We are already in the 7th Stage of this year’s Tour de Profit! Week 7 in a 52-week test of strength, endurance, commitment, and determination. Everyone must be pulling in the same direction. You must be providing the kind of inspirational leadership that causes people to go the extra mile – not because they have to, but because they want to! How would you rate yourself going into Stage 7?
Stage 7 is your first time trial of the tour. This week’s task is relatively simple but often overlooked by many business owners. Your challenge is to get down on paper the 6-8 very specific things that you consider to be non-negotiable in your business.
Here’s Your Profit Tip of the Day
Keith Cunningham, author of “Keys to the Vault” once said: “The power in any organization comes from only two places – the people you hire and train and the culture you create in your business”. The people you hire, the training you give them and the expectations you set for behaviors and performance are what set every business apart from another – no matter what the industry.
I would go a step further to say that the culture you create is the number 1 most important factor in defining the kind of business you will have. So, with that being the case, what is the culture in your business? Would I be able to see it, feel it, sense it if I were to meet you or one of your team members? Would it jump out at me if I walked into your place of business? Is it real or are you just “wishing” it was a particular way?
Here are a couple of questions for you:
● What will you simply not tolerate from any of your team members?
● How do you expect your customers to be treated?
● What impression do you want to give everyone who comes in contact with your company?
● What really sets you off and pushes you over the edge (in a bad way)?
● What will make you walk a team member out the door (fire them) without a second thought?
I know some of these questions are stated in the negative, but if you can capture the passion and energy that often comes from frustration, then you can later re-word your statement to be in the positive.
My challenge to you
List the first 6-8 things that come into your mind. Write as you think and feel them. Once you have them down, then refine them this week into a nice, tight, descriptive set of values for your business. You can call them your Culture Statements. I prefer to call them your Non-Negotiables.
Don’t set this one aside until you are finished and feel good about your results. If you speak directly and clearly, they will recognize the words as being yours, and your people will thank you for giving them the clarity of purpose that they have been looking for.
Ready, GO! 10 minutes! Work hard. Winning this stage will re-energize your business!
To get more tips on how to improve your leadership skills, your team engagement and your business results, go to my website, www.tourdeprofit.com and you’ll find lots of free stuff there.
And when you’re ready, join my FREE, private Facebook Group called The Peloton. It’s where business owners like you are learning, sharing and working together to get better every day! Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jointhepeloton/
Come on – join us! And remember, whatever you do, RIDE HARD!
