Some of our clients and friends kept their eye on how to grow their business–despite the hard times during the past few years.They could have taken many of the same actions before the recession to improve their results. It took facing difficult problems to zero in and take a clear look at their business. Here are some of the actions they took:

1) They replaced employees who were not contributing to company results with more productive people.
2) They made sure that every position had a finely tuned job description.
3) They placed the highest priority on looking for new customers for their products or services.
4) They searched for new industries that would use their products or services as another key priority.

Now that an economic recovery has begun, they are thriving. These companies maintained or grew their sales and profit. No matter where your business stands right now, you can take a clear look at how these types of changes can get your business thriving!

We find that many businesses today still hold Annual Reviews for employees. There are many reasons why it is an ineffective practice. Attached is a link to an article we wrote for The San Diego Business News. Since it was published, we received so much positive feedback that we wanted to share it with all of you. Please let us know any thoughts or questions you might have. Changing this business practice alone could result in positive changes in your business.

Dump The Annual Review

We are so proud of our son-in-law, Adam Winkler,  for his accomplishment of writing and publishing his first book called Gunfight: The Battle Over the Right to Bear Arms in America.
 
It has already earned a  favorable review from Jonathan Karl, an ABC News Senior Political Correspondent. Here’s a link to the review “Courtroom Showdown” in The Wall Street Journal: 
 
GUNFIGHT

We are back from vacation. Hope you are taking some time to relax this summer, too!
We also wanted to let you know we are moving. More to come later about our new location.
 
Since so many people asked for and received copies of “Sixteen Steps for Organizational Greatness,” we are discontinuing sending out the individual steps. Let us know if you want a copy of the Sixteen Steps.
 
For this week’s focus point, we are sending out the following note about “The State of The Nation” which is from our mentor and friend Alan Weiss. We think it is so important. 

As this appears, the U.S. just missed defaulting on its debts and a downgrading of its credit. How do affairs arrive at such dire junctures? It may just be because we have politicians, but not statesmen; celebrities, but not exemplars; athletes, but not sportsmen and women; lawyers, but not jurists; pop idols, but not talent; executives, but not leaders. Compromise, collaboration, and consensus require (ironically) strength and empathy, not weakness and antipathy; the selfless, not the selfish. We need to be willing and able to stand out in a crowd and say, This way!’ without demanding it be only our way.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   – Alan Weiss

Organizational Greatness: Step # 4 of 16
 
By William Creech, Gen. Ret. USAF, 1927-2003

Step #4: ORGANIZATION IS THE CENTRAL PILLAR /

                   IT INFLUENCES EVERYTHING ELSE:

• Create widespread ownership.
• Decentralize the authority throughout.
• Combine authority with accountability.
• Make that unambiguous to all.
• Eliminate unnecessary layers.
• Tear down all of the functional walls.
• Recast the rules.
• Streamline the paper work.
• Shorten the cycle times.
• Maintain coherence and control with incentive, not authoritarianism.

How are your organizational structures influencing your outcomes? Examine each part of your organization individually and how it relates to the organization overall. What is working? What needs to be changed? Regularly reviewing how your organization is structured and operates helps increase its greatness.

Leaders are challenged every day. Some of the challenges come from internal factors within their organization. Other challenges come from external sources and affect the work environment. It IS difficult to manage your own internal state. When pressure mounts, consciously take a deep breath and create the opportunity to CHOOSE rather than REACT.

The choice is yours.