Five Principles For Creating Growth In Challenging Times, Part 1

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Whether you are in Houston, Texas or Moscow, Russia, the business world has changed. While the economy may trend up and down, change is a factor that stays consistent. Even if your business is currently suffering, when it returns to the good times, the industry will not be like it was during the last period of prosperity. No one likes change, but everyone must deal with it.

The key to your business coming out on top of change is knowing the five principles that will never change. Today and tomorrow, Promotional Consultant Today passes along these principles of change.

1. Basics: Vince Lombardi had just taken over the Green Bay Packers and was being interviewed for the first time. The questions went something like this: "Mr. Lombardi, as you know, the Packers have been terrible over the last year. What do you intend to do to change the fate of this team? Will you change the plays? Will you change the players? Will you change the offense? Will you change the defense?" As Mr. Lombardi looked up at the press, he responded by saying, "No, we will not change the plays, players or any formations. We will become the best in the NFL for catching the football, throwing the football, tackling, blocking and being in the best shape; gentlemen, we will become brilliant on the basics." As business people, it is easy to get caught up in emotions and depart from the basics that drive your business. When times get tough it is the basics that move your business toward "true north" while others fall to the south.

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Compiled by Cassandra Johnson

TOP SHELF TIP NO. 100
"Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change."
Confucius

2. Control: It becomes very easy to find yourselves focusing and spending time on events and people that cannot be controlled. Everyone feels helpless. Each hour spent focusing on things that can't be controlled depletes energy, which could be used for creative thinking. There are three areas every business person can control:

Attitude: Your personal attitude--to be positive vs. negative.
Response to Challenges: Your response to the challenges life brings, for life is not what happens to you but how you respond to what happens.
Personal Production: Set examples and create a productive environment for employees but you can only control your personal output.

When your business faces challenges and growth is stunted, return to what matters most: the basic foundation of your business and the areas of your business that you can control. The business climate will change again, and when it does, you'll end up ahead of the competition.

Read tomorrow's PCT for three more principles of change.

Source: As an international marketing consultant, trainer, and founder of three corporations, Bob Goshen understands business. He has traveled more than three million air miles and developed marketing strategies for such noted companies as Coca-Cola and Sunrider International. He incorporates his passion, humor and personal stories in a way that few can do, and Bob has been invited to corporations and organizations to speak on the subjects of marketing and leadership. For more on Goshen contact the National Speakers Association.