You might know that you can find more posts by me on KaizenBiz.com and TweakYourBiz.com. Just this month, I started blogging on a small business site, Corpnet.com. Check out my latest posts here…
On TweakYourBiz.com
Preparing and Responding When Natural Disaster Hits Your Small Business Since any one of us can be affected by a natural disaster, this summation post offers links of resources and advice for preparation and recovery. I wish you every success for the recovery of your small business if you’ve been affected by Hurricane Sandy or any of other recent severe weather events.
On Corpnet
Running a Small Business: What Is a Living Business Plan? As a reader of this blog, you are probably familiar with my encouragement that using a living business is good business sense so you stay focused and clear about planning and implementation of your business vision and goals. If you have missed some of my past posts on living business plans, this post is a good introduction.
Thank you for taking the time to read my posts on these other sites. I appreciate any time you share my small business posts with your followers on your favorite social media sites.
About the author: I’m Elli St.George Godfrey, a small business coach and trainer who guides established small business owners to be comfortable in their own skin. I have a deep appreciation for learning and understanding my client’s business style and culture. Whether you are expanding in your own backyard or into another country, my 3 keys coaching process helps clients move from being excited about a new business opportunity to having the tools to make it actually happen. Curious? Schedule your complimentary coaching session here.
In 1988 in the North Sea, an Occidental Oil rig exploded killing 167 men. This disaster is possibly the worst offshore oil rig accidents in history (see more of the story here). Those that survived the inferno did so by jumping into the ocean waters despite the great height and frigid waters below. One survivor, Andy Mochan was quoted, “It was either fry or jump, so I jumped.”
Daryl Connor was inspired by Mochan’s story and commitment to survival led Connor to create the change management term of “burning platform.” Since Connor’s introduction, it’s become common in change management to create a sense of heightened urgency so organizational changes are adopted more readily.
The morphing of an idea Click here to read more »
Every now and then, a children’s story catches my attention in an unexpected way. Recently I was reading Aesop’s The Sun and the Wind .
The Sun and the Wind were arguing about which one of them was stronger. They could not come to any agreement. When they saw traveller on the road, the Wind said, “this is how we can decide. The first one of us who can make that traveller remove his cloak is the strongest. The Sun answered the challenge, “That is an excellent idea! You may go first.” The Wind laughed and said, “You go behind that cloud while I show you how it’s done. Watch and learn.”
After the Sun went behind a cloud, the Wind began to blow and blow. However, no matter how hard the Wind blew, the traveller would not remove his cloak. The traveller just pulled his cloak closer around him and trudging down the road. Finally, the Wind gave up and stopped blowing.
The Sun came out from behind the cloud and began to shine. Eventually the traveller became so warm, he took his cloak off and carried it on his arm.
During times of change, are you the Wind or the Sun? Click here to read more »
Some of you may know that I lead a chat on Twitter called #KaizenBiz (It used to be called #KaizenBlog). But if you didn’t know, let me introduce you…
What is KaizenBiz?
In brief, we discuss (yes, in only 140 characters) various business topics every Friday at 5pm GMT/12pm ET/9am PT. This worldwide chat uses the concept of Kaizen while exploring business ideas. The mission of chat is to apply critical thinking to various business topics, enhance our skills and deepen our self-understanding. We do this within a community that enjoys connecting with one another through conversation online and off.
Come over and visit KaizenBiz.com
These are our most recent posts so please read and share your perspective:
Please read, comment and join us on Fridays at 12pm ET on Twitter. If you would like an idea of what the conversation is like, here is the transcript from this past Friday’s discussion, “Why Doesn’t Everyone Have Effective Teamwork?” I hope you’ll join us soon!
My new adventure…I was a news reviewer on The Small Business Show with Kehlan Kirwan and Brian Cleary this past Saturday, September 15th (I’ll post the podcast link when it goes live). This radio show focuses on Irish SME’s by highlighting interesting companies as well as discussing news stories that affect small business all over Ireland.
One story in particular caught my eye...
The Minister of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD and the Minister of State for Small Business John Perry TD announced that a guide titled, Managing Out of a Crisis. This guide is supposed to be something that struggling small business owners could use immediately. With the news remaining grim, it can feel overwhelming or even paralyzing trying to keep things going.
Where do you start? Click here to read more »
As I’m about to embark on a vacation of my own, I noticed that I had let my business get to me. There is stuff to announce on my usual social media sites, information to process about upcoming programs, meetings to schedule and confirm…Yes, there is always something to do. A phone call, a networking event, checks to sign, meetings to facilitate…the list goes on and on.
When you can’t shut it off, it’s time to get away Click here to read more »
After watching the Summer Olympics, it’s tempting to model the single-minded dedication and pursuit of being the best. Let me say this first, I love the Olympics! It’s extraordinary to see people who have dedicated themselves for a sporting event that only happens every 4 years. Their whole lives -diet, exercise, psychological training, competitions, downtime – are dedicated to improving their performance. Witnessing this performance is awe inspiring! And yet…this is a bad model for small business owners. Click here to read more »
It’s not unusual for a small business owner to be talented and intuitive enough to steer their businesses through early growth. In fact, you want that foundation! Then, one day, there is an inspiration to go for a bigger push. Sometimes this inspiration is like a whack on the head…your biggest client leaves or you’ve hit some other financial wall. Other times it is illumination…your product or service feeds a need in your market or the business is attracting attention and interest from your uber-ideal customers.
What are you trying to accomplish?
Stephen Covey ( who passed away on July 16, 2012) recommended seven habits and one of these is “Begin with the end in mind”. This is often the starting point when we consider our wishes, hopes and dreams. Sometimes we articulate them to our business partners or friends but often business owners keep them quiet. Like the business owner I was speaking with last week who said he wanted to increase his revenues by 50%, it’s easy to come up with huge goals. It’s harder to determine why they are the best ones for both your personal growth and the growth of your organization.
Where’s the gap between your big goals and you? Click here to read more »
“Why should I hire you?” I get that question a lot. And frankly, I welcome it!
Since I work with established business owners, they want to know how coaching generates results they can see and feel. I can relate as a business owner. I don’t have time or money to waste either.
There are huge expectations for small business owners and most are ready to take on the challenges in front of them. However, it is common to want a place to express your dreams, aspiration, doubts and weaknesses. You want to maintain your authority and still make sure you have a solid support system that keeps you fresh and grounded.
What is coaching? Click here to read more »
*Mary, a small business owner, is experiencing some difficulty fitting into her changing role in her small business. Over the years, she has been largely responsible for the actual work of her business. She often kept her strategic plan in her head and followed her gut instinct when opportunities came along. And it worked. The business has grown and is stable. Recently, she has been noticing a restless feeling; as if it is time to do something new. Mary is quite clear that she has no intention of closing her current business. She envisions her current business becoming so much more. Mary recognizes that the business is ready for growth and knows she wants the role of leader; even calling herself CEO. She feels eager and apprehensive about making the necessary decisions that will move her business forward.
What’s behind her uncertainty? Click here to read more »
