1 lesson from 10 years of business

Friends,
Coming up on our 11th year of business, I can tell you with all confidence that building a strong business is no walk in the park.  In fact, I am learning that building a strong anything comes with challenges and takes work.  My business has taught me that when a mistake is made, there is not much good in 'pointing the blame' to others.  As the 'boss', ultimately final responsibility is placed on me.  There is a 100% direct correlation between the mistake our company makes and our bank account...it's a 1:1 ratio...i.e we order $1000 of scrap material...our bill is...$1000 and subsequently that amount leaves our bank.

It's all too easy to 'shift the blame' elsewhere..."so and so" failed in their responsibility...it's their fault.  I have come to realize that yes indeed I place responsibility on others...but it is my job to communicate clear expectations and give the individual clear guidelines, training and support.  This takes much more patience and work.  By me investing in a structure that creates and environment conducive to 'taking responsibility' I have seen a dramatic increase in productivity in our place of work.

This approach is based on a 'leader serving'.  I am to serve those under my authority for their benefit and that of the company.  This is rewarding because the skill learned by those in whom I invest are now transferable not only to a profitable work environment, but also to others...thus a 'culture of champions' is being created.

What are you in charge of? Who and what are your responsible for?  I encourage you today to look at your problems and challenges with a fresh view: overcome problems by serving!  What acts of service can you undergo to see the transformation you desire?  Who can you 'pull in' to your world who will help you analyze the problem and construct a solution?

The biggest mistake I made throughout the years is complaining about problems under my authority.  I have had to learn to think, analyze and pull others into my world and realize that, 'yes indeed' I can make change occur.

Have a fantastic day!

The Interview with Mr. Liberal.

For fun, I am using the article copied to do a mock interview; enjoy:
-all non brackets are direct quotes from the article below
ttp://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/03/cv-election-campaign-day-8.html

Pretend interview with Ryan as the press, and Mr. Liberal as my guest explaining the unveiling of their new plans:

Ryan: "Thank you for meeting with me today Mr. Liberal. So, your plan...what is it?:

Liberals say:" a spending plan laid out over two years that adds up to more than $8 billion."

Ryan says, "Who will....I'm sorry, did you say 8 b-i-l-l-i-o-n...with a b?"

Liberals: "8 billion"

Ryan: "okay, who will benefit from this?"

Liberals say: "Families...(we call it the) Liberal Family Pack "

Ryan: "Liberal family pack? I thought you said it was for Canadians? So why are you not calling it the "Canadian family pack" if this is all about Canadian families?  Would smart conservatives not use your existing title to expose that you are trying to be peoples 'source' and 'go to' when every problem creeps into life? What-da you say? Name change to 'Canadian family pack?"

Liberals: "a good government is there so you don't feel alone...(so we will call it) the liberal family pack"

Ryan: "My goodness....So, what's in the "power pack"?:
Liberals say: " ..(it's) the family pack. Many of the items in the platform have already been announced, including the "Learning Passport" post-secondary funding, an early learning and child care plan, the family care plan to help care for sick relatives, and measures to improve the Canada Pension Plan and help for low-income seniors."

Ryan says, "Dear God! 8 billion for these items? Will the population accept increased taxes? Would they not vote you down for increasing taxes?"

Liberals say: "(our) plan does not raise taxes on families"

Ryan says, "that's impossible!  Wait...do you mean...you don't...are you saying you will make cuts to programs and other spending?

Liberals: "....."

Ryan:  "That leaves corporations...are you going to raise their taxes?"

Liberals: "(we will be)  raising corporate tax rates back up to the 2010 level"

Ryan: "oh, i see...so corporations will pay for this "family pack".  Fellas, I have been blogging about government encroaching on area's of jurisdiction that they have no business treading on.  What is the logic for taking hard earned and necessary cooperate profits and spending them on more and more and more and more and more programs?

Liberals, " a good government is there so you don't feel alone."

Ryan: (jaw dropped...silence...)

Liberals continue: "they address a real need of Canadian families"

Ryan: "are you aware that my very point is that you tax money then spend it on programs you have no jurisdiction within? Why is it your job to plan the economy and why are you branding this as 'meeting needs'?

Liberals: silence....

Ryan: "okay, so let's be real, you can't have it all...what are you giving up...?"

Liberals: "(we would accommodate) policy spending with a cancellation of the F-35 fighter jet deal"

Ryan: "Your kidding?!?! You are cancelling spending in an area the government actually has jurisdiction and responsibility in to pay for something you have no business encroaching on?"

Liberals: "(that's why we call ourselves liberals)".