Changing Your Business Ideas

Can you change? You know your ideas are right. You believe in them. You just know they will work - someday. You just have to fine-tune them - bigger, faster, more, less, smaller - whatever it takes to make those ideas work.

The real truth is none of us have the correct answer for every situation. Unfortunately, we have developed what we believe to be the best solution and we keep using it over and over again. Even when it has never worked. Because we have been correct on many other matters, we feel we just have to be correct on this one as well.

It is difficult to swallow our pride and admit that maybe this time - maybe on this issue - maybe on this employee - maybe on this vendor - or whatever the situation is - maybe this time we are WRONG.

So what should we do? I believe there are five important steps. First, just as an alcoholic must admit that he/she is an alcoholic before he can solve the problem, the business person must do the same. Admit your idea or method is wrong. Say it a few times out loud. "I AM WRONG." Write it a few times. Make sure you believe and understand that you made a mistake. It does not make you a failure. Not even the greatest hitter in basball got a hit every time he went to bat. No quarterback completes 100% of his passes.

Second, review your objective. Make sure it is what you really want to achieve. Don't try to fool yourself. Do you really want to increase your sales force or does more sales people mean more headaches for you? Do you really want to open another office or does that mean you will have to travel more? Do you really want to expand your product line or does that mean more manufacturing problems that will keep you awake at night? BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

Third, develop the new method, process, solution or whatever you want to try. GET HELP if you need it. After all, if your last attempt was not successful, maybe you lack knowledge or skill in this particular area. It is not a sign of weakness or failure to get help.

Fourth, make sure everyone involved knows what the objective is, knows how to execute their tasks, and understand their responsibilities. Train, train and train some more. No team wins the championship without good coaching and plenty of practice. Finally, make sure everyone knows the consequences of not performing their tasks properly. If the team gets a trophy and bonus for coming in last, there is no incentive to come in first.

Changing a process or idea that you have believed in (and probably developed) is not easy. You need to leave your comfort zone. If you want to be successful, it is something you must do.