Business Sustainability: Do, or Do Not, There Is No Try

Reading Trish’s post from last week, my eyes were drawn to two statements she made. The first was “their only failure is maybe that they never tried, they never ‘did.’” The second was “sure some have tried, gave it their best, and lost; there is no failure in that.” These inspired me to write this post.

First, I want to state that her post is the best one ever written for the CRT Tipster Blog. It really made the point that good things don’t just happen to those who wait, that it takes action and reaction to succeed and to make one’s dream a reality. However, I do want to assert that having the right mindset from the beginning is the key to success.

I immediately recalled the famous quote made by Yoda in “The Empire Strike Back,” which I included in this blog’s title. To me, this statement is all about setting yourself up with an excuse. In our society as a whole, we have become complacent. We always say “try your best, and it is okay if you don’t succeed. Here’s a participation ribbon.” Then later, someone can say, “I tried.” Well guess what? You can try all day long, but until you actually DO you won’t accomplish anything.

I know this could just be semantics, but to me there is a difference between doing and trying. I am also reminded of a saying my father has said, “Wish in one hand and sh** in the other and see which gets full faster.” To me, wishing and trying are similar. On one hand, you may want something to happen, you may think it will happen, you may even attempt to make it happen, but if not, now look at what you have left in the other hand.

DOING is completely different. To do something means there is an investment. This isn’t just an attempt, this is actually doing it. This is putting your money where your mouth is. You may fail, and failure can be a good learning experience, but when you DO and fail you will know it. It will hurt. This hurt, for me, is also an encouragement.

Encouragement you may ask? Are you some kind of sadomasochist? Sorry ladies this isn’t 50 Shades of Gray. I am encouraged because I know I gave it 110%, and now I just need to DO it differently. There’s no need to try harder, because I already DID, and since it didn’t work, it wasn’t from lack of effort, but from an incomplete or inaccurate concept of how it needed to be done.

Some of the dreams Trish mentioned last week were once dreams of mine. They were because I DID them, and now they are my reality. Also, I know that with CRT, when management sets forth a dream, we DO IT. We may not do it right to begin with, but we don’t give up. We find a way to make it a reality.

Has your business accomplished something by changing your approach, changing the way you DID something? If so, please let me know in the section below.

Jonathan Dunagin, Marketing Director of Controlled Release Technologies, Inc. located in Shelby, North Carolina. More information about the company, and its products, can be found at http://www.cleanac.com and by calling (800) 766-9057.

Business Sustainability: Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying

Once in a while, when I greet people, I like to ask “Hey, how’re you treating life?” Some people stare back surprised, not understanding why I said the phrase that way. Others can’t imagine they have anything to do with guiding their life. They are content to sit by and let life happen, imagining and dreaming, but not really doing. Some people seem to want for nothing, and others seem to want nothing.

Fear can play a big part in how people approach life; no one wants to try and fail. For some, the fear of failing trumps the trying. Although they might dream, they never get started at doing. If nothing is done, there is no experience to grow from, so the fear of failure is all they have. Their only failure is maybe that they never tried, they never “did.”

The difference between dreams and reality is decision. Don’t get bogged down, pick a dream and put it into action. By deciding to do something, you begin to plan, and planning is the first step towards making a dream reality. Along the way, while you work the plan and keep your eye on the target (your dream), you’re making more decisions that guide your life. Each day is practice at hitting that target, coming a bit closer with each accomplishment. There’s no need to wait. Decide to be in charge of life, and you will really be living.

Sure some have tried, gave it their best, and lost; there is no failure in that. True failure is choosing to sit on the sidelines. The experience of giving it your best, the lessons learned along the way, will feed more plans for the future. Nothing gives more of a push toward future success than the successes and experiences of the past. The future has to be made, and it has to be made by you. Don’t let life just “happen” to you.

What is your dream? Never mind the size of your dream, what is it you want to have? Is it a better resume, a doctorate degree, a fishing boat or a great home by the lake? For our business, my dream is to have an ever-increasing, positive influence on our current markets, and to have other market opportunities open up to us. With planned diversification in our future, we are moving forward with this dream. What is your dream for your business?

Patricia Burkhart is the executive director of Controlled Release Technologies, Inc., a research, development and manufacturing firm based in Shelby, North Carolina. CRT is an IFMA CSP, EnergyStar Partner and manufacturer of independently-certified Green products for HVAC maintenance. Since 1986, CRT has been creating leading edge HVAC maintenance products that have become industry standards, used in thousands of commercial buildings world-wide. CRT employees are members of BOMA, ASHRAE, ASHE and the American Chemical Society. www.cleanac.com (800) 766-9057.

Business Sustainability: Business Card Etiquette

A major part of keeping your business viable can often be found in your pocket or purse. Proper etiquette dictates giving one business card to each person in a group, up to six people. For larger groups, set some around the table so those who wish to, can take one. Never toss your card across to anyone, or toss a stack of cards onto a meeting table. The way you treat your card demonstrates how you want others to treat your card and therefore the relationship.

The business card must identify you, your title, your qualifications, the organization, and contact details. Good quality paper is a must, as well as clear, easy to read font. If you are dealing in an area where there is more than one language being used, the card should be in the language of the recipient. Many situations can call for the card to be printed on both sides, each in a different language.

Business cards must be offered and received with respect. Read the card as soon as you get it, making sure to fully note the name, title, and qualifications – Don’t just carelessly toss it around! While it may seem at times insignificant, your business card is an extension of you and your company. It is often the only tangible thing left after a meeting is over, so never be caught without one and don’t be stingy with them.

Ever found yourself scrambling for a pen during a meeting to write down someone’s information, or embarrassed when asked for your card and not have one to offer? Feel free to leave your stories below.

Patricia Burkhart is the executive director of Controlled Release Technologies, Inc., a research, development and manufacturing firm based in Shelby, North Carolina.  CRT is an IFMA CSP, EnergyStar Partner and manufacturer of independently-certified Green products for HVAC maintenance. Since 1986, CRT has been creating leading edge HVAC maintenance products that have become industry standards, used in thousands of commercial buildings world-wide. CRT employees are members of BOMA, ASHRAE, ASHE and the American Chemical Society. www.cleanac.com (800) 766-9057.

Business Survival and Sustainability: Be Sure where your money is going.

trish  Yesterday, as part of CRT’s ongoing Business Continuity Plan, I was looking for an alternate vendor for a product we use. When I found one, I googled their name and the town in which they are located. What a surprise!

The first item on the list was a news article about an arrest made at that company for embezzlement. I read further and found that four employees were arrested. The ringleader seemed to be the bookkeeper that had worked there for ten years, embezzling from the start, and was she crafty!

Her electricity provider was the same as the company’s, so she combined the bills, paying hers with company money. She did that for numerous bills; paying for a lawn service, cabinets that were built for a company her husband owned, and soon she was benevolently paying the bills of other employees. The company was doing well, and the bookkeeper was a trusted long-term employee, so no one looked very closely.

The article didn’t divulge how the crime was discovered, but four employees were arrested and jailed. The exact amount stolen had not been determined, but was considered to be substantial. I would imagine so, since 10 years had went by with access to the money, and no one ever really examined or questioned the books.

With that in mind, the following steps are included in our Business Continuity Plan:

Make sure your bookkeeper takes a vacation EVERY YEAR and you do the work during that time.
At least once a year, YOU print out the full list of payments made and randomly check them against bills.
Hire an outside firm to send your monthly reports.
Maintain access to the company’s online banking, and check it at least once a month for unusual names or payments. The checkbook register is not adequate for this because anything can be written in the register, but the bank will post the true and correct payee and numbers.
Oversee the payroll records each quarter to detect any unauthorized bonuses or pay increases.
When you are presented with a stack of checks to sign, read each one, ask questions, and ask to see the actual bill once in a while.
INSPECT!

We conduct background checks before every hire, and you might consider that as well. Also consider having employees who handle the money bonded, and think about special insurance coverage for employee criminal activity. Be thorough! We trust the people we hire, otherwise we wouldn’t hire them.

Perhaps you have a similar experience, or other steps you take to insure money is handled properly. If so, please leave your stories below.

Patricia Burkhart is the executive director of Controlled Release Technologies, Inc., a research, development and manufacturing firm based in Shelby, North Carolina.  CRT is an IFMA CSP, EnergyStar Partner and manufacturer of independently-certified Green products for HVAC maintenance. Since 1986, CRT has been creating leading edge HVAC maintenance products that have become industry standards, used in thousands of commercial buildings world-wide. CRT employees are members of BOMA, ASHRAE, ASHE and the American Chemical Society. www.cleanac.com (800) 766-9057.

Business Survival and Sustainability: Natural Disasters and Unnatural Responses

There are many different types of disasters. Which ones on the list below do you feel are a real threat, a possibility, not likely or highly unlikely? Keep in mind there was recently an earthquake in Virginia. Some of these may be caused by passing traffic, a neighboring business or a company that services you.

Flood                                                                        Hurricane
Earthquake                                                             Tornado
Fire                                                                           Aircraft crash
Explosion                                                               Localized contamination Loss of communications Strike
Hazardous Material Spill Loss of power        Arson Vandalism
Water damage
Sabotage

With this in mind, the first order objective for a Business Continuity Plan, and the most cost-effective deterrent is Prevention. What steps have you taken to prevent a disaster from being disastrous to your business?

Some steps are employee training, installing security alarms and lighting, regular facility and equipment inspections and maintaining alternate suppliers and material transports. These are simple things to do that will go a long way towards prevention.

Imagine a disaster and plan how you could prevent it. Once you have your prevention plan outlined, submit it to your insurance company and find out if there is a discount available. Your insurance company may even have a list available.

If you have additions for the list, or a unique experience you’d like to share, feel free to comment below.

Patricia Burkhart is the executive director of Controlled Release Technologies, Inc., a research, development and manufacturing firm based in Shelby, North Carolina.  CRT is an IFMA CSP, EnergyStar Partner and manufacturer of independently-certified Green products for HVAC maintenance. Since 1986, CRT has been creating leading edge HVAC maintenance products that have become industry standards, used in thousands of commercial buildings world-wide. CRT employees are members of BOMA, ASHRAE, ASHE and the American Chemical Society. www.cleanac.com (800) 766-9057.

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