Be honest – with yourself

Honesty is said to be the best policy but why do I see so much unconvincing b******t from countless companies on Twitter, Facebook etc?
Because people representing their businesses think that bigging things up will convince clients and others that everything is rosy and that theirs is therefore the supplier to deal with? Of course. But in misleading others is there not a risk that we mislead ourselves – that we respond to our own miscommunications by acting as if they were true and by failing to enlist the support which may really be needed. If you are honest about how your business is doing and its immediate prospects, would you deal with it yourself – or would you think “I need to do something differently”?
Perhaps you lack someone with whom you can be honest and who will be honest back – but still on your side? That is what we mentors are for. Think about it – times are really tough – are things as great for you as you claim?

Core Competence

When competing is tougher and trading is slow, we have two options: broaden our offering to attract more business; or focus on what we do best. I have to advocate the latter. A larger product range or attempted entry to new markets merely stretches resources whilst exposing us to stronger competitors. Focus on core expertise, on proven products or on deserved reputation is a surer platform for success. It is for this reason that I advocate that Eastbourne should become a Centre of Excellence in the Needs of the Elderly – ECENE – based on its long-established infrastructure and reputation; rather than being seduced by the idea that new, high-growth start-ups can generate the growth in a sexier way, when it has no source of such innovations nor reputation or logistics on which to build. It may be tough to stick to the kniting when sales are slow but this is more likely to be effective than ambulance chasing or copying what others, with different capabilities are doing.