A Lesson in Focus
At home the
landing fire alarm went off. I rushed up stairs to investigate and was greeted by the smell of smoke coming from the
bathroom. I opened the door carefully to find the offending item was a smou.ldering near the window.
On the window sill we have the usual items of bathroom paraphernalia including a free standing mirror. It's one of those that has two sides where you can flip it over to use a magnifying effect on one side to focus in on your face as you apply your make up or shave, or I guess for some just to admire their good looks!
Also on the windowsill was usually a small basket of dried potpourri giving off a gentle smell of vanilla. I'd never have foreseen the following incident happening but on this particular day it was a bright sunny morning around mid-day and the sun was shining through the bathroom window and the mirror was angled in such a way that the sun was reflecting upon the potpourri. But as it happened the sun was reflecting off the magnification side of the mirror and was being focused sharply on this mixture of scented dried flowers.
Had I not been in the house or had no smoke detectors been fitted who knows where it might have ended.
The lesson is simple:
- In 2009 ensure you channel your energy in the right direction.The energy from the sun is often shining through the window. The moment the mirror was aligned with the sunlight that energy was being directed where it could have an impact. The energy in our lives or in our organisations is all around us, but often it's not directed or targeted to have much effect. It just needs realigning from time to time, none more so than in uncertain times. Is everyone in your organisation clearly facing the same direction?
- Although the mirror was facing the mirror, it took focus to concentrate the sun's energy. Once you've directed your energy then apply focus on to the area of your life or business where that concentration of energy can have a major impact. So focus, focus, and focus.
- Had the potpourri been drier and not damp then perhaps it would have caught fire sooner, may be we'd have had flames. Remember you can't light a fire with a damp match so if you want to ignite the passion in others then you need to be full of inspiring energy too. You need to be the one that has the focus and energy in the right direction. Demonstrate passion yourself, don't be the damp match.
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The Importance of the Customer
Experience in a Down Economy
I promised you a free report and here it is.
It's been published by Customer Futures an international members-based network of learning groups focused on the design and delivery of a competitive and profitable
Customer Experience. The company is in the OgilvyOne Worldwide Group, and the concept has been tried and tested worldwide since 1995.
In the report you'll find eighteen international thought leading contributors making the case that a focus on the customer is not a fair weather endeavour, but rather an essential competitive strategy that is especially important in a down economy.
You can find the answers to how the down economy will impact what customers' value and how they make decisions. And find out what businesses should
be doing about it.
It's well worth a read, there's some great insights within it and will provide you with ample ammunition for the boardroom or team discussions and planning as you progress through this year.
Use the report to help you understand where you need to focus your sunlight in 2009 and beyond. |
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if you'd like to find out more call me on 0784 3284310 or respond to this email.
And remember never leave your mirror in the wrong place!
Please take my two question survey telling me if you found this newsletter useful or not.
Kind regards,
Mark Gregory
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