Preparing for the Future #2
Compiled by Peter/CXO Wiz4biz 7/13
7. Develop a long-term Commitment to your Customers. Your organization is more than just providing Customers with products or services. You’re solving their problems or meeting their needs. As their needs change, you need to respond to the new needs. Ideally, you need to anticipate their needs and develop a solution, before they realize they have a problem. That’s why constant communication is so important with them. You can get in their skin and feel what they might need.
8. Invest in Technology, People & Training, to have the latest and get the best out of them and it all will payback later. Hire the best, forget the rest. It may cost you more in the short-term, but long-term you’ll get some great ideas & products that are priceless.
9. Encourage Innovation, by recognizing & rewarding. Allow time & other Resources for the Innovators to work on new or improved products or services. [Yahoo has a 20% rule] Who knows what they’ll come up with? Post-It Notes, a Tablet computer, a wild App ??? The sky’s the limit or is is ???
10. Fight the Complacency of Success – which is a “moving” target. Once you’ve met one Goal, look for the next. If you give up or slow down, your competition could pass you by. Then you’d have to try “desperate” measures to regain your position. Wouldn’t it be much better to keep a fast – but steady – pace by always innovating? Get in the Innovation habit and more ideas will flow and your results will glow !!!
11. Don’t get “Skunked” by “Sunk” Costs. An Investment that you “sink” money into is a Sunk Cost. Some organizations are reluctant to buy new Equipment, Hire new people, or do Training, because they don’t\wont see the immediate return. You have to think Long-Term, because: “Aren’t you in it for the long run? The Sinking Costs should be called “Seed” Costs, because your planting the “seeds” of the Future and will be harvesting the Fruits later.
Comments: Is there anything else you think we should do, to Prepare for the Future?