20 Business & Leadership Lessons From Border Collies
This is a guest post from the new “Opposite Success” creative project which was initiated by a close friend of mine. Outlook is often a choice. Opposite Success is an alternative view on the standard success formula and loosely based on the hope that people can laugh themselves through the inevitable periods of struggle and into success (whatever that means) and happiness.
You can find more on Facebook (like Opposite Success) and Twitter (follow @OppositeSuccess).
The Lessons
Sometimes it is uncanny how much alike […]
Little Successes Can Lead to Moon Walking
You can successfully put on your socks in the morning.
You can successfully walk on the moon.
Both are successes.
Walking on the moon is made up of lots of little successes like putting on your socks.
And taking the first steps. And the next ones. Until one day…
Not trivial but lots of little successes require fewer big leaps and giant steps.
They compound.
Often big leaps to success requires the potential for great failure.
Little success may only require little failures. Lots of them. Learn and improve. Try.
Recovery from failure […]
Scaling the Walls of Authenticity
My guest post for The Go-Giver Way as introduced by Bob Burg:
"Today’s guest post is once again from Certified Go-Giver Coach, successful entrepreneur, and creator of the Manifast Business Success System™, Doug Wagner. Here, he shows us exactly how a business can tap into authenticity; the type that helps everyone to shine, individually and as a team.
Enjoy Doug’s wisdom!" – Bob Burg
I hope you enjoy "Scaling the Walls of Authenticity"!
Change Your Focus to Client Value
Maybe you just lost a big client or didn’t win a big proposal. Maybe you are just getting going in your business.
What is the first reaction when you have a cash flow shortage in your business?
If you are like 99% of people your first reaction is “I need more money, fast. How do I quickly get more money?”
You’ve now shifted the focus to you.
Not your client.
I recently caught myself thinking something like this. “How do I make another $10,000 dollars per month?”
If you go to try and sell something in this frame of mind, it will probably not go well. […]
Why “Eat This, It Is Good For You!” Doesn’t Work in Business
There are things we should be doing in life and business. Sometimes you can try too hard to get someone to do something; even if you know it is good for them.
Eat Your Liver
When I was young, I remember my mother cooking up liver for us. Fortunately, it was not often.
She would put a seemingly gigantic piece on each of our plates and tell us how good […]
Influence: In You We Trust
I wrote a guest post for The Go-Giver Way about trust, influence and brand. Here is the introduction.
In this guest post, Certified Go-Giver Coach and hugely successful entrepreneur, Doug Wagner shares an excellent insight into how trust is the key to influence, and how both go a long way to your successful brand.
Enjoy Doug’s wisdom! – Bob Burg
Have a read and leave a comment here "Influence: In You We Trust".
The Key to Putting the “Action” Into Accountability
You’ve set some goals. You’ve taken a little action. Maybe you’ve delegated some of the action steps.
If you are in the top 20% you’ve also put a little bit of accountability in place.
For yourself.
For your team.
The problem with most people is they easily lose focus and chase other things, leaving their goals unfulfilled while keeping themselves very busy.
The illusion of unfocused activity leading to success.
I am fortunate enough to have a great accountability partner. We […]
The Dynamic Duo: Unrestrained Budgets and Accurate Forecasting
Most people hate following budgets and think forecasting is for psychics. I used to think this and did both of these exercises because I had to, not because I was enthusiastic.
For a visionary entrepreneur this feels like it is like putting a box around you. How can you Manifast your vision if you are constrained from spending when you want to?
Unrestrained Budgeting
How many of you use a budget to plan your […]
The “First Time” Secret to Business Profit
So many companies spend so much time and money fixing problems.
Often it is self-inflicted. Sometimes things just happen.
They spend a fortune on marketing and sales to convince customers they are better than their competition.
Yet the simple truth is, the profit is in doing things right the first time.
Rework Costs
Having to redo a job costs money. Looking at the profitability of 90% of businesses, they don’t have a lot of room to be wasting money.
In my recent post on […]
Consistent Excellence Doesn’t Just Happen
Consistent excellence doesn’t just happen. Someone planned for it, it is measured and there is accountability.
In my last post, I talked about processes that were not working.
This is about the opposite.
The Cleanest Washrooms Ever
I was at the Minute Lube on McLeod Trail here in Calgary. The lineups were a little long and after I got into the service bay I had to use the facilities. This is a typical assembly line oil change place […]