revenue | The "O" Zone

The year is rapidly coming to an end. You are closing the books, wrapping up your accounts and accessing progress against your goals. You may have mentally vaulted into next year. You may have a tendency to slow down and begin jogging to the finish line, after all it is December and the year is almost over. In some situations, packing it in prematurely may be a mistake.

The temptation to checkout early is present in people running long distance races. They approach the last stretch and decelerate. Whereas, coasting to the end is an option, you may still be leaving some business on the table. Take a few precious moments to look around and see if there are a few vital steps you can make to make a difference for this year or help in the future. Is it really impossible to close a deal, make a telephone call and perform a service for a client? These actions may enable you to favorably close out the year and set the foundation for a strong start in the next quarter.

As long as there is time left on the clock, you should move quickly to break the tape and not wind down to a halt. It is best to run through the tape to ensure that you keep momentum where it can do the most good. It is the beauty of the follow though. In baseball, when running to first base they suggest you run through the bag. In golf they suggest you swing through the ball for maximum results. Persistence is critical to give it all you can until the very end. Craig Groeschel, Founder and Senior Pastor of LifeChurch.tv, has a phrase that he uses, “If you are not dead, you are not done.” I suggest you keep this mind, as you sprint to the end of the year.

I was in a sales meeting a few years ago. We were looking for another way to remind the managers to work toward a strong finish, even though we tome left in the quarter. We made a list of the activities we could perform to close out the year. We asked the managers to encourage their representatives to do the following:

• Make one more call at the end of the day
• Contact their largest customers to get commitments
• Contact customers they may have missed on their last cycle
• Make courtesy calls to thank their customers for their business and support, even if it did not lead to an immediate sale

The managers also reviewed their responsibilities in holding everyone accountable.
One manager was aware of my book Leadership above the rim – the poetry of possibility. There was a poem entitled, “Time on the clock,” which was very appropriate for the moment. The poem Time left on the clock was read to the group. It was a nice way to close out the session and emphasize the power and possibility for high performance by having the right attitude to the end of the year.

I wish you a strong finish to the year and hopefully the poem, “Time on the clock,” will deliver a message that coincides with your belief in an excellent finish and a strong start to the next quarter in the New Year.

Time on the clock
When there is time left on the clock,
The cowards complain and cry foul;
The losers panic and throw in the towel,
But champions persist and hold their blocks,
For they know the score is tentative
Until the game is over, so they give
Everything, for ’til the final gun
There’s unfinished business,
Work to be done.

When there is time left on the clock,
The champions continue to play
Aggressively, to find a way
To anchor confidence so they can rock
The competition out of alignment,
As they execute their assignments.

When there is time left on the clock,
Champions cling to the fundamentals,
They stay in strategy, push potential
To higher levels intended to shock;
As warriors welded to their cause,
They are nourished by internal applause.

When there is time left on the clock,
Thoughts of surrender should be suspended;
Energy on hand should be expended,
Reserves should be exploited to unlock
The genius of skillfully fighting hard,
With valiant effort for the extra yard.

When there is time left on the clock,
You strive tenaciously, always take stock
In your motives for entering the game,
For pride, prestige or personal acclaim;
Though vanquished or victorious, heroes
Are those who fight to the end.
Zeroes on the clock is when the champions say
Is the acceptable time to walk away.

http://www.watchwellinc.com

Success involves achieving. But success has a strategic element that causes us to anticipate factors and events that could curtail our results or limit our achievement. According to the Bing Dictionary, multiples involve several things and include people or parts. Let’s explore 5 key multiples which could help us achieve our desired goals. For our purpose today we will evaluate areas where options are beneficial.

Multiple Revenue Streams
Multiple Interests
Multiple Memberships
Multiple Mentors
Multiple Areas of Application

Multiple Revenue Streams

Professional speakers talk about how to generate income beyond the speech. Since we are not always on the stage, we look for additional ways to make money that transcend speeches. Some speakers have a coaching business; sell online training programs, merchandise or other business ventures. Some of these strategies can work for everyone.

Many families are already familiar with this concept through Multi-Level Marketing ventures. People sell home products, investments, real estate, jewelry, cosmetics, telephone service and other products to supplement their family income.

We may create income from our savings account, 401K or real estate investments. The concept of having multiple revenue streams can protect us during a financial downturn or supplement our earning and provide flexibility and greater peace of mind. During the financial downturn of 2008 many speakers saw a decline in their revenue. Mikki Williams, CSP of Mikki Williams Unltd., mentioned being sustained by her multiple streams of income. She had a speaker training school, coaching business and other venues which enabled her to weather the storm. A friend’s wife went back to work and truly lived up to her title of Mrs. (Multiple Revenue Streams).

Multiple Interests

Having a variety of interests can be an advantage. Many people branch out into new careers based on personal interests and areas of personal curiosity. Jeff is an insurance executive, yet he performs music on the weekends. He is pursuing his passion, but also makes money on the side. We have heard legendary stories of entrepreneurs who made small and great fortunes based on exploring and exploiting their hobbies. Dave received a job in computers because his expertise was well known within the company. A common mindset is to have an interest and then ask, “How can I make money at this?” Alli is working with school children on developing a heart for the poor and disenfranchised. This may spark an interest in her students to demonstrate different interests and arouse their leadership qualities. These interests may allow them to distinguish themselves from their peers later on when applying to college. They may be asked the question, “Tell me about a time when you displayed leadership at school or in the community?”

Multiple Memberships

There is a bonus to belonging to different groups. By expanding our network across industries, cliques and limited groups we can benefit our careers and perspectives. Networking increases our professional and personal contacts. Joining multiple organizations increase our exposure and knowledge. It can also challenge our thinking and give us a greater appreciation of different people and their needs. Consider the professional organizations we need to join and then those groups that align themselves with your interests. This helps keep our interests in the forefront of our thinking. Although the interest may seem like a pipe dream, if it is a repeating part of your thoughts, we should nurture it. One day the interest may flower into a fulfilling opportunity.

Multiple Mentors

Many successful people extol the advantages of multiple mentors. They accumulate a fresh variety of viewpoints. Each mentor may have a different area of expertise and may push us to think along a path of reasoning we had not considered. Companies have a board of directors to receive wise counsel from those who are a well rounded group of experts in their fields. When making a major decision we should consult those who have knowledge in a particular area. Diversification works in many areas of our lives from investments to other areas of decision making. Mentors may have a bias or a blind spot in a given area, but casting our net widely will prevent tunnel vision and restricted thinking.

Multiple Areas of Application

Instituting new ideas or training concepts brings at least one challenge. That is gaining enough practice to make the new way a part of our daily routine. For example, Situational Leadership is a wonderful program advising people to adapt their leadership style to the development level of the learner. We can implement this on the job, but the principles also work in raising children, conducting meetings at church and in the community. The concept also works well in personal awareness and development. By finding other areas to use ideas, the multiple areas of application accelerate the learning and making the new skill a part of our work routine.

These 5 multiple strategies for success are only a few of the techniques to pave the way to success and personal gratification. Acting on these and other methods will help us acquire the goals we so richly deserve.