Phil Olley

Phil's Blog

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Give the Media a Recession!


Feb 07 2009

Give the Media a Recession

The media keep filling us with bad news. They only let up a little this week to tell us how bad the weather was!

The world around us is the one we first create in our minds. If we allow our minds to be fed by a value-less media, what do we expect our own personal universe to become? Yep, of course.

So, if the media want a recession… give them one. One of their own.

  1. Stop buying newspapers (I’m proud I haven’t bought a daily newspaper for 18 years).
  2. Stop watching junky TV.
  3. Stop listening to junky radio news bulletins, or call-in shows inviting you to vent your spleen with the rest of the world.

Don’t let others (with an agenda) determine your world. You can create your own life, your own success… these are a matter of choice for YOU. It starts by choosing your Attitude, and not allowing someone else to impose an attitude on you!

My favourite quote of the week:
“Don’t shout at the darkness. Instead, turn on the light.”

So switch off that media dreariness. And now switch on. A new light. A new life.
Remember Rule #1:
At all times, be:
· Working towards your goals
· Working on self improvement/ development
· Having fun
And if possible, all 3.

 


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Groundrules


Feb 06 2009

Groundrules

A number of people have mentioned New Year Resolutions to me this week; primarily how difficult they have felt keeping them going with all the weather “chaos” which has thrown them out of routine.
Of course, there can be merit in setting resolutions, but I prefer to approach it in a different way.

Here’s how…

Whether in business, or personally, last year will have taught you some lessons. There’s no getting away from it, life and business are classrooms, in which we have the choice to listen to what we are learning, and take action. Some people, of course, “play truant” from these lessons, or just aren’t awake to the messages being pumped out to them.
So what are the lessons you have learned, and what specific changes can you make?

Every year, I encourage my clients to set groundrules. Not resolutions.
 
Groundrules are guidelines for behaviour and thinking that reflect the lessons learned in the past year.

The example I often quote is that one particular client felt that his “business esteem” was not as high as it should be. Among the groundrules he decide to set was to only travel first class on business (he did a lot of train journeys). Running his own company, and in fairly early days, this was quite a commitment. Would the bottom-line be affected? You bet… positively. Imagine the difference in arriving at important business meetings to gain new clients and contracts for his fledgling business having his self-esteem intact, even boosted.

Well, that’s just one example. So what are your groundrules for this year?

a. Start by writing out your lessons from last year.

b. Look for connections between these, as they may indicate an undercurrent. Are you losing too many clients at a certain point in the process? Are you working on low-grade activity that means you are not taking enough rest and when it comes to the critical moments you feel exhausted? And so on.

c. Having identified these links, what were the underlying causes of these lessons? (Not the symptoms, but the causes).
 
d. What can you do to change this? What groundrules can you put in place to prevent these challenges arising and to ensure you capture all the opportunities which present themselves this year?
 
e. Write out these groundrules, keep them somewhere safe, and refer to them often.
 
f. Don’t beat yourself up if you catch yourself not adhering to them, but instead do look for opportunities when you will adhere to them. And even write down in your journal when you have applied a particular groundrule, and what the outcome was.
 
g. Don't have too many groundrules. Sometimes one can be enough; it's the application which counts, and where the lesson is a big one, the application of a groundrule may take many forms.
 
h. remember that at first the groundrule may feel a little uncomfortable. Don't expect you will immediately get it right first time. And don't give up or feel that you've "failed" (a feeling that often accompanies Resolutions). This is about being aware of the lessons, and gradually doing things in a different way in order to achieve new results.

Your groundrules will soon become habits, and you’ll certainly notice the difference.

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Soft Skills for Hard Times?!


Feb 04 2009

Soft Skills  for Hard Times?

One of the most incredible misnomers in business is the use of the term “soft skills” to describe such issues as goal setting, planning and preparation, and key performance issues such as communication, sales and time effectiveness!

It is these soft skills that are the hardest to perform consistently at a high standard, and which are often neglected in times when their power is most critical… those times when business is getting tough.

And here’s why I believe it’s critical to do these things right, RIGHT NOW.

At the moment what is being fostered is a small-thinking, low-belief, low-esteem, low confidence, no opportunity-mindset.  Don’t be suffocated by this. Break out of it.  And the best way to break out is using the "soft skill" of goal setting to create a compelling Vision for you and your team.
 
So, let’s take “Creating the long-term Vision” as an example of using soft skills: what does it do for us?
1. It sends a powerful message to the world (only the top businesses are doing it). You set yourself apart.
2. It sends a huge message to YOU yourself… you can think long term, even now, as the rest of the world is sinking in the swamp. It stops you thinking small and proves you are confident.
3. It sends a huge message to your people… your team, your suppliers, your customers, your allies. They are inspired, motivated, and want to do business with you.

Next time such skills are described as “soft”, ask why it is that they are the hardest to do well!!

And when it comes to things like time effectiveness and good communication, there are huge benefits to getting it right, and even more so in these difficult times, when we want to reduce levels of frustration and wastage -how many times have you sat waiting for a meeting to start... waiting for the one person who turns up late? Or if you are that person who is disorganised, and often late for meetings, the last thing you need to be doing right now is p***ing off your colleagues/ boss/ team.

Now this works at whatever level you are in an organisation. Head of the company, head of a team, head of a section.

"Soft skills” set businesses, and business people, apart from their competition. They attract the market, and give you a competitive advantage.

Whether you are a “solo-preneur” or head of a large corporation, it’s time these “soft skills” were revitalised and rejuvenated. Soft skills, for Hard times!


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Creating Significance


Jan 29 2009

Creating Significance

This week I was discussing how to make 2009 really significant with a client. During our conversation it struck me that many people have never considered that Creating Significance can be such a huge motivator. In fact it is a much over-looked human trait: the desire not only to find significance, but to be significant. This underpins our sense of purpose and direction, our true values, and our major goals.

Without a sense of purpose, 97 percent of our lives are a "so what" moment.

So here are some tips on creating personal and professional significance.
Link to blog to read more…

i. Write a journal… whether daily or weekly. No one else need ever read it, but your personal journal makes every day significant in your life’s progress.
ii. Write out highlights of each week, business and personal, and look forward to what’s planned for the coming week.
iii. Look for the lesson in everything.
iv. Nurture creativity. Being creative exercises the creative spirit and like a muscle this strengthens with use, and atrophies with neglect. Cultivating creativity helps you see life from many angles. The business applications are legion.
v. Look for passion, enjoyment, fun and enthusiasm in everything you do. It’s your life, and if you don’t feel it’s significant, no one else will.
vi. Become observant, really seeing things (not just looking at them). This generates attention to important detail in every situation. You will notice what others don’t notice, without being hung up on the small stuff.
vii. Make every conversation count, every action matter, every thought meaningful and positive.
viii. Be a "meaningful specific rather than a wandering generality". Know what you are about, what you stand for, and where you are going… and where each moment is as part of that.
 
What's the most significant thing you have done so far this year?
 

 


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Inside the Box!


Jan 28 2009
Inside the Box
I am sure I am not alone in hearing people wax lyrical about “thinking outside the box”. But it’s a term banded around by so many that it has almost lost meaning (often alongside the phrase “Joined up thinking” – coined by those whose thinking is often so disjointed that they feel the need to actively join it up!).
 
And I sometimes wonder whether those who are looking outside the box are now simply shirking doing the simple, but difficult, things.

When I hear the term, I immediately suspect procrastination and avoidance tactics are at work! Why? Because it’s the sort of thing people like to do in order to displace those key actions that lead to the results they really need to achieve. So, middle management teams go for “off-site” brainstorming sessions which end in “lots of really good stuff to think about”.

It is interesting to observe that, whilst many people are trying to think outside the box, there are so many in business who are successful because they are consistently simply doing the basic things brilliantly.

Yesterday a business owner was discussing with me the particular challenges he currently faces. He runs a small professional business, is technically very skilled (he has to be… with examinations and CPD constantly at the forefront in his profession), and he loves his clients. Great, so far.

He wants to make a serious breakthrough, having plateaud somewhat in the past couple of years. But he is surrounded by so much of the Business treacle, the quagmire, that he can hardly see the “wood for the trees” (his words).

His suggestion at first was that he needed to “think outside the box” a little; to come up with creative ways in which to market his services, to build profile, to find new clients. All very good.

However, during further discussions during our one-to-one session, it became apparent that whilst these are all wonderful approaches, the first thing he actually really needed to do was to look much closer to home. In fact, he didn’t need to “think outside the box” at all. He needed to look inside the box.

The fact was, that when we looked at his practice, he was already sitting on lots of potential new business which just needed to be brought in. In a moment of complete honesty he agreed that the problem was that he just had not been really doing the basics for some time. He had forgotten those activities which had been the foundation of building his business in the early days.

And I see so many business people doing the same. Thinking outside the box is all well and good, but sometimes it’s worth looking at the “Inside the box” activities which will produce the results you want.


First, Think “Inside the Box”.
 
Look at all those sportspeople who succeed and you will see that their success is built on a doing a few simple things consistently well; playing to their strengths.
 
Example: I know loads of small businesses and sales people who know that their business will stand and fall on the ability to make contact calls to customers. That’s inside the box. How many have perfected this and got seriously good at that one simple thing? Only very few. The successful ones!

Second, ACT outside the box. Stretch the boundaries of Action. Do what the mediocre won’t do.



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Vision NOW


Jan 16 2009

At this time of year, I normally hear a lot of talk about Visions… though interestingly here in 2009, the year seems to have begun with many people just talking survival! I've never known such a "bland" start to a year. It's a pandemic of FEAR, a paralysis.
Come on guys and gals, Get a Grip!

I know it’s a tough environment. But back-peddling ain’t the answer.

So here’s how to tackle it…
Stop thinking small. Don’t let the Fear paralyse your business, your life.
 
Time to Exercise your character muscle.
 
Time to Prove your confidence, by creating:

BIGGER Visions, not smaller
bigger Goals and ambitions, not smaller
more conviction about them, not less
higher expectations, not lower
more confidence, not less
more business opportunities, not less
more determination, not less
more self-investment, not less
more enthusiasm, not less
more energy, not less


The Time for BIG Visions is Now

If you HAD to double the scale of your business “overnight” what would you do?
If you HAD to double your sales “overnight” what would you do?
If you HAD to double your fees “overnight” what would you do to make it still valuable for your customers and clients?
If the government suddenly and arbitrarily announced new legislation (it could happen!!!!) to make people in your industry double their performance, or they had to close, what would you do?

Asking these questions exercises the mind to search for possibilities that it just isn’t looking for when you are thinking about a 3, 5, 10 percent increase (which is the way most people start a new year).
 
Take your BIG Vision and ask, what if I HAD to achieve it now?
What does my business look like in order to deliver that vision, and what can I do to make it happen, immediately.

In many areas, you may be surprised just how close you already are. And in others, how quickly you really can reach the Vision. Now!

 


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Great News: This is NOT a Recession...


Jan 15 2009

This is NOT a Recession

… it’s the morning after the meteor strike.

Business will never be the same again
Life will never be the same again
‘Twas ever thus.

The fact is, this is not just an economic “blip”, a “downturn”, a “credit crunch”, a recession. We are in a New World Order.

In the same way that the world was never the same, life was never the same, and business was never the same, when we moved from an Agrarian economy to an Industrial economy. Just as that was a revolution (in hindsight, and not necessarily seen as such at the time), so too have we been through a revolution over the past 20+ years. It might not have felt like it, because we’ve been in it, at the coal-face. But when you look at it objectively, the technological advances and trend to globalisation, along with the political, economic, demographic and sociological changes, IS a revolution.

So, it’s not an economic “blip”. It’s a new world order. Best start thinking that way.

And here’s the really Great News…

The successful people and businesses can now stand above the mediocre who for too long have got away with crap service, crap products, lack of vision, poor/ lazy marketing, wastage of endless resources, poor people management, a complete absence of leadership, no quality, and very little integrity or character.

Yippee! Rejoice.

The opportunities are endless for those who do have:
Great service, brilliant products, compelling Vision, exciting marketing, creative investment of resources, engaging people management, strong leadership, high qualities, integrity, values and stacks of character.

Those who are worried are those who know they haven’t been true to these things. There's still time. Just...


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Work-Life Balance - B*ll*cks- 13Jan 2009


Jan 13 2009

Work / Life Balance - B*ll*cks!!!

Whilst this may seem unfashionable, I’m dead against the whole Work /Llife balance bandwagon.
 
On one fundamental ground- work should not be juxtaposed against the rest of life. It is part of life. A facet of your life. And hopefully it’s an exciting and interesting facet about which you are passionate just as you are about all the other facets of your life.

And don’t fall for the Work/Life balance sirens who dictate the values you place on aspects of your life. Know what your values are, and create a life that reflects those values.

Have you ever noticed that those who are successful in any walk of life, to the outsider, seem out of balance. I remember hearing a concert pianist in a radio interview describe how she practiced every single day, even Christmas day. And why not?!
For most people that would seem out of balance. But for her, that is balance.

Focus = "imbalance". Live with it!
 
Reminds me of the Philip Larkin poem: Toads
Why should I let the toad work
Squat on my life?
Can't I use my wit as a pitchfork
And drive the brute off?
 
Those people who have what they describe as a work-life balance problem normally mean that they've just got a problem. Tthey spend their time at work wishing they were somewhere else, anywhere else! And their time elsewhere feeling guilty that they aren't getting on with their work!
 
Instead of work, I tend to prefer to use the word Business. And I encourage people in business to do the same. Work as a word has so many connotations that aren't particularly valuable or helpful.
 
Go for Life Balance- focused on what you want your life to be about- even if that means imbalance. Olympic athletes are not balanced. They are focused- on their dream, their goal, their vision. Should you be any different?
 
By the way, before you think I'm some sort of work-aholic, I do insist on taking 12 weeks a year off! And I encourage all business owners to do the same.

It's about being a result-a-holic!


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The Cartoon Economy - 9 Jan 2009


Jan 09 2009

Welcome to the Cartoon Economy

 
You know those cartoons where the character runs off the end of a cliff,
but keeps running, because he hasn’t noticed that the cliff has disappeared under his feet. Then suddenly, there’s one wide-eyed look at the camera, followed by a glance down, a gulp in the throat, and the dawning of grim realisation of the predicament, before plummeting into the canyon below.

Does this ring any bells?

Over the past couple of years I have been including this in my seminars and recently when speaking at a business lunch I suggested that the Cartoon Economy was now in operation.
Yep, we’ve been off the edge of the cliff for some time, but no one noticed, or if they did, they kept “schtum” and kept running, hoping to get across the chasm.

No one noticed, except the smart businesses who have been building bridges across the chasm, putting in place building blocks and concrete supports through great service, great vision, great values, great professionalism.

There is always a slight delay between the cartoon character noticing he is suspended in thin air, and the start of the plummet downward (accompanied by high pitched whistle!). We are in that same gap just now.

And instead of spiralling into blind panic, or suffering rabbit in headlights syndrome, or running round like a headless chicken just “blanket marketing” the *rse out of everything and anything (the volume of junk mail has spiralled of late, have you noticed!), there may be just enough time to get the building blocks in place for your business, and create a congruent strategy, a set of new tactics to help you cross the canyon.

The other option I’ve heard postulated far too often is the “Recession: I’m not joining/ I’m just trying to stay positive”, head-in-sand approach. Yes, being positive is half the battle, and essential. But it’s only HALF the battle, and failing to change (and to recognise the world has changed) is courting disaster.

So,
1. Be positive -not just in attitude, and mindset, but in decisiveness. And prove that confidence by investing in yourself and your business. My current mantra: “Invest to Progress”.
2. Stay strategic… time for the leaders to step forward. There’s a lot of “Troop rallying” to do. You need to be a beacon to those around you who are floundering around in the dark, and need leadership, right now.
3. Create a master plan for a worse-case scenario. Know what you are going to do if it really does go pear-shaped.
4. With #3 done and there if you need it, focus with confidence on a master plan for growth and success.
5. Create new tactics for the new world order to give you competitive advantage. And no, this is not about price; it’s far more than that.
6. Demand brilliant execution of those tactics… by you, by your team, by your allies, by your suppliers, by everyone associated with your business.
7. Look for the opportunities. There are loads out there.
 
Wishing you every success!

 


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The Calendar Question - 5 Jan 09,


Jan 05 2009

The Calendar question

At the end of the year, and looking back, what will need to have happened to make 2009 a brilliant year for you?

Imagine you are sitting at the end of the year and you have had total success… what sort of things will have happened… in all areas of your life, business, personal, financial, social and community, family…

What will your highlights be?

Goals for the year: getting off on the right foot.
 
1. It begins, of course, with taking the time to sit down and write your goals. No need for me to spell that lesson out, is there?
 
2. Remember this simple rule: begin with the long term, and go from macro to micro, general to specific. So only set goals for the current year when you’ve got clear long-term vision, and clear long-term goals.

3. Vision: create instant pictures in your mind’s eye of the positive achievement of these goals.

4. Reason and Reward… what will be your reward? How will you feel to have achieved such a great year? And what will you specifically give yourself as a reward?

5. Write the goals down, clearly. Why? Well, some people don't NEED to. But they are very few. There are 3 key reasons to write your goals down:
a. clarity
b. it's the first rung on the ladder of commitment.
c. why wouldn't you?
 
6. Don't have too many goals... better to go for a few BIG breakthroughs than be overwhelmed by incremental targets.
 
7. Many people fail to understand the difference between a Big Strategic Goal, and a by-product of success. They often end up setting distracting by-products as goals. Don't get hung up on the by-products.
 
8. Don't share your goals with other people, unless you are "buddying up" on a specific goal, or they are an intrinsic part in your success.
 
9. Understand the difference between Goals and Planning. For the moment the focus is on Where you want to go (and Why), and not yet on How you are going to get there.
 
10. Goals should provide direction; AND also generate passion, excitement, focus, and positive energy. Too often I see people set goals that fail to fulfil the second part of this equation.
 
11. Goals should NOT be a straight-jacket! Many people set goals that actually limit their performance!
 
12. Your Goals are YOUR Goals. No one can set them for you... and you can't set goals for others.
 
13. Goal setting - Goal Getting. Don't allow your goal setting to become an academic exercise.
 
14. Forget "SMART" goals. This is old hat - a lot of twaddle, peddled by trainers and HR departments. It misses the vital link between performance and goals, squashes it, and breeds incrementalism. A goal that is "Achievable and Realistic" is hardly compelling, and is not going to inspire you to go beyond your best, is it?!

15. Create a “Butterfly moment” and take immediate action. Look for a big step you can take with one of the most exciting goals, and take that step within 24 hours. Even if it makes the butterflies do summersaults in your stomach!

16. Identify the KEY FACTOR that will ensure you reach the goal. This is normally an action, a regular habit, that needs to be taken to get there. Create a regime around the consistent performance of this action.
 
17. Block-busting: remove blockers. Give yourself the best chance of success, by removing anything that prevents you going for these goals.
 
18. Have a 5-star upgrade: upgrade your state of mind by:
i. the way you think about these goals… just decide to be positive about them
ii. the words you use (and particularly in relation to these goals). For example: avoid “this year I’m going to try to achieve x…”
iii. upgrade the way you act: in relation to these goals.
iv. ugpgrade the way you look. It sends signals to you about the year ahead.
v. upgrade your environment:: is it congruent and consistent with the success you want?
 
19. Belief: suspend your "Sub-Cranium Demon" when setting your goals. Chain up that monster of self doubt when conceiving your vision, otherwise your dreams will be "still-born".
 
20. Goal setting is not about "Thinking outside the Box" (dreadful phrase), but about "Acting outside the norm" (not much better, but I hope you see what I mean!).
 
Wishing you every success!

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