Have you created the rules to the game you want to win?

The rules I am talking about are your strategies. The game I am addressing is business.

There is a movie called ‘Moneyball’. It is based on a true story about how the Oakland A’s changed the way baseball teams were assembled. The general manager for the team created new rules as he believed that baseball’s standard wisdom was flawed.

What did he do and how did he succeed? He recruited the so called ‘flawed’ players. The key thing about those players is that their statistics proved that they could get on base, score runs and win games and he did this all on a very tight budget.

You may be wondering what this has to do with you. The answer is everything. I would hope that you want staff that are winners, don’t you? I would suspect that you also want to pay them for the value they contribute to the company. So what do you need to do?

You need to create a strategy. A strategy that is not of the regular wisdom for your business or industry; it is a strategy that changes the rules and is a way you can succeed on your terms.

You future is at stake, so when can you start on this?

Is your marketing getting and keeping people’s attention?

Are you sure?

Recently in a Harvard Business Review article it discussed at length digital marketing. One of the problems they identified was that people get bored very quickly. They found that keeping viewers involved depends on two emotions: joy and surprise. They also discovered that in order to maximize the impact of the marketing the marketer had to generate joy or surprise early in the marketing. This is such a big change as to what was done decades ago. This is because years ago marketing built to a spectacular climax.

So my first question for you is; are you using the old type of marketing?

Secondly, are doing all you can to improve your marketing by putting in some surprise or joy?

Did you know that the game Chess teaches us to be better in business?

You may wonder how that could be, so let me explain.

What I’ve learned about Chess is that it teaches you to be a strategic thinker. That means that you have a strategy that you follow. It is a plan that includes your ability to foresee and out maneuver your opponent. So how does that relate to your business?

Do you have a plan to lead you to the goal or objective that you aspire to? This needs to be first and foremost in your mind, as if you don’t have an objective you will not be determined enough to follow your plan. Secondly you need to anticipate the challenges that may come up. You need at least 3 fall-back scenarios that will lead you to your objective. Then you need to make your moves or take action on a continuous basis.

Can you see how Chess will make you a better business person?

When will you take action?

Do you ask ‘why’ enough times in your business?

For example do you ask ‘why’ when an order does not get delivered on time.

I know that it is so easy not to ask ‘why’. 

Let's work with the example; an order did not get delivered on time. If you don’t ask ‘why’ how are you going to find out where the challenge took place? What if it was that one person is not on speaking terms with another person and they need to be in continuous communication in order to make everything work smoothly?

That simple question may have solved a concern that could have become a massive problem for your business.

Never ever be afraid of asking the question why. In fact when you get an answer, if you ask at least one or two follow-up questions and you will find out more answers that will help. This way you can get into the mindsets of people and open up communication.

When are you going to start asking ‘why’ to improve your business?

Did you know that who you associate with will affect your personal growth?

I say that because other people can affect your attitude.

Have you ever associated with negative people? Did you find that you felt better after you left them? This is an indication that they are not good for you. These people won’t help you think of new or innovative ideas? In fact if you had a new or innovative idea they would criticize you if you mentioned it.

What can you do today to rid yourself of these negative influences?

If you do it, either it will cause them to think or they will just criticize you behind you back. So what have you got to lose?