On my way into work this morning I heard the news that Dith Pran had died from pancreatic cancer yesterday. And although I know this makes his life part of very recent or modern history I decided that I had to blog in some fashion about his remarkable story.
I remember hearing about the mass graves, the extermination camps, the Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot and the killing fields as a kid and being shocked that things like this could go on for so long - but they did. Dith Pran helped many foreign journalists escape and then endured years of torture and starvation. Everyone thought he was dead but somehow he escaped and was able to inform the world of the many horrors that were going on in his native Cambodia. Rather than try and apply some lesson I would simply encourage you to google "dith pran" and after reading some details of his trials look at any obstacle you or your business might face and make a comparison!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Learn from these Steppes
A few weeks ago a friend of mine and fellow blogger commented on the "benefits of a recession". http://www.salesdevelopmentspecialists.com/ .This week I came across a similar lesson as I heard and author discussing his latest book on the Mongols and their notorious leader - Ghengis Khan.
Interestingly there was a "recession" then too - years of drought had resulted in poor crops and the Steppes were no longer providing adequate supplies for these nomads and their livestock. Ghengis Khan was able to capitalize this concern amongst the people and accomplish a number of things.
First, he united all of these tribes into one force under him. Then, he mobilized this force and they left the steppes in search of greener pastures. Finally, he realized that his "new direction" would upset some and therefore he prepared a significant part of this group to become one of the strongest armies that civilization has ever seen. Out of difficult times - came strength and innovation.
As a leader in business perhaps you are concerned about the possible effects of a recession. My advice - follow the same steps as Mr. Khan. 1. Unite the thinking of your organization and sales force to not only survive but to succeed. 2. Move your business if necessary to "greener pastures" - new markets, unexplored applications and better ways of selling. 3. Expect resistance as you move into your "new" competitions back yard - make sure your sales force is ready and prepared to spearhead this work.
You may not be planning on conquering the world - but you should be planning. Many think they are planning by cutting costs, letting people go and eliminating some projects that they think they can put off. This would be like Ghengis Khan staying on the steppes and trying to survive by rationing supplies and changing their diet - yeh they might have survived but everyone from that point on would have said - Ghengis Who?
Interestingly there was a "recession" then too - years of drought had resulted in poor crops and the Steppes were no longer providing adequate supplies for these nomads and their livestock. Ghengis Khan was able to capitalize this concern amongst the people and accomplish a number of things.
First, he united all of these tribes into one force under him. Then, he mobilized this force and they left the steppes in search of greener pastures. Finally, he realized that his "new direction" would upset some and therefore he prepared a significant part of this group to become one of the strongest armies that civilization has ever seen. Out of difficult times - came strength and innovation.
As a leader in business perhaps you are concerned about the possible effects of a recession. My advice - follow the same steps as Mr. Khan. 1. Unite the thinking of your organization and sales force to not only survive but to succeed. 2. Move your business if necessary to "greener pastures" - new markets, unexplored applications and better ways of selling. 3. Expect resistance as you move into your "new" competitions back yard - make sure your sales force is ready and prepared to spearhead this work.
You may not be planning on conquering the world - but you should be planning. Many think they are planning by cutting costs, letting people go and eliminating some projects that they think they can put off. This would be like Ghengis Khan staying on the steppes and trying to survive by rationing supplies and changing their diet - yeh they might have survived but everyone from that point on would have said - Ghengis Who?
Friday, March 14, 2008
Happy Columbus Day!
last night I had an opportunity to hear Cameron Herold (www.backpocketcoo.com) speak to a group of business people -owners, entrepreneurs and presidents and it was excellent! The focus of what he shared came down to the importance of vision, culture & people, communication and environment. Everything he covered and every point he made was spot on - I loved it!
What was interesting to me, sitting at my table, being somewhat familiar with the group was what I could sense all around me - resistance so thick you could cut it with a knife. Here was an expert offering advice to entrepreneurs who supposedly wanted to grow their business and they resisted - why?
Most of the time people have a tendency to listen and apply what they want to hear and agree with - "give less vacation to your people, don't worry about the company image and what the environment in your office is, yell at your help if you feel like it, don't wind down and relax on Friday afternoon, stay aloof from your employees...." would I assume have encountered far less resistance.
Leaders that have a clear or not so clear vision for their business are more likely to succeed than those who don't - bottom line! After Christopher Columbus had been laughed out of every court in Europe it was finally a fellow visionary, Queen Isabella that helped him get there.Interestingly his vision was off because he did not as we know find India but America. Point being that he executed a vision and got results. Having a vision for 3 years out was an excellent suggestion. Don't worry about the "How will I get there?". Perhaps you will get laughed at - so what! Who knows maybe you will end up somewhere other than you expected, like America.
What was interesting to me, sitting at my table, being somewhat familiar with the group was what I could sense all around me - resistance so thick you could cut it with a knife. Here was an expert offering advice to entrepreneurs who supposedly wanted to grow their business and they resisted - why?
Most of the time people have a tendency to listen and apply what they want to hear and agree with - "give less vacation to your people, don't worry about the company image and what the environment in your office is, yell at your help if you feel like it, don't wind down and relax on Friday afternoon, stay aloof from your employees...." would I assume have encountered far less resistance.
Leaders that have a clear or not so clear vision for their business are more likely to succeed than those who don't - bottom line! After Christopher Columbus had been laughed out of every court in Europe it was finally a fellow visionary, Queen Isabella that helped him get there.Interestingly his vision was off because he did not as we know find India but America. Point being that he executed a vision and got results. Having a vision for 3 years out was an excellent suggestion. Don't worry about the "How will I get there?". Perhaps you will get laughed at - so what! Who knows maybe you will end up somewhere other than you expected, like America.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Practice makes pathetic
I had a chance to hear Pat Sullivan, CEO of Sovereign Bank New England speak last week regarding the state of the Economy. The most interesting portion to me pertained to the results of a survey of over 7000 business customers. They were asked to prioritize the most important concerns to their business - ONE. 60+% growing my business TWO. 20+% retaining and finding the right people THREE. 10+% making sure my people are adequately trained to compete.
That said I couldn't help wondering - do most of these business owners and leaders spend 60% of their time and revenue on point one or do their concerns not match their reality?
During the Civil war General McLellan drilled his troops relentlessly, practicing formations, marches and maneuvers. He was inspired by watching thousands of troops marching to and fro at his command - no doubt a beautiful sight! One problem,most of the battles that these men would fight were not going to be on an open and level field. Most of the time the General would have to give orders without knowing where his men were, hidden by trees and smoke. All of that practice only instilled frustration where these best of plans were foiled.
As a business leader think about that 60% and examine whether or not you are practicing a plan that will make perfect and not pathetic!
That said I couldn't help wondering - do most of these business owners and leaders spend 60% of their time and revenue on point one or do their concerns not match their reality?
During the Civil war General McLellan drilled his troops relentlessly, practicing formations, marches and maneuvers. He was inspired by watching thousands of troops marching to and fro at his command - no doubt a beautiful sight! One problem,most of the battles that these men would fight were not going to be on an open and level field. Most of the time the General would have to give orders without knowing where his men were, hidden by trees and smoke. All of that practice only instilled frustration where these best of plans were foiled.
As a business leader think about that 60% and examine whether or not you are practicing a plan that will make perfect and not pathetic!
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