2010 – a Call to Action

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Jaime Yordan-Frau, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.

The uncertainty of the times remains with us like a huge shadow hovering over our businesses and our business decisions. It almost forces us to be overly cautious and it is clear that the unspoken war cry continues to be “survival mode” for most businesses than not.

Let’s deconstruct this reality and explore the possibilities.

It is always wise to exercise caution during bad economic times, but caution over a prolonged period of time can become an underlying lingering sentiment that creeps from within sucking the energy-force of the organization. In this form, before we realize it, it becomes a rotten apple that eats away at all the core components that allow our businesses to live and thrive.

The current market position puts us on a “what came first…” type of situation. In this case, it is about “who moves first…” – the market or businesses. Historical data points to the fact that it has been businesses the ones that correct the marketplace. So, by exposing themselves to calculated risks during difficult times, re-inventing themselves and breaking free of the status quo that is always created by prolonged caution; businesses have always been the catalysts in turning marketplaces around.

With this reminder and now the economic indicators shifting nationwide, let’s talk about the one major factor that may holds us back and that we all hate to acknowledge – FEAR. As business owners it is understandable to be fearful of drastic moves during uncertain times, yet we must now use this fear to our advantage and ensure that we move forward with a solid plan. The main charge to a business owner is the multiplicity of roles that we have to deal with. For the sake of this deliberation we must stop being business owners and become true entrepreneurs … leaders in all the sense of the word.

As leaders we have the power and the responsibility to generate our company’s vision and provide direction moving forward. As leaders we have the call-to-duty to make sure that our businesses thrive. As leaders we have the obligation to recognize that sometimes, especially if the “cautious” period has caused much damage to the organization, the only way to achieve growth-generating change is by redefining or reinventing the business – thinking outside the box. In my own business, seeking to first survive and then grow, I found the need to re-design my company’s scope and product priority, which has resulted in further cementing its vision and allowing it to grow at an unforeseen rate. Many businesses are sharing success stories like these. Choose to develop and grow. Hiring someone to assist you may be a very wise decision, but please … stop the stagnation and move forward – now is the time, so this is our call to action!