Welcome to 2010

Happy New Year!

The title sounds like the ominous beginning to a Science Fiction novel or movie from years gone by.  They probably would have said something about the advances in technology, such as deep space flight, robotics and artificial intelligence and cellular phones.  They would also talk about society – usually in terms of its degradation: World War III, the depletion of the Ozone, the scarcity of fossil fuels or the Greenhouse effect resulting in World Wide flooding.

I suppose this gives us something to be thankful for: we have advanced, tremendously, technologically.  Our lives have many, many comforts that didn’t even exist 20 years ago.  At the same time, our society has not destroyed itself, nor does it appear to being on the brink of doing so.  Are there problems?  Yes, of course.  Are there technologies that we need to have developed in the next 10 years or so in order to avoid more doomsday prophesies?  Of course.  But we live in the present, and can be thankful for what we have.

As a business leader, in both scenarios discussed, we saw two patterns that we need to adapt into our businesses in order to avoid disruption or our own ventures:

1)  Continuous advancements.  We need to continue to find ways to fulfill our mission and reach toward the company vision.  Notice, I did not say that we need to find ways to make more money.  I promise you that done properly, money will be the byproduct of a well-run organization that has clear focus on their mission and vision.  When we talk about advancements, that doesn’t necessarily mean find a bunch of products or services to dump on your target audiences, but rather, through communication and observation, determine what their growing or changing needs are and find ways to address them that make sense for your business.

2)  Environmental awareness.  As a business leader, knowing what is going on in and around your business is fundamental to getting to and remaining at the top of your game.  This is part of what launches us from being ordinary to being extraordinary.  It requires regular business assessments, business analysis and adjustments to your business plan.  It requires understanding what your changing (dynamic) market is in need of, how to connect with them and how to get them to purchase your offerings.  In order for your actions to be most effective, it must be strategic, rather than a hodgepodge of mediocre flailings.

So, extraordinary business leader, as we progress into 2010, take some time to systematically assess your business – where it is in its lifecycle, what its needs are and what goals you have for it for the year.  Look at your market and your industry and try to determine what needs and trends are approaching and how you might meet those new needs or address new trends.  Finally, create a strategic plan.  Knowing where you are going is one thing.  Knowing how to get there is the foundation of success.

Happy New Year!  I wish you the most in 2010!


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