Business Savvy

Encouragement

Encouragement: Climbers Art Print
28 in (711 mm). x 22 in. (559 mm)
Buy at AllPosters.com
Framed   Mounted

The finest gift you can give anyone is encouragement. Yet, almost no one gets the encouragement they need to grow to their full potential. If everyone received the encouragement they need to grow, the genius in most everyone would blossom and the world would produce abundance beyond the wildest dreams. We would have more than one Einstein, Edison, Schweitzer, Mother Theresa, Dr. Salk and other great minds in a century. — Sidney Madwed

Sometimes being in business can be incredibly lonely. If you are in a partnership and you are having issues with your business partner who can you talk to about it? If you are a sole trader things are even worse. Your bank manager perhaps, if she or he are genuinely as friendly as the tv ads suggest. Your accountant or lawyer – sure – have your wallet handy. It’s a good idea to join a local business association and seek out like minded company – note – get people with strong minds – misery loves company and you don’t need more company misery. I’ve done plenty of bar tending in my time – don’t expect me to listen to you weeping in your beer unless you’ve got a big tip to go with it. Despite that flippant comment, the way can be long and the burden can be heavy for some people, and you can make a difference.

We live by encouragement and die without it – slowly, sadly, angrily. — Celeste Holm

I’ve worked with so many people who have died in their jobs – slowly, sadly, angrily – bitter people who were once bright-eyed kids. Get up, get out of your swamp, and take some action. At the very, very least, offer a word of encouragement to fellow pilgrim. En – courage – to put courage into others. Be the difference in someone’s life – who knows, you might save their life with your encouraging words.

Everyday evolution

Malcolm McLaren (impresario and cultural plunderer) had this to say in Design, August 1981:

Now we’re entering a period in which fathers can be as childlike as their sons. Children will be teaching their parents at least as much as they learn from them. ‘People of all ages’, McLaren argues, ‘have been forced by the recession to adjust to the prospect of permanent insecurity and unemployment. The work ethic is being undermined and, in its place, fresh attitudes to leisure are evolving. People want adventure whether they’re 14 or 40.’

Recession? In 1981? Seems like we have a recession every 5-10 years these days. It’s worth having a look at McLaren’s thoughts nevertheless. In the west it is probable that insecurity and unemployment remain common prospects. In 1981 we blamed El Nino rather than global warming. It’s interesting that McLaren saw the work ethic being undermined, so much for the Gen-Y garbage.

Every day I see adults playing games on their cellphones, or sending txt messages in the same way they passed notes at school. I’ve seen more than one workplace monitor with a half finished solitaire – people being childlike.

Quick Questions:
- If adults are becoming more childlike what goods and/or services can you offer?

- Are adults becoming more childlike or more playful?

- Nintendo Wii – I think it’s become the first intergenerational ‘toy’. Kids are trying to figure out ways to pry Gramps away from the bowling/boxing/fishing/tennis etc… high tech, high touch, low level learning curve – even using them for yoga – what could you offer to add value to this? Exercise mats? Extra software? Music to play along with? Apparel? Fragrances?