Creating a Business Plan… With Real Meaning!

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9 Essential Keys to Planning for Success in Your Business

By Wayne H. Ottum

“That business purpose and business mission are so rarely given adequate thought is perhaps
the most important cause of business frustration and failure.”
Peter F. Drucker, the father of modern business planning

If business planning is as valuable as we are told (and it is), then what we need is a way to plan so that the resulting plan is a plan with real meaning. One that literally compels you to act because it is a plan that naturally moves you toward what you truly desire. It is a plan that feels in alignment with who you are authentically, so you act from a place of strength using your unique gifts. It is a plan that works for you and your business and where everyone feels fulfilled and eager to work that plan every day.

There are 9 essential keys to creating a Business Plan… with Real Meaning: Read more

Does Your Work Environment Create Top Performers?

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By Wayne H. Ottum

“Select a person, set expectations, motivate the person and develop the person… If a company’s managers are unable to play this role well, then no matter how sophisticated its systems or how inspirational its leaders, the company will slowly start to disintegrate.”
Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman in ”First, Break All the Rules” 1999.

The professional development aspect of the culture of an organization has an enormous impact on its ability to continually and effectively reach its strategic objectives. In order to create an environment that fosters top performance in the pursuit of these objectives, an organization must Lead from Strength™. In fact, the quote above is from the book that started the “strength” movement when the Gallop organization studied and reported on what makes a great manager in the book entitled, First, Break all the Rules. The result? Those great managers “broke all the rules” that focused on determining and “fixing” the weaknesses of their staff. Instead, these great managers discovered the particular strengths needed for the particular role, aligned staff’s strengths to those roles and then set expectations, motivated and developed those strengths.

To determine if you are creating an environment that fosters success now and in the future, we encourage you to ask your employees the following 10 questions routinely and continually: Read more

Living Intentionally

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The power is yours to create the life of your dreams with a clear vision!

You may have heard a few of these quotes in your lifetime, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” (George Harrison).  Or, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you will wind up somewhere else!” (Yogi Berra).  We really like these quirky little quotes because they capture the true essence of what happens when you’re not in the driver’s seat, actively navigating your life, and living intentionally.  They also touch on the extraordinary power available to you by honing a clear focus, choosing a direction in alignment with who you are, and creating a compelling vision of the life of your dreams.

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5 Things to Do Right Now to Start Your Business Year off Right!

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by Wayne Ottum

“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.“- Chinese Proverb

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Abraham Lincoln

The holidays were fun (or stressful, depending on your point of view) but it’s a New Year and time to get back to business.  So, what can you do right now to help your business off to a great start? Here are 5 things… Read more