"If I had eight hours to cut down a big tree,
I'd spend six hours sharpening the axe."
-- Abraham Lincoln
This causes me to think about the current lethargic business climate. There are some very targeted growth spots, but generally business is very slow compared with two years ago. So, what does one do in this kind of business climate in order to move forward? Sharpen the axe.
Stephen Covey in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, stated that one of the seven habits--habit number seven--was to sharpen the saw. He called that, principles of balanced self-renewal.
I am of the opinion that this is an absolutely perfect time to sharpen your business and personal skills and increase your knowledge. We need to break out all the blades and get them all sharpened. It's time to sharpen the sales staff with some basic and advanced training to move them up a few notches, so when the business climate is more conducive to business, they can maximize sales opportunities.
Whatever business you are in, now is a perfect time to get more training and to change procedures and improve operations. When it is busy, you know there is no time to get these things done. Now is perfect timing.
How about the receptionist? Brush up on answering the phone. Change the procedures and put a person on the phone! Humans want to talk with humans. Many of those automatic answering programs are counterproductive. Many think they are saving money, when I believe it is costing them plenty. Every missed call is a problem.
How about internal and external communications with prospects and customers? Now is a great time to redesign, realign, refocus, and generally improve how you communicate with your prospects, clients and even your employees.
All of these and many more things are sharpening the axe in preparation for felling the tree swiftly when the time comes. The amount of time, energy and money spent in this area will for sure and for certain bring improvements that will make a difference now and an even greater difference when business turns around. Think of this as being spring training getting ready for the regular season.
There's no better time than now!
Improvements Under Construction!
Spread Some Joy Today--Smile. When People Ask You Why You're Smiling, Say You're Sharpening The Axe For Abe Lincoln.
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