Finding your vision: a call to action

Our President is an example of a man who has removed his blinders to see the potential that surrounds him. I hope he continues to teach us a lot about vision and action during his administration. In the meantime, here’s my call to action: now is the time for YOU to focus on your potential and your vision AND take the action steps that will bring your vision to life.

The owner of a small shoe factory sends a young salesman to a developing country. The salesperson calls and says, “These people don’t wear shoes. I can’t sell anything. I’m going home.” A year later, the factory owner sends another salesperson, with a different attitude and perspective, to the same location. She calls and says, “These people don’t have shoes. This is an untapped market with unlimited potential. I’m opening an office and recruiting distributors.”

Do you think it can’t happen?

Until the 1970s, the Swiss watch industry had a monopoly and a global market share of around 90%. Then quartz technology was developed. Swiss manufacturers rejected the technology. However, the Japanese saw the potential. In 1978, quartz watches surpassed mechanical watches in popularity and the Swiss watch industry fell into crisis. Many Swiss watch houses became insolvent and the industry suffered financially and psychologically. Today, most of us wear quartz watches made in Japan.

We all have blinders on our lines of sight and occasionally miss the potential opportunities that come our way each day. What can you do to adjust your vision so you don’t miss out on possibilities?

In the new economy, some of us will not only survive, but thrive. Others will wither. I believe that those who will be successful are those who have the ability to complete three key tasks:

o Reduce expenses. What worked during the boom times won’t work now. If it’s too hard for you to see what you can cut, sit down with someone else who doesn’t know much about your life and/or business. Show them your expense worksheet. Explain where your money is going. What expenses can you justify? Which ones seem out of place?

o Provide exemplary customer service. If you are an employee, your employer is your customer. If you have a service business or professional practice, your clients are key to your success. Can you keep your customers happy? It amazes me how often I come across businesses that seem oblivious to the fact that if they don’t make their customers happy, there is someone else waiting for the business.

o Create a niche out of the box. Your out-of-the-box niche is what makes you stand out from the crowd. If you don’t have a niche and nothing in your industry is calling for you, start studying the past, current and emerging trends in your industry. Conduct market research by talking to specific customer groups and find their unmet needs. Having a niche does not mean that you reject other businesses. You can still accept that business. But having a niche gives you a marketing objective and expert status.

If you are struggling and the economy is making things difficult for you, now is the time to assess and readjust. And, if you’re one of the lucky ones who’s still surfing smoothly, now is the time to reassess and readjust: the outside world is changing rapidly. Here is an exercise that can help you.

1. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and give yourself permission to relax.

2. Smoothly, no judgment, fast forward one year, to December 31, 2010. It’s been a great year. The best year of your life.

Focus on where you are, what is happening, who you are with, and how you are feeling. Allow yourself to see as much detail as possible.

Now, look back and get a mental image of 2010. Reflect on your achievements, experiences and successes. What made this year so good?

When you’re clear, start writing what you see. You can use the following questions as a guide.

A. Where am I?

b. What am I doing?

against What is my job?

d. How I play?

my. What is different or surprising about me, my situation and/or my environment?

F. What is the same?

gram. What have I achieved?

H. How am I using my time?

Yo. What am I enjoying?

d. Who’s with me?

k. Who is no longer apart of my life?

I. How much money do I have?

Mister. What else is important?

Now is the time to take off your blinders and use your vision to see the potential all around you. As part of this assessment, look at your spending, your customer service, and your niche/marketing experience. You can provide others with unique value. Go out and do it!!