We're fast approaching the final quarter of 2015. I cannot help but ask, "How will I finish strong? How will I ramp up my efforts in order to achieve the goals I set at the beginning of this year? How will I stand out and be counted amongst those at the top in my career, industry or country?" I know that some of you can relate.
While there are many things to become easily distracted by, it is really the time of the year to become more focused and unstoppable in your approach to your activities and efforts, in these last few months of 2015. What do I mean by unstoppable? Determined, fierce, single-minded in your chosen priorities, enthusiastic in your efforts and committed. To stand out means to become someone outstanding and remarkably superior to others.
Here are five areas you can constantly strive to stand out and be unstoppable in.
Unstoppable in leadership
It is John Maxwell who said that "everything rises and falls on leadership". If you were to evaluate your self-leadership, team leadership or business leadership abilities, how would you objectively rank yourself? How would your team rank you? If that number is not a 10 out of 10, there's room for improvement and work to be done. To stand out or become unstoppable in this area, create a quarterly evaluation of yourself and aim to improve your score each time.
Unstoppable in the pursuit of your future vision and dreams
Napoleon Hill in the classic book "Think and Grow Rich" reminded me recently that a "winner never quits and a quitter never wins." According to the late Dr. Myles Munroe, "the poorest person in the world is a person without a dream. The most frustrated person in the world is a person with a dream that never becomes a reality." To stand out and become unstoppable in this area simply means to not give up. Winston Churchill's famous commencement speech to a graduation class was under two minutes. It was simply put: "Never give up, never, never, never." He had one hour to talk. When asked why he didn't use his entire hour, he told reporters that he gave the graduates all they needed to hear.
Unstoppable in service
Let's face it, unless you have an anointing and natural gift toward service, even the best of us face the thought or temptation of giving less-than-stellar service. In a recent customer service workshop that I conducted, participants were told to come up with "18 ways to amaze" their customers and clients. The workshop is usually conducted in a three-hour time slot, where students pick from a 52 card deck-style list of the most fitting ways they can amaze their customers.
Each time I host that workshop, the importance of followup arises. Many can find and use excuses not to sufficiently follow up in business, myself included. Regardless of the excuse, lack of followup is always unacceptable. To standout or become unstoppable in this area means to have followup power. Additionally it means wavering in service with your customers and if you do, find a way to recover it quickly. As some would say, "the fortune is in the followup".
Unstoppable in sales
Sam Walton, founder of Walmart said, "There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company, from the chairman down, simply by sending his money somewhere else." Therefore, service and sales go hand in hand. Lou Altman, U.S. businessman, speaker and trainer said that most people in sales are "running their business backwards".
He continued: "I'll bet you are struggling to keep your profit numbers up and sales growing. Why? Because it is expensive to acquire new clients and far less expensive to keep clients." So for my entrepreneurs, business owners and sales people especially, to standout or become an unstoppable success in this area, means focusing on client retention more than client acquisition.
Unstoppable in personal and professional growth and development
I had a person tell me before, "I cannot wait to retire so that I can stop learning." After my shock I laughed. "You actually see an end to your learning?" I asked. Because of my apparent disgust from that statement, he quickly tried to change his statement. The bottom line is this: Your financial growth -- or anything else for that matter i.e., relationships, your business, career etc. -- will never surpass your personal growth. John Maxwell calls this the 'Law of the Lid'. Your business or career can only grow to the extent that you do! To stand out or become unstoppable in this area means you will eagerly invest your time, energy and money to do whatever it takes to grow yourself in order to change your circumstances. Speaking of personal and professional growth, below are two opportunities to benefit.
Stand out and make it real
Endorsed by the Chamber Institute, this all day workshop will teach you how to raise your profile, reach your potential and realize your dreams. Training will be done on business, leadership, personal branding, dreams, vision, wealth and more. Details and registration can be found at www.attendstandout.com or at 429-4493
How to have explosive business profits and become an unstoppable success
Hosted by the Chamber Institute on Tuesday, September 29 from 9 a.m. -- 12 p.m. at the British Colonial Hilton. Two international speakers will be featured: Camilita Nuttall, from the U.K., and Lou Altman, of Next Level, a U.S.-based business training company. Registration details can be found by calling 322-2145 or emailing institute@thebahamaschamber.com
o Keshelle Davis is a corporate skills facilitator, business trainer and multi-passionate entrepreneur. Her roles include executive director of the Chamber Institute, the education arm of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce; president of Creative Wealth Bahamas and founder of The Training Authority. Keshelle was listed as The Nassau Guardian's Top 40 under 40 for the 40th anniversary celebrations of The Bahamas. Contact Keshelle at keshelle@keshelledavis.com.
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