Listening To Your List

We have written about using lists and even designing our own Bucket List. What else do we need to know about the listing of important tasks and priorities? Even Santa Claus’s list has been audited annually for any inconsistencies and miscreants. Do the crime, and do the time.

Have you considered your internal list? That is the list that we all subscribe to, now and then. This list includes our: dreams, aspirations, wishes, values, doubts, worries, unhappiness, and suspicions. We need to manage this internal list, which can upset our equilibrium of our mental health, confidence, spirit, and trust in our world. What bothers you most in life? What are you struggling with? Which aspects of your achievements are you most proud of?

Listen closely to your list. Sometimes, our mind reminds us to listen in to our ‘list of demands’. It is natural to be selfish for some moments in your life, and take care of yourself. Even caregivers, parents and nurturers need to take good care of themselves. Submit, occasionally, to your list of TLC and WIIFM and you may be in a heightened state of capability and performance. Celebrate your success. Learn from your defeats, failures and disappointments. Develop wisdom. Write your philosophy and wisdom out, and articulate with others.

Have a private chat with yourself, and review your list. And, listen closely to it.

The Significance of Your Company Culture

Company culture is the spirit, attitude and character of its people put together. Although products or services are the backbone of business, the working culture of staff and its management matter. A happy staff is a productive staff.

America’s Continental Airlines moved from ‘worst to first’ after its CEO, Gordon Bethune re-invented the way his staff was treated, and how they treated their customers. Within one year, the ailing airline recovered from a loss of $100 million per year to a profit of $100 million. Bethune goes about his day thanking his staff, customers and even assisting with a bag or two at the baggage handling section. His management style is mainly by charisma and management by walking around (MBWA). Once embarrassed staff who removed their company badges when lunching, now wear their uniforms proudly and deliver top-notch customer service.

Singapore’s executive search and temp agency, Business Trends (now absorbed by Kelly Services) had staff ring a bell when they rang in a sale. Staff would recognize a colleague’s sales closure with high-fives!

A leading Australian management consulting company’s working philosophy includes: ‘We will end up better mates at the end of each project.’

Elite Bicycles, based in Philadelphia and Singapore, is a boutique customized bike-fitting company. Their attention to details and personalized service is impeccable. A comprehensive bike fitting session takes about 3-4 hours, with initial focus on physical diagnostics, muscle strength testing, core stability exercises, limb measurements, and the actual fitting. Their strong and shared culture of attentiveness and patience to each client creates brand building and customer loyalty. Much of their business is based on positive word of mouth.

Your company’s culture is unique. It defines the way your business is run. It reflects on the products and services that we present for the benefit of our customers.

An unspoken culture of this website is ‘to share fully of our experiences’. I hope that you are enjoying and benefitting from each author’s wisdom and sharing. Enjoy building your business!