There are two types of people in the world — those who get depressed about Labour Day, and those who welcome its “get back to work” message.
I think everyone should be as excited about Labour Day as a four-year-old about to start kindergarten.
Do you remember your first day of school? The thrill you felt at this new beginning, with your natural anxieties fighting a losing battle against the excitement of meeting new friends and the knowledge that a new world of wonders and challenges was opening up to you — plus, new clothes.
Imagine if you could recapture that excitement, that sense of destiny. Think of the beginning of September as that First Day, all over again. Sunny summer memories are consigned to the photo album (or more likely, Facebook) as people all over North America plunge back into work with new urgency and enthusiasm.
You can choose to march back to work with your head down, dreading the coming of winter. Or you can be that starry-eyed kid, embracing the new opportunities that await you. There really are exciting new people to meet and defining challenges to overcome.
Once in school, you were quickly exposed to the Three Rs: reading, writing and ‘rithmetic, the fundamentals of Western education. Business also has its Rs, but a lot more than three. But just as with the Big Three, your ability to master these Seven Rs will go a long way to determining your business’s success:
Reading Yes, the First R has graduated from school and landed an office job. Because reading seems to be on the decline in business these days. You forward an article to your sales staff and later learn nobody clicked on it; you prepare for a meeting only to find no one’s read your introductory memo. In these fast and loose days of email, texting, Twitter and YouTube, the concept of learning through reading seems on the way out.
That’s your cue to read like a sponge. Because those who read the briefing material and survey results, research their prospects, follow the business news and pay attention to the fine print are the prepared, knowledgeable competitors everyone wants on their side.
Write-off This seemingly blasé accounting term represents two important business concepts: knowing when to give up on an initiative, and capturing all the value you can from projects that go wrong. Don’t be afraid to close down a project that’s drifting off mission or off market; but make sure you get all your team members together to discuss what went wrong and how to avoid those errors next time.
Receivables No sale is final until the money’s in your account. Track your accounts receivable constantly and get on the phone yourself when clients start sliding. Revenue is great, but cash flow is the key to success.
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