How do You Become Recession Proof?
I first learned of Tom Peters in 1995 when I listened to his program In Search of Excellence. His ideas and advice has been invaluable to me for more than a decade now.
Over the years I can think of no other business authority that has a clearer understanding of what works and what doesn’t. In my opinion, if you are looking for a model of management excellence look to Tom Peters.
Mr. Peters was recently asked how people can deal with the current challenges that this economy is posing. Below are 44 rock solid ideas he shared on his blog.
I would love to know which of these suggestions make the most sense to you personally.
Be Free!
Eric Plantenberg
President
************************************************************************
I am constantly asked for “strategies/ ’secrets’ for surviving the recession.” I try to appear wise and informed-and parade original, sophisticated thoughts. But if you want to know what’s really going through my head, see the list that follows.
1. You come in earlier.
2. You leave later.
3. You work harder.
4. You may well work for less; and, if so, you adapt to the untoward circumstances with a smile-even if it kills you inside.
5. You volunteer to do more.
6. You dig deep and always bring a good attitude to work.
7. You fake it if your good attitude flags.
8. You literally practice your “game face” in the mirror in the morning, and in the mid-morning.
9. You give new meaning to the idea and intensive practice of “visible management.”
10. You take better than usual care of yourself and encourage others to do the same-physical well-being determines mental well-being and response to stress.
11. You shrug off shit that flows downhill in your direction-buy a shovel or a “pre-worn” raincoat on eBay.
12. You try to forget about “the good old days”- nostalgia is self-destructive.
13. You buck yourself up with the thought that “this too shall pass”-but then remind yourself that it might not pass any time soon, and so you re-dedicate yourself to making the absolute best of what you have now.
14. You work the phones and then work the phones some more-and stay in touch with positively everyone.
15. You frequently invent breaks from routine, including “weird” ones-”changeups” prevent wallowing and bring a fresh perspective.
16. You eschew all forms of personal excess.
17. You simplify.
18. You sweat the details as never before.
19. You sweat the details as never before.
20. You sweat the details as never before.
21. You raise to the sky and maintain at all costs the Standards of Excellence by which you unfailingly evaluate your own performance.
22. You are maniacal when it comes to responding to even the slightest screwup.
23. You find ways to be around young people and to keep young people around-they are less likely to be members of the “sky is falling” school.
24. You learn new tricks of your trade.
25. You remind yourself that this is not just something to be “gotten through” – it is the Final Exam of character.
26. You network like a demon.
27. You network inside the company – get to know more of the folks who “do the real work.”
28. You network outside the company – get to know more of the folks who “do the real work” in vendor-customer outfits.
29. You thank others by the truckload if good things happen-and take the heat yourself if bad things happen.
30. You behave kindly, but you don’t sugarcoat or hide the truth-humans are startlingly resilient and rumors are the real killers.
31. You treat small successes as if they were Superbowl victories-and celebrate and commend accordingly.
32. You shrug off the losses (ignoring what’s going on in your tummy), and get back on the horse and immediately try again.
33. You avoid negative people to the extent you can – pollution kills.
34. You eventually read the gloom-sprayers the riot act.
35. You give new meaning to the word “thoughtful.”
36. You don’t put limits on the flowers budget – “bright and colorful” works marvels.
37. You redouble, re-triple your efforts to “walk in your customer’s shoes.” (Especially if the shoes smell.)
38. You mind your manners – and accept others’ lack of manners in the face of their strains.
39. You are kind to all mankind.
40. You keep your shoes shined.
41. You leave the blame game at the office door.
42. You call out the congenital politicians in no uncertain terms.
43. You become a paragon of personal accountability.
44. And then you pray.
For more wisdom from Tom Peters I recommend reading one of his books:
Great stuff. Who in their right mind could argue even one of those statements. Work like it depends on you and pray like it depends on God. Remember, God can’t stear a parked car!
Comment by Kurt Venekamp — May 14, 2009 @ 9:04 am
Thanks Eric…many struck a chord. Three of my top action items from the list:
You become a paragon of personal accountability.
You literally practice your “game face” in the mirror in the morning, and in the mid-morning. (I found that “stepping in to how I want to feel” several times a day makes a huge difference)
You dig deep and always bring a good attitude to work.
Comment by Loren Barrows — May 14, 2009 @ 9:10 am
-Re-dedicate yourself to making the absolute best of what you have now
-You take better than usual care of yourself and encourage others to do the same
-You frequently invent breaks from routine, including “weird” ones-”changeups” prevent wallowing and bring a fresh perspective.
…oh, and I have a shovel and rain coat, too!
Comment by Bobbi Schmitt — May 14, 2009 @ 9:24 am
The over-riding thought for me is: celebrate all that is good! And also, Colossians 3:23 — Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men! Thanks, Eric. These are thoughts that can be re-read and re-visited often!
Comment by Eleanor Anderson — May 14, 2009 @ 9:35 am
I am reminded to work HARDER (not just longer), dig deep for the good attitude and fake it if it’s not there. I sometimes feel that I am doing a disservice to myself and some around me if I pretend to be positive even when things feel crappy, but I am now thinking of 2 good reasons for faking – 1) quite often the fake smile brings a geuine one, and 2) if I appear negative/down, many good people will start to avoid me and I don’t want that.
Comment by Nickoe — May 14, 2009 @ 9:56 am
One that wasn’t on the list…get excited about what you’re doing! An important aspect of remaining in an excited state is to avoid negative people.
Comment by Dave Meyers — May 14, 2009 @ 9:58 am
Thanks for sharing Eric and everyone. Excellence Indeed, and virtue to boot!
Keeping perspective of your individual role in serving others.
You mind your manners-and accept others’ lack of manners in the face of their strains.
You are kind to all mankind.
Also, You take better than usual care of yourself and encourage others to do the same-physical well-being determines mental well-being and response to stress.
You guys Rock!
Comment by Nick — May 14, 2009 @ 10:09 am
I’d have to say celebrating the little vicories, giving more of yourself, avoiding the nay sayers and sky is falling crowd and hang out with kids and people who are filled with hope and optimism.
Personally, I am already down with working a harder and smarter – I’m glad to see Tom Peters agrees with me!
Comment by Ken Budka — May 14, 2009 @ 10:15 am
You take better than usual care of yourself and encourage others to do the same-physical well-being determines mental well-being and response to stress.
You treat small successes as if they were Superbowl victories-and celebrate and commend accordingly.
Great stuff
Comment by Tom Weber — May 14, 2009 @ 10:36 am
WOW, I would have to say that most of those hard words were intentional and for me, well accepted. I will shine my shoes more, I will give more thanks for clients who invest, I will practice my scripts more and I will be more detailed.
Thanks for that Eric
Comment by Alan Mong — May 14, 2009 @ 2:33 pm
I like #23…..however all of them are wonderful words of wisdom
Comment by Gary Castellano — May 14, 2009 @ 2:58 pm
Those are awesome tips to live by. Also check out my website.
Comment by Hillis — May 14, 2009 @ 4:54 pm
I found so much value in this post that I sent it to my clients. I copied and pasted into a word doc and put a note with it. I had a great response and it actually gave me a reason to touch base with some former clients. Keep it coming…great stuff!!
Comment by Dianne Young — May 15, 2009 @ 9:04 am
I don’t have the time or the space to list all of the above that inspired me, mostly I just have 2 words:
Hell yeah.
Actually I meant
HELL YEAH!
It really is the only way to deal with adversity- up your game immediately and ongoing. You win big and it’s really fun. Thanks for this post Eric.
Comment by Roger Seip — May 16, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
Nice stuff!! Currently #10 is striking a chord with me as I have really begun to take much better care of my physical well being and as a result am noticing a much stronger result in my mental well-being. It’s funny how that works, huh?
Additionally, I like the idea of simplifying. I have spent way too much time recently making nearly everything too complicated am enjoying allowing things to be much much simpler.
Thanks for sharing! Also, I would to piggy back on Roger’s words and say “HELL YEAH!!”
Comment by David Shoup — May 21, 2009 @ 10:50 am
thanks for the list. definitely put a smile on my face and a couple thoughts in my mind. i would even add: keep morale and camaraderie alive by encouraging social situations. it won’t break the bank
Comment by visualmerc — May 26, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
Great list. I had a few more to add:
* You get creative and think outside of the box to create profitable win-win situations. (just saved FPD $225 doing this this am)
* You INVEST in yourself and apply what you have learned to become more valuable
* You remember that “This too shall pass” when something good happens so you don’t rest on your laurels.
* You take the time to do the small things (that don’t cost anything)
* You turn off the TV – negativity rots your brain!
Thanks for sharing Eric
Comment by Katie — June 11, 2009 @ 9:25 am