The Magic 8 Ball

I wish that I could use the Magic 8 Ball to forecast what my results in business would yield. 


"Is the project that I am kicking off today going to end up being impactful for the business?"

Shake..Shake..Shake..

Signs point to Yes

"Sweet!"

or

"That was a pretty good interview...will she end up being a strong performer for us?"

Shake..Shake..Shake.

Very Doubtful

"Whew...thanks Magic 8 Ball!"


The end result is that enigma which paralyses many businesses from truly achieving the greatness that they seek to accomplish.  What normally begins as a fantastic idea with great potential ends up being analyzed to great lengths and as the fear of the unknown sets in....so begins the slow digging of the grave where the idea will end up lying.

The execution of an original idea is always scary and not knowing how it will manifest itself can be terrifying when it carries giant revenue/product implications for the company that is launching it.   When companies embark on these ventures it is not uncommon for them to start seeing some "churn" within the structure as people start to make their own judgements on whether or not the risk is to much for their personal taste.  

Everyone begins to shake their own internal "magic 8 ball" to get an understanding of what their mindset is and the accepting of that occurrence by the business is important.  After all,when an idea is launched you want to make sure that you have the right people in place.  Do you really want individuals who have the mindset of:
Don't count on it, My reply is no, My sources say no, Outlook not so good, Very doubtful

Or would you rather make your move with people who have the mental mindset of:

It is certain, It is decidedly so,Without a doubt, Yes definitely, You may rely on it, As I see it yes, Most likely, Outlook good, Yes, Signs point to yes

 Risk is necessary and the end results are never truly known.  How boring would life be without the occasional racing of the heart and gulping of your throat?  Don't give into the fear of "new", but simply acknowledge that it is there and move ahead with those that believe in the direction you are going.

Shake..Shake..Shake

Outlook good

Associate 45

I was 16 when I walked into a local department store and filled out an application for employment.  I was not thrilled to be there and if my mother had not been sitting outside in the car making sure that I followed through with this life lesson I could have easily made a bee-line for the arcade that was across the street.

The interview consisted of the general manager asking some simple questions and before I knew it I was given the official identity of "Associate 45".

A week later I showed up with my "Don Johnson Tie" (for those of you not of the Miami Vice era...just google it and then hold back the laughter), purple shirt, and my first pair of black dress pants...I was ready.  It was then that I found out that my job would be to learn how to run the cash register and each day stock the beauty product section.  This would be the cause of much laughter from my loyal friends who were known to show up every now and then in order to have the classic store page of "Associate 45 please report to Beauty" be blasted out to the masses.

Work.

It's a concept that we all understand and something that conjures up a myriad of images depending on where you happen to be in your life's journey.  That first job taught me many things that I have carried with me through the years:

• Be on time.  When you have to punch a time card there is no hiding whether or not you showed up at the time you were supposed to.  
• Don't take yourself so seriously.  When the girl that you have been dying to ask out on a date for the last three months walks up to you in the lipstick aisle and you are elbows deep in a box of Maybelline...you have to laugh (and then cry).
• Age is relative.  I was working along side people who had been doing the same job for over 20 years and did not complain about a thing.  They smiled and approached each day as if it was their first..
• Clean up your messes.  I hated hearing "Associate 45 clean up in aisle 8"......
• Pull your weight.  The general manager preached this daily and never allowed an individual to just coast.  When you showed up to work for 8 hours...you put in your 8 hours...full stop.

There were many other lessons that came out of that first job and I could probably do a whole series on how important it is for youth to get that first experience.  The reality is that there are basic principles which we should all follow when we show up or login to our respective work environments.  Whether you are an entry level sales associate or the CEO of a company,  the timeless guidelines of "work" will never go away.

Enjoy the day...make it a good one.

Associate 45

Keeping it Simple

"I'll have a number 3 please...no cheese on the hamburgers"

"I'm sorry sir...the number 3 only comes with cheese and I'm not able to override the system to take off the cheese."

"Can I get two hamburgers, a large fry, and a large coke instead?"

"Yes.."

"Can I get that for the same price as a number 3?"

"Sure!  I can do that..."


The simple tasks in business can often by muddied by the desire to take the "thinking" out of the hands of those that work for you.  When training your people on the technologies that you purchase it is always important to add in a component of knowing how "to get out of the box" and not allow the consumer to feel the restrictions that may exist by what you've implemented.