Strategies for Success in this Recession – Part 3: Things to start doing

by Richard Derwent Cooke

This is the third blog in this series, and hopefully you now have the core idea that being proactive is the key to success in these recessionary times. Last time we considered things that you needed to stop doing and now I’d like to consider those things that you need to start doing. Things such as:-

• You need to consider other businesses outside your own specialist area who might service the same clientele as you do, that you could form an alliance with or create new services that merge your two offerings;

• Think of sectors that you haven’t previously serviced that you have the skill set to work with
  Ask some of your best existing clients for referrals and suggestions as to who you should be talking to;

• You should look at your staff and see who has the potential to develop new skills and offerings, and encourage them to do so;

• Make at least a couple of hours a week to focus on strategic issues, shut your door, turn off the phone and ensure that you give it your full attention;

• Look outside your own area for inspiration, be that books, hobbies, courses, other countries, innovate by cross-fertilisation;

• Identify things to stop doing. A minimum of 20% of your time is wasted (probably a more!) and you should identify these activities and use that time to seed your Change programme.

• Get the idea out there that you encourage and embrace Change;

• Make time for networking, you’ll be surprised where this takes you. It isn’t about selling, it is about getting your ideas out there and listening to those of others and exploring areas for collaborating.

Like all lists, this one is far from complete, but it will get you started. You should brainstorm others with your own team. If you keep doing what you have always done, in a recession, all you can expect is less and less of the same thing! Good Luck…

“I like my job because it involves learning. I like being around smart people who are trying to figure out new things. I like the fact that if people really try they can figure out how to invent things that actually have an impact.”
Bill Gates

Previous blogs in the series:
Strategies for Success in this Recession – Part 1: Change how you see things

Strategies for Success in this Recession – Part 2: Things to stop doing
Richard Derwent Cooke is a Facilitator, Coach & Change Mentor and the founder of I-Change. Trained as a chartered accountant and in various alternative disciplines, Richard has been working in the fields of personal and business change for over 25 years, working with international blue chip companies and individuals. See www.i-change.biz for more details, or email info@I-change.biz. You can also follow Richard on twitter.

Note from Su:
Have you found Richard’s posts useful? Would you like to see other professionals guesting on Just Practising? I’d be interested to hear your comments.