Top Business Skills For Our Future, Part 3
May 24, 2009
This is the third part of my three-part survey of leaders from around the world who answered this question: “Everyone is concerned about how to survive in these tough times, but YOU are someone that lives bigger than just these times. When you peer into the future, what is the number one skill you see that we need for the future?”
From Jeff Simpkins, Charlotte NC
The number one skill is to constantly feed our minds with material that reminds us that we can do whatever it is that we want to do and are able to picture ourselves accomplishing. What that means is to make a decision about what it is that I want to do. Where do I want to be? What do I want to accomplish? All of those are questions that point to destination. Choose the destination, make the decision to get there and just make little decisions along the way. Every minute you invest your time, money and energy, ask yourself does this get me to my ultimate destination? If yes, then it means you’re taking one step towards where you want to be. If the answer is no, then you probably shouldn’t do it. this is a really easy formula for getting laser focused. Many people understand the theory but not the how. This formula makes it very easy.
President, Community Bank Consulting
www.CommunityBankConsulting.com
From Jennifer Zoga, Chestnut Hill, PA
I believe the number one skill that one needs in this tough economy and in the future is the skill of being able to recognize that it is the right time to act. When the economy slows, people tend to retreat, to lose momentum, to settle for inertia. Fear of failure or self-doubt makes it so easy to wait for options to expire. The boldness of understanding your core values, your direction and having the faith to leap into the unknown is required but then it is really the skill to quickly and simply ACT! I am constantly try to master this skill in my charity work, in my relationships and in opening a new business. It is indeed a very difficult skill to master!
Founder, Good Food Market
www.goodfoodmarket.net
From Miriam Battson, Seattle, WA
There are a number of skills I feel are important, however adaptability with holistic focus consistenly pops to mind. If we want a different future, we need to try new things and consider doing things differently to get a new result. Those who are unwilling to accept change and adapt to it will be left in the dust. As an example, when we look at who our actual clients are (Pettibon Chiropractors) we could simply focus on selling to them. Instead we are looking at delivering quality products and services that will help bring patients to their doors, who are looking for spinal rehabilitation where traditional chiropractic has not delivered the promise of health. In helping our clients succeed, so too will we.
Marketing & Sales Director, The Pettibon Institute
www.pettiboninstitute.org
From Pamela Learned, North Wales, PA
My one thing is to anticipate what change will mean for your clients, and your company. As a marketer in today’s climate, all of last year’s rules are obsolete. I scan the horizon constantly to understand how change will benefit my clients and my organization. I care about productivity, but that is a ground rule
The larger question is more complex: How can I meet my clients needs with fresh ideas and measurable results? How can I keep my staff, who are responsible for daily details, current, so I am not the only innovator on the team?
I seek out ideas about change from diverse sources. For visual clues, I check out Pantone Color Institute’s color forecast, which typically reflects economic and social trends. I read the titles from bestseller book lists (what does our fascination about vampires and knitting tell us about today?) I watch advertisements on TV to see how we are changing graphically: UPS whiteboards, Charles Schwab’s animated illustrations, and swirly, girly car and office supply ads.
I listen to podcasts about writers, designers, and more to identify cultural trends. I have watched blockbuster museum shows such as Renoir’s watercolors dictate design for over a year. I highly recommend www.studio360.org, which tracks tends like this in music, art, and writing. For now, I see a return to personal connections, a willingness to blatantly sell to women with the color pink (which I don’t personally agree with) and much more.
On the business operations level, I see seismic change that I’m still sorting through. The concept of Social Entrepreneurship fascinates, me, especially as someone who has always served businesses that serve a specific, local community. The localization of services using Internet technology is my next horizon.
President, Word Work, Inc.
www.wordwork.com
From David Jehlen, Champions Gate, FL
I believe that the number one skill that each of us will need to embrace and practice is the ability to distinguish between what is real and not for real for us. Most of us have been told what we need to DO to win the game of life. We’ve been beat over the head with advertisements, products, procedures, gurus, second uncles and even a government which with good intentions (usually) want us to fit in, play it safe and not think to big. I mean after all, we don’t want to be disappointed do we? Many of us have been so inundated with minutia that we really don’t know who we are anymore.
The ability to know what is real, what is true for us is what will allow us to express our highest and best. By listening to our own voice and then sharing our own unique perspective and gifts with others, we are in the ultimate position of serving, ourselves and others. There is a real silver lining in the clouds of doom and gloom. Many of us will understand, perhaps for the first time that stuff, status and arrogance really can’t add appreciable value to this experience we call life, at least not by themselves.
We are entering a new era where success will not be determined necessarily by education, career longevity or bull-headed determination, although some determination can be a positive attribute. Instead success will finally be measured by our own inner happiness, by our ability to stay in a monogamous relationship with our authentic self. However, this is not just an inside job, the real abundance, the juice of an exhilarating life can only be extracted through expressing our reality, our truth through service to others.
By sharing who we are at the deepest levels with those who resonate with our offer, we will experience more abundance, money, fun, deep satisfaction and even stuff (if we want it) than we ever could have in the old paradigm. Yes, it’s finally time to just get real.
The Dream Liberator
www.radicalbusinessmakeover.com
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I just stopped by your blog and thought I would say hello. I like your site design. Looking forward to reading more down the road.
Thanks for coming, yes drop by again. I appreciate your feedback. Warmly,
Annie