Spring Newsletter

October 2008

As the economy shakes and business confidence pushes to all time lows, many business are looking for strategies to 'weather the storm'. I recently presented at the Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) Congress in Sydney that had over 2500 finance and industry attendees and had numerous hallway conversations around how to get staff to perform at a higher level.

I believe that there are 3 keys:

1. Connect. Connect with your people and let them know that the best way to survive difficult times is to work together,
2. Develop a Plan. Involve your people in developing a plan to identify ways to improve productivity and performance, as well as reducing unnecessary expenses, and
3. Stay Positively Focused. Make sure that you keep promoting positive attitudes and focusing on what is possible - rather than getting distracted by what is not!

I am amazed at how many business owners and senior managers appear to be stunned and confused about that could happen next. Rather than creating focused activity, they are either ignoring what is going on - or randomly looking for a solution that will be given to them like a lifeline.

A truly inspirational leader takes action, and their behaviour leads their people into the new unknown environment as a collective ready to respond. Remember, in any downturn economic environment, there are pockets of increased performance and success - you just need to find that path and stick to it!