I had a chance to hear Lee Froschheiser speak this week at an event. I also had an opportunity to watch "Elizabeth, the golden years" now out on DVD. Interestingly but not surprisingly I made an interesting connection between the two - here goes.
Lee spoke about about the misconceptions that "good times" in business can perpetrate. Revenue hides a multitude of sins, but when the revenue stops, the economy changes or some other event acts as a catalyst all of a sudden the ugly and neglected sides of the business appear! Sometimes these problems are now so entrenched they are beyond repair.
In the mid 16th century Spain was the thriving business. Almost unlimited quantities of gold were flowing into the coffers. But coincidentally Spain was dysfunctional: A poor leader in King Phillip, a divided country, the inquisition, poor corporate citizenry as they pillaged and raped the new world and no vision as to where the country was headed.
In contrast England, now under Elizabeth was "up and coming". She was a great leader, the country had been united under her more tolerant approach to freedom of religion, there was an interest in the new world and certainly gold; but that was not their only interest.
After the war climaxed with the English defeating the Spanish Armada - Spain was a bankrupt country and England moved on to become the number one player on the ocean.
Business leaders can learn much from these examples. Any Idiot knows to take a good look at their organization or a department when things are not going well, only the best leaders take time to do that when things seem to be perfect!
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'Coasting' is such a bad thing. We've got a lot in our pipeline so we stop prospecting for new opportunities. We've got a lot to deliver, so we stop selling. We have a good month, so we take a month off. We need to always keep stretching. How's that go? If you're standing still, you're losing ground?
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