Interpersonal Business

American Business is collectively ready to turn the page on what have been the most difficult years in the past few decades, or at least as difficult as in my professional career. The real question becomes, are we truly better prepared? Past avenues must now be reviewed, and adjustments are likely to be required to endure and flourish in a new marketplace.

Unconventional wisdom would suggest it’s time to stick your neck out a bit further. If your company’s marketing strategies are past their “freshness date,” it’s is also very, very likely that many of your competitors are unknowingly in a similar position. This can be the very best possible time to step out of the pack by distinguishing yourself as well, yes, a bit “unconventional.”

For over thirty years I have been fortunate enough to visit and shared in the culture of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Each visit continues to confirm what I have learned about these wonderful people living in their native land.
Mexico is a society that suggests family values and friendships are the singular priority and true meaning of life. These are children and parents who, as a family, have all learned how to genuinely smile from their heart and through their eyes. We can learn from a culture that rewards simple values, hard work, and living within ones needs and means. I feel honored and privileged to have been given the opportunity to have once again been its student.

The opportunity and objective is to retain the cream that rises at all costs. What is left – the pitcher of cream you hold in your hand – contains the greatest assets of your company.
The strength of a manager is in determining difference between profitable business and business that is not. How much better could you be, how much stronger and more profitable could profitable strategic alliances be, with this enhanced focus? Finally, how much more professional satisfaction might you find in this model?
How does it feel to be free of those aspects of your business that were the least profitable, the most time consuming, and the least pleasurable alliances you’d previously retained?
Now that the profitability benchmark of performance has truly been established, you’re in a much better and knowledgeable position to truly evaluate future opportunities as they present themselves.

Business owners for generations have gotten caught up in the “romance” of sales growth while taking their eye off of profitability. Big egos always have and always will compromise solid business practices. Businesses will continue to fail or underperform, not from market conditions, a poor economy or steamy competition. They will continue to underachieve by pretending to be something they are not in these very difficult times.