Stop Thinking Start Doing

You can study for all the MBAs and post-graduate qualifications in the world.
But if you want to know what separates the guys who run things from the people who don’t, I’ll tell you.
It’s one simple question – What’s best for me?
The people who make it to the top, never ask that question.
And the people who get passed over for promotion always ask it.
As you move through your life, your business or just your career, there’ll be times where you need to give a little more.
A little more time.
A little more effort.
A little more je ne sais quoi (the person who asks you may well be French).
Alternatively, you might just spot that something needs to, or should be done.
So you ask yourself that question.
Weigh things up in your mind.
Run through the caveats.
You hesitate.
Meanwhile, someone else has picked it up and run with it.
And although the problem has been solved, or the issue averted, people remember that moment of hesitation.
The can’t-do attitude.
Your mercenary decision-making process.
See it from a different point of view.
Grasping a challenge, a task, an opportunity, shows energy and enthusiasm.
It demonstrates the kind of commitment that anyone who controls the bottom line is looking for.
Let me give you a quick example from today.
Yesterday I had an early client meeting in town.
Then a pitch in a different part of town at 12.30.
My next meeting was at 4.30, in town.
I could have given myself an easy ride.
Nice leisurely lunch, make a few calls, stroll to my meeting.
No.
Instead I made the hour-long journey back to the office in Kingston.
All because there was a catch-up meeting for a pitch that was going out the door at 5pm.
As soon as the meeting was over, I had to head out the door for the hour-long journey to my next meeting.
So… was it good for me.
Of course not.
Was it right for the other people involved?
Absolutely.
If you're reading this blog thinking I'm a mug, then you’re probably happy with your job.
But don’t feel too good about it – that’s what you’ve got instead of the career you could be having.
But, if you’re reading this thinking "that's what I would have done", look me up on LinkedIn. You never know where it could lead.
Chances are, there’ll be some travel involved.

Shout It From The Roof Tops

This one goes out to all you golf fans.

And Gareth.

If the last 3 majors have taught us anything, it’s the fact that success breeds success.

All winning golfers from the The Masters, The US Open and The Open are managed by Chubby Chandler's ISM group.

When they are at the majors, they eat together.

Stay together.

So they’re constantly sharing their winning stories.

First Graham McDowell wins the US Open of last year.

Then Louis Oosthuizen.

Followed by Rory McIlroy and now Darren Clarke.

It’s no coincidence.

They’ve cultivated a culture of success.

It becomes infectious.

Everyone sees how it’s done.

And they all want a piece.

So next time you win something, tell the world.

Let others share in your success.

Learn from your experience.

And enjoy some victories of their own.

Why Wait Till The End?

As I said on Thursday, we’ve been pitching a lot lately.
And I’m happy to say we’ve had a pretty successful run.
That’s mean quite a few late nights.
As well as plenty of early mornings.
Whatever it takes to get stuff out the door.
I guess old habits die hard.
But I’ve never understood that agency mentality of taking it down to the wire.
Leaving it to the very last minute.
I’m sure some people work best under pressure.
Unfortunately, that’s also how mistakes get made.
Things get overlooked in the last minute panic.
Like any successful product launch, the pressure needs to be applied at the front end.
Otherwise, you run the risk of making your pitch look like a 12 year-old’s homework.
“Sorry if my report looks sloppy, but the bus kept going over speed bumps.”
Not very impressive.
You might be able to rationalize it, but your client can spot the warning signs.
Well managed time, means a well managed project.
And that’s something every client wants to see.