Coping with downturns: think about "ME Inc."

Coping with downturns - think about "ME Inc."
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We are being bombarded with news stories from across the globe about how bad things are, and how much worse things are going to get before they get any better. I'm sure we've all heard those stories.

But let me put something to you (ever the optimist)

Lets assume you are employed by an organisation who is considering trimming the dead wood from its ranks. Makes sense, why keep on the malingerers and shirkers when there is work to be done.

So a few thoughts:

Would you be a person of talent kept on by the organisation - because you can:
* Handle yourself in a crisis;
* Have kept up to date with professional and personal development
* Have solutions to offer rather than more doom and gloom about how bad things are

To succeed into the future an organisation should be thinking strategically and long-term

1. Where is the organsiation going?
2. What skills and abilities do you need to help them get there

Now, bear in mind we are all in the business of "ME. Inc" as in - we are all after our own best interests and outcomes - how is your personal "ME Inc business" doing?

1. Are your finances in the red or the black?
2. What strategies have you put into place to change the red to the black?
3. Are you speaking to the right people (especially during times like these, there are a lot of scam artists and snake oil sales persons out there promising ways to get rich for 3 easy payments of...) don't get taken in by these people. They are not interested in anything other than your money - and no - a single e-book will not make you rich in your sleep or overnight...nor can fat just melt away....
4. What books / articles are you reading?
5. What courses have you been on recently?
6. How do you spend your evenings and weekends?
7. Do you do enough exercise for the food you consume?
8. Do you eat properly? No, I don't mean - do you use the right utensils - but do you eat properly - as in - what mix of carbohydrate / fat and protein is your diet made up of...and no, beer, pretzels and chocolate does not a balanced diet make - even if you do have one in each hand.
9. What is your family life like?
10. Do your friends and acquaintances inspire you or drag you down?
11. What does your home / office environment look like?

Every one of those items in the "ME Inc" list can be translated into business terms - if your budget is more outgoing than incoming, you need to a) stop spending money b) find ways to bring more income in...and that includes checking to see what is on your grocery bill / enertainments budget / nights out on the town vs. early nights to make sure you are fit and healthy.

We can all be guilty of over indulgence, and businesses and organisations are no different to individuals. So, make sure your business of "ME Inc" is healthy and apply those lessons to your workplace and see if you can't make a difference to the way your own life turns out.


With many thoughts
Elle