I recently went to the branch of a major retail chain to look for a new bed for our guest room. Michael, the customer services chap, came as a bit of a surprise. First because of his age – he looked to me to be in his mid-70s.. Second, because of his appearance – he was well dressed (sported a narrow retro tie) and projected a friendly yet professional persona.
When I first started out after leaving high school I worked in the Lab at the Auckland Milk Corporation. One of my key roles was to propagate what we called Bulg and Therm. Bulg’s proper name was Lactibacillus bulgaricus. Therm was Streptococcus Thermophilus. Collectively they were known as the culture that miraculously transformed milk into Fresh n’ Fruity and Meadow Fresh yoghurts.
A quantum leap can take you to high places where you can make your mark, gain a strategic view, and influence widely and wisely … making a difference not only to yourself and your Organisation, but also to the lives of many others.
Here are a few thoughts that I wish to share with you at the beginning of this prosperous New Year.
The New Year question seeking an answer …
Assuming good luck arises at the point where “preparation intersects with opportunity”, then just how should we prepare ourselves to leverage the multiple opportunities that are bound to come our way?
Since the Global Financial Crisis delivered its king hit ten years ago, CEOs have been kept on their toes: ducking and diving, bobbing and weaving. Initially, their role required them to focus on downsizing, resizing, and right-sizing (all fancy words for restructuring). Now they must also deal with digitising their businesses and building agile, innovative senior leadership teams in order to stay in the lead.