A Model Worth Duplicating
When I was twenty-two years old, I was third in command of a U S Navy minesweeper which was built in 1953. Our ship was the oldest and the smallest ship in the fleet, and probably the most insignificant, too. Yet when the Iraqis invaded Kuwait and we started training for the Gulf War, our level of importance had increased. When other ships follow in the wake of a minesweeper sailing through mine-infested harbors, at that time she becomes the most important vessel in the fleet.
In business, follow your minesweeper. Quit trying to reinvent the wheel. Follow in the wake of those who already have sailed ahead of you through treacherous waters.
The easiest way to become successful is to find out what worked for others and duplicate their model. Organizations succeed because of deliberate effort, not random chance. And there are four separate core competencies that an organization must master to stay competitive: leadership, management, execution, and business development.
Ask yourself this question: Why is it that my most successful competitors are doing well when others are struggling? Find a model of success that is already proven and duplicate that model. It doesn't have to be from your own industry. You can take models each of those four core competencies from different lead competitors or similar organizations and apply it to your own model of success. Principles remain consistent and transcend all industries. Principles of business success never deviate from one industry to another.
Here's a homework assignment for you.
1. On a sheet of paper, create a column of each core competency listed above.
2. Going over each core competency, ask yourself these questions and write the answer in each column: - - "What is my biggest deficit in this area?"
- "What action steps do I need to take to become more successful in this area?"
- "Right now, what is my biggest issue that needs resolution in this area?"
3. Write the name of a business or of a person who has succeeded in that area. It could be someone you know personally or someone that you know of.
4. Ask to meet with this person or schedule some time over the phone. Explore their model and duplicate it.
5. Continue to follow up with them, and all along you should ask them if there is anything you can do for them. Don't just be a taker in this relationship, also be a giver.
What you are doing is cultivating a relationship with a mentor. Mentors are the key for success because they are giving you advice from the future. More than likely, they have already experienced the ups and downs that you are experienced, and can give you advice on how to navigate your way. They have already sailed successfully through the mine field and can share their valuable information with you.
Some well-managed companies have a formalized mentorship program. When their junior managers join their company, they are assigned someone who is more experienced and already successful. This relationship benefits both parties, because in giving back to a mentee, you also will derive a personal benefit of knowing that you are contributing to the future success of a Copyright © 2007 Scott Love
Scott Love shows managers and sales people how to manage their risk and win the game of business. He is a professional speaker and can be reached at 828-225-7700 or on his website at www.nolimitachievement.com
