I am a ceo of an HR software company. My blog mostly covers my professional interests and passions such as leadership ideas, inspiration and insight, and of course sales & team building. I welcome your comments on my blog posts. Please reach out to me via my social media channels or simply click the 'ask me anything' tab above. I'm always on LInkedIn, so feel free to connect with me.
5 Steps to 'Accomplishing Your Vision Without Delusion'
By Adam Vine
As I drive down the street in my local neighborhood, I always find myself slowing down and merging my car towards the right hand lane to take a glimpse of what the local church signpost has to say. I’m always amused with what they come up with. Sometimes I feel convicted and sometimes I gain insight that helps to challenge me to think differently.
So when I read this one, I had to pull over and break out the iPhone and snap a pic. What a brilliant statement…“Vision without execution is delusion.” I love it! So very true. To me, that’s the definition of dreaming. Unfortunately, many people and businesses alike are not thinking of dreaming when they execute their plans. To the contrary, they’re very serious, as they should be. Yet, the actions of many are that of a ‘dreamer’ based on delusion rather than that of a visionary based on ‘A Strategy’.
Here’s the problem.
Those that experience delusion in their attempt to experience their vision simply haven’t counted the costs. Such a basic principle, it’s even in the Holy Bible…”For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” (Lk. 14:28). FYI, I publicly declare I’m guilty of breaking this simple principle myself, too many times. In fact, send me to the front of the line on this one. However, I will say, I am learning from my past mistakes…
I’m going to take a moment to quickly share with you a 5 step solution that I’ve found to give ‘teeth’ to executing a vision with purpose without being delusional.
5 Steps to ‘Accomplishing Your Vision Without Delusion’
Always Start with Why? - Why am I doing this?
Goals - What’s Your BHAG? (we’ll talk more about that later)
Strategies - Big Idea of How You’re Going to Execute
Tactics - Chunk Down
Accountability - The Glue To Insure Success
I look forward to going into detail on each of these 5 Key Steps during my next 5 blog posts…so, stay tune.
Ever had a great idea…was ‘fired up’, ran here and there, invested time and money and forgot to ‘Begin with the end in mind’ and your vision of grandeur soon became delusion of grandeur? Any advice you’d like to share? Comments…feedback.
"I'm rescuing the American dream, one business at a time."
- Marcus Lemonis (click picture to watch full show)
By Adam Vine
Now that's what I call having a vision!
Honestly, I’m not much of a TV fan to be honest with you. Outside of watching Shark Tank and the Disney Channel with my 8 year son Ethan, you won't see me hanging out in front of the TV.
So, without further adieu, let me give you the lowdown.
In each episode,the self-made multimillionaire Marcus Lemonis steps in to save struggling businesses while investing his own cash in the process….to the tune of $2.6 million of his own money! Not bad.
Lemonis isn't some amaeteur, they just gave a show to. He's the CEO of a 3 billion company that he started called Camping World and states that he's bought over 100 failing companies and turned 'em around. A true serial entrepreneur...with seasoned experience. Very cool.
He's sharp as tack, whitty, and fires off zingers that are cleverly disguised as pearls of wisdom. You just gotta be quick on your feet to get a hold of 'em. Here's a few of 'em:
Nothing shuts people up like performance
If you don't know your numbers, you just don't know your business
Appearance is one of the most important things in business. You need to look as good as you sound
I'll make the tough decisions they won't
If you're not committed to change, your business will fail
One of the things I look for in people is there desire to push back. It shows me they have fire in their belly
Well, that's just a few of them. Honestly, I could write a weeks worth of blogs just on those pearls, naaaa, make that a months worth.
In respect for your time (you investing in this read), I won't elaborate on the above pearls, just let your mind wander. I'm sure I'll write on a few of them later...they're too good to pass up.
Lemonis, wasted little time in the show's season premier in throwing his weight - and money - around in helping to fix a struggling Manhattan used car buyer company called Car Cash.
Run by brothers Jon and Andrew Baron, whose father, Bruce, founded the business in 1977, Car Cash was near bankruptcy when Lemonis entered the picture with bold new ideas for how to turn it around. The brothers grossed $13 million in sales in 2012 but posted a loss of $200,000 and are currently $200,000 in debt.
"I'm here to fix this business, " said Lemonis who confidently rolls up driving his orange convertible F-Style Jaguar in style.
He tells us that he judges a company on 3 things. Remember, this is a guy who created his own multi billion company...that's 'b' for billion. I think he might have the pedigree behind him to offer us all some sage business intelligence. I'm first in line.
"I judge a company on 3 things:"
People
Process
Products
Once again, I could talk for days on the Lemonis' success system of sorts. But, I won't in lieu of time constraints. Although I will say one thing about it. Notice what he puts first on his list. People. He said in the show that the number one reason for failure (and I would add success) is people. I agree wholeheartedly. I already wrote a brief blog on that.
So, after asking a host of questions regarding my favorite subject, "the numbers", he quickly figures out Jon and Andrew's problems. They're selling their vehicles through the wrong distribution channel. They're selling to wholesalers vs. dealers. By making this ill fated decision based on "this is the way we've always done it" excuse routine, they've dug a financial hole for themselves and are on their way towards bankruptcy court.
Lemonis "The Profit," immediately moves into ACTION and creates a 'Plan of Action'. By selling directly to the dealers, Car Cash can pocket double to triple their profits. With that quick observation, he sits Jon and Andrew down and offers them $200,000 + a $300,000 LOC @ 7.5% to purchase inventory. Best of all, he tells him he's going to franchise their new brand, and unbeknownst to Jon & Andrew, make 'em millionaires. Not a bad day at the office. We should all have such days.
"So, when you take my check, for the next week, I'm 100% in charge. Which means, what I say goes. Do you understand that?" Jon and Andrew look dazed and confused but smartly agree with their new partner. Lemonis proceeds to take out his checkbook and right there on the spot bangs out a check and closes the deal. He says, "Once I make a deal, I don't waste anytime." "If you want people to listen, you put money on the table."
BOOM!
With his game face on, Lemonis says, "You better buckle up, cause change is coming!"
As change starts to unfold, of course, Jon (Mr. Know-it-all) actually fights his new billionaire angel investor partner. He proceeds to tell Lemonis that "he doesn't know what he's talking about cause he doesn't know his business" and the fighting begins. Hey Jon, "I don't know if you think this is my first rodeo. My job is to make money for me and for you"! Lemonis continues, "You don't know anything, You've got the end of the day. Either the wholesalers go or I go!
Time out
Isn't that funny? Someone heading towards disaster with zero experience telling an experienced CEO running a multi billion dollar firm with thousands of employees what's right and what's wrong? Hummm...at what point is that a good idea? I would venture to say, when a billionaire walks into your failing company, strikes a check on the spot and offers his 'hands on' guidance ...it might be a good time to 'shut one's mouth' and remember to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Good manners and humility might come in handy...just saying.
Jon eventually comes to his senses and Car Cash gets a complete makeover, increases it's gross profit per transaction by 400-600% by ditching the middle men and selling directly to the dealers. From there, he sets up a franchise model to sell the Car Cash brand over the U.S. with Lemonis' goal to make $30M+ a year and have the Baron brothers receive an override on the whole enterprise. Wow!
They now have a new professional looking brand, radio, TV, internet marketing, and mobile advertising vehicles on the road. After only 3 months, sales production is up over 30%. They're following new policies and procedures and their setting up franchises all over the place.
Ya gotta love it. He's investing his own money fixing failing business and transforming the people who run it...Now, that's pretty exciting gig! How can I sign up for that?
She states a few key ideas I want to shed some light on. Here's some key take aways in my own words:
Your employees will stay and thrive in your company based on if their DNA is congruent with your culture.
Does your team have a shared understanding of your vision?
Do each of your employees know how their roles affect the overall vision of the company?
Do your employees 'feel' they're part of a 'positive' work environment?
There's so much I can say, yet not enough time time to talk about it...
Soooo, here's the deal. As an employer, as the boss, the owner, the founder, the CEO...whatever title you'd like to give yourself...it ALL starts with YOU.
Whether you like it or not, you're a leader.
It doesn't matter if you think of yourself as one or not. You are a leader to your employees, your executive staff, and the rest of the crew. They will emulate and buy into you and your vision to the degree you cast one and include them in helping you define and apply it.
Period.
If you're thinking we don't need a vision....we just need to get to work. We'll, that's a vision too. Not a good one mind you. Never the less, it's an attitude that permeates too many businesses.
Here's what you offer your employees with no vision. A job. Here's where their focus is: money and benefits. Believe me, they'll waste company time, take every minute due them for their lunch and break, jump on their iPhone to check their Facebook, text their friends, and focus elsewhere on 'this-that-and-the-other-thing'.
Does this mean nobody cares? Nobody is working? Of course not! They're working....filing, answer client calls, sales and projections, going to meetings...and also going through the motions.
But are they fully engaged? Are they going 'the extra mile'? Are they working together as a team fully engaged to accomplish the goal before them? Are they passionate about what they do? Are they excited and motivated towards a common goal...a common vision?
Highly unlikely! Don't believe me? Think I'm being negative? Just read the latest 2013 Gallup Poll, where they state 70% percent, yes...I said 70%!....of American workers are either actively or passively disengaged from their work.
Did you hear what I just said? 70%! Think about that for just a moment. If you have 10 employees, 7 out of 10 are mentally checked out. That's mind boggling. What a waste!
Ask yourself, "How can I increase my engagement!" One of the best things you can do is actually have a VISION for your company and make sure everyone knows about it. I mean everyone! Your employees, your clients, your business vendors, etc, etc. Post it on your website, your wall, your email signature page. I think you get the idea.
Now, just live it out...day in and day out. Get fired up! As they say, you either stand for something or your fall for anything. Your employees are looking for leadership from you. They want to believe they're doing something positive in the world around them. That they're contributing their life towards a meaningful purpose. Hence, they need a vision. Give 'em one, or they're going to get it from your competition or maybe...they'll just count the minutes till it's 5:00 p.m.
"Put Your Staff First, Your Customers Second, And Your Shareholders Third"
"It should go without saying, yet it's surprising that it still doesn't go with out saying at some companies."-Sir Richard Branson
Take care of your staff and your staff will take care of you. Let's face it, without your staff, what kind of company do you really have?
Think about it. Imagine tomorrow you walk in your office and well, no one's there. How'd that work out for ya? Or how about this one...what if you came in the office and your top few employees decided to leave. They gave you their 2 week notice. Would that put a crimp in your style?
Think about everything they do, all the contacts they now know, all of the time, money, training, 'inside information' they've come to learn at your firm. Poof! Gone! All because you thought "They should be thankful they have a job!"
Really?
Listen to this statistic...According to the latest Aflac 2013 Workforce Report 51% are looking for a new job...a new opportunity. That's right. HALF! Here, look at it yourself: http://bit.ly/17gmUF1
Do you want to grow your firm? Great. Choose to hire, train, and invest in the best employees.
Remember the order of taking care of your company: Staff first, Customers second and guess who comes in last...You. The Shareholder.
There's a reason for that. If you take care of those who take care of your clients and your clients are ultimately putting money in your firm...you'll be just fine.
I hope you enjoy Sir Richard Branson's video on how to grow your company by first taking caring of your greatest asset - Your staff!
"Innovation Takes A Lot of Patience And The Desire And Comfort of Making Some Mistakes." - Jack Dorsey
What gives birth to anything worthy in the first place anyways?
Vision and passion.
It all starts in your head. Like you, I have this vision in my head. Everyone has their own. For me, I find value in helping to create positive change both in people and corporate infrastructures.
Innovation. Ideas. Vision.
As I cleared my desk ready to complete this mind numbing content building journey, of course, once again my mind began to drift. ”Let me quickly spend just a couple minutes in my social media feeds to see if I can find something of insight to share with others”
Well, I found this 1:43 video from Jack Dorsey founder & CEO of both Twitter and Square. Quite frankly, not too ‘wiz-bang’ in it’s delivery. As I listened intently, my ears perked up when I heard a few key insights he choose to share.
There they were. Subtle, yet so powerful. Isn’t that the way it is much of the time anyways. Quite, subtle and discrete pearls of insight to be harvested to those that have the ability to consciously and actively listen to others speak. To be more interested, than interesting. Hummm…something to think about. But, that’s for another blog.
So, back to Jack and his pearls of insight…
So, here’s the pearls. Are you listening? Don’t miss ‘em…Here ya go:
"Innovation really requires a lot of patience and the desire and comfort to make some mistakes."
"The hardest thing to do is get started"
“It’s really easy to keep an idea in your head for a while and think about how you would develop it and put it out in the world.”
The most important thing is to get started!
Did you hear that? Jack actually said…and I quote, “…the desire….to make some mistakes”. Oh, and I almost forgot the word, …”comfort.”
Did ya get that? Jack has the desire and comfort to make mistakes. You heard it right. No need to clean your ears. When’s the last time you had the desire and we’re comfortable with making mistakes. Now, I do not advocate taking on risky behavior. Been there. Done that. Not good outcome. What I’m saying is this: understand making mistakes is part of finding what works and what doesn’t work. As John Maxwell says, “Fail forward.”
And oh by the way, when Jack says to have the desire to be comfortable in making mistakes….heres’ what I hear…”Get your hands dirty, get in the game, it’s OK to screw up your sales presentation as you're perfecting it, get version 1.0 out with it’s bugs before waiting to deliver v3.5 to the market. In order to know what works, ya gotta get going…mistakes and all. Otherwise, you’ll live your life in ‘beta’ forever. You’ll never get outta first gear and that’s not a good option.
As billionaire Jack says, “The most important thing you can do is to get started!” And yes, it is the hardest thing to do. I second that motion! I think Sir Isaac Newton said it best when he taught us that …”an object at rest tends to stay in rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion”. Here’s the key: Just get started.
Jack further elaborates to get all of your ideas, your thoughts, plans, dreams if you will…get it out of your head and share it with others to get feedback. And from that feedback, you’ll understand immediately if it’s something you should pursue and devote a lot of attention to or put it on the shelf for a rainy day.
As for the patience part…well, I’m working on that. Easy…one step at a time.
How’s your innovation going? Feel free to let me know…
