The impact sector is inundated with the latest jargons: decolonizing, indigenizing, circulation/circular economy, digital transformation, human-centered, etc. Everywhere you go, whether in health, trade, technology, community development, and other fields, these are the fashionable ideas.

Recently, I came across network colleagues pushing for digital transformation for the small and medium-sized enterprise they are trying to serve. Apparently, this transformation has three to four meanings depending on interpretation, none of which serve the small and micro-businesses' interests now and in the near future! 

Our sector is overstimulated with all these buzzwords that will continue to be regurgitated by anyone who thought that they hold the promise to the future or unlock a key insight into the human evolution. 

If organizations continue to adapt the 'next shiny object' without integrating what works and what they already have, they are likened to a mouse on a spinning wheel. They're busy for sure but they're not going very far.

If you add these 4-5 ideas on to your plate, what are you trying to dislodge?  

Focus is the key in the long game. The emperor has no clothes on. 

​Last year, I discussed that Mission is not Enough. Being an on-purpose organization alone without exhibiting sufficient value for society through their target partners is a major degeneracy. 

Few organizations behave differently in purpose sector and do not exhibit these following traits or tell these drama: 

1) Self-privileged- We do good in the world, therefore you should....... us.


2) Poor us, we do God's work-We don't have money for investing with our talent, systems, and operational excellence. We don't have overhead, therefore, you should trust us to be excellent in delivery. Non-sequitur..


3) It's enough to do good- We don't need to innovate. Our mission speaks for our existence and that's enough for you to give as grants, donations, etc.  Mission is not enough. Being good seldom works. 


4) There's too much need out there, we are overstretched, please stop demanding more!- We don't need to do better than what we do currently. 


These are lame excuses for organizations whose relevance has become antedated without them knowing.  

Look yourself in the mirror, if these are the same words you are operating with in late 2020 as an executive, get out of the way or get your acts together.

Nobody will ever laud that your organization existed, they only care if you have performed well beyond society's expectations. 
 

This week has been hectic with moving houses.

We have the Internet Guy and the Propane Guy come yesterday to install our Internet and our heating supply, respectively. Both of these outfits are local and are a phone call away.

They both arrived as promised and installed their systems without any hassle. 

If small businesses operate like this, there's always business even in the context of a crisis, where people had to pay for basic services anyway regardless of whether the economy or the pandemic is surging or not.

The bottom line for marketing effectively and delivering well is responsiveness. 

If you go dead by the middle of the phone call or tell a client all kinds of excuses why your team member is saying something contrary to what you are doing, then, it's no secret that you're not getting your acts together.

Local doesn't mean mediocre. You can be the best outfits and you can quickly respond with more capacity to your clients' needs if you know how to configure their services accordingly, you walk the talk, and be professional. 

Another local outfit of carpet cleaner came in a few weeks ago and did an excellent job! He went beyond his job to get some of the nasty paints on the rug with all the tools that he had. 

A little extra effort can go along. It builds goodwill with clients and help them know that you care enough more than getting the job done and getting paid for it.

It could be another moving day where things fall apart before you even start getting comfortable in the new place. Yesterday went extremely well!

Local businesses, don't underestimate your power. Be a source of reliable, quality, and responsive service. 

Demonstrate that you care!

People nowadays, tend to equate game changer with change maker.

These two have very different connotations. 

Would you want to be a game changer? or a change maker?

Game changing  is about changing the direction of the game (or game itself), reframing the scope and parameters of the engagement, and ensuring that you come out with a winner's advantage. This can be a short-term project or a long-term horizon perspective. Consistent game changers are Apple, Amazon, Fedex, to name a few. 

Whereas, being a change maker reminds me of the long-term work that needs to happen to get our audacious goals for ourselves, our communities, our enterprises succeed. 

You can position yourself as both. 


This world calls for game changers with the short-term stakes on the pie, and change markers with the eye for long-term sustainable progress.

But, if you have to choose, choose game changing, because the ambiguous future looks to bold and audacious leaders who are willing to stretch the imagination of society, so that we can all come out thriving, not just surviving. 

Game changing doesn't require a lot of brain power, or talent, or more connections. It doesn't require you shift lanes or careers or jobs. It doesn't require lots of capital infusion. 

They can see the writing on the wall when others are busy mounting on their saddles again. It's called prescience, reinvention, mining opportunities, and #beyondresilience attitude. 

Drop me a line to learn more about these new concepts. 




​

Yesterday, my car got stuck in a muddy part of our acreage. With all the wheels spinning deep into the mud, I had no choice but to leave it to the expert. I called for help.

I wonder how this situation is transported in many scenarios in our lives and careers.

How many times we refuse to call for help when we should and not 'game' or 'risk' deepening our being stuck in the mire?

Most of the time:

We thought we can do it. DIY is always the first choice, anyway. Good for learning and making sure you get what you want. Safety, time lags, and wasted monies are consequences for poor planning and execution. 


We thought we don't need to bother anyone. On the contrary, before we get more into debt or trouble, we should call them now and not tomorrow.


We can survive and overcome. When was the last time, you flunk the interview/exam or going into a meeting completely unprepared and acting tentative?  There are clear consequences for misfires and trials.  Learn from the experts, become an expert, or completely walk away, because it's not your strong suit. 


The expert drove the car down in a slope and shared some kind words of instruction. He said, "Some people drive purposefully in a mud, but with not with you."

We need experts and friendly allies to help us, remind us of the things we easily forget, and steer us in the right direction.

But it all starts with asking for help. 

​Cheers!

Mama, your head looks like water melon.

Your eyebrows look like hinges. 

Your nose is like a triangle. 

Your hair looks like thick noodles.

Your eyes look like small water melon.

Your armpit looks like a flute. 

Your legs like wagon wheels.

Your feet like book shelf.

In short, I look like this-




​





​







​HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Count your blessings!