Who says we can’t come out on top?

Who says we can’t come out on top?

Immediately following the Super Bowl, I wrote an article with a similar theme as this one. But after last weekend, I again felt this message needed to be said, so kindly indulge me.

Last Saturday, NUMBER ONE ranked Kansas University took the basketball court against NUMBER NINE ranked University of Northern Iowa. 87% of the polls stated with authority, that KU would defeat poor lonely UNI. The KU fans believed it, the pollsters believed it, the media believed it, the announcers believed it and of course with a somewhat smug attitude, the KU Jayhawks basketball team apparently figured this game that would be nothing more than a stepping stone to the next level.

Only one factor all these folks didn’t count on. The University of Northern Iowa (Panthers) basketball coaches and players didn’t believe it and refused to get sucked into that sandbox of negativity. They arrived in a humble and non ostentatious way, no bragging, no showboating, no out loud predictions, no media pundits to fall back on, just a meaningful purpose, drive, determination and a desire to take the next step one basket at a time.

Final score, Number One ranked KU, 67, Number Nine ranked UNI 69. Please don’t misunderstand me here, KU was ranked number one. They earned that from very hard work from many very talented coaches and players. By all statistics, they should have run over UNI with ease, but I have to ask myself, “did complacency set it?” Did they jump into the sandbox of negativity in a reverse manner, thinking they were number one and invincible?

The correlation to this one basketball game vs. the business fight of our lives that most of us are in, does in fact parallel themselves. We have on one side the media spinning all the news of the day into negative connotations to make it sound more glamorous. Glamour and hype sell newspapers and advertisement in TV and Radio. And if we just listen without keeping our feet of reality solidly on the ground, suddenly we are sucked into that proverbial sandbox of negativity too. How do YOU feel when you are negative and down? Does it make you feel safe? Warm and cozy? In a winning mood? Of course not, so maybe you should ask, “why am I willing to play in [that] sandbox?”

There continues to be only one way to make it back to the top. It includes hard work, determination, drive and the will to not let anything stand in your way. I talk all the time about making a plan and working the plan, one week at a time followed by the next then another; then those weeks turn into one month followed by another. I am asked almost every week, “what can we do different that hasn’t been tried.” My response remains the same….HONESTY, BECOME THE EXPERT ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR COMPANY AND YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE. Then and only then are you ready to define how you differentiate from all of the competitive other souls that want the same piece of ground you stand on.

There is a new NORMAL in the making and that new NORMAL is still changing and trying to get comfortable in its role. As experts in our field whether it is sales, management, engineering, manufacturing, service, marketing or human resources, we need to be able to see far enough ahead to help OUR NORMAL into the future and not fall back onto the rough and possibly complacent ride that got you here.

As always, please accept my wishes for another great week. Your comments or concerns are always welcome. Call or write and I will respond immediately!

Regards,

George F. Mancuso, CPC
Gman Business Resources, Inc.
Grinnell, Iowa