Week 9 It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but those most adaptive to change. ~ Charles Darwin

At a commencement speech Kim Clark spoke about the qualities that make for great leaders. He listed three qualities:

1. Lead by Example
2. Lead with Vision
3. Lead with Love

It is true that a group of workers will work more efficiently when someone takes the lead and shows the way. If a business owner, parent or teacher does not have an end goal in mind it would be very difficult to inspire others to follow. Floundering about happens often and the results are evident in our society.

We have all met that person we just love to be around. They exude sincere kindness and even love. Isn’t that the kind of person you wish all of your teachers had been? Or your bosses? I can hear some disagreeing, claiming the harshness spurred them on. I can see the point of that, still if that harshness was actually sternness out of a real desire to see growth and success then we should be able to agree that the love was still there.

Carly Fiorina spoke about three qualities that help businesses succeed, she said, “I think leadership is about three things: capability, collaboration, and character.”

One of the key points I took from reading the transcript of her speech was the need to be innovative. A business can have a great idea and it will sell well. But if that same business then stops trying new marketing or thinking up ideas for improvement then over time they can expect to see sales slide.

It makes me think of French’s Mustard, it has been around for ages. But they still advertise in ladies magazines. They update their packaging even creating new bottles when the old ones worked just fine.

Jim Collins wrote GOOD TO GREAT Why Some Companies Make the Leap . . . and Others Don’t a long title but certainly descriptive. In the book a key point is to ask who before asking what. Who are we trying to reach?

For me as an author before I start to write I need to consider my audience. I have seen some books meant for children that are intensely long and boring, or with poetry that is clunky and unreadable even by the parent. Some adult books on the market today, now that it is flooded with self-publishers and cheap publishing houses, are too simplistic to hold my attention even though they are meant for adults.

For our BBQ business it would make sense to decide whether we want to focus on the end consumer first or the establishment carrying the product. Who would benefit most? Once we decide on the who then we can decide on the what of marketing.
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The real killer concept that I have trouble with is the Hedgehog Concept. This means find what you are excellent at and stick with it. I want to do several things as my website shows I am spread out. I need to tighten it up and focus on less. Still, every other day a new idea captures my attention and I want to do it too. So yes be the hedgehog, Kari, be the hedgehog.