When I was a little girl, my Mom would say to me every morning when I got out of the car for school, “Learn the 3 R’s – you need them for life!” She meant of course Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. Okay, they don’t really start with R’s but for a primary school student who couldn’t spell, they made sense.

Our global economy is working its way through a tough recessionary period. Very few businesses have not been affected in some way and in the midst of all the turmoil, it must be said, “Learn the 3 R’s – you need them for your company’s life” – Rethink, Revitalize, and Restore. As the owner of your business, it is important that you implement actions which will rejuvenate your team members, your cash flow, and your vision for the future of your company. Your business needs a boost to get through the recession and come out stronger, wiser, and more profitable.

Here are some guidelines to help put the 3 R’s into play in your business:

RETHINK

• Consider that the way you do business may need a change or simply tweaking, and it is important that you and your team are open to new possibilities. When is the last time you set goals for your company or even reviewed your vision to see if what you wanted years ago is still relevant?
• Is your focus where it needs to be? Realize that as our global economy changes so do the needs of your customers. We can no longer pretend that we exist in the land of plenty. What is important to your customers, and how can your team fulfill their needs?
• Any change that is executed cannot be a one person show. 20 to 30 years ago the image of the man behind the desk, smoking a cigar, pushing all the buttons is not the image of today. Every person on your staff has ideas that can be put into place to build a new and better company. Be open to suggestions and accept that there is more than one way to skin a cat.

REVITALIZE

• An energy boost is sometimes necessary to get employees and even your self excited about the direction of the company. Simple steps can be taken to inject a new power source that flows through the business, revamping the staff.
• Morning meetings to set goals or stimulate daily tasks are an easy way to get the juices flowing again in a stagnant working atmosphere.
• A possible rewards system, either in sales or goal accomplishments can lift a lifeless environment. Sometimes praise given at the appropriate time or encouragement can revitalize the work force.
• Anthony Robbins states MOTION = EMOTION which means your physical presence can make a huge difference to the posititive atmosphere of your buisness. Think smiling when you answer the phone, greeting employees enthusiastically, being positive and seeing challenges instead of difficulties, think the cup half full NOT half empty!

RESTORE

• Any person who as ever restored furniture or a home knows it takes time. Changes only work when they are consistent, accepted, and put into operation. Restoration brings a lot of dirt and debris to the surface while in the process, but when all is done, the end product can turn out very beautiful. Changes take effort and time. Don’t be too quick to throw down the anchor. Believe in your new vision and stick to the course at hand.

by Nora C. Hatchett