In working with business owners across many industries, one thing becomes very clear – that those who take the time to think and consult with useful mentors have a lot less stress than those who don’t.
Knowing this, I recently met with a seriously successful business man – a leader in the retail industry with an amazing legacy of success – introduced by another valued business contact.
The meeting was so helpful in redirecting my own thinking around Griffin + Row.
What was so good about the encounter was that I was thoroughly chastened for thinking far too big for the business at this stage – and he was right. He was straight to the point and I left the meeting feeling redirected and more focused than ever!
I also felt extremely privileged to have had an hour of his time, but what a useful hour for me – and I hope not too dull for him!
In my own role as a business mentor I really enjoy the opportunity to look at a business as if I am in a helicopter looking down and seeing all that activity going on – some useful, some not.
That is the point of consulting with someone courageous enough to tell the truth and who is open enough to listen!
Often it is hard to go outside and open up to someone, but finding that person can save a lot of time, energy and money! Equally it is useful to think for one’s self, to weigh up the pros and cons for doing something, investing in this or that.
A really good tool I learned some time ago was to take a particular situation and think of all the reasons (for and against) very objectively and then weigh up the decision.
The key is to be objective. However, as our own prejudices often come into play, the mentor/external thinker can be very helpful.
In these times I feel that businesses that carefully think through issues and throw pro-active and creative ideas into the ring and then accept or eliminate according to the most thought-through business case (ie return on investment, impact on sales, brand awareness, or whatever the case is), can think their way to success.
There is a reason for the saying “thinking is the hardest thing to do!!” The good news is that there are plenty of experienced business people out there to assist with the process!
To read more Marcia Griffin expert advice, click here.
Marcia’s latest book, High Heeled Success (pictured left), and is a frank account of building a business from a solitary sales person to a multi-million dollar business with 4700 sales consultants around Australia and New Zealand. Contact Marcia to purchase. Marcia’s latest venture is skin care company griffin+row.
James was the editor and publisher of SmartCompany and LeadingCompany for five years. He is now the Australian Financial Review‘s companies & markets editor, and a former BRW editor.
