Hard to believe six weeks of fantastic sport are almost over. The wait for the Rugby World Cup seemed so long and now we have the final being played tonight at Eden Park. I still remember the building excitement and euphoria of the first world cup in 1987, and the subsequent bitterness of defeat in the cups since. I never want to be a “good loser”, but I do feel better equipped to congratulate the competition when they win. I hope this finely honed skill is not required tonight!
A personal gripe of this World Cup is the number of people out there whinging about how bad things are (Canterbury Earthquakes, Rena grounding, PSA, Global Financial Crisis, child poverty, etc.) and how we should be ashamed of being so focused on a sporting event. Without the richness of experience that sport and other pursuits give us we would all be lost in a cycle of continuing misery. I’ve always been a glass half full kind of person and while these events deeply sadden me, I would rather focus on the positives I see everywhere.
I’ve seen incredibly generous people opening their homes and wallets for those in need. I’ve seen friendly, passionate people enjoying sporting events with competitor supporters in a good natured way. I’ve seen gracious tourists who have taken the time to thank us for their experience, and promise to come back soon. And I am looking forward to a great final tonight!
On a business front, I read a report recently by myYardstick that based on surveys completed by over 1000 business owners across Australia and New Zealand, the biggest challenges currently facing small to medium enterprises include:
Issue/Challenge Percentage of Respondents
Funding 45%
Business Strategy 38%
Estate Planning 34%
Legal Affairs 34%
Succession 33%
Source: myYardstick Professional 2011
While I don’t think that the issues raised are new to business, the quantum would suggest that it’s still a struggle to run a business, and that business owners biggest need is to have a succinct plan on what they want to do and how they are going to do it. Not that great volume that is propping up a desk or bookshelf, but a practical document that conveys certainty and clarity for those charged to achieve success in the business.
So, are you developing the plan or implementing it?
Till post-RWC2011.
Lincoln
Lincoln Sharp - Thinking Forward 