Management

As you may have seen from our whitepaper and online social activities, Inner Circle recently completed a Member survey based upon the methodology in Fred Reichheld's book, "The Ultimate Question: Driving Good Profits and True Growth."  The ultimate question to ask your clients is this: "How likely are you to recommend us to a friend?"  At the end of the day, this is the only answer that truly matters.

How is your life and business being impacted by the decisions you're NOT making?

Imagine a table in front of you.  On it are all the decisions you know you should make.  Some are large, some are small.  Some could have a profound impact on your business or your life if you would act on them, others are relatively insignificant.  Some are fresh surfaced, and some have been waiting for your final call for a very long time.  This exercise will help you sort these decisions out and put you in a better position to jump off the fence.

I know they say you should never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. I hope it’s OK to blog.

I’ve been daydreaming about a favorite ice cream shop where they offer every customer a Ziggy. You order your cone exactly as you want it, but they go one step further in serving it to you. Using a melon-baller-size scoop, they add just a little bit more, the Ziggy. You can have one extra bite of your favorite, vanilla on top of vanilla for those who like to keep it simple, or you can satisfy your taste for that runner-up flavor that didn’t get picked this time as the main attraction —Mint Chocolate Chip on top of Elephant Tracks (peanut butter cups in chocolate ice cream), for example. Hypothetically, of course.

"Stretch goals change behavior."

This was a quote shared with me by an Inner Circle franchise owner, in reference to a Member who set a near impossible Action Item to achieve before his next month's Circle meeting.  When asked why he set such an agressive goal, he stated "stretch goals change behavior."

Courtesy of Michael Synk, Owner, Inner Circle Mid-South......

A major insight from Inner Circle#45 this past week, is that if you want to succeed at something (rolling out a new product line, adding a new sales person, setting up metrics to measure success, it really doesn't matter what) you have to put effort into allowing those involved to succeed. Adding a product line and just giving the sales force some brochures and telling to go sell, just won't cut it. Likewise with adding a new sales person. Giving him a territory and briefcase and pointing him at the door or phone will get you failure rather quickly.

A revealing question to ask an entrepreneur is, “What is one behavior in your life that regularly sabotages you as a business owner?”

The answers are varied. Some individuals can’t say “no” to any request, some have to keep their fingers in every detail even though it bogs things down, and some procrastinate on making decisions. Each sabotaging behavior is rooted in a corresponding fear: people won’t like me if I refuse them, things won’t be done correctly if I don’t control them, and I’m not smart enough to make the right choice.

During any given Inner Circle monthly meeting across the country, the facilitator may advise a Member that they need to “Hug The Monster.”  Coined by Inner Circle founder, Norm Stoehr, the phrase relates to those unpleasant tasks typically associated with removing a significant obstacle in one’s business or life.  Consciously or subconsciously, it is human nature to avoid the Monster.