A streak dating back more than three decades came to an end at midnight on New Year's Eve. For the first time since 1972, as America rang in 2005, "America's Oldest Living Teenager" was not in Times Square to count down the dropping of the giant ball. The 75-year-old host of ABC's "New Year's Rockin' Eve" was in the hospital, recuperating from a stroke suffered a few weeks earlier.
Dick Clark evolved from a local radio DJ into the host of television's legendary American Bandstand, and ultimately became a prolific television producer ? of the Golden Globe Awards, American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and Daytime Emmy Awards ? by being an astute businessman and intuitive trend-spotter. From the favorite dances of teenagers, to the viewing habits of the often fickle American television audience, Clark recognized what people wanted and found new ways to deliver it to them.
As a small business owner, it is important to stay on top of and adjust to emerging trends ? whether they are technological breakthroughs in your industry or shifts in the products/services your customers/clients are buying from you. Recognizing opportunity is a result of keeping your eyes open to what is happening all around you.
Success Handler Action: To get your year off to a dynamic start, gather your team and discuss the changes occurring in your business. Consider innovative approaches you could take to increase productivity and the creative ways competitors are attempting to acquire your customers/clients. Here are some questions to help you get started:
~ What were your proudest moments last year?
~ What are your most significant goals/opportunities for this year?
~ What are your most significant challenges this year?
~ Where are you most likely to find new customers/clients in the next six months?
~ How is your industry changing, and what do you need to change to stay competitive?
Over the years, Dick Clark's smooth charm and youthful, tanned appearance have remained amazingly unchanged. However, much like the $10,000 Pyramid transformed into the $25,000 Pyramid and eventually ballooned into the $100,000 Pyramid, Clark's approach to business has changed whenever necessary. As a small business owner, it is important to create a culture in which your team is open to change.
Success Handler Action: Think about how your employees deal with change. Do they greet it as a chance to learn and grow, or fear it as difficult and disruptive? Here are five steps to improving your employees' reactions the next time change is coming:
1. Think about how this change will affect employees by looking at it from their perspective.
2. Before introducing a new approach, let a few key employees know about it first.
3. Have these key employees share with others, so more people are in the loop early.
4. Hold a team meeting to introduce the change, and leave time for answering questions.
5. Provide updates on the results of the change, and make adjustments based on feedback.
The biggest roadblock to instituting change is overcoming the natural fears your employees have whenever they feel their comfort level is being threatened. Having open communication before, during and after change occurs will create a culture where your employees welcome change as an important part of building a thriving business that helps them achieve success.
Regis Philbin, certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as having logged the most hours on network television, filled in this year from an indoor set above Times Square. Hopefully, Dick Clark will be back on the street ? earmuffs, gloves and overcoat in place ? to welcome in 2006. Between now and then, make a resolution to change your approach to change, so your employees react with a hearty "It has a good beat and you can dance to it!"
Copyright © 2005 by Success Handler, LLC. All rights reserved.
The Coach, David Handler, is the founder of Success Handler, (http://www.successhandler.com), and specializes in helping small business leaders find clarity and take action. He understands the challenges of running a business, because he's been there ? as a small business owner, franchisee, franchisor, corporate leader and trainer. Much like sports coaches, his coaching will show you how to compete on a level playing field in your industry.
The short and simple answer to this question is NO!Now,... Read More
There are many coating businesses in the market today, but... Read More
Our client in Chicago did, located right outside downtown too...a... Read More
Running a business is not an easy endeavor, it takes... Read More
Communication is the key to vendor relations. In your small... Read More
You run a small consultancy. You're well qualified, experienced and... Read More
Companies seeking capital often ask how long the Executive Summary... Read More
How do franchise companies come to be? How do they... Read More
When it comes to a startup, the luxuries shared with... Read More
In a recent talk to the Detroit Economic Club, President... Read More
It is only natural that when you start a business,... Read More
A recent poll conducted by Forbes magazine shows that majority... Read More
The most important function of a business plan is to... Read More
EntrepreneurAn entrepreneur is a man who organizes and manages the... Read More
I recently took an entrepreneurial quiz which evaluated my answers... Read More
Every evening as the sun sets beyond the mangroves that... Read More
As a senior in high school, he paid cash for... Read More
Adolescence brings with it many challenges ? for both parents... Read More
Select the best response to the statement below:As a solo... Read More
What is it that sets a successful businessperson apart from... Read More
As one of the most successful direct sales entrepreneurs in... Read More
So you want to start a business. You have an... Read More
Saving time means pacing yourself, being organized, and always prioritizing... Read More
So few really understand the drives and motivations of entrepreneurs.... Read More
Enjoying the title of entrepreneur is a hollow feeling.If you... Read More
"Real champions believe in themselves even when no one else... Read More
Women business owners are our only clients, so naturally we... Read More
Romans had a phrase for this- First among Equals.Online marketing... Read More
1. Isolating Yourself When setting up a business, you can... Read More
Most companies vastly underestimate the time commitment necessary to successfully... Read More
Bootstrapping a business startup does not necessarily mean that you... Read More
When a company decides that it must raise capital, a... Read More
With the growing number of franchise offerings recently it is... Read More
In the United States we have the most efficient delivery... Read More
Entrepreneurship is a great magnet to deliver new ideas, unique... Read More
Becoming a successful entrepreneur in the online world is no... Read More
It never ceases to amaze me. Almost everyone peers into... Read More
Today, I got an email from a lady who hates... Read More
As a service provider you may not want to think... Read More
Site location analysis of regional service areas and planning for... Read More
I love bargains. And there's no better place to find... Read More
As I awaken with the gift of yet another day... Read More
Q: I want to start my own business. I have... Read More
Communication is the key to vendor relations. In your small... Read More
Great question! Overwhelm is very common even among the most... Read More
When franchise companies are moving fast in the market place... Read More
Once again the squeeze is on as renewed inflation worries... Read More
If you have a business idea, or an idea for... Read More
Let me ask you a question? Imagine I would offer... Read More
Venture capital firms are comprised of individual partners. These partners... Read More
Entrepreneur |