While the economy is running in neutral right now, many of us are saying to ourselves, “What can I do to be ready for the time when it gets put in gear and moves forward once again?”
In other lean times, most employees are worried about being downsized, laid off or just plain let go. While some of those things may happen again we should prepare for that by being prepared for the evolution of change.
One of the books I received some months ago titled, “Take Action!” was written by Susan Bixler and Lisa Scherrer, two top executives in Professional Image. Their book focuses on communications needs of corporations. One area of interest to me is the 18 proven strategies for advancing in today’s changing business world.
In their chapter titled, “Embrace Change,” they talk about change being inevitable and growth being optional. We all know change is one of the few things in life that is constant. Change always has an impact on us. The reality of it is, life is about change.
We can all plan for a certain amount of change but most of us don’t fathom the act itself. We fear change because it gets us out of our comfort zone. The authors created an outline on how to prepare for change before it comes along unannounced.
Below is their nine-step “Action Plan” to help us process and prepare for change:
– Identify three situations in your personal or professional life you want to change. What is your desired outcome for each of these changes? Then identify the steps you need to take for each change and desired outcome. Write them down: the change, the desired outcome, and the steps you will take. For 21 consecutive days, concentrate on reaching your goals. Remind yourself of the better future in store.
– View change as a process, but make it a manageable process. Take note of the benchmarks along the path to your desired outcome. Keep in mind that change rarely means moving directly from point A to point Z. You should approach Z by first visiting B, C, D, E, F, and so on.
– Replace old habits with new. If your day would be more productive by arriving at the office an hour earlier than you do now, commit to being in the office at a specific time and write down the additional accomplishments you make each day.
– If your week would be more productive with more planning, reserve an hour or two Sunday evening as your regular weekly planning time.
– If two more sales calls a day will make a difference in your business, set your goal higher, log the additional calls in your planner and record the progress you make. At the end of the month, calculate the difference those extra calls made to your bottom line.
– If reading The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and your daily city newspaper each morning will enhance your business acumen, schedule the first 30 minutes of your day to read at least the headlines, articles pertinent to your business, and any articles that relate to your customers.
– If you determine that to remain competitive you need as much information about your existing clients as you can get, log onto the Internet every morning and print our relevant articles on your customers.
– Identify value and opportunity in change. If you can’t see the value, get input from others. It is sometimes difficult to recognize that change is good for you. If your boss recommends you for a transfer that you don’t think will benefit you, determine if this is an area of potential that you have overlooked.
– Identify your business deficiencies by determining your true business fears. What do you most avoid? What creates the most anxiety for you? What causes you to lose sleep? Then, fix your efficiencies.
If your deficiencies include lack of technology skills, take technology training courses. If your writing is poor, read a book on business writing skills and practice, practice, practice. If you are working with a new customer or marketplace, do your homework on the Internet, with the chamber of commerce, professional organizations, and your coalition of professional friends.
Taking action , even in small steps ,counteracts fear, helplessness and lack of focus. Moving forward is powerful! It’s up to you.
While the economy is trying to grow, that growth will entail significant change to many of us in the workplace. If you find the steps above helpful you might want to buy a copy of “Take Action!” and read about the other 17 steps. It is available at your local bookstore from Fawcett Columbine Publishing in New York.
TO THE BALANCE SHEET:
Credit:
To San Diego for being selected as one of the top 10 best cities in the nation to raise a family. In the March issue of Child Magazine, San Diego was listed 10th out of 97 cities surveyed. Criteria included pediatric care, housing costs, air quality, student-teacher ratios, parks and recreational opportunities. Congratulations to the administration for a job well done for our kids.
Credit:
To Keith Johnson, vice chairman and co-founder of Fieldstone Communities, for being given the 2001 Hearthstone/Builder Magazine Lifetime Public Service Award. The award comes with a $250,000 grant to be distributed to the charitable organizations of his choice. Congratulations. Keith and his team are role models of the first order in corporate citizenship.
Credit:
To the top management of Pedus Inc., for their support of the California Air National Guard. By allowing their employees to participate in reserve and guard affairs, they were cited by the Adjutant General of California with a certificate of appreciation for their support. On the day of their award, one of their employees, Dennis Kenneally, vice president of their San Diego facilities, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. The promotion culminates a lifetime of service for Dennis. He is a highly decorated helicopter pilot for his service in Vietnam. His many awards and citations include the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. Dennis has nearly 40 years of service to our country. He and Pedus both deserve our praise.
Credit:
To San Diego firefighters Capt. Roy Burgess and Fireman James Pfister for receiving the Award of Valor from the American Legion. They were cited for extreme heroism beyond the call of duty in saving the life of a critically burned woman by entering an apartment fire being fed by a liquid oxygen generator.
Sometimes our firefighters get false alarms, and sometimes it is a life-and-death situation as it was on Jan. 27, 2000.
