When a sports team is stuck in a losing streak, and feeling down and out what does the coach say? He or she usually claims that the team is going to “get back to the basics” with grueling practice drills to reverse the trend and boost the motivation. The same applies when executing a business plan.
It doesn’t have to be grueling. In today’s world, is the little, practical things about working and getting ahead that seem to have been lost. Its the same with happiness. Perhaps we need to go back to the basics in both areas, especially when it comes to creating and executing a smart business plan.
Basic happiness
Let’s start with happiness. Perhaps no one stated it better than Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist Carl Jung –
1. Good physical and mental health.
2. Good personal and intimate relationships, such as those of
marriage, the family, and friendships.
3. The faculty for perceiving beauty in art and nature.
4. Reasonable standards of living and satisfactory work.
5. A philosophic or religious point of view capable of coping
successfully with the vicissitudes of life.
Perhaps the more mindful you are of these and other basic things that bring happiness to you, the more you are likely to bring these elements into your life. Makes sense doesn’t it?
Don’t lose the good feeling
Here’s a another basic for happiness. Think of how you felt when you first fell in love, got your first job, made your first sale, became a manager, helped a customer, or established your business with a smart business plan. Do you remember the feeling? Hold onto it. If you are a health care professional, teacher, or are in a service business, remember that each and every day provides an opportunity for you to make a difference in the lives of others. Make that difference and keep the feeling in your heart.
Basic Sales
If you are a business owner, manager or sales pro, go back to basics by spending more time on the phone. Redouble your sales efforts with more face-to-face visits with customers. Revisit that basic “Sales 101” and take every aspect of asking for the order, listening, asking questions, communicating benefits, “mirroring” the customer knowing your “batting average,” and even smiling when on the phone. Become a master of these basics, then become a master at building relationships.
Basic Business Fundamentals
Reexamine your basic business fundamentals and values. Make sure your staff demonstrates the values of honesty, integrity, respect, customer focus, teamwork, excellence, quality, health, family, safety, concern for the environment, accountability and other values you have stated. Your values should drive everything you do.
Here’s another business basic you should have well underway for the year: a simple business plan.
Creating and executing a business plan is not optional. It is critical to your success and cannot be overemphasized.
Interestingly, many mid-sized and small businesses do not have a detailed, well-developed business plan. Some have no plan at all. Some experience growth despite this lack of direction you can obtain from a business plan. However, most find that they can meet customer needs, manage their business, and increase sales and profitability when they have a road map as their business plan. to guide them If you need help in creating a business plan, you might find help here:
About Christine Corelli
