Lucky people work very hard, have high integrity, show up on time, have good manners, show high rate of learning, are self-aware, optimistic, kind, and generous. I think that true spiritual warriors seek wisdom and knowledge from everything as no matter how educated, talented, or rich you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all.
““A humanist has four leading characteristics - curiosity, a free mind, belief in good taste, and belief in the human race.”
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Happiness is a skill that can be developed by aligning your inner values with your external actions, finding contentment in your life and decisions, and focusing on what you can control. Understanding and living in alignment with your values is key to living a happier and more fulfilled life. I think that by treating yourself with kindness and respect is essential for our health and happiness. The best people that I know are not chasing compliments or validation. Learn to fight for your happiness and do it with dignity, optimism, and grace.
““Sir, I am a true laborer; I earn that I eat, get that I wear; owe no man hate, envy no man’s happiness; glad of other men’s good, content with my harm; and the greatest of my pride is to see my ewes graze and my lambs suck.””
I’m not impressed by:
1. Money
2. Job titles
3. Appearances
4. Experience
5. Affiliations
6. Imitations
7. Big words
The things that impress me are:
1. Kindness
2. Trustworthiness
3. Unselfish generosity
4. Humility
5. Great manners
6. Self-awareness and courage
7. Integrity and benevolence
There are only four ways to increase profit:
Increase volume
Increase price
Reduce cost
Change product mix
It's important to note that these strategies are not mutually exclusive, and often, businesses use a combination of these approaches to achieve sustainable profit growth. Also, other strategies and factors can influence profitability, such as marketing, branding, customer service, and innovation. Even though I think that understanding the changing market dynamics is typically the most effective way to increase profit over the long term. The effectiveness of these strategies can vary depending on the industry, market conditions, and the specific circumstances of a business. Contact me via e-mail to arrange a meeting about a more well-rounded approach that considers all aspects of your business.
Design thinking is a problem-solving methodology that is centred around five key stages: empathise, define, ideate, prototype, and test. These stages serve as the cornerstones of the approach, guiding individuals, and teams through a structured process for innovation and problem-solving. I think design thinking is a versatile methodology that can be applied to a wide range of challenges and industries. It's not limited to traditional design fields but is applicable in business, healthcare, education, and countless other areas. By emphasising user needs, defining clear problem statements, fostering creative ideation, building prototypes, and continually testing and improving solutions, design thinking offers a holistic and iterative approach to problem-solving that can lead to innovative and user-centred outcomes in virtually any context.
Dual process thinking is a psychological concept that describes two distinct modes of cognitive processing, in other words, how humans process information and make decisions. Daniel Kahneman wrote in his best selling book, “Thinking, Fast and Slow” about System 1 and System 2 thinking.
System 1:
This is often referred to as the "fast" or "automatic" thinking system. It involves quick, intuitive, and often emotional responses. System 1 thinking doesn't require conscious effort and is responsible for making rapid judgments and decisions based on instinct and previous experiences.
System 2:
This is the "slow" or "deliberative" thinking system. It involves analytical, rational, and logical thinking. System 2 thinking requires conscious effort and is used for more complex decision-making, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Being both empathetic and strategic in your approach to communication is akin to playing a game of chess where you're thinking several moves ahead. It involves considering not only where you want to ultimately arrive in the conversation but also what specific outcomes you aim to achieve. I think the person asking the questions is the person in charge of the conversation, as by guiding the dialogue through thoughtful inquiries, you can influence the direction of the discussion and ensure it aligns with your objectives. Just as a chess player anticipates their opponent's moves, a skilled communicator anticipates the responses and reactions of the person they're engaging with. In addition to asking the right questions, it's crucial to recognise that clients often convey their thoughts and feelings through storytelling, and as a result, effective listening becomes a critical skill. This entails not only hearing the words being spoken but also paying close attention to emotional cues and non-verbal communication, for example, observing body language cues, such as leaning forward in interest or using expressive hand gestures, can provide valuable insights into the client's engagement level and emotions.
I think you should always enter client meetings with a clear understanding of your desired outcomes. Advance preparation, including the formulation of your preferred questions, is essential. What questions do you find most effective? Customise them to align with your personal questioning style, and ensure they remain open-ended. It's crucial to avoid the common practice of extracting information solely to manipulate the client. Instead, aim to have the client do the majority of the talking, encouraging them to share anecdotes and stories. This approach maximises their willingness to unveil their underlying challenges.
Rather than asking yourself what kind of outcome I want to achieve, ask yourself: “Who is the type of person that can do…?”
Start with a small habit, provide evidence of being that kind of person and then eventually you’ll have something to proof this new belief in. Fake it like you’ve made it means to believe in something that you don’t have evidence for, and the word we tend to use for this behaviour is delusion. Rather than letting the belief lead the way, let the behaviour lead the way. Don’t just fake it until you make it, just do the work to make it.
Over the weekend, I explained to my son the difference between a company with a logo and a brand. The example I used showed the difference between a “no-name” hotel and a brand. All hotels have logos and offer accommodation, not all of them have established themselves as distinct brands with a unique identity and reputation. If a “no-name” hotel with a logo came up with a new line of sports shoes, you wouldn’t have any idea of what they would look like. In contrast, a brand like NIKE who has built a strong identity and trust among its customers. If NIKE were to enter a new market like hotels, consumers would have certain expectations about the experience based on their existing perception of the brand.
I think the key message is that brands should focus on creating a strong and authentic identity that resonates with customers over the long term. This identity should extend beyond just a logo or a product line; it should encompass the values, experiences, and trustworthiness associated with the brand. Building this kind of brand equity can lead to greater customer loyalty and a more enduring presence in the market.
Building trust is essential for any brand's success, customers need to have confidence in the brand's products, services, and overall reputation. Trust takes time to establish and is often built through consistent, positive interactions and experiences with the brand. I think to build long-term trust, brands will need to shift their perspective and approach. For example, this could involve moving away from short-term, profit-driven strategies and instead focusing on strategies that prioritise customer satisfaction and loyalty. As authenticity is crucial in today's marketplace and consumers are more inclined to support brands that are genuine and transparent in their actions and messaging. Brands that try to be something they are not or engage in deceptive practices are likely to face backlash from customers.
““Introducing a small character flaw makes you more likable, because people can’t relate to you when you’re just all shiny and perfect.””
Life is all about the struggle and challenge to develop ourselves and our skills to see what we can create of value in the marketplace. There is also a social part, a spiritual part as well as the physical part. Personal development is not an easy matter, new habits don’t come easy, but they can be developed. We all have heard the old saying that “Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.” Therefore, you have to read the books, learn the skills, put yourself through the paces, do the mental press ups and get yourself ready.
Inspiration must lead to discipline as it’s one thing to be motivated, and another thing to be motivated sufficiently to take the classes, do the reading, do the repetition, go through it over and over until it becomes part of you and those are challenges. They are not easy, but they are challenges that if you win, develop and grow that’s what will determine your place, your return (equity) and the work you get from the marketplace.
““Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.”
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Starting a business is a multifaceted journey that involves bringing a marketable skill, idea, service or product to life, creating value for your target audience, and leveraging your knowledge, abilities, efforts, and time to achieve success. Adaptation, continuous learning, and effective resource management are ongoing processes that contribute to the growth and sustainability of your business. To ensure you have a clear understanding of your business venture, you should consider the following questions:
• What exactly is it that you do?
• Who is your target audience?
• Why does your business matter?
Are you thinking about starting a business? Contact me via e-mail and book a business development strategy meeting.
Transparency plays a crucial role in sales, and one essential aspect of it involves openly sharing the deals you can provide. This entails demonstrating to your clients the various resources at your disposal, your ability to secure funding, and the potential for discounts. Such openness fosters a sense of partnership, encouraging clients to engage more readily. Additionally, gaining insight into their budget, priorities, and buying processes aligns you more closely with their requirements, thus increasing the likelihood of a fruitful collaboration. I think sales excellence is about building strong relationships with clients and being transparent about your strengths and weaknesses. And by becoming a trusted advisor to your clients, you can create long-term partnerships that benefit both parties. Remember, transparency is not just essential in sales, but in life as well.
Achieving meaningful change is often dependent on having a clear objective, believing in your ability to make that change, and embracing a committed mindset that prioritises rational planning over fleeting emotions. This approach can lead to a more sustainable and effective path to personal growth and transformation. I think that to understand the factors that influence our capacity to change, one needs to consider the following three key elements:
1. It's not solely about the external events or circumstances that occur in our lives but rather how we choose to navigate and respond to them. Developing psychological mindedness involves being attuned to our thoughts, feelings, and reactions, which can significantly impact our ability to initiate change.
2. While motivation can be a fleeting and inconsistent source of drive, commitment provides a more stable foundation for success. By detaching from emotional fluctuations and focusing on a well-thought-out plan of action, we can reduce the reliance on fleeting emotional states. Cognitive dissonance, the discomfort caused by acting against one's beliefs, can serve as a powerful motivator for change.
3. Instead of relying on raw emotion to drive our actions, we can manage our emotions through commitment. By making a conscious decision to pursue our goals and sticking to our plans, we create a sense of commitment that, in turn, generates motivation. This shift from relying on external motivation to fostering internal commitment can be a key factor in achieving lasting change.
Send me an e-mail and let me know what do you think.
The importance of transparency in sales cannot be overstated, regardless of whether you work for a small or large organisation, acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses is crucial. This acknowledgment not only demonstrates honesty but also helps in creating more meaningful connections with your clients. A potent tool for achieving this transparency is a SWOT analysis on both your own business and your competitors, as this comprehensive evaluation allows you to pinpoint gaps in the market that you are uniquely positioned to fill. When reaching out to potential clients, it's essential to maintain this transparency throughout the sales process. Start by openly discussing any previous investments they may have made in your company. This not only showcases your commitment to transparency but also reinforces their trust in your organisation. I think by highlighting the additional benefits and opportunities available to them, you not only demonstrate your dedication to their success but also enhance the perceived value of your products or services.
Sales is often associated with closing deals and achieving excellent sales results. However, true sales excellence is not just about hitting numbers, it is about becoming a student of all the variables and parameters involved in the playing field. I think this starts with building relationships and utilising resources, and the ultimate goal should be to become a trusted advisor to your clients. And if this is achieved then deals and sales results will come as a by-product of these relationships. To build strong relationships, honesty and sincerity are essential. Instead of rattling off a list of the great things about your product or service, acknowledge the limitations and show a willingness to learn about the client’s needs and priorities. By doing so, you will stand out from other salespersons, and your authenticity will help build trust with your potential clients.
The Butterfly Effect is all about how small changes in a complex system can equal results that are virtually impossible to predict. What might seem like a very small and insignificant change in one place could result in large differences somewhere else or at a later stage. Having the same metrics and the same incentives and the same bonuses across the board in a business can be detrimental. I think it’s more beneficial to segment and measure various activities differently. One of the drawbacks with uniformly applying efficiency metrics is that it discourages innovation and risk-taking. For example, if the goal is a modest 4.5% annual improvement, individuals may avoid bold initiatives because success poses challenges and failure brings its own set of problems. Therefore, I think it’s essential to establish distinct metrics and incentives for various marketing activities as there are the things where very small changes make very, very big differences.
NB. The complexity theory recognises that economic and organisational phenomena are similar to those observed in science and in nature.
Effective communication is crucial for leaders as it enables them to convey their vision, goals, and expectations clearly while also actively listening to their team. Leaders who consistently champion creativity foster innovative thinking and problem-solving among their team members, thereby nurturing trust and reliability within the group. In addition to this, a crucial leadership skill involves the adept management and resolution of conflicts within the team. I think understanding and respecting diverse cultures and perspectives is also important, especially in diverse teams or global organisations.
