WHY CHANGE?
(We Have Always Done It This Way)
The story goes of a husband asking his wife, “Honey, why do you off the ends of a roast before you cook it?” “Because my mother did it that way,” she responded. The husband called his mother in law and asked her the same question. When she gave the same answer, he called his wife’s grandmother. The elderly matron laughed and said, “I don’t know why they cut off the ends of the roast, but I did because a full roast wouldn’t fit in my pan.”
This story points to the fact that even the best of practices sometimes outlive their usefulness. As leaders we must recognize when it is time for a change of strategy and have the wisdom and courage to lean into the new direction. We must be constantly growing and developing not just maintaining, because without change growth is impossible.
Here are 5 keys for making positive changes in your life and business:
1. Ask for wisdom. Heaven is not static but in constant motion, God is the great innovator and He can give us ideas for our business if we ask. “We have not because we ask not”
2. Be willing to let go. Sometimes we become so attached to a process or method it is hard to imagine doing anything differently. Perhaps take a look at the way we structure our day. Make a conscious effort to move away from the comfortable like emailing a customer and pick up the phone instead.
3. Realize change may be painful. We all have an aversion to change, especially if it is not an absolutely necessary. Give yourself time to go through the process, making small, incremental transitions. For instance, the prospect of hosting a healthy home party may seem daunting, but if you schedule it, invite the people, and enlist some help, you can pull it off.
4. Change but stay the same. We change practices and procedures but never compromise our core values. In their book Built to Last, James Collins and Jerry Porras note: “Core Values in a visionary company form a rock solid foundation and do not drift with the trends and fashions of the day. In some cases, the core values have remained intact for over 100 years… Yet, while keeping their core ideologies tightly fixed, visionary companies display a powerful desire for progress that enables them to change and adapt without compromising their cherished core ideals.”
5. Move out to a new place. A great story from antiquity shows Abraham hearing the voice of God, promising that he would be the father of a new nation. However in order to receive this promise he had to leave his home and travel to a new country not knowing exactly where he was going. Because of his action, a new nation was born and the destiny of the world was altered. You may not have to move to a new country, but you will have to venture out, sometimes not knowing the exact outcome. Perhaps join a networking group, get involved at your child’s school, volunteer for a community project or join a prayer group.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Inspirational Message July 15, 2007
Becoming THAT Person
We just finished a great training yesterday here in Northern Virginia with about 20 excited people. Some of the highlights of the training included:
· Importance of cultivating relationships with our customers
· Simplicity of doing this business
· Networking
· Maintaining a positive attitude
· Importance of doing follow up member appointments
· Making a difference in peoples lives
· How to approach people, getting the appointment and doing the appointment
One of the themes that came forth from the training was the fact that none of us want to be viewed as THAT person. We do not want to become, or be perceived as someone who only wants to make a sale and have this hidden agenda whenever we talk to someone. Let’s be honest, most people dislike pure selling; they dislike it because it exposes them to the constant threat of rejection and of being perceived as “pushy”.
What we do want to become and be perceived as, are people who genuinely care about others and have something of value to offer. Here are six things to keep in mind and practice as we relate to others:
· Talk to people with their needs in mind, not yours. People can read someone who does not care about them, only about making a sale.
· Think, what can I do for others, not what can they do for me. As you listen be thinking and perhaps even ask “what can I do for you”?
· Be passionate about your product. Know that you have something of value to offer them, our products are a gift.
· Do little things for your customers and surprise them. Show your appreciation in practical ways.
· Maintain relationships with people even if they don’t purchase right now. Many times people will come to later and purchase products if you stay in their life.
· Be yourself. This takes no training and is most natural.
“Approach each customer with idea of helping him or her solve a problem or achieve a goal, not selling a product or service” Brian Tracy
This is who we really are, we are THAT person.
We just finished a great training yesterday here in Northern Virginia with about 20 excited people. Some of the highlights of the training included:
· Importance of cultivating relationships with our customers
· Simplicity of doing this business
· Networking
· Maintaining a positive attitude
· Importance of doing follow up member appointments
· Making a difference in peoples lives
· How to approach people, getting the appointment and doing the appointment
One of the themes that came forth from the training was the fact that none of us want to be viewed as THAT person. We do not want to become, or be perceived as someone who only wants to make a sale and have this hidden agenda whenever we talk to someone. Let’s be honest, most people dislike pure selling; they dislike it because it exposes them to the constant threat of rejection and of being perceived as “pushy”.
What we do want to become and be perceived as, are people who genuinely care about others and have something of value to offer. Here are six things to keep in mind and practice as we relate to others:
· Talk to people with their needs in mind, not yours. People can read someone who does not care about them, only about making a sale.
· Think, what can I do for others, not what can they do for me. As you listen be thinking and perhaps even ask “what can I do for you”?
· Be passionate about your product. Know that you have something of value to offer them, our products are a gift.
· Do little things for your customers and surprise them. Show your appreciation in practical ways.
· Maintain relationships with people even if they don’t purchase right now. Many times people will come to later and purchase products if you stay in their life.
· Be yourself. This takes no training and is most natural.
“Approach each customer with idea of helping him or her solve a problem or achieve a goal, not selling a product or service” Brian Tracy
This is who we really are, we are THAT person.
Inspirational Message July 23, 2007
You are Surrounded
Circa 850 B.C. - In the mountainous, Israeli town of Dothan a man by the name of Elisha slept peacefully in the predawn hours. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to him, the King of Syria had dispatched a small army to capture him and put a final end to his meddling. The King was furious because every time he planned an ambush on Israel it failed miserably. He wanted to know who the mole was. After much inquiry he had identified the leak; the Prophet Elisha was “hearing” the Syrian military plans and feeding intelligence reports to the King of Israel!
When Elisha’s young servant arose that morning and went outside he was dismayed to see that the Syrian army had surrounded them. He quickly awoke his master to give him the disturbing news. Elisha yawned and calmly responded “don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” The young man was justifiably perplexed because there were only 2 of “us” and thousands of “them.” Elisha prayed that the young man’s eyes would be opened and he would see the reality that myriads of angels had surrounded their enemies and the battle was all but over before it started. (II Kings 6:8-17)
Many times we feel that our circumstances (Circum - encircle Stance - where you stand) are a bit overwhelming and the odds are against us. It is at these times that we must peer into the unseen world and perceive heavens resources surrounding us and coming to our aid. Don’t give up when the victory is close at hand, remember you are SURROUNDED!
Circa 850 B.C. - In the mountainous, Israeli town of Dothan a man by the name of Elisha slept peacefully in the predawn hours. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to him, the King of Syria had dispatched a small army to capture him and put a final end to his meddling. The King was furious because every time he planned an ambush on Israel it failed miserably. He wanted to know who the mole was. After much inquiry he had identified the leak; the Prophet Elisha was “hearing” the Syrian military plans and feeding intelligence reports to the King of Israel!
When Elisha’s young servant arose that morning and went outside he was dismayed to see that the Syrian army had surrounded them. He quickly awoke his master to give him the disturbing news. Elisha yawned and calmly responded “don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” The young man was justifiably perplexed because there were only 2 of “us” and thousands of “them.” Elisha prayed that the young man’s eyes would be opened and he would see the reality that myriads of angels had surrounded their enemies and the battle was all but over before it started. (II Kings 6:8-17)
Many times we feel that our circumstances (Circum - encircle Stance - where you stand) are a bit overwhelming and the odds are against us. It is at these times that we must peer into the unseen world and perceive heavens resources surrounding us and coming to our aid. Don’t give up when the victory is close at hand, remember you are SURROUNDED!
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