Is the personal side of our development hampering SMEs?

 

Life is an experience that everyone goes through at different levels. However, when one zooms out their view, it is recognized that the more things change the more they remain the same. Business is not only comprised of what happens during business hours, but includes what happens on the personal time of the business owner and their team members outside of the said hours. 

At the end of the day, the heartbeat of the business are the individuals who work there. Who provides the information and service so critical to its success. What would be needed to create an atmosphere of support that encourages people to have delightful experiences at work? 

For some, life at home can be hard, and they may not get the appreciation there. 

I remember serving at church, and as we greeted attendees coming to the service, some collapsed and cried when they received a warm greeting from someone who barely knew them and vice versa. 

In his book How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie states that deep down in individuals is the craving to be appreciated. The use of the word craving conveys the level of seriousness that appreciation can play in the lives of others. 

This is not to be done in a manipulative manner. We often call out people when they do things wrong, but when they do things right, we tend to behave as if that's what they are supposed to do and don't provide the accolades that may serve to reinforce positive behaviour. 

In life, our colleagues/workmates will encounter some form of tragedy. Death, divorce, accidents, and robberies are some negatives that come to mind. Others that impact positively also impact our lives and result in changed behaviours. Marriages, birthdays, and promotions, to name a few, also require some changes that others may need help understanding. 

Why would people who would support you in a particular type of business not do so should you leave to begin your own? Can it be some emotion that you would rather not discuss here? 

You have to be perceptive and discerning when you're in business. Keep learning - both formally and informally. There's not everything you need a certificate for, but learning is to fulfil your curiosity. 

Have fun while working. Your work day can take over 1/3 of your life; ensure it is not miserable. With the personal/career aspects of your life in balance. There is nothing to stop you from accelerating towards your goals. 

Really men?!? Haven't we been tokenised enough?

International Men's Day [IMD] passed recently and I was ONLY made aware when i received the greetings via social media from well meaning females. This got me thinking. 

As I thought, a number of questions came to mind which would probably bring me under scrutiny of both sexes. (I really don't care what you identify as, that's your business not mine). That's for another time. 

I began to search and here's what I found when checking for the origins and its significance. 

• International Men's Day 2021 
• Here's what Wikipedia says about it 

Earlier I mentions the questions that came to mind. I'll share them since they may cause you to think about things more deeply rather than just at the surface level that many of us have become accustomed to of late. 

Think on them, discuss them, really delve into the meanings for you and your society so that the next time IMD comes by there would be some meaning, some significance, and we would be prepared to truly celebrate men. 

Here are some questions, you may have more. 

• What is International Men's Day about and how does it concern me as a man? 
• Why did it begin? 
• When were men going to be informed? 
• How are we celebrating men internationally and its not even known at the local level? 
• Is man fulfilling their God given role and purpose? 
• Do we as men know what that is or we just ignorant of our roles and purposes? 
• Why do some women think we need validation by them? 
• What contributions would have been made to life having lived? 
• Is it about conquering or developing a lasting legacy? 
• Why despite all that men do they are heavily criticized for what they didn't do? 

Sure they are other questions that come to mind, however I will leave those for the inputs of others so inclined to comment. 

Dr. Jerome Tealucksingh of UWI Trinidad and Tobago in honoring his father's birthday commemorated it by creating something that serves men and boys through a global initiative. How do we as men take it to another level of significance? 

Procrastinate your way to success...

So many people want to experience success. They take classes, attend seminars and workshops, have meetings, and in many cases, they obtain valuable information that would be useful in helping them attain their goal. There is a chink in their armour though and it's common to all these groups. Though it may sound more like an opinion than fact, it is something that has been observed repeatedly.

Most people procrastinate to their detriment.

No! That's not true. I'm not one of those people. Really, take a serious look at how you use your time. Honestly, are you really using your time well?

For most, the answer would be No.

Procrastination can make you famous, once you are quoted: [See the following examples]

• “Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.”
  ― Mark Twain
• “You can't just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood.
  What mood is that?
  Last-minute panic.”
  ― Bill Watterson
• “Your Life Is Happening Right Now: Don't let procrastination take over your life. Be brave and take risks. Your life is happening right now.”
  ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart 

Procrastination seems to go hand in glove with excuses.

There are situations that took place over the years that may prove amusing to the reader.

1. Those who accidentally bump into you. They would never book an appointment with you, however when they see you their conversation invariably turns to their business. They ask if they can pick your brain and launch into the scenarios impacting them. They generally don't want to put the work in that is required but seek a quick fix to whatever challenge they perceive they are facing. That behaviour got curbed when I began walking with an invoice book to set a fee prior to entertaining their problem. They would then decide they will book an appointment for which they never show up. 
2. Those who want you to mentor them. Generally, I didn't charge for mentorship since I have always felt it to be something that is offered pro-bono. Now pro-bono work is only reserved for some charities....and all profit-making entities must clearly understand that fees are involved. In other words, I have qualifications as to who is considered a bonafide client.  
3. Recently, I had a meeting with a group of individuals.  One member of the party decided he wanted me to do the work and be paid afterwards since he had been burned too many times. When it was reiterated that we don't work that way and we too had our share of bad experiences, our meeting came to an end without an agreement on the way forward. His colleagues wanted to work with me. I no longer had the appetite to work with them since I saw the future problems when it came to getting paid from them. The opportunity was declined. 
4.  They are those who attend training workshops. Getting them to participate can be challenging depending on their personality. Nonetheless, they do. They get a lot of practical work which can be immediately applied to their businesses, and they do; at least while within the workshop. Few continue to maintain contact after the workshop to really take their businesses forward. Those who do, see good results in terms of business sustainability and growth. Observation reveals that many would rather complain about lack of opportunities rather than capitalise on available opportunities that present themselves. Opportunities don't necessarily come tailormade. 

Some people would rather wait until the time is right. It's similar until waiting until all the lights are green before leaving home. They wait in vain and then wonder why their success eludes them. 

They are factors that change all the time that people wait for them to evolve in the hopes that then they will achieve ultimate success. These factors are reflected in the following:

• The environment
• The thinking of the people
• The conditions 
• The money
• The right organisations that may influence the rules governing the type of entity

There may be other factors, however, one thing is certain based on repeated observation; you cannot procrastinate your way to success. 

SMEs, in particular, are vulnerable

If we are going to be a country that looks at SMEs as a way of growing our economy, there is a serious need to not only put protection in place for SMEs but help them to understand that there are predators.

These predators will think nothing, when they are pouncing on your business, of the sacrifices and commitments that you made to grow your business from an idea to operation. They will look at your vulnerabilities and seek to exploit them. Even in instances when those opportunities are not clear for them to take advantage of you, they will still try to see how far they will get.

If you are seeking to get into business or grow an existing one. There are some elements that you mut appreciate when functioning within any given market place. Understanding why our business environment is the way it is:

Rules and Regulations

They are instituted for a reason. Many times, though we may not appreciate it at the time, they protect the SME from acts of ignorance. When you are in business, even with the presence of a team, there are many elements pertaining to business that you will not now. If you are a startup then this is even worse e.g. being a good plumber doesn't mean you'll run a good plumbing business.

• There are many elements that you'll be shielded from when you were an employee within a larger organisation. Other departments comprising of various team member performed certain roles enabling you to do what you do best. You were able to focus on your specialised tasks with little concern for how other elements of the business ran to create an atmosphere of stability. You worked without having to collect the money done for the work, performing the accounting functions, which then ultimately resulted in you being paid. You never had to consider marketing the entity, handling staffing situations, coping with financial issues, manoeuvring the legalities; all of these functions were covered by others in various departments. As an SME, its just you that has to deal with all these and more issues.

Communication

There are many people working in organisations that are poor at sharing information with the team internally. Too many people working within organisations are hearing about internally planned events, promotions, and other bits of information via the public media first. How can those in positions of responsibility then expect adequate representation? Your team members should be ambassadors for your organisation, not refugees from the public scrutiny that they will experience. 

Operations 

There is a need to marry responsibility with authority, currently, they are unequally yoked. In too many organisations, many are required to undertake responsibility without the authority to implement and stand by the decisions made without fear of penalty from others within the organisation. This is not a reality for any one sector but is quite widespread throughout many sectors and organisations. The lack of connection between responsibility and authority may have hindered the growth of many entities. Some of the areas impacted within the organisation include marketing, sales, decision making by line staff, supervisors and even some managers. There is a tendency to pass the buck, or as is said in some circles; the can is kicked down the road for someone else to handle.

Conclusion

Beyond the hosting of programs for SMEs there is a need to provide tangible guidance by way of mentorship programs and consultation programs that enable these entities to have teams of experts to guida them properly through all the challenges that the leadership of SMEs would face. By definition, there are no real large businesses within Barbados nor the wider Caribbean. Hence, we need to pull the business education out of the classroom and exam centres and into the mainstream of business.

SMEs need to understand how to adequately use shares - ordinary and preferred to promote growth. They neey to understand that insurance can be used to support their investments. Borrowing mechanisms need to move beyond commercial loans to include bonds, and empower our societies to truly understand the functions and benefits of crowdfunding. We need to do better since SMEs are still particularly vulnerable to so many threats within the global arena. 

A functional team is developed, it's not automatic

What are we teaching in our various organizations? Are we empowering the capacity for growth among those with whom we interact? Our personal biases, hangups and other negative fabrications of our minds should have no room in a progressive environment.

This old saying often regurgitated without thought is:
"If you want to do something well, then do it yourself"

This is one of the biggest hindrances to success. If you require help, then take the time to outline exactly what help you need and by when. Acknowledge that hidden agendas have no place in the progression of an organization who is already challenged with the situations that they face in the mainstream reason they came together in the first place.

If you have the necessary structure in place with the correct checks and balances, then the reduction of people pushing adverse agendas is significantly reduced, and you should get on with the business at hand.

What go you started, won't keep you going. You need to be able to scale up, and trust others to fulfill their roles and responsibilities.

If you really want to test your leadership ability; volunteer. It's an environment where you ability to rally everyone to support a common cause it key. It is having systems of accountability where people know what they're supposed to do and how their contribution helps in moving the organization towards its goals.

Look at the above video again and engage in some introspection. The serious questions that you ask yourselves may bear some revelation that you may not like the answers, however now you know the answers they can be addressed.

Remember, a functional team is developed, it's not automatic.

Are we serious about our marketing? Here are 6 lessons.

You may wonder why I have such a topic for this post, but just Friday, March 15, 2019, in the evening an observation prompted me to put this post up. It is not intended to get the representative in trouble, but more importantly, reinforce the need for companies to be diligent about what they do with regards to representation within the market.

I happened to visit Pricesmart, Barbados when I encountered this product. Left to my own interpretation about what the product's benefits are I am yet to hear the voice of the lass who tossed it into not only my shopping cart but also those of others who happened to be going through the aisle.

Clearly, she came to the end of her shift as she just walked off after throwing her 3 pointers from quite the distance. This was done without a greeting or even an inquiry as to if I/we wanted the product.

Thanks for the free sample, but there are ways that things are done and this is not what I know product sampling to be. Surely the company paying for this product to be marketed had no intention of having their product represented this way. Then again, maybe they did since clearly no due diligence was done to find out if the marketing company had a track record of presenting products properly to the general public. It seems like they hired the cheapest company to get the product out.

Approaching the cashier, I had to indicate that this product does not have any pricing and described how it reached my cart. The cashier assured me it was a sample and nothing would happen when clearing security to go to my vehicle.

Here are some 6 lessons:

1. When marketing your businesses, the cheapest option is not always the best. 
2. You need to train your representatives on the presentation of the products they will be showing. 
3. The representatives need to be courteous even when their shift comes to an end. 
4. She did not know if I was a mystery shopper for the same/other brands or even for Pricesmart itself. (easily she could lose her job in an already tough job market) 
5. Your representatives need to know how to competently handle objections raised by potential customers. 
6. You never know who is a blogger. 

Marketing dollars are expensive, and often businesses have to be creative in order to find funds for marketing in an already competitive environment. Many need to remember that they are not working for the company for whom they wear the uniform, but primarily they represent themselves and cannot afford to take a shoddy approach to their work. 

If your team needs to be trained, there are a multitude of trainers who can help you realize your objectives. Marketing organizations need to invest in their teams so they get the best representation. As I always say, think beyond the first sale. 

Check back often as we post things that we observe. That's what we can do in the islands. I hope that this article helps businesses become more aware of how little deviations in behaviour can help/hinder the development of your business. 

I'm excited...Here are 7 reasons

During this week the new year will begin and I am excited to be returning to work. I went on leave from the end of November and while it was supposed to be a vacation, it didn't quite work out the way I intended. It seems that as soon as I stopped, every health bug that couldn't catch me when I was going at the frenetic pace of my work schedule was just waiting to come in and roost. It seemed like every bug hit me as my resistance was quite low, and I ended up getting much-needed rest, though not necessarily on the terms I would have planned. 

So now what? Why am I excited? 

I had time to think. The downtime allowed me to reflect on the past year, and the future. It enabled me to see what I wanted/did not want; where I made mistakes/experienced learning; where I failed/succeeded. The thing is we rush through life without really taking the moments necessary for reflection. 

I often tell my participants when making references about a reading list about the book, "Think and Grow Rich", by Napoleon Hill. They have also heard me say I have never heard/nor read the book/article called work hard and get rich. One has to put in the time to just think about what they're doing. 

During the last year, I have met with people who wanted different things/results for their lives and businesses. Despite their backgrounds, one common thread was that they never were able to grasp the time necessary to dedicate themselves to realizing these goals. Some had the plans, in their head, which seldom does any good; but they didn't really commit to anything, not even in writing. 

Those who went through the modeling process with me realized that there is a sequence that can be applied to the way we execute our plans. However, we cannot just use a haphazard approach and hope that the details will sort themselves out. There is a recipe for success and they are tools, systems, and measurements that can be applied to somewhat ensure we are close to the planned results we desire. 

The systems are not only for operations, but for finance, marketing, and legal elements that are related to the business/personal activities. Once followed, our lives can become much easier and streamlined. 

People are willing to learn, and the feedback from those who have met with me, shared and learned with me, and followed the plans was encouraging since their stories tended towards the path of success and growth as they saw it. 

I am excited about the possibilities for this coming year. Since:

• There are systems that enable people/businesses to realize planned results once followed; 
• People are willing to learn just how this can be done; 
• They are recognizing the benefits/opportunities for applying themselves; 
• There has been a reduction of hopelessness; 
• In an environment where there has been economic displacement, people can quickly acquire economic stability regardless of the scale of their operation/development; 
• The principles can be applied to individuals, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations;
• The assistance is not only limited to being provided through me but is available globally. 

2018 is almost over, but 2019 and beyond holds promises that can be realized by all who wish to apply themselves. From Blades & Blades Consultancy Services LP, here's wishing you every blessing in the new year. May your plans be realized by you and those whom you will serve. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Story Time - Brief business examples

There's a saying the elderly repeated when I was growing up, that to talk is to reveal. It is for these reasons that I constantly tell the youth that they should grasp their education with both hands and feet. It is because, even when you have qualification and experience, there are people within the workforce that will still try to take advance of you.

When you're young and full of energy that is the time that you should try to live your life to the fullest before family etc. comes on board. People go through challenges and when they do, it is important that they maintain the right mindset if not they can be easily led off course; that is assuming they had a course planned.

Nowadays, I have a greater peace of mind than when I may have worked for significantly more money. Though I frequently get my medical check-ups, they are more preventative than curative. I know what it is to have money and I also know the flip side of the same coin.

High paying jobs are not always as they seem. They have pressures that are associated with them that can be daunting if you don't have a strong support group coupled with strong resolve. I gather much of my strength from The Almighty God. It has allowed me to fare better with the storms I weathered.

Working with various teams, I have been blessed to have always been a part of a team of high performers. Standards have been set high and exceeded on many an occasion however to realize this required lots of discipline.

In the early days of my working, I was asked why I go to work early even though I'm in charge. Upon reflection, when I drove on the roads at that time I found that there was less traffic, and those who passed by in one direction or another often happened to be the well-known business leaders within our country.

This preparation meant that when those with whom I worked called meetings at seemingly odd times I was always prepared for the most part. Although, I do remember going into a meeting one evening that was so much pressure that when I caught myself, I had driven past my home without even realizing it and ended up by the airport. It was a meeting that almost left me bewildered for the most part, and I remembered the best revenge is a massive success, which I set about to have happen the very next day. I decided instead of going home to return to work and encourage my team of marketers to really excel, and so they did. The very next day sales were asking me to ease off the pressure from them; to which I reminded them what they said in the meeting and hung up the phone.

My first trip to The Cayman Islands taught me the importance of learning Geography. My orders were to catch the next flight out to meet the VP in Miami at American Airlines counter, I was not to be late. Upon arrival, I was bumped to first class, given my instructions for the marketing research on the flight over, and when going to collect my luggage once we arrived was told by the VP if I ever travel with him again don't have luggage, anything that can't fit within a carryon is not needed. These guys were high pressure but also high performance. The environment was one where we made things happen and though reasons were acknowledged, excuses weren't tolerated.

Whenever we hit revenue targets and exceeded them the celebration was short and the next target was set. If we missed even by a fraction, the target was reset and we strive to hit it again. There was no almost there. If we wanted anything, first we worked, then achieved, before we could realize the reward. I still use that approach to this day and therefore abstain from hire purchase transactions for the most part.

Doing without keeps you sharp! Your observation is then keen, and your strategies set on replicating success.

Sure we can realize goals on occasion, however, can you say you can replicate it 22 - 26 days per month?

Why am I telling you this? In our current environment, we are faced with challenges. Unemployment for some, inability to afford things by others, the opportunities that seem to be constantly escaping us by others. WE MUST NOT LOSE HOPE.  Faith is the beginning of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.

What I've learned is:

1. You must write your goals and have pictures of them;
2. A date by which you wish to achieve them must be on there;
3. You must be committed to reaching that/those goal(s);
4. Recognize you can reset the goal(s) if you miss it/them;
5. You must work! They are not realized by wishing about them. 

There's a winner within you waiting to be recognized; not by the world but by you. YOU HAVE TO recognize YOUR INNER WINNER! 

Here's hoping you benefited from reading this. I am Richie B. 

A fresh perspective is needed

Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 

Facing the challenges of people in business can be a daunting task. In business development, it means that I daily have to grapple with the challenges and problems that people present to me about their situations. Often they are related to their business, however, there are instances of some personal issues they need to address that often impact their businesses.

2018 has been a particularly rough year, it seems that bad news was just coming in from all directions. Averting foreclosures, turning around financial situations, dealing with all the challenges in business within an environment of uncertainty were all old hat to me or so I thought. The bigger the problem people had the more I enjoyed the challenge of successfully solving it for them.

This year, sure it may have been going on before, but I hadn't noticed it with this intensity. Lots of people I know died, and quite unexpectedly and at a rapid rate. It was at such a rate that I couldn't even attend all the funerals. Many were younger than I am.

'“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”' Ecclesiastes 1:2

I managed to recognize it earlier last evening when depression was trying to grasp me. Having heard others describe it, I never once experienced it before. Along the way, I wondered how many others have to grapple with this thing called depression, especially when everywhere they turn there is bad news. Reader, we have tried to compartmentalize our lives using human standards of understanding, and we are wrong. Life is intricately intertwined.

Of late, there are many who want to put God in a box, only calling on him when there is a tragedy. I have read comments by those who know better, it would appear, who post seemingly careless thoughts about what they think about God.

Well, thank God for my relationship with him, since you can really get some really negative thoughts coming at you that if left unchecked can result in a loss. It is important to have a default position. Mine is with Christ. The opening statement of this article sums it up to an extent.

How many others have to grapple with this with changes and challenges to their equilibrium with regards to work, family, lifestyle, country, and other aspects of living to which they have grown accustomed. Yes, the only thing constant in life is change, but are we prepared for these changes?

We can't rely on the government for assistance, but the government has to rely on us as we are facing a most dire rebuilding process given the magnitude of the situations we face. There are many who don't have a mechanism for coping. We have to be our brother's keeper. It is necessary for others to experience the joy of their salvation. A fresh perspective is needed.

Business requires commitment

Often, I get the opportunity to meet with individuals that when you hear them speak, you'd think they were ready to move the world. Great goals, big ideas, well laid out plans, in some instances, and these all sound great until they hit the first snag whatever it may be.

Too often, they are ready to cut and run. In most instances, many hunker down and pray the challenge would leave if they ignore it. They even seem surprised that the issue is still there when they figure enough time has passed.

Going beyond all the plans that are made is the action which needs to be taken to realize those plans.

When prospects tell me what they want to do, I may sometimes say, I'll soon know how serious you are. Invariably, you get to see who has the toughness and tenacity to really go after what they want.

It is said, talk is cheap. We have heard that at various stages throughout life. It is more true than you can possibly imagine. Since many people want to shortcut the business process, they end up in the following cycle:

• Constantly cash-strapped; some of the same people who, as employees, would speak of pay increases don't even want to pay themselves.
• No vacation time; some don't even want to take a day off without feeling guilty.
• Training courses are suddenly too expensive. 
• Those who used corporate expense accounts and charged easily when they spent someone else's dime suddenly become penny pinchers. 

They are some people who would work for others more diligently than they would for themselves. They are not suited for self-employment. 

Business requires commitment! This commitment is required on many different fronts - Financial, Marketing, Operations, and Legal, to paint with a very broad brush. 

The transition from grade to paid

Every year, if you ever get to be near a graduation listening to people speak, there is often the reference to finishing studying and entering/continuing in the world of work. This is often met by the private chuckle of the experienced listener since they know full well; the course of studying is never done.

When you go through the discipline of studying, you must recognize that the courses you study are only a segment of the education. Additional lessons can be derived from learning the techniques of studying since it is going to be required throughout your working life if you are to remain relevant.

There are some things in life to notice when you're out here in the world.

• Those who have the best grades don't necessarily get the best career opportunities. 
• The A students work for the C students and the B students work for the government. 
• I have personally observed this many times over after reading it in the Rich Dad Poor Dad series. Don't be so afraid of being wrong that you lose the opportunity to learn from the experiences. 
• You will have tough times, but it isn't about you. Often times you will be an inspiration to others, but your experiences will enable you to speak from a standpoint of practicality. 
• Though your work is difficult enough, there are some people who will deliberately try to make your days more difficult to frustrate you for reasons you can't comprehend. 

Group work within the educational system is supposed to prepare you for working in teams where you have to interact with many others who may not share your value system. The personality traits that you'll see displayed enable you to realize that you're interacting with children in adult bodies. 

In short, to be paid well, you have to excel at what you do. Don't just show up, but execute on what is going to enable the entity you represent as a whole to benefit. Remember, it's not about you. Studying is a lifelong skill. Learn it to really accelerate in life. 

Ineffective Telecom Usage

Mobile phones have become mainstream in most societies. Virtually everyone has access to one for their usage on a daily basis.

Recently, I was driving through Wildey and saw a business promoting their power tools, and I got to thinking that there were mobile phone units that cost more than these tools. Neither the power tools nor the mobile units were cheap.

Then my mind took me to the thought of how they were used. The power tools were used for the specific purpose for which they were intended. The mobile phone has the main characteristic of communication, however, I don't think we do it very well.

Many of us seem to have the daily ritual of sending good morning messages, jokes, and bad news/warnings. Often the recipient gets the same message at least 4 times; a conversation with the sender may reveal how hard things are for them, yet they never sent a tip out as to how they may have been able to help someone in need. The thing is many are in business.

Since most phones are priced higher than some desktop/laptop computers, how can we make them a productivity tool that aids us in advancing through this life we live? When we think about it, we can be:

• mobile
• productive
• informed
• administrative
• researched 
• and so many more things, all from the palm of our hands. 

Why are we not living better as a result? It may be due to not having goals as it relates to our usage of the mobile phones.
E.g.s

• Do you have standards where those with whom you interact know when they can expect feedback from you when the contact you via one of your many communication methods available on your mobile phone? 
• Are you one of those people who feel immediately pressured when the phones rings or dings that you have to mindlessly jump to respond to those on the other end, even when you have your day scheduled? 
• Do you even have a schedule for when you interact with others via your mobile? 
• Do those with whom you interact know your preferred media for when they wish to communicate with you on a business-related matter? 
• Do you feel compelled to have more than one mobile to handle your business related/personal calls? 
• Do you feel overwhelmed and underproductive? 

You are not alone since many people face this dilemma daily across the globe. The thing is, what are you going to do about it to regain control over your life? Make the plans and then adhere to them. This is key for gaining control over your most important asset - TIME. This also helps you have better controls over your expenses in terms of costs/earnings. 

Is there anything done yet?

It is no laughing matter when you see that this is already the 10th week of the year. With the speed of which we got here and the changes that are going on around us, we need to ask. What have we accomplished? Are we on target to realize anything?

Time is an asset that is often misused. If we lose money, chances are we can make it again. However, losing time; well that's gone for good. 

With the other 42 weeks left, what will we experience? 

• Entire governments are changing
• New inventions and innovations are being introduced
• Businesses are opening their doors for the first time while others close their doors for the last time
• The landscape is changing with people of all age categories dying, yet others are being born and are making strides at a pace faster than the eras past

What will be the contributions that those of us who are currently alive make that can positively impact those around us? There are opportunities via businesses/charities even our daily activities to add value. Who would have thought, 25 years ago, that you would be able to look into the palm of your hand and see/speak/interact with someone who may be on the other side of the globe and more for free?

People who are younger than we are, who barely entered their 20s became mega-successful financially.  Many of us are yet to grasp that givers gain. The more we give, the more we gain. Success rarely follows the selfish. 

As an assessment of your progress, ask yourselves; is there anything done yet? 

It's time...

Daily in our lives, we are faced with recurring situations that if we are not careful can cause us to lose sight of our goals, aims, and aspirations. This can happen in our personal and working lives, yet so many people have chosen to remain dissatisfied rather than take action to change their outcomes. To have a conversation with them will seem like they are entrenched in disillusionment without any hope of relief.

Have you ever been tired of being sick and tired? Have you ever felt as if you were in a situation without hope for a better existence?

Well, you have to decide you want something different in your lives and be willing to commit to making those changes.

In short, It's Time:

• To stop procrastinating about going after your dreams. 
• To commit your life to the Almighty as he is a God of order and, right now, you can do with some order in your life. 
• To make solid concrete goals, and commit to realizing them within a specific timeframe.

Do you believe that you can do more with your life? That you can make a bigger difference? That you have huge unrealized dreams within you that, with the right effort, you can realize them within your lifetime. 

It's time:

• To get on purpose, and celebrate life and your achievements with those who are closer to you. 
• To identify the team members who will help you realize the success that you desire. Success is a team sport. 

Don't wait another moment, get to planning your future, especially when you realize the rate at which time is traveling. 

Wasting time with available media

Living in an era where information is at an all-time high is wonderful. No longer do you have to wait until one can purchase the print version of a magazine/newspaper. Even the radio can seem a little slow in getting the information out to you. While there are lots of channels on the television nowadays, they still miss the mark in getting you the content you really want.

We live in a society where media access is virtually in the palm of our hands. We can communicate just about anything from where we are to virtually anywhere in the world within moments.

It happened suddenly, where this access to this widespread array of communication media became available to John Citizen - the man in the street, and without a plan; he's abusing rather than using it to any real benefit. The result is information clutter, where messages containing the same content arrives on your device from multiple sources, and depending on your device it is soon gasping with dying messages that there isn't enough memory to perform basic functions. This is often despite the installation of extra memory which often seems inaccessible.

Whatsapp has made everyone a comedian, news reporter, and preacher; often without credentials. Many people don't validate the information prior to sending it out. Sure there are others, but they are passive, in that information is not targeted to the individual, but is usually posted to one's personal site where others who so desire may visit and read at their discretion.

In days of old, fake news - as it is now deemed, had a purpose. The propaganda issued was to enable entire governments to gain supremacy over others. It was orchestrated and well coordinated. The channels through which the communication would flow seemed to be well designed so that everyone would move on cue.

Nowadays, we waste the opportunities to communicate with any purpose or effectiveness. The messages we send can aptly be described as junk.

When we spend money on the devices, are we so numb to the relevance of expenses that we are disinterested with reclaiming some of the money we have spent? For many of us, our lifestyles have changed since we have our own businesses, run charities, and involved in the organization at levels that our forefathers strove for and we now take for granted.

Before sending out random communication, decide on a theme, a purpose, even a mission. Identify who would rather visit you to get it and who you can send it to that really wants it. There should be a choice to opt in/out by the individual. If they follow you, then they have opted to be in. Decide if the information you're posting is taking you closer to your overall goals, aims, and objectives without annoying others. Remember, DO NOT SPAM!

Hope this helps you in streamlining your online communication. Time is too valuable to waste. You have a powerful medium in your hand, use it wisely.

Good manners with support systems

It seems that many people do not know their own name. Don't believe me? Just call anywhere and experience how many people on the other end loathe saying their name when identifying themselves and the organization they represent.

When working somewhere you represent a brand of the business; however, there's a personal brand as well. Some older business people who never went anywhere to study business had something about their personality that enabled them to interact with people. So skilled were they with people, that when anyone was referred to the organization they would also be asked to see that people who offered exceptional service.

Nowadays, service has gone the way of education and entitlements which have become so entrenched that the provider has lost sight of who is the customer and what they represent to the business that they should be representing; albeit in a woeful manner.

We seem to have put so much emphasis on catering to customer complaints that customer service has become a department for fielding the various complaints of customers rather than an area that permeates the entire establishment that plans and implements practices that enhance the customer experience. With more education and certification in the area, we have become more reactive rather than proactive; dwelling on problems rather than focusing on solutions.

Businesses, big and small, have lost their sense of good manners. We have developed a society where looking pretty/cool takes precedence over being sincerely helpful. Many of those who offer help seem to have an ulterior motive; they want to be paid for everything. No one seems to care about developing a sound reputation for integrity and honor.

Can we make a difference? Yes, we can! Constantly being mannerly can do you a world of good, and it can improve our environment significantly. Stop being just an expense and begin being an asset in your environment, and develop a reputation for great manners.

Thoughts on Caribbean Businesses

Whenever things in the economy get tight one of the first things politicians in developing countries do is turn their direction towards entrepreneurship. In many cases, it's hard to tell if this is genuine and the interests are for real.

Job gimmickry often comes to mind for a number of reasons. The key one being that this is a way of justifying job creation through lip service. My thinking goes this way for some of the various reasons I'll now highlight below.

• The processes entrepreneurs face is becoming increasingly bureaucratic since the government wants tax clearance certificates issued at every turn. The attempts at collecting taxes are becoming a nickel and dime process without a holistic approach that can make the entire process more simple. 
• Too many companies in Barbados and perhaps the Caribbean are not structured for growth. The general approach is to incorporate without the incorporation documents supporting the raising of capital via shares instead of debt financing. Consequently, too many businesses are limited by the opinions of the lending officers within banking institutions who may have never run a business and have no appreciation for what is required in the running of one. Most banks then represent their interests with a cookie cutter approach rather than truly examining the business on its own merit. 
• The accountants along with business advisory services and attorneys need to interact more in the advice that they provide companies so that their advice is more inclusive to the strategy that the business wishes to employ that would best serve its sustainability and survival. 
• The leaders of the business are ignorant of areas outside of their immediate scope of work since they do not read enough developmentally. Sure they know the technical information yet that often is not enough to grow to the levels of success that such an educated grouping of leaders should be meeting and exceeding. Hence the performance of Caribbean businesses remains constant for the most part with very little mobility in either direction. Once they are profitable, the incentive to stretch further seems to be non-existent as leaders setting into contentment with their levels of performance. They function completely oblivious to the competition from other world markets. 

This is by no means finished but serves the basis of getting the reader to think that perhaps more needs to be done. We need to get on purpose with business development, not only within our existing markets but seeking to expand into other markets and create opportunities future development. 

We need to develop our own unique model for conducting business and take it global thereby helping them to understand what it means to be doing business within our standards. Perhaps we should redefine what it means to be doing business@islandtime, and help them understand that we do business as a people the world over. 

UNDER RESEARCHED...

There are lots of people seeking to get into a business. Conversations with many of them will reveal that these people have some pretty good business ideas.

Further discussion can be quite the insight into the fact that there are more ideas available than the research that goes into them. In short, many of the businesses are not where they should be in terms of the research that's necessary. Therefore they are totally unprepared for the hiccups.

In business, you cannot be myopic only planning for the perfect picture that you have visualized that business will happen exactly like that daily. Once you are alive, storms will come through ever so often; sometimes earlier / later. There's just no sure-fire formula.

How do you ensure that your business is shovel ready? In other words, if you were being processed right now to access funding for your business, have you eliminated all of the setbacks that can halt the process? Should you get the funding right now, how fast can you mobilize to implement what you requested the funding for doing?

When business owners are asked to present about their business, and they are cross-examined, it is when many realize that they are not as prepared as they thought. Sole proprietors suffer most with this as they have not built a team which would enable them to benefit from another perspective.

Do you know the following for your business? Here are some questions that will need to be answered regardless of what business you are in:

• How much money do you need to begin your business on the right scale that would enable you to meet your objectives head on? 
• If you have to get investors, what are you willing to offer them / receive from them as a part of the total investment package? 
• Do you know how investment/financing works and recognize the differences among them? 
• Who forms a part of your team and what experiences/influences are they bringing to the table that can enhance your business and enable it to gain traction in the market? 
• Do you have a full complement of professionals that you can access? [accounting, financial, legal, marketing, business advisory services, operations] 
• How will you handle shocking changes in your business' environment? Especially those that weren't considered in your SWOT analysis. 
• Do I, as an entrepreneur, have what it takes to orchestrate this and where can I quickly find help? 

These seven are not the only questions, however, they are key considerations for your business' development. 

Well....do you still think that you have the best business concept, or do you still need to put in some more work? How well do you know your business and the industry within which it will function? Do you know that you will not have all the solutions, and who are you willing to partner with to arrive at the necessary solutions? 

Always keep in mind that not all money is good money. Don't get overconfident in your dealings with the members of the public you serve.

Remember that the research you put in is not a one-time effort as your environment is always changing. Your research needs to keep up to date lest you become extinct. 

Think in terms of possibilities. You were given that idea download for a reason; how best will you exploit it? Looking forward to reading about your lessons learned down the road. Plan to be the winner you set out to be. 

There's no room for Lazy...

Entrepreneurship, is NOT for the faint of heart. It's where you put everything on the line. The success or failure that you experience puts you in contact with your real self. Among the questions that flit through your mind, this one stands out; "Do I have what it takes to be a winner?"

Some people embarking on the journey say in an off handed manner that they want to be their own boss. Making their decisions and so on. The reality is that you are accountable and to more people than you initially realize. To mention a few:

• Yourself
• Your family
• Your customers 
• Your investors 
• Your supporters
• Your suppliers 
• Your various members of your public who are waiting to see if you are for real.

Often when you start up, you will be placed in the unfamiliar zone of loneliness. There's no longer a superior offering you instruction by way of orders or suggestions. The directions and instructions now originate with you. Have you thought them out well enough to recognize that they have far reaching impact on various aspects of your business? The decisions that you make wil; contribute to your success or failure. 

You're no longer entitled,,,,

• Paid vacation leave
• Getting paid for showing up for work 
• Vacations, if not carefully planned are never experienced
• The freedom of speech must now be tempered with the impact that it will cause
• Sick benefits, are you kidding me? Get into the work environment and forget about going to bed because you feel ill

The buck stops with you. It's no longer turn up, collect your paycheque, ensure the money's correct and then leave. You have to create the safe environment. In other words, the following is your responsibility:

• Creation of a safe, functional work environment
• Planning customer interactions so there's always steady revenue streams 
• Taking responsibility for minimizing expenses that are unnecessary
• Cash management and all that it entails - working capital, management of accounts payable / receivable, ensuring there's adequate stock / inventory 
• Meetings with investors, staff, prospects, clients, banks, accountants, and the list goes on. 

Everything that happens in your business will be a result  of the effort that you put in. To get to the stage of residual income, you have to work hard initially at the systems required to develop the active income. In instances where you don't know what you need to know, you will have to take classes / hire consultants / develop competent teams / research information. All of these areas require the investment of both time and money. 

Do you still want to be your own boss? Does this skeletal outline look like the part of the sacrifice you are willing to make? Understand this, when you are getting into business; read what I'm about to say at least ten (10) times so that it will sink in. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR LAZY! 

The Teas ("ty's") of Business

In business, life most things in life there must be some element of governance. Nowadays, many are jumping onto the bandwagon of entrepreneurship with the mindset that they want to be their own boss. What needs to be asked is, have we counted the true cost of the elements that are needed for business? Have we looked at key ingredients that if not present, the business is doomed to failure.

This short, interactive article will look at not the teas, but the ty's of business. We will highlight them and briefly illustrate how they can be useful in business. The list can be extended as you deem fit, however this is the starting point to just quicken your thinking into considering which of these apply to your business and how you may adapt them to move your business forward. You will be able to identify your own "blend" of business.

Responsibility

Authority

Loyalty

Dependability

Accountability

There, I have hyperlinked them for you. On this occasion, you are going to look them up individually rather than me tell you their meaning. Why?

It's because if you're serious about business, you would want to be aware of the ingredients that go in and make your blend that's suitable for you, your staff, and your customers. Ponder on the next image and see:

• The various elements that affect your business
• How can you manage them with all that's going on?
• What are some of the decisions that you'll have to make and how will the affect the big / small picture of your business?
• Do you affect only the local situation where you are, or do your decisions have an international impact? Think in terms of all the "publics" you will serve. 
• Are you setting any trends / just following leads within the market?

Business is dynamic, interesting, exciting, risky, sometimes stressful, gratifying, and despite the myriad of emotions and experiences - good and bad that it presents, more people want to get into business.

For instance; I want to publicly thank those who created these images that I have used in this article. My imagination would not have allowed me to convey this message as clearly without these images that they developed and never knew that they would be of use for me. Their decision though having an initial local thought has international impact. I also liked learning about their services when I followed their links, since it sort of blends with what I do.

Think locally / Act globally is more than a cliche. It is a MUST. I hope to enjoy your "ty" [pun intended]. Wishing you the best!