Here’s what Lewis Miller of Office Source observes about my new book:
I don’t know about you, but it’s getting harder and harder for me to ignore a pattern in the stream of business advice out there these days – namely, that now is a wonderful time to set yourself apart from the competition by making a really bold commitment to being the best!
I saw it again recently in a dynamic little book by Robert L. Butt entitled The Catapult Effect: Using Short-Term Crisis to Catapult Long Term Success. In this inspiring book Butt urges all of us to tap the entrepreneurial spirit within, rally the troops and “pull out all the stops” to blast holes in the fortress that’s keeping us from our goals.
It’s not advice for the faint hearted, that’s for sure. But my own observations confirm that, during the last twelve to eighteen months, some customers have abandoned their usual suppliers due to cuts in service, and a “stripped down” approach that seems to reduce value. Are you and I among the companies getting new customers as a result – or are we among those seeing declines?
What are your observations? How are you taking advantage of the current climate? And how can we help each other “load up” our catapults? Your comments are welcome below.
Everyday, business emergencies, crises, and disasters suddenly liberate organizations from the restraints of the institutionalized barriers to performance improvement. These events evoke powerful and dramatic responses that cannot be matched by any of the structured programs and technologies a company may currently use. They can be large or small.
Here’s an example:
When adulterated Tylenol capsules caused the deaths of seven people in September 1982, Johnson & Johnson organized a crash program to protect the public as well as to salvage its #1 brand product. One of the most critical tasks was to design a sealed package. Within seven weeks, a team of engineers and designers had developed and tested a triple-sealed package, redesigned production processes and equipment, developed new package graphics, and moved into full-scale production. Completing this series of complex tasks under normal circumstances would have taken well over one year, nearly two years.Continue Reading »
How do you measure your business success? Where does your company stand, and where would you like to improve? It’s often about more than financial gains. Consider these seven ways to chart your business success.
1. Gross sales
Most companies rely on a single number to assess success: gross revenue from sales of products or services. But this figure can be misleading, particularly if you have high overhead or other expenses that can distort this snapshot of overall business activities. Calculating your gross revenue over a specific time period is a good place to start, but don’t rely on it as your only yardstick.
2. Profits
Imagine two very different businesses. One business with low overhead and high profit margins. The other is a much larger business with higher sales volume but with an overhead and other expenses that eat up much of the profits. Both companies end up with the same net profit. Which is the more appealing business? I argue that it’s the lean and nimble firm, one that drives profits while steering clear of the complexities that so often drain the management of a larger enterprise. Remember, at the end of the day, it’s net profits — not gross dollars — that really matter. Continue Reading »
There is so much to accomplish! Our world changes so rapidly and every day seems to bring a new challenge or crisis for a business that is not keeping pace.
“The Catapult Effect” is about new effectiveness in new ways in a very quick time. It can be as simple as closer relationships with customers, speeding a new product to market, or collaborating with a new team. We are talking about transformational change. It happens oftentimes very quickly and not in the most positive of ways. Relationships end, an accident changes a life, a business closes and people lose their jobs. How quickly those changes happen, sometimes in the blink of an eye. The point of the Catapult Effect is to take the crisis and manipulate it for our good or betterment, not for something bad from which we may not be able to recover.
Have you downloaded your copy today? It’s FREE! Get it here
To change your business, your department, your company or your life?
Everyday, business emergencies, crises and disasters suddenly liberate organizations from the restraints of the institutionalized barriers to performance improvement. These events evoke powerful and dramatic responses that cannot be matched by any of the structured programs and technologies a company may currently use.
Excerpt from the Introduction: The singular purpose of this book is how you, yes YOU– as an owner, manager, leader, individual can use the knowledge, thoughts, and experiences I am about to impart to RADICALLY and QUICKLY change your life, save your business, and not only “live to tell about it” but to grow and prosper even in this extraordinary economic climate we exist in today!
I call it the “Catapult Effect;” building your own machine of force, power and energy– which you control and which you choose to “release”– to launch you, your business or both into the place you want to be! Then, by using the methods you have just learned, create increasingly ambitious gains.
So put your incredulity on hold for now. Suspend the belief that you are at the end of your rope. Release the notion that your business is at the limits of its performance. And imagine that awesome ball of breathing burning energy flying through the air and smashing down the walls of your obstacles giving you a breakthrough to unimagined achievement.
The Catapult Effect is available here for download.
Here’s what Lewis Miller of Office Source observes about my new book:![[del.icio.us]](http://blog.marketingperformance.net/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://blog.marketingperformance.net/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Google]](http://blog.marketingperformance.net/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[LinkedIn]](http://blog.marketingperformance.net/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/linkedin.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://blog.marketingperformance.net/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Windows Live]](http://blog.marketingperformance.net/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/windowslive.png)
![[Yahoo!]](http://blog.marketingperformance.net/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.png)
![[Email]](http://blog.marketingperformance.net/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
