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For the past several years my doctor has me come into his office for a physical exam. He says once you hit the big 5-0 it is important to get poked and prodded every year. I usually do this sometime close to the first of the year. I really don’t like going to a Dr. especially when I feel good, but I know it is important. During this annual exam I go through the normal “check up”, have my oil changed, and get my warranty card revalidated. My doctor tells me that I’m doing well and then as I walk out the door advises me to lose a few pounds. (By the way – I am down 7 lbs. since the last newsletter). How many of us give our businesses an annual checkup? If your business is sick wouldn’t you want to know about it? Are you performing business exercises that allow your business to be strong and vibrant? Now is a great time to evaluate how your business has done this year. It is a little early to roundup the needed materials for your income tax returns and there may be a lull in the storm as the clouds of the busy holiday season gather. We are in the fourth quarter of the year and we all should be able to project how well we will have done by December 31. Are you satisfied, unsatisfied or ambivalent towards your progress or lack of it? Is the status quo acceptable or do you want true breakthroughs in your business. You need to decide what it is that you want and examine if what you are doing will propel you to these heights. “You should examine yourself daily. If you find faults, you should correct them. When you find none, you should try even harder.” - Israel Zangwill A great athlete cannot live on past accolades. There are many athletes who just a few years ago were all stars but today are sitting on the bench. Can you tell me the names of the past four winners of American Idol? How about the runners up? Like “they” say: What have you done for me lately? In other words, you are only as good as your last success. When I examine our sales numbers for past years they do nothing to add to today’s bottom line. They are only a measuring stick to see where we have been. They are also a barometer of how we are doing as a historical measure. If the numbers are higher each year then that is good. If the numbers decrease then we need to find out why. Obviously sale numbers are only one part of operational awareness albeit a very important one. It is very possible to have higher sales numbers each year but reduced profitability. As a business person it is incumbent upon you to know the financial health of your business. Just as it is important to take good care of your physical health it is important to care for the health of your business. So as you enjoy your holiday meals in the next few months please do so knowing that you have done all you can to prepare for the upcoming year. Holiday ordering – Just like every other year, the Christmas season is fast approaching. Make sure you place your holiday orders in a timely manner. It seems every year there is a group of customers that procrastinate and want “Christmas miracles” to happen when they place their order two days before Christmas. Let’s not fall into the web of the “Procrastinator’s Creed” which says: I believe that if anything is worth doing, it would have been done already. A newsletter on the topic of procrastination would be nice but I think I’ll put it off until another time. Please allow a couple of extra days lead time for the busy season. Web Site Info We have added a clear vinyl tape. This tape works well with unusual sized or shaped containers to help tamper proof your product. It is sold by the roll and can be found under the heading “Accessories/Shrink Bands”. Here is the link to see the product: ….. here’s to your success Dennis Gibson |
Message In A Bottle -
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