The Central Chamber Report: Lessons Learned – Planning plus Consistency

    Last week I continued a series on the “lessons learned” after having been with the Central Chamber for the past 6 years.  So far I’ve discussed that running a business requires determination and toughness and the importance of networking with other businesses and organizations.  This week’s lesson focuses in on consistency and the end game! 
    Several years ago I came across an interesting poster.  The scene was a warm summer day with the heat waves rising gently off the asphalt pavement that worked its way over the rolling hills. On the road was a lone runner trudging along the heated path.  The following phrase was printed across the bottom of the poster: “The race isn’t always won by the swiftest but by the one who finishes the course!”  This quickly brings to mind the old story of the tortoise and the hare.  Although the hare was much faster than the tortoise, because of the hare’s lack of consistency the tortoise won the race!
    It is so easy to look at a successful business and think, “Anyone could do that” or “They just got lucky”!  For the most part, luck is nowhere to be found in the successful business model and if “anyone could do that”, then many would!   There are many businesses that have started in our area and survived.  Two of the elements that determines the survival and success of these businesses is consistency and long range vision.  If you go into business looking for that instant success and the huge jackpot in just a matter of months, you are likely to be disappointed.  However, if you go into the endeavor with a long range plan, the determination and toughness mention in my previous article and you strive to do the right things the right way consistently, over time you stand a good chance of being a success.  
    Many times we have heard a coach, at the end of a game, explain their reason for victory by saying, “We had a game plan and just stuck with it! We were confident in our plan and knew it would work!”  Failing to plan is planning to fail!  We’ve heard this phrase many times.  The businesses that have the ability to look way down the road and not get side tracked by the occasional potholes are the ones that can make it.  Having a business plan that looks at least three years ahead is how many businesses stay ahead of the game.  These businesses have an end game in mind and refuse to deviate from that plan.     
    Finally it is about showing up day after day and doing all you can do with excellence!  Doesn’t sound very romantic, but that is the life of a successful business.  You learn what to do and not to do, find out what really works, discover your niche, strive for excellence and then consistently continue doing what you do best!  
    We all could take a lesson from these businesses.  If you put the same principles to work in your personal life you will find success as well! So this week I commend all those businesses that have put these principles into practice. Keep planning, stay consistent and may you always find success!