Let's Be Intentional

“We wanted Nike to be the world’s best sports and fitness company. Once you say that, you have a focus. You don’t end up making wing tips or sponsoring the next Rolling Stones world tour.” – Philip Knight, Founder, Nike

We are halfway through January, and it’s time to get serious about your intentions for your business. Have you thought about what you want to accomplish this year? Where do you want your business to go? What do you need your business to do in order for you to have what you want? If you haven’t put pen to paper and figured out your business road map, your intentions, the time to take action is now.

So what is an intention anyway? How is it different from a goal? An intention is a tool that you use to drive the actions you take in your business. It’s a constant presence in your daily operations. Goals are lines in the distant future sand. You either cross over them or you don’t, and often you measure your success or failure based on that one moment.

An intention is more of a living thing. It is the concept through which you drive all your actions. An intention causes you to look at everything about your business that will have to stretch, adapt and produce in order to accomplish it. And an intention encourages you to celebrate all the breakthroughs along the way.

So where do intentions come from?

1. Intentions are future-based. This means they come from an idea about future performance, about where the company would have to be in order to give you what you want. Intentions are not based on past performance, or past mistakes. We create intentions based on what we want the situation to be.

2. Intentions are born from possibilities. No matter what the circumstances are, there is always a possibility for your business. Possibilities transcend circumstances, and are the spark that can ignite necessary change. Intentions come from the ability to identify possibilities for your business.

3. Intentions should deliver what you want. If you want your revenues to be $5mm and for you to be able to take off two months a year, an intention that will only lead to $1mm in revenue is not the right intention. Your intentions must be directly tied to what you want.

4. Intentions are the tools that dictate your actions. Once you are clear on your intentions, every action you take in your business should be an action that will play a role in delivering on that intention. You must remain accountable to that intention. The intention becomes your partner in making the daily decisions that move your business forward.

5. Intentions create access to breakthroughs. Intentions force you to consider new ways of doing things, to imagine what’s possible, to focus on what you need to deliver. When business people are operating in that state of looking at what’s possible, of getting above the problems, breakthroughs occur. You can see that change produces results, and the more often you produce results, the more committed you become to your intention.

What are your intentions for your business? Do you have any? Are they your partners in your daily actions? Will they give you what you want? If you would like some help developing intentions for your business, give us a call. We are masters at finding possibilities where they don’t seem to exist. We’ll help you sharpen the tools that will create change in your business in 2011 and set you on a path to win the game.

Are you ready to win?

Doing the Right Things Right

“The best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered, and in order that the sick may have the benefit of advancing knowledge, union of forces is necessary.” – Dr. William J. Mayo

This past week I had the opportunity to visit the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. If ever there was an organization that depended on and excelled at systems and structures, it is the Mayo Clinic. While their primary objective is delivering world class medical care, they realize that the only way to provide that care is to be efficient, well-organized, and completely committed to customer service.

Most of the patients at Mayo Clinic come there from out of town, so it is important that they accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. When a patient arrives at Mayo Clinic they receive a preliminary itinerary of appointments that all occur within the space of a few days. After an initial consultation with a physician, that itinerary may be completely changed in a matter of minutes. The patient will receive a new itinerary and may have up to four or five appointments with the appropriate specialists – that day. There is no waiting for weeks to get an appointment, no long and frustrating phone calls trying to reach someone who can answer questions.

The entire operation is focused on customer service. Patient records are communicated immediately to all the departments the patient will visit. Itineraries carry bar codes so that each department can quickly scan for patient information. The patient fills out forms one time at the beginning of the visit. There is very little waiting, and patients can often be seen early if they are running ahead of schedule.

Additionally, volunteers are in abundance, easily identifiable and very willing to help with directions and information. Never at Mayo Clinic is a patient met with an uninterested shrug of the shoulders or the words “I don’t know, that’s not my job.” At Mayo Clinic, it is clear that patient satisfaction is everyone’s job, and everyone is committed to that objective.

Does your business run like the Mayo Clinic? Are all of your employees putting the company’s best foot forward, committed to customer service even if it’s “not their job?” Can you envision what would be possible for your company if you developed the systems and structures that would enable you to deliver a quality customer experience, every time? Would this kind of efficiency and commitment take your company to the next level?

At Possibilities Unlimited, we support companies in developing ways to work smarter instead of harder. When breakdowns occur in company operations, it’s likely because there is not a clear strategy, or a system for accomplishing important tasks. As companies grow and change, it is imperative to develop clearly documented systems and structures to insure that the business operates at the highest level of efficiency. A smooth running machine has multiple benefits ranging from lower costs to improved employee morale, and, most importantly, customer satisfaction.

If you are ready to make some changes to the way your company operates, and would like some help crafting the procedures that will deliver on your company’s vision, we’re happy to help. The coaches at Possibilities Unlimited can give you winning formulas that will transform your company from average to world class, and set you apart from the competition.

Are you ready to win?

Old Dog, New Tricks

“Your success in life isn’t based on your ability to simply change. It is based on your ability to change faster than your competition, customers and business.” – Mark Sanborn, Leadership Expert

Last year my twelve-year-old Maltese, Casper, taught himself how to knock over our kitchen trash can, thus availing himself of some leftover goodies and miscellaneous food wrappers. Why it took him twelve years to crack the code on this particular achievement, I don’t know. But it goes to show you that even the oldest dog can learn new tricks.

The same holds true for entrepreneurs and business owners. Often, we talk to people about how we can help them grow their businesses through coaching and intentional action. Every now and then we meet someone who is decidedly an “Old Dog”, someone who isn’t open to anyone offering insight on how to navigate the ever-changing markets of the new millennium. They figure a coach can’t possibly understand how they do business, and they figure they know what’s best for their business because they have been doing it for years and years.

I’d like to challenge that way of thinking on two fronts. First, we find that the most successful business owners are the ones who are open to “new tricks.” These are the guys and gals who understand that the only constant is change. They know that if they are not willing to stay current on technology, marketing and networking, their competition will be. If you are in business for yourself, you always need to be on the hunt for training and ideas that will compliment your business and keep it moving forward.

Second, a good coach is not going to tell you how to do what you do best. We don’t tell dentists how to fix cavities, we don’t tell contractors how to build homes and we don’t tell restaurateurs what to put on the menu. A good coach speaks the language of business, and trains the business owner on the actions needed to fulfill his or her dreams for the enterprise.

Training and education are crucial ingredients for the successful entrepreneur. At Possibilities Unlimited, we offer a variety of ways to stay on top of trends as well as hold yourself accountable to your intentions for your business. Are you ready to learn some new tricks? We’re happy to help. Just contact us through our website for a free introductory consultation. You’re never too old to learn something new and build a winning formula for your business.

Are you ready to win?