It's what you do that counts

I recently attended a clients one day conference for their business owners and presenting at the end of the day was Neil Richardson whom some of you may have heard of. Neil made a statement that resonated with the group - "in the good times you do well because it is the good times, but in the bad times you do well because of what you do". What is you do? I say again what is it you actually do. If there was ever a great time to consider this, it is now in the so called recessionary period. What is your focus and is it the right thing to focus on

Some of you may have read Good to Great by Jim Collins. In it he talks about the hedgehog concept which is based on a fable about the hedgehog and the fox. The fox is a canny character who is all over the place looking for his next meal. Trying to get himself in hen houses, down rabbit holes, into birds nests and wherever he can find some food - all the while trying not to become prey himself. The hedgehog however hangs around the hedge feeding up large on the plentiful supply of bugs and grubs and whenever something tries to do him harm he just rolls up in a ball and waits it out, then goes back to looking for grubs.

In essence the hedgehog has focus. Jim Collins offers the following three questions to help you get your focus;
1. What are you deeply passionate about - e.g. am I deeply passionate about coaching? - no! But I am passionate about the results of coaching and about the differences that I can make.

2. What can you potentially be the best in the world at. I believe I am a good coach but I know I can potentially be the best in the world at coaching individuals and small teams for 12 months or more. I know this because this is where I get my best results and it is these people that refer business to me regularly.

3. What is your economic driver - mine is simple 'cash flow per customer' which means repeat business or a cheque every month.

The challenge I offer you is to ask these same three questions of yourself and your business or company. By doing this it will create focus for you. If you need help call me and I can assist you. If you really want to understand more about the Hedgehog then I can recommend the book Good to Great by Jim Collins.

Have a great Christmas and a good rest because you know you will need to be focused next year.