When to Turn Over a New Leaf
Making Changes in Business – How, When, Where, and Why
With the current economy it is no wonder that this topic is on the minds of many. Change seems to be the only constant. For many having to turn over a new leaf, is also unexpected. Surprise! You are unemployed. Surprise! Your revenues are down by half. Surprise! You expected to sell 100 houses this year and only sold 25 houses.
When should you turn over a new leaf? For those of us who have been following a system, the answer is apparent. When the numbers tell us to do so is the answer. A local realtor tells this story well without saying a word. He is known by many in the industry to be a consistent seller of homes. His organization sells 100 to 140 homes each year in good economic times and bad. In 2008, when the economy turned sour, he started to advertise more on the local radio and television. He had more yard signs, open houses, and magazine advertisements. He measures and manages his business by tracking the numbers. When he saw the numbers trailing down in sales/listings he increased his marketing.
Why should you turn over a new leaf? We turn over a new leaf when our level of comfort is disrupted. Today, it seems like more and more people are being affected by the economy. We have trouble paying the bills. Recently, I noticed that the phone was ringing less frequently. So I found a way to make it ring more. Besides the economy it can also be technology that can cause us to turn over a new leaf. Combine technology with social media and you have added reasons to look at turning over many new leaves! For some staying the same is easier. I have one friend that has been in and out of jobs frequently for the last 10 years. Some might say that it is the economy. He likes when people say that. He will leave a job on his own accord finding a reason which places the failure on his employer. We should turn over a new leaf when we are comfortable with our own failures!
How you should turn over a new leaf is best done with your team of advisors. If you lack a formal team, make one. Reach out to those who already know, like, and love you. Ask for advice without any prejudgment. Ask those closest to you for what YOU think you need now. Be prepared and open for answers that you might not have expected. Turning over a new leaf may require you to do something unexpected. Be prepared for the unexpected. A fellow I have known for about three years was recently let go by his employer. My advice to him was:
- Call everyone you know and tell them what you need now
- Create a business card with the job title you seek, address, email, telephone number
- Work on your appearance (hair cut, clothing, etc.)
- Work on speech/presentation patterns
- Be prepared to do a number of different things to get back into the work force
Where should you turn over a new leaf? Flexibility is the key here when considering where to turn over a new leaf. If self-employed, an employee, a business owner, or unemployed we all need to go where business is being transacted. As someone who has relocated four times with one company in seven years I know what it takes to turn over a new leaf. Disrupted is one word that is often used when it comes to relocating, leaving family, and pulling children from the friends and schools. Even when your employer will foot the bill, it can be tough. In these uncertain times, it can be even tougher! Ideally, we would turn over a new leaf in our current space. Frequently, it is just impossible.
Before turning over a new leaf, assess where all your leaves are by systematically evaluating each. Ask many questions, clearly reviewing ALL the options before turning over the new leaf. Our lives are intertwined with family and business. Be aware of outside influences from friends and family that are suggesting change for THEIR benefit versus your benefit. All need to work for the good that you decide is the best for you and your immediate family.
Gerry Rose runs INTEGRITY Networking Solutions in Oceanside, CA. He works with people in business who want to attract the right prospects and generate more referrals. More than 10,000 businesses have been presented the INTEGRITY Networking Solutions system in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange Counties.
Gerry’s stimulating presentation Unlimited Prospects, Unlimited Referrals is ideally suited for small business owners, home-based businesses, and independent professionals who want clearer direction and want to attract more prospects, develop dynamic systems, and strengthen their companies’ accountability. Gerry does one on one consulting, conducts a range of keynote speeches from thirty minutes to full-day education workshops.
His book series, Unlimited Prospects, Unlimited Referrals, are available on the website, www.integritysd.com.
Gerry has more than 20 years’ experience directing business owners how to grow their businesses. He is a networking dynamo. Those who know him will assure you that he does a great job of bringing people together—which is why he started IntegritY.
Involved with networking organizations since 1984, Gerry is a Distinguished Toastmaster, a member of Toastmaster International, and has chaired numerous chambers of commerce and non-profit organizations.
Are you truly committed to attracting the right prospects and generate more referrals? If so then contact INTEGRITY Networking Solutions for availability and information. You can contact Gerry by mail at 1610 Quiet Hills Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056. Direct dial (760) 439-4623; e-mail to gerry@integritysd.com. For more information, go to www.integritysd.com
