Point of View Monday

In today’s down economy, most companies live in a state of cynicism, negativism and surrender. They throw up their hands because the world has changed and they now see their formula for success is outdated – and they are fresh out of ideas (opportunities) to turn things around.

And then there are the great survivors – the great companies that understand change is a constant in life; they know their business must constantly change to be relevant in today’s world. They stay connected to know what is going on in their world; they continually activate their employees to generate ideas and opportunities to respond to the world as they find it. They are nimble, flexible and responsive. They are innovators, creators and opportunity hunters. They see the change the world brings as providing the ability to discuss and invent ways to be more profitable, more relevant, more talented and more value-based. These companies have a partnership between management and employees; they each have a role in hunting for and finding opportunities to grow the business in any economy.

Managers – it is up to you to create a powerful opportunity-focused workplace culture; your workplace attitude must inspire all employees to contribute in the process of identifying and inventing opportunities to create more effective operations, improve service levels and innovate new products and services. Great managers stay in constant contact with employees and customers because employees and customers each have great information about the world and what drives value. Great managers use dialog, discussion and connection to stay informed and use employees and customers as their eyes and ears and as idea generators; they build a culture around the easy and open exchange of information and discussion of ideas.

Employees – when you pack your lunch, pack your brain, energy and enthusiasm. To stand out in the workplace, you must be connected to your workplace. Know the mission, goals and value of your business. Know your world by staying connected to your networks and news sources. Then compare the needs and value offerings of your company to what you know of your world, and offer suggestions for business opportunities: make improvements in operations, efficiencies or greater value-based products. Find better ways of connecting with customers and creating value. See what others do. Share what you know. Ask questions. Bring news to your managers’ attention. Own your share of hunting for opportunities.

Today’s pace of change is too significant for managers to create a successful business without the full assistance of his/her employees. It is critical that all employees not only stay connected to their worlds, but to bring what they know to the workplace. At the same time, employees will feel compelled to share and invent when management creates a strong employee-focused workplace, that trusts, values and respects employees; one that inspires each employee to contribute his/her best each day. Then and only then will you have an organization that is ready to hunt for and find value-based opportunities. And once the hunt starts, you’ll see that a down economy has unlimited opportunities – it just requires some instruction and the contribution of highly engaged employees to see things others do not see. Be on the constant hunt for opportunities – in any economy – it is the source of your continued success.