Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS)

When you are a business owner, it's important to stay current with trends and be open to new opportunities.  It's also important to not be distracted by a new idea, product or offer.  Knowing when to let a new idea take off and when to stay on course with your original vision is critical.  

How do you decide?

CASE STUDY

Aiden started his company based on a great product that he was sure people would buy.  He had a plan to engage 200 distributors who would each promote his product and he would be wildly successful.  Wonderful ideal!

The catch was that he had the “Shiny Object Syndrome”: he was easily distracted by and lured into projects that looked exciting, and were not part of the company mission/vision.  These caused him to shift his focus every few months (sometimes weeks) and off he would go!

It is hard to resist an exciting new venture that might make us successful.   In Aiden’s case his original vision languished from lack of attention.  3 years later, he is finally turning his company around and starting to make good money.  He has a small sign on his computer monitor: WIMM?  (Will it Make Money?) And another handy acronym: WIGMB?  (Will It Grow My Business?)

"First Things First" as Stephen Covey said.  Keep the purpose the purpose.

Enough of the quips and acronyms!  Small, medium or large companies must keep focused on what they’re trying to accomplish.

WIMM?  Keep this in mind as a way of prioritizing your Goals, Strategies and Actions. When you have a clear vision and mission, ensure that your focus for you and your people follows the path to the realization of your vision.

Do you ever grab for a Shiny Object?

Check out my Leadership Coaching Program on my website. or email me for a free Leadership Strategy Session. ann@leadyourteams.com There are many layers to this simple concept.  

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

Dear Entrepreneurs, Speakers and Personal Growth Seekers, 

This months blog is not created by my efforts. Although it may seem like 

an easy way out to place a story of another (unknown author) into this blog without a name. I felt that the message this story carried moved my spirit. It wanted to share it with you. After 14 years of radio broad casting I have never deviated from my show's opening message. " If I can help one person from this message today to steer you in a direction that will change your life, then I have done my job". This is my purpose! 

 Please enjoy the the following. 

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to
handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough,
remember the mayonnaise jar...and the 2 cups of
coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had
some items in front of him. When the class began,
wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty
mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf
balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and
poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the
golf balls. He then asked the students again if the
jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured
it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up
everything else. He asked once more if the jar was
full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from
under the table and poured the entire contents into
the jar, effectively filling the empty space between
the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the
professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to
recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things - your God,
family, your children, your health, your friends, and
your favorite passions-things that if everything else
was lost and only they remained, your life would still
be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter
like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is
everything else-the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he
continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the
golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all
your time and energy on the small stuff, you will
never have room for the things that are important to
you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your
happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get
medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner.
Play another 18. There will always be time to clean
the house and fix the disposal." Take care of the golf
balls first, the things that really matter. Set your
priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what
the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm
glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no
matter how full your life may seem, there's always
room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Have a great month. 

Sincerely 

John P. Slosek, Jr. 

413-246-5037 (text only) 
Inspiringwealth@aol.com

Generations Colliding

By Ann Meacham

Right about the time the Boomers learned to work with Gen Xers, the Millennials became more prevalent in the workplace.  Many of their co-workers and managers shake their heads when they try to figure out how to best work with them.

It might help to understand that the Core Values of each generation are created based on people and events that were significant in their youth. Consider these representative comparisons: ¹

	Millennials (1981-1999)	Gen Xers (1965-1980)	Boomers (1946-1964)
Influential people of their impressionable years	Harry Potter, George W., Mark Zuckerberg, Diana, Princess of Wales, Michael Jackson	Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Dilbert, Madonna, Michael Jordan, OJ Simpson	JFK, MLK Jr., Nixon Beatles, Rolling Stones, Gloria Steinem
Events/Places	9/11, terrorist attacks, school shootings, Hurricane Katrina, 1990s Recession, cyberspace	Berlin Wall, Lockerbie Scotland, latch-key kids, Starbucks, divorces, Chernobyl	Watergate, sit-Ins, desegregation, Suburbs, Woodstock, Kent State
Most Important Invention	Tablets, smart phones, laptops, social media, texting	Personal Computer cell phone, video games, smart phone, tablets	Television, Space Exploration
Rewards	Time for themselves, flexible hours, career path options, be an entrepreneur	Freedom, respect, acknowledgement, career flexibility	Money, title, recognition, corner office, career security
Outlook	Optimistic, innovative, technological, ecological collaboration	Self-sufficient, skeptical, resourceful	Competitive, achievement, “me” generation, anything’s possible

“It is therefore understandable that the stereotypical ambitious Boomer workaholic may be critical of one who does not share the same ethics and values. The independent Gen Xer may not appreciate the team orientation and desire for seemingly constant feedback. At the same time, the social-minded Millennial may not understand the priorities of other generations… A wired, connected world is all that Millennials have ever known.“²

Effective ways to engage Millennials:

•  Teach them the expectations of our organizations in a way that makes sense to them.  Hierarchical organization structures can cause them to disengage.
• Respect them for what they offer and give them opportunities to earn trust.
• Understand that they are willing to work hard and long, and they also want work with meaning and a work-life balance.
• Have a strong brand, clearly articulated vision, strong purpose, shared values and clear career path options.
• Recognize the value they can bring to the business: technology skills, ability to innovate and a high level of comfort with change.
• "Show your willingness to try new approaches" ³

The oldest Millennials are now 34.  How are you making the most of their talent and drive?

Ann Meacham, president of Leadership Dynamics, works with business owners and executives to clear their blind spots so they can identify the issues that need to be addressed and focus on making their business succeed. . 

sign up for a Free Strategy Session or email her: ann@leadyourteams.com   www.leadyourteams.com

¹ Lancaster, Lynne and Stillman, David, “When Generations Collide”, HarperCollinsPublishers, 2005

² U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, “The Millennial Generation Research Review” 2014 http://bit.ly/1vEjDAt

³ Beverly Jones, Clearways Consulting, Washington, D.C.