Small Medium

Small Medium

Lessons For Small-Medium Business From Successful Performances at the Winter Olympics

Persistence, courage, effort, determination and goal clarity are just a few of the noble human characteristics evident of any Olympics. And we can all learn from these. But there's much more to learn.

More Than Meets The Eye
When the medalists stand on the podium, they receive all the plaudits. There's nothing wrong with that. They've out performed all other competitors. They've sacrificed all sorts of things to enjoy their success. But they represent only the tip of the iceberg.

The Athlete's Small-Medium Business
Each competitor in an Olympics, especially the successful ones, represents a small business. Without the other members of the business the athlete wouldn't be successful. We know about the coach or coaches and support from various sources. And if we've been associated with elite sport we know about the doctors, physiotherapists, sports psychologists and other medical and paramedical support.

Unseen Support
But there are many others involved - family, friends, clerical staff, sports administrators and all sorts of volunteers. The successful Winter Olympian is merely the tip of this enormous iceberg of unseen support.

The Key Message for Small-Medium Business
No matter how successful you are: no matter how successful your business is: no matter how much drive, talent, energy, passion or vision you have, you need support. And most of the people who provide that support won't have your drive or talent or vision. But they are vital to your success and that of your business.

The Self Development Movement
In the past 30 or so years, the self-development movement has become very popular. I have no problem with that. But I've noticed that some "successful" graduates of this movement seem to undervalue the importance of their support systems.

Issues for Small -Medium Business
All businesses have "stars": an outstanding salesperson, a brilliant technician, an accomplished administrator or finance manager. There are the people who often receive the outstanding rewards and personal and professional accolades. But they need competent and dedicated support staff.

Do you

 

• give adequate public recognition to support staff?
• create systems that enable them to participate in reward and incentive schemes?
• give support staff adequate opportunity to develop their skills?
• constantly stress the value and importance of teamwork in your business?
• where necessary, gently remind your "stars" of their dependence on support staff?
• stay "grounded" by reminding yourself that without your dedicated employees, you and your business wouldn't be "medallists".

 

Conclusion
There's no apparent relationship between your small-medium business and a huge enterprise like the Winter Olympics. But the relationship is strong. Next time you see an outstanding competitor win gold or watch placegetters receive their medals, think about it. The sports person with the medal represents a very successful small-medium business. And in most cases, the successful athlete knows it.

Leon Noone helps managers in small-medium business to improve on-job staff performance without training courses. His ideas are quite unconventional. Reading his free Special Report "49 Practical Tips for Removing Employee Apathy, Aggravation And Resistance In Your Business". Simply visit http://managingemployeeperformance.com/ and download your free copy now.

 

About the Author

What does it exactly mean by small, medium, large?

On Petfinder there are small,medium, and large cats and I was just wondering if that means how big the cat is currently or how big it will turn out to be when older. Thanks

It means how big it will turn when it is full grown. A small cat would be 5-6 pounds and under. Medium would be 6-10, large could mean 10-15 or sometimes just 15+. Most cats are medium sized.

Silencer Design II (Small and Medium Calibers - 3D model and build)