Showing posts with label value. Show all posts
Showing posts with label value. Show all posts

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Decisions, Choices and Branding

Business like life is made up of decisions and choices. How you make them determines whether you'll be successful or not, as well as the level of your success... or failure.  Decisions and choices that aren't based on any foundational principles or values don't have much chance of getting us or our organizations where we or our organizations want to be.  This is mainly because we probably aren't sure where we want to be or how we'd like to (or should) get there.

So where does branding come into all of this?  Well, I believe at the beginning.  By clearly defining your brand you will also be clarifying your purpose, the fundamental things you believe in and what you and your organization value most.  Once you can stand on this foundation, making decisions becomes simple (I didn't say easy).  You'll be able to see the past, present and future through new eyes... and others (colleagues, employees, clients, vendors, prospects, media, investors, your spouse, etc.) will be able to see you and/or your organization through those same new eyes. You'll know what (and who) fits and what doesn't.  It's like your mother told you, just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD.

Define your brand and make better decisions.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Rene Descartes and Learning for the Future

"Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems."
- Rene Descartes (1596-1650), "Discours de la Methode"


Ok, I promise this is the last time I'll use this quote... today. But I hope you agree that it's had a lot to say. This time I want to focus on what I believe is the real power of this statement.

Where most people see problems as...problems, Descartes sees problems as opportunities to learn in order to solve future problems. Taking a future perspective when solving every day problems allows you to create value that doesn't exist when you're just "putting out fires."

It's actually very difficult (a problem in itself) to create value without having problems to solve. So the next time you're confronted with an irate client, a prospect who just keeps putting you off or a supplier who forgot to deliver your order, just smile knowing you've been given a great opportunity to improve your organization and yourself.

Be Wise,

--Charles