Standing Tall or Hunkering Down?

With the pundits forecasting a bleak 2009 I’m not surprised that many business owners view “the Economy” as their biggest challenge this year. There’s no doubt that we’re facing tough times.

I’ve talked with many business owners who have told me that they’re “hunkering down”. But, I’ve been fortunate to be work with some business owners who are keeping their heads up, focused on the horizon. They know that their organizations are counting on them for leadership and they are determined to see their companies not only survive but thrive.

While their competitors blame external factors for most of their woes, they look inward and ask themselves some tough questions:

1) What can we do better than anyone else?
2) Who is our ideal customer and what are the things that are unique about us that this customer truly values?
3) What’s the number one goal here? Where will we be in 10 years, 3 years and at the end of this year? Is everyone aware of this goal and are we all on the same page?
4) Do all employees know their roles and are they held accountable for results?
5) Is everyone working on the most important things right now? Are these things getting done? On time?

These owners appreciate the importance of their most valuable asset … the right people. People who share their values, truly fit into the culture and who get it, want it and have the capacity to do their jobs well. In other words, to borrow from Jim Collins, they’re putting the right people on the bus and helping the wrong people off the bus. While others are shedding employees like excess weight, they’re muscle-building their organization and keeping it focused.

They’re tough-minded and tenacious. They keep going when many others are ready to throw in the towel. They keep things in perspective, see the glass has half full and recognize that with every obstacle or set back there lies an opportunity to learn and grow. And finally, they recognize that they can’t do these things from a prone position. Stand tall.