing.
Ours does, yours too.
The old road has run out.

Before you refresh, reinvent or refine, ask yourself these 10 questions;

(1) Who are you trying to satisfy?
(2) Are you trying to make money or make a difference?
(3) What will your impact be?
(4) Do you want a journey or a finish point?
(5) Will you go out to the market or hope they will come to you?
(6) Will you wait for things to change or change them?
(7) Will you lead or follow?
(8) Will you deliver or add value?
(9) Will you be more of the same or different?
(10) Will you put all the precious recession lessons into practice or into denial?

The choice is yours.

The people on the cruiser looked at the people in the speedboat.

“My! What fun that must be. Wish I was there.”

The people on the speedboat looked at the cruiser.

“My! What fun that must be. Wish I was there.”

Of course it depends on how you see things but they are 2 different propositions fitting 2 different opportunities.

The speedboat is fast, nimble, agile and sometimes uncomfortable.
The cruiser, slow, sedate, safe and very comfortable.
They are opposites.
They are different.
They offer difference to different markets.

Now translate this to business.

Perhaps one is a big brand?
The other an independent business?

Both need to focus on what they are, who they are for.
….. and their unique ability.

Marketing has a lot to answer for. Marketing is all about messages but sometimes the message can result in us being led rather than following naturally. Good marketing has values and ethics. Bad marketing dupes, deludes and denies and hides the truth. The first will keep a customer for life. The second will fool me but once.

Greeting card companies created new occasions to fuel their own business. They created days that didn’t exist. On the one hand – clever. On the other, or if you like – the bigger picture – they contribute to the destruction of values and deny the origins of tradition.

In some cases, marketing has diluted the most precious of rituals. This little story has nothing to do with belief and everything to do with the above. It makes a point, no more.

When I was a child there were a few sacred (very) cows. There was Christmas, your parents birthdays and those very important days (if you were an Irish Catholic) called your First Holy Communion and your Confirmation.

There was a huge build up and a solemn preparation. You were about to be introduced to God. The day was special in every way and you were the star attraction. You felt like a Saint and certainly that you were special. That was enough and reward enough. A great memory.

Fast forward to 2009 and a story from a hotelier who knows all about what is really important. His beautiful hotel (do book your luxurious weekend there (www.ballygarryhouse.com) has been delivering celebration for generations, communions among them. This summer and another generation were making their First Holy Communion. It took him back to the innocence and honesty of his own special day, the memories flowed. He watched the excited ‘mini Saints’ celebrate without a care in the world. He engaged them, chatted with them and celebrated with them. One perky young chap was having a ball. The owner asked him how he was enjoying his very special day.

The reply was like a thunderbolt; “Great, I have made €900 so far …..”

Lost souls indeed.