Loichinger Advantage

The title is an expression we’ve proabably all heard from time to time -  Ready, Aim, Fire!

I’ve heard organizations who have switched the order to emphasize action - Ready, Fire, Aim.  They must have felt that something within their culture was too slow to move or decide.  I’ve worked with clients and inside organizations that have been like that.  It is painful.

What about today?  Does our current market situation emphasize a new order?  Interesting question.  Please reply if you have a interesting perspective to share.  All are welcome.

New Perspective

I was recently invited to join other business owners in an entrepreneurial mentoring process - MERLIN mentors.  The Madison Entrepreneur Resource, Learning and Innovation Network (MERLIN) is a Madison-based corp of volunteers who have masterfully started and managed new ventures. These mentors use their skills, experience and enthusiasm to guide emerging entrepreneurs in early stage ventures to boost the potential of business success.

Similar to my participation as a judge and mentor for the Governor’s Business Plan Contest, it’s my turn to ante up.  I was compelled to share and believe in the future of this initiative for a variety of reasons -

I am reminded every day how entrepreneurs and business owners give away competitive advantage that is theirs to take.  I thought I’d better write and share them before any more time was lost!  It’s difficult enough to position your business, compete and execute - why give your advantage away?

Before jumping into the ways owners give away competiive advantage, let me qualify myself and clarify my position -

• I am a business owner and entrepreneur.  When I point a finger, I am pointing it right back at myself.  This is not about coming off any better than you or your organization.

I’ve worked with enough business owners and executives throughout the years to know if their employees weren’t pulling their weight, they would hear about it – right then and there. Realizing that, why don’t we hold ourselves accountable to that same standard?

Lately, I’ve heard far too many doom and gloom stories from all walks of life – including business owners – they seem to have lost their passion and spirit. Instead, they cling to the hope of riding out the economic downturn. I’m here to tell you to take a bit of your own medicine and move on.