March, Keeping to the Plan

It's March. Have you kept to your 2009 plan?

Use these 10 tips to stay on track or get back on track for your business or home.

• Determine a planning and administration system that works for you.
• Develop a budget for your business and your home
• Use Cash Flow as a key performance indicator for your activities
• Revisit your personal goals
• Provide the time for a Strategic Business Development Process
• Use your Professional Advisors to your advantage (Accountant, Lawyer, Business Consultant, Coach, Commercial Bank Representative, and Financial Advisor)
• Formulate metrics for your personal and business success and monitor them monthly.
• Maintain a positive attitude and be committed to change if the environment dictates
• Exercise and continue to pursue your recreational activities or hobby
• Focus on Responsibility, Accountability, and self-empowerment

Change Must be Believed in

Just yesterday we watched President. Barak Obama inaugurated into office. His campaign slogan was Change We Can Believe In. . .now translate that into your business.

Here are a few questions to think and act on:

• As a business owner, what Changes will you be making in 2009 that your employees can believe in?
• As a Business owner, what Changes in Your Plan of Actions will keep your employees more engaged?
• How does your Strategic Plan reflect the Change Plan by the new President?

Change must be believed in.....use the right type of training and development to achieve employee engagement

What are you planning to do differently in 2009? Let's make a list of Five "To Do's"

1. Conduct more one on one conversations with employees

2. Use meetings to both gain insight and focus on innovation

3. Use Training and Development that includes practical ideas that can be applied in the workplace today that can make a difference.

4. Formulate a budget and monitor the results monthly

5. Focus on the strengths of the employee and the commitment by your customers.

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Article written by Richard J. Hohmann Jr., Senior Business and Management Consultant for Innovative Leadership, a strategic partner with Fitzpatrick, Bongiovanni, & Kelly, PC, and also a member of the Collaboration Team for Leadership Management International. Richard can also speak at your next organization’s meeting, to invite him to speak call 609-390-2830, For your business solutions click here: http://www.ILDV.org

Key Areas of Focus for Managers

In these turbulent times, it is imperative that management create a plan of action that reflects the Strategic Business Objectives of the company and gets each and every staff member to be engaged in activities that will produce the desired outcomes. Here are my recommended resolutions for managers:

1. Focus on your key clients and make sure you understand the Pareto Principle…..the 80-20 rule that reflects the fact that 20% of your clients provide 80% if your revenue.

2. Improve communication with your staff and make sure that your platforms are effective. Make sure you spend the time for One-on-Ones with all team members.

3. Identify your key employees and make sure their development plan reflects a succession plan for your company.

4. Create Dashboards that reflect the financial implications including revenue generation, operating costs or expenses, and profitability by your area or department. Use Dashboards to make quicker decisions or take actions that are more effective.

5. Focus on your strengths and how you can elevate your performance without dwelling on your weaknesses.

6. Create specific metrics for your department and individual team members

7. Be open to create cultural change in your department and company.

8. Delegate and cross-train to the maximum.

9. Use technology to become more effective, not efficient.

10. Lead by example: exhibit a goal-oriented process at all times.

Key Business Resolutions for 2009

In these turbulent times, it is imperative that companies optimize their strengths and utilize their resources to provide the customer with quality products and/or services. So here are my recommended resolutions for Businesses:

1. Strengthen your relationship with your client
- Use every possible tool and practice to both touch your clients frequently. Determine what is important to them and show them how you are meeting their expectations.

2. Make a Plan
- Create a plan that is both tactical and strategically. Make sure you include a creative and financially sound marketing plan.

3. Improve communication with your management team and employees
- Focus on your key employees and make sure that they understand the need to improve communication and be accountable for results.

4. Implement cost cutting techniques without sacrificing quality
- Be prepared to budget accordingly in relation to the external and internal factors affecting your highly competitive market.

5. Build a support team
- Lean on your advisory team of professionals to help you formulate a financially focused action plan that offers the metrics to define success.

6. Become goal-oriented
- Create a goal-oriented culture that thrives on achievement.

7. Monitor your progress
- Make sure you create dashboards for you and your management team to monitor the key performance indicators.


Article written by Richard J. Hohmann Jr., Senior Business and Management Consultant for Innovative Leadership, a strategic partner with Fitzpatrick, Bongiovanni, & Kelly, PC, and also a member of the Collaboration Team for Leadership Management International. Richard can also speak at your next organization’s meeting, to invite him to speak call 609-390-2830, For your business solutions click here: http:// www.ILDV.org