Posts Tagged ‘business issues’

Break, Fix, Improve – Part 2

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

OK so we knew this one was coming!

In the previous post we were talking about something being broken, fixed and improved, in order to be stronger. In that post the subject was me. And a dodgy knee caused by my stubborn stupidity amongst other things.

But you have to admit that the parallels to businesses with issues are striking. Think of this. There’s a business problem, albeit small, and so you ignore it. It’s gets a little worse but you can still work through or around it. Eventually the issue can no longer be ignored. It’s got to the point where the business can no longer function normally anymore.

So what should one do? Limp along with a fundamentally broken business, whilst losing valuable customers and staff? Or maybe look to address the issues? And in doing so work to ensure that the problems are dealt with and unlikely to return. And of course finally, to not only fix the immediate issue but to become stronger for the experience.

All sounds very obvious so far right? But you’d be amazed by how often issues are just left to fester. Things either slowly fall apart or people learn to live with them.

One of the many things a business coach can do is help organisations to deal with exactly this kind of scenario. Sometimes it takes an ‘outsider’ to be the bad guy, to call it as it is and suggest appropriate responses and changes. The keys are objectivity and independence. A coach has a brief to help the business. Whilst it’s important, in my opinion, to have an understanding of the broader scenario, a good coach will work to the brief for the benefit of the business, without being swayed by politics or other influences.

We evaluate a problem, propose remedies, assist in implementation if required and help you and your business emerge stronger than ever.

In fact, we help with this scenario more than any other. If the above is familiar to you or there’s another issue or question that springs to mind and you’d like to talk it through with me, please do get in touch. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Break, Fix, Improve

Friday, May 21st, 2010

For those of you who don’t know, I like to run. I’m not saying I’m any good, I just enjoy it. Outside or on the treadmill, running enables me to clear my mind and to stay fit at the same time, as well as catching up with my iTunes library. Just recently I’ve had a niggle in my left knee. Nothing too bad to start with, but I ignored it and it got progressively worse. A few days ago I was running on my treadmill (thinking this would be easier on a sore knee!) and I had to stop. It suddenly really hurt and I slowed to a walking pace. After a few minutes the pain had cleared and I upped the pace once more. For a about 5 seconds, and BAM! My knee just gave out. Finally, I took this as a sign to get off, apply ice and to check out symptoms, diagnoses and suggested treatments.

So here I am needing to train for a 20K off-road event next month and unable to run. I need to rehab my knee first before entertaining serious training. I ignored the warning signs and I’m now paying the price.

The good news is that I’ve established that I neglected some things in my training which, along with just plain doing too much too soon, contributed to the injury. So along with fixing this particular problem, I now know how to improve my fitness regime.

I will come back stronger.

Business parallels? You bet! One for next time…..

If you need assistance identifying or fixing issues within your career or business, please get in touch.

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