Opportunity allows for renewal. With the turning of the leaves or the dramatic flush of forests stripped bare, there remains certainty of continued life. Intrinsically linked with vision and moving towards that vision, opportunity is seasonally related to autumn and the stabilising element of earth.
Galleries of businesses act on opportunity in a running or active market. The real test is swimming in a waning, competitive or tightening market. Surviving in this market requires seizing possibilities where others can’t or won’t; innovation and differentiation.
Thrive in your market
Opportunity is a continuum for those businesses that see and capitalise on change. The potential is frequently disguised in:
Where is your focus?
Powerful possibilities
Borrowing from Jack Welch, former General Electric CEO, there are 2 crucial elements for open business opportunity:
- voice and;
- dignity.
In Jack’s experience travelling worldwide, people would ask him local questions which were far more appropriate to be directed to local Managers. Frustrated by these questions, he began asking staff why they didn’t get support and answers from their local managers. They felt:
- they wouldn’t be heard or;
- it wasn’t okay to speak out.
Leave your ego behind!
At GE manager’s egos limited creative solutions which gave them purpose to discover information through a different viewfinder. With their new kaleidoscope, they introduced sessions with external facilitators to enhance openness and engage employees. The manager was invited to the first section of the session and was required to commit to 2 things:
- Give on the spot yes or no to 75% of recommendations that came out of sessions,
- To explore and resolve over the next 30 days the remaining 25% of outcomes.
This approach allows individuals and teams to be heard. Real conversation results in collaborative team ethic and satisfaction.
