Winning in Any Economic Climate…Even During a Recession.

Changing Economic Conditions Mean that We Must Change.

No one said it would be easy…but it is worth it.

One of the reasons that we love our heroes so much (Those of us who have not been totally disillusioned) is because of the fact that they are able to overcome the odds and win regardless of the odds.

Everyone is crying about the possibility of another “R”…okay…I’ll go ahead and say it… “Recession”.

Well, listen…you didn’t have to choose this road called “Entreprenership”. You could have opted for the comfort of a regular job and a regular paycheck. But, then again, these are running out too. Of course, you can always get a job at Wal-mart and a second job stocking shelves at some other grocery chain. “Oh No!” you cry. You have got to have your own business.

The bottom line is that regardless of what happens with the economy, you have choices and decisions that you have to make.  Perhaps one of the decisions that you have to make is the decision to change. Perhaps you need to change your business model. You may need to overhaul your technology infrastructure. Is your business management philosophy outdated? Maybe your work ethic needs an overhaul. Maybe you need to work smarter.

Of course, all of these require effort and who wants to exert more effort, right? But you want to win, right? I repeat the question…”Who said it would be easy?”

Yes, hard economic times, if we are to survive them, call for us to shift and to change. They call for us to reach deep inside of ourselves and to get better, or either be swallowed up by circumstances. Either we become “leaner and meaner” or we get crushed under the weight of it all.

What have always fascinated me are individuals and businesses that thrive during hard economic times. While it is impossible for every business and industry to do well in times of crisis, I am inspired to ask the question, “Is there anything I can do to thrive, even in times of chaos”?

I’m asking the question now…and I hope that you are asking it too. Stay tuned and I’ll share with you what I know and have learned about the subject and I encourage you to share with me what you know and have learned.

P.S.There is also the need to continue to work on our lawmakers and make sure that our elected officials support initiatives that are pro small business. Do you think they really get the message that small business is still the engine for job growth in America?

 

Business Metaphors-Are you playing a game, fighting a war or building a structure?

One of the most important tools we can use to conceptualize what it will take to succeed with a business or business project is to use a metaphor. A metaphor is a symbol that we are familiar with and by using that symbol we are able to represent something that may be abstract, complex or difficult to understand.

In regards to business success, it is important to find a metaphor that works for you. Whether the metaphor you use works for someone else’s business isn’t important. The metaphor you choose must work for your business whether or not it works for someone else’s business.

 

There are three types of metaphors that are common in regards to creating a successful business.

 

1.     The War Metaphor-The most common metaphor used in business today is the war metaphor. This is probably because of the fact that many of the captains of business and industry were formally in the military and found upon entering business that there were many similarities between what needs to happen to win a war and what needs to happen to have a successful business. The war metaphor is the foundation of the success of business books like The Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun, The Art of War, and others.

2.     The Sports or Game Metaphor-The sports metaphor is similar to the war metaphor in that it is a primarily competitive mindset. The difference is that the terminology is based on a game or a sport. For example, if a football metaphor is being used, a “touchdown” might represent a big sale or contract. Or it could represent a phenomenal breakthrough in a development or engineering company.

 

3.     The Building or Constructing a Structure Metaphor-This is a more cooperative based model. Instead of you having an enemy or opposite team you are trying to defeat, you see your business as a structure that you are building in cooperation with others. Your focus is on the cooperative relationships and actions that must be taken to build this structure. However this metaphor still recognizes the hard, cold realities of the marketplace(s) in which you function.

 

Again, it is important that you choose a metaphor that works for you and your business. Do not let anyone talk you into choosing a metaphor that you don’t like or is not comfortable to you. You choose the metaphor that works for your business. Let them choose the metaphor that works for their business.

 

 

 

A Sea Story-By Rubin Cheek

A Sea Story

In the hills of North Carolina, a band of Seafarers, retreated to the higher ground after years of journeying separately to the ends of the earth in Viking trading and exploration vessels.  Renegades and corporate drop-outs, they meet to share the lessons learned in the harsh world of climbing the corporate ladder- A world full of sharks, pirates and sea beasts.

They tell stories too of a sea called “Entrepreneurship” where many a willing heart ventures out from the safety of the solid shore.-where only the strong survive and return to tell the stories of far away lands and strange places. Around a small camp fire, myths and legends are exchanged, each tale stranger than the one before.

Stories of sea monsters, bottomless holes on the oceans floor… and outlaw pirates.

They talk about sea bandits who would steal your very heart if only they could get close enough to you.

 But, more than that, they sing of beautiful mermaids cleaving to the side of the ship and Herculean men who rescue fair maidens. They’re eyes opened wide while describing hidden treasures of gold, diamonds and rubies as far as the eye can see. Their mouths watered in memory of the culinary delights and delectable dishes they had consumed in the most exotic corners of the earth. They bragged about their heroic exploits.

“For Alas, it is true”, cried the Viking sitting alone on a fallen tree trunk under the light of the moon. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the biggest, brightest, and most beautiful diamond any of the travelers had ever seen in person.

 “This is my testimony.”

 He passed the jewel around for the other 7 to inspect.

“It is real, and so are all of the stories you men have told. For we have witnessed it with our own eyes. We have witnessed the cold nights without a meal and beds of snow. We have experienced the cruel winds and ocean storms. Our lips have bled, being cracked from the salty air and our muscles unnourished, aching with the pain of weeks of cruel labor fighting the sail. We have seen and fought the mighty Behemoth-The monster swift and strong. 3 of our comrades became its fodder.”

“Some of us have nearly succumbed to the jaws of the darkest holes in the oceans deep. Saved only by the grace of God and a sheer will to survive, unlike 2 of our dear friends whose souls will eternally rest at the bottom of the sea.”

“Black Beard’s crew was no match for the treacherous pirates roaming the coasts, who mercy knew not.”

 “Yet…we stand…for through it all…we have learned the ways of victory.”

 “We learned how to capture markets, how to build teams, how to fight off the giant sea beasts who sought to devour us whole. We learned the locations of the hidden treasures waiting still.”

“In the morning we will return to the coasts. We will set sail for the seas of high adventure again-refreshed, renewed and much wiser.”

After he finished speaking, all 8 sailors stood and held hands, encircling the now, smoldering fire, the only source of light and heat in the entire camp.

After a moment of silence for the 5 who never returned, they each departed. Though still a band and always united in spirit, they went on their separate paths…back to the sea.

They would each organize a crew in a race to gather all of the riches they had found on their earlier voyages.

They would meet at this hallowed spot again, on the same day every year. Bon Voyage!

 And the band grew and became great and ruled the land …and the seas.

 

The Original Occentra Manifesto-Circa 2004

There are many people who think that the only thing that I’m concerned about is helping Small to Medium-sized businesses become great. Well the truth of the matter is that I am primarily a spiritual person. As a matter of fact, my business is what I consider a manifestation of my spiritual mission or purpose in life. As you read the following manifesto, keep in mind that my main concern is helping people become the best that they can be…and I just happen to believe that entrepreneurship is a path that is available for many to do that.

Preface: The Occentra Manifesto was written several years ago. It was meant to be a constitution of what we would always stand for. Since then there has been alot that has happened in regards to American business. While we have strengthened our belief that business should be more socially responsible, we hold to our belief that entrepreneurship will continue to be the backbone of what makes America great. We also believe that SMB’s (Small to Medium-Sized Businesses) will be the engine that drives America’s economic growth in the future.

The Occentra Manifesto

Will the West continue to dominate the free enterprise system? Will the entrepreneur continue to be the hero of American culture? Has the American free enterprise system seen its best days? Is American capitalism dying? Have we seen the last of the great hunters? Will the free enterprise system continue to be a bastion of hope for the individual willing to work in order to rise and improve their circumstances in life? With all of the turmoil and confusion surrounding American business these days some may wonder whether the pillars that support the greatest economic system the world has ever known (The Free Market/Free Enterprise system) are crumbling. This system has been responsible for the high standard of living that we have enjoyed for the past 100 years. This system has been the incubator of the greatest innovations known to man. It has provided hope to millions who come to America every year in search of the pot of gold at the end  of the rainbow. Immigrants from around the world have found a better life through American business. The success of the free market system has been a lamp to the world and has provided an example that other nations around the globe have tried to emulate. The free enterprise system has been the vehicle that has lifted people of all races and creeds to greatness and prominence if they have had the will and determination to claim victory and understand how the system works. Even those who do not understand the Free Enterprise system . . .the so-called “left out” . . .have benefited from the success of the Free Enterprise system. It has become a cliche that  “ the poorest person in this country has resources available to them that many of the affluent in other nations don’t have.” Finding ourselves in a new and interesting economy, we, the founders of Occentra, Incorporated believe that the Free Enterprise system should stand; that it should continue to embrace diversity; that the standards should be raised.

• We believe that the best days of American-styled capitalism are yet to be realized.
• We believe that in order for the Free Enterprise system to survive and continue to bless us, it must adapt to changing trends, developments, demographics and other economic realities. It needs to become more inclusive. It must be more socially responsible.
  
• Business leaders need to be better trained.
  
• American companies must become more efficient and effective. They must better serve the needs of the customer.
• Entrepreneurial talent, wherever it may be found must be encouraged, developed,supported  and nourished.