Reduce Cost, Increase Profit and Productivity

If you are looking to reduce cost or increase profit and productivity, there is a really simple way to get it done. So simple, in fact, that it is often overlooked. Look at the image below: We were taught in grade school that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, right? We have discovered over the years, however, that the line is rarely straight, and that it is really easy to get off track. Let's assume that we are at point "A" and that to increase profit or productivity or to reduce cost, we must get to point "B."

Since it is likely that we will get off track in the process, we might wind up at point "C" instead. We know that it might be easier to get back on track when the distance from the A-B line and the A-C is small, and more difficult if not impossible as the distance increases.

The biggest reason we get "off track" is that we do not have a system in place that alerts us as soon as we begin to get off the A-B line.

What we need is a system that keeps us constantly informed and allows us to make adjustments as needed. Look at the bottom image of the A-B line. The little verticle markers can be called "gates." If getting to "B" is really important to you and your business, here are the rules that will guarantee that you always get there:  As you move off point "A" and arrive at the first gate, ask yourself three questions:

1. Am I still on track?
2. Am I still heading toward "B"?
3. Is "B" still the goal?

Before you begin to move toward the next gate on the A-B line, you must have "YES" as the answer to all three questions. If not, make the necessary corrections, and then move. Simple logic tells us that if we do this, we MUST wind up at point "B."  When you first try this, keep the "gates" close together. Plan each move carefully, and then execute. This really works. Try it!

Visualization

My mentor told me that "Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon...must inevitably come to pass."

Take the "vividly imagine" part of that... the word "imagination" simply means "images in action", so to vividly imagine something, you have to place a picture of it in your mind so it is easily recalled and seen "vividly" in the mind's eye.

Here's a way to do that. Get out a bunch of old magazines that are laying around your home or office. Flip through them, and any picture that catches your eye that might represent something you want, or a place you want to visit, or something to learn... cut it out and place it on a bulletin board that you can easily see.

Just be careful what you put up there, because the human mind is a powerful thing. It immediately begins working on ways to bring these images to life! You will be amazed and mystified by how well this works.

Back to Basics

It seems as though as the days progress, everything gets more and more complicated. If that is happening to you right now, it's time to get back to the basics.

In my business, what that means is "Stop Selling" and start using the tools provided. Ask some folks to do a favor for you and check out a website or listen to a recorded message, or watch a DVD.

For instance, should you be interested in earning extra dollars, do me a favor and check out the video that you can find at http://www.sbswaco.net

If you do check it out, I will get a message telling me you did, and I have indeed gotten back to the basics. I will contact you and answer your questions. I WILL NOT SELL YOU anything!!

Have fun. Get back to the basics. I just did!

Motivation \ mō-te-vā-shun \ Reason to Act

Back in cave-man days, motivation consisted of carrying a big club and making loud noises. Today, we refer to that as FEAR motivation.

As Humans became more sophisticated, they discovered that fear motivation didn't work well because those affected toughened up to fear.

So we discovered a new way to motivate. To get a donkey to pull a card, we held out a carrot on a long stick, and the donkey, trying to get to the carrot, pulled the cart. We named this INCENTIVE motivation. But, that didn't work for very long either, because the donkey tired and just sat down.

We keep trying to usde one of these two kinds of motivation on employees today. We either threaten them, which eventually causes strikes (or they quit), or we incentive them which raises the cost of doing business to the point that we are no longer competetive.

So, what can we do? Since the two most popular types of motivation may work for short periods of time, neither will work for very long. It is obvious that we need to find a new kind of motivation that is more permanent.

It's called ATTITUDE motivation. In an earlier blog, we discussed attitudes and their relationship to results. Here it is again... If you think you can do something, you are right. On the other hand, if you think you cannot, you are also right.

Focus on the right kind of thinking, and you can become SELF-MOTIVATED. If your attitude, or habit of thaught is positive, so are the results!

NUTS...The Seeds of Greatness

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't... or so goes the jingle on television. But, think about it: A tiny acorn, when planted and nourished turns into a mighty oak tree!  A small idea can turn into a million dollar business in the same way. All you have to do is plant that idea, nourish it, and you too, can grow a million dollar business!

However...mustering up the courage to develop a new idea and then taking the action necessary to plant it, nourish it, and care for it as it grows, takes a lot of guts.

But just as faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains, a good idea with the proper care and maintenance can become a wonderful thing!

If you doubt this, think of Dell Computers, MacDonalds Hamburgers, Toyota Hybrids...

Whats your idea, and how will you make it grow?

Prioritizing Activity

I once read a book that talked about managing time and prioritizing the activity of each day so the most important things were always accomplished. The simplicity of it was really neat. Here's how it went:

Take your list of things that need to be accomplished and separate them into three piles.

• Pile "A" shoud contain only those things that absolutely, positively must be done TODAY.
• Pile "B" should contain those things that you would like to complete after all the "A's" are done.
• Pile "C" should contain the remining items on the list.

Take the first item in the "A" pile and put it in front of you on your desk. Put the rest in Drawer "A" of your file cabinet.

Take the "B" pile and put it in Drawer "B" so you can work on them later.

Take the "C" pile and put it in a box and put the box in your closet, out of sight.

Now, work on the "A's", one at a time until they are completed, then start on the "B's."

After 30 days, if you have not visited the "C" box, empty it in the trash and forget about it. If you haven't visited the "B" drawer by the end of the week, move these to the "C" box and proceed accordingly.

DO THE "A's"... Now, get crackin'.

How Thought Affects Results

Look at the chart at the left. The way you think is determined by input to your brain through your five senses. What you see, smell, taste, touch and hear become ideas. If this input is repeated, the ideas become habits of thinking or "Attitudes." The way you think about something directly affects the way you do things. It even affects the way you feel. For instance, if you think you are cold, you might shiver. If, on the other hand, you think you are hot, you might perspire, even in the middle of a very cold day.

The way you act or behave, determines the results you get when you attempt something. Therefore, it follows that if you are told over and over again by your coach that you can pole vault over a six foot bar, and you watch others doing it, you begin to think you can really do it yourself. Once convinced that you can, you try until the method you use works, and by golly, you clear the bar!

The best thing about all of this is this: If you are not satisfied with the results you are currently getting in your business, you have to look first at HOW you are running your business. (Behavior) If you can identify the behavior causing the unwanted results, you then need to change the way you THINK so the behavior will change. To chaange the way you think, you need to change the INPUT.

The good news is: Like the three fellows to the right, you have control over the input. Speak no negative things, Look at no negative things, and do not listen to negative things. Instead, allow in only positive ideas and methods. Listen only to positive thinking people. See yourself as being successful at what you do.

When you do this, others follow, and not only do you attract a great team with which to work, but you begin to attract the success that you desire!