The Next Structural Change, The End of Wal-Mart

The other day, I went into a Wal-Mart store to make a purchase. Why do I go there? Because it’s cheap!

“I wonder how you ever overcome this model,” I thought. “This and franchising have to be the end-all of innovation! The crescendo! It will overcome eeeeverrrryyything (insert wicked laugh)!”

As I looked around, I was observing the loads and loads of useless crap lining the isle ways. You know… the six colors of dumb stuffed animals, trinkets, and things… the kind of stuff no one would ever buy if they didn’t see it.

While observing, the thought came to me, “I wonder how much of this junk is never purchased?” Then I thought what a massive amount of waste must occur. Then the shift: THIS CAN’T BE SUSTAINABLE!

As I pondered this thought, thinking about human behavior and inserting the innovations and public discussions that have transpired over the last few years, I started to see a picture of a very different world—a world that is not overrun with franchises and big box stores. It is the next revolution: One-demand production.

Could you imagine the retail footprint disappearing? It’s a hard picture to imagine when a big part of our life is fighting traffic to go to the store.

Picture this: the new consumer purchasing model begins online. You order what you need and want (no more cheap garbage and no more waste). State of the art facilities, located all over the world, each specializing in specific products produces your items. Then a revolutionary distribution model rapidly distributes every order over night.

Here are some things that have begun to happen that illustrate this change: 1) The saturation of Internet search and ordering; 2) the advent of digital delivery and on-demand book printing; and 3) the awareness, limited supply of, and frustration with fossil fuels and its effect on environment and health. I even saw a company that can deliver on-demand vitamins based on your specific needs (mass customization).

What would we do with all that new free time? If our focus was shifted off of consumption, what would we do? Would we focus on Greater Causes and Higher Purposes? I don’t know. Maybe it would cause more wars with all the bored people standing around! In either case, the change will come. Maybe not in my lifetime, but it will come.

States Make Declarations of Sovereignty

Pushing the constitutional envelop seems to be in the air with our new Washington occupants. To make matters worse, 9 States have felt compelled to make declarations concerning states rights and the upcoming social agenda. It’s probably a time to take personal responsibility to monitor the activities of the federal government closely to avoid dissolving a great Union.

The reckless financial miss-management by our elected officials and radical changes in political philosophy could easily erode our world power status. Remember that the USSR dissolved essentially by becoming bankrupt.

The business lesson here is to note that you cannot make radical changes to an operating business system and survive. It’s one of the fundamental principles in business management. If you want to kill a company, make a radical shift. I never cease to be amazed that we would elect people with absolutely no business acumen or understanding to run and influence the largest business organism on the planet.

Here are the links to the individual states declarations:

Washington
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2009&bill=4009

New Hampshire
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/HCR0006.html

Arizona
http://www.azleg.gov/Formatdocument·asp?inDoc=/legtext/49leg/1r/bills/hcr2024p.htm

Montana
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/HB0246.htm

Michigan
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(21rmjiv1sl0wvw55yxurwl55))/documents/2009-2010/Journal/House/pdf/2009-HJ-01-22-002.pdf

Missouri
http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills091/bills/HR212.HTM

Oklahoma
http://axiomamuse.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/state-legislator-charles-key-wants-to-limit-federal-power/

Hawaii
http://www.hawaii-nation.org/

http://halturnershow.blogspot.com/2009/02/something-big-is-happening-9-us-states.html

If No One Heard You, You Never Said It

If no one heard you, it was never said.

It doesn’t matter what you say, it only matters what was understood; therefore, our unintended intentions are often conveyed.

Executive Excellence therefore is the mastery of delivering precise understanding.

Improve Your Follow-up

It’s said that 48% of sales people never follow-up on a lead. But wait… it get’s worse. Twenty-five percent make 2 contacts and stop. Twelve percent make 3 contacts and only 10 percent make more than 3 contacts.

Why is this important? Watch my short video newsletter message to find out the answer.

Watch now at: http://www.edgesuccess.com/ExcellenceEdge/Video_ImproveYourFollowup.html

Your Behavior Affects Your Results

A group of kittens graced our farms in Wisconsin and naturally captured the hearts of my daughters. I noticed that each kitten had a distinct personality… kind of freaky human like if you know what I mean. Some were curious; some were friendly; and some would hide and hiss.

There was one kitten that was particularly cuddly. She was always seeking your attention. She loved to be held and would purr lavishly when you carried her around. It was no mystery which kitten became the favorite. Great efforts were made to befriend the scaredy cats — efforts that often resulted in scratches and blood. Soon, they would be forgotten.

The kittens were largely identical. Each was the same size, equipped the same, and was born in the same place. The only thing different was their individual behavior that determined what the world would give them.

What result is the world giving you? There is a lot of emphasis on “just being yourself;” however, certain fundamentals of personal excellence will determine your result. A smile verses a frown will immediately impact the reactions others will give you. Sharp dress verses casual, sloppy dress causes others to make a judgment about you.

Little habits, personality traits, and appearances greatly impact your personal results. Take time to master elements of etiquette and pay special attention to how others react to your behavior and dress. If it isn’t what you want, then look to make some changes.

Automate Your Marketing; Learn to Leverage!

As a small business owner… o.k… as any business owner, one principle that cannot be ignored if you plan to grow is that of Leverage.

Leverage, simply stated, is the use of time, tools and resources that magnify your power beyond your own ability. You cannot expect to progress economically without Leverage.

Consider this: I estimate that your personal efforts can produce between $15,000 and $120,000 annual personal income. If you work for someone, you are providing a function in a larger Leverage System. Your personal efforts with you in control of applying the leverage can produce between $50,000 and $500,000 annually, which ironically is the range of revenue for over 90% of small businesses.

To cross into the Million-dollar annual revenue mark must be accompanied by serious Leverage of people, capital, and automated processes.

All revenue to an organization comes through Marketing and Sales. By my definition, Marketing is the process of doing business. To create profitability, you must have sales volume. With sales volume you can manage expenses to profitability.

To illustrate this concept, imagine your business like the engine of a car. The engine must be carefully organized to allow the process to rapidly repeat itself. Fuel is provided, the ignition occurs and the effects of automated Leverage result.

In your business, you must build a Marketing Machine that can generate a volume of qualified leads for your Sales Engine to process. You do not have enough personal capability to produce and process leads to cash fast enough.

For further insight into how to automate your Marketing and Selling process, I wish to refer you to a stellar system that I personally use in my companies.

CLICK HERE and check them out.

The Myths of Time and Work

It is becoming clearer and clearer to me that we as individuals are completely responsible for the reaction, circumstances, and outcomes we receive. Accountability, therefore, is completely ours and ours alone.

The sooner we come to this realization, the sooner we can move ahead and accomplish big goals and achieve big dreams.

Work and time do not equal value. The production of value creates the rewards. The value of something is determined by the buyer.

Work and time are valuable attributes and assets, but are only valuable when they are directed and optimized for the production of value.

The paradigm of work and time are only valued by the individual spending these two commodities. The recipient only values the result. We must beware then of the result we create.

Economic Bad News… Bah Humbug!

I don’t know about you, but I’m just a little sick of hearing about all the financial doom and gloom. If I’ve learned anything from being a full-time, serial entrepreneur its that people will pay for value. If they don’t pay you, it’s because there is no value. More billionaires were created during the Great Depression than any other time in history. Recession means… YARD SALE!

Thankful Thanksgiving

One day I was standing in my home with one of my great employees who happened to be from Bangladesh.

“I’m so poor,” I quipped.

“Ya, you look like you are really suffering in your new home with you new black Explorer parked in the garage,” he reacted with a smile. “My friend; you have no idea what the meaning of poor is.”

He then proceeded to tell me about the average living conditions in his country. Needless to say, I quickly became aware that I had no real comprehension of poverty.

I have since taken the time to really look around at my surroundings and have felt a deeper sense of gratitude for the blessings in my life.

I found myself just the other morning looking closely at the molding, the doors, the fixtures, the food, the smiles on my childrens’ faces in my current home and was feeling struck with amazement at the bounty in my life.

I just wanted to take this moment and thank you for being a reader and wish you a Very Grateful Thanksgiving Day.

The Five Foundations of Character

One thought to keep in mind as we watch the news, hear about the economy, and read about the fate of our retirement investments, is the realization that we, as individuals, need to rise above the gloom of the day and walk on a higher road.

Some have said that more millionaires were created during the great depression than at any other time in history. With extreme vulnerability comes the temptation to take advantage of the weak.

Here are a set of attributes that I call The Five Foundations of Character to help guide your path to peaceful nights and a clear conscience.

Integrity

The dictionary defines Integrity as uncompromising adherence to moral and ethical principles; the state of being whole or entire; a sound or unimpaired condition. We communicate unseen messages to others about our core principles and character through our desires, thoughts, and actions. Our words create meanings that are influenced by our motives and intentions. This phenomenon is called essence. Your essence is the bases of your authentic self. Seek alignment. Bring your thoughts, desires and actions together under a higher standard of excellence.

Honesty

Strive to be truthful in all things. The world would function much smoother if honesty prevailed. Deceit creates distrust. Some people operate on a depraved level, adhering to unacceptable standards of personal conduct, dishonesty and corruption. Rise above dishonesty. Money is abundant and can be obtained easily enough through fairness.

Humility

Get rid of feelings and actions that project pride or arrogance. Don’t think of yourself as better than others. People do not respond well to arrogance, pride, or self-righteousness. The lowest in spirit among us is our equal. Notice that I did not say the “lowest in standard” is our equal. At the same time, we should not think ourselves better than others.

Gratitude

Foster a feeling of thankfulness. People appreciate graciousness and true appreciation for gifts, services, and friendship. When you cultivate a sense of gratitude for what you have instead of what you don’t have, universal powers seem to work in your favor.

Courage

Have the courage to live a higher standard. Face difficult situations bravely without fear. Don’t be afraid of the negative events that could happen, instead think on the benefits of what positive events can happen as your opportunities unfold. Be wise, but not afraid.