The Business Leader as Ultramarathoner

Have you ever heard of an ultramarathon? A standard marathon is just over 26 miles. An ultramarathon is usually on the order of 50 or 100 miles, though there are some that span one thousand! Imagine the endurance required to run such a race.

Running a business requires the kind of devotion and stamina that ultramarathoners can only dream about. Like the 100-mile runner, the successful business leader must maintain focus, keeping an eye on the path...on the mileposts that mark progress...and on the long-range goal.

Unlike an ultramarathoner, your long-distance business run ends only when you leave the business by choice or when it dies an unnatural death. For in business the real success lies in creating something you can live with for the long haul, a crucible into which you can mix your creative vision and talents to build something unique and useful.

Keeping Stakeholders Focused

It's critical to your success to help your stakeholders stay focused, too. A good business delivers value to employees, customers, investors, and the community in roughly equal measure. Lose focus in any of those areas and you can find yourself headed for a business train wreck.

What happens when a business and its stakeholders lose focus? I recently observed a group of people at one company meeting to discuss the project manager's dissatisfaction with pink bubble wrap.

Eight people spent one hour in a meeting to talk about why bubble wrap had to be pink. Was that meeting necessary? Of course not. The focusing question to ask is: Does this meeting deliver real value to business stakeholders? Is it lined up with the business' principles and what it does consistently well?

Best intentions aside, such meetings are indicative of deeper problems that have gone ignored for a long time.

How Many Bubble Wrap Meetings Can You Afford?

In larger companies the symptoms of a loss of focus can go on for years. The systemic problems that occur in such situations develop gradually. Unless you are paying attention, you hardly notice them until they reach an almost ridiculous peak.

In smaller businesses, though, the results of defocusing can be catastrophic. They come upon you quickly like potholes in the road because you are moving at high speed. Before you know it you're sitting at the roadside, wondering what happened.

If you are going to avoid such problems, you must take action ahead of time. You must begin before the beginning.

Paying Attention Before the Beginning

During a business' startup phase, well before launch, founders and leaders must take the time to get conscious about what they are doing and why they are doing it. Smart leaders create answers to questions like:

• What is our business about?
• Who are we as a business?
• What do we believe about the right way to conduct business?
• What sort of relationships do we want to have with our customers, employees, investors, and the community?
• What is our company's unique value to its stakeholders?
• What is the unique value that our product or service brings to solving customer problems?

The time you make to answer such questions is repaid a thousandfold as your business grows. Be fanatical about indoctrinating your staff, employees, investors, customers, and the community about your principles and what you do consistently well. Do so in terms they can relate to: Employees: Focus on delivering the value of what you do consistently well to those you serve. Make sure they KNOW who you serve and teach them how to be customer advocates. Reward such advocacy. Make sure they understand the value your business delivers to each stakeholder.

Customers: Create a communication strategy that connects intimately with those you serve. SHOW the value of your focus -- don't tell, because talk is cheap. Build relationships that feed improvements to existing products and services, and get your customers involved in creating new ones.

Investors: Keep them informed about your progress. Speak the truth clearly. Hide nothing. Act ethically. Plan for the long term (even if you personally want to take an early exit).

Community: Be involved as a good community member. Pick a cause that's congruent with what you do and support it with passion. Show the community you'll be there for the long term.

Your Courage and Devotion Set the Tone

Above all, have the courage and devotion to keep yourself focused. There is no stronger example than that of your own life. Do your best to be the sort of person you want others in your company to be. For they will look to you as the model for acceptable behavior, values, and creative passion.

It's your race. Run it well!

Michael Knowles, co-author of The Entrepreneur's Concept Assessment Toolbook (http://www.booklocker.com/books/1988.html) helps businesses take what they do best and focus it on success. A Principal in One Straight Line LLC, Michael has over 25 years of experience helping companies create communication strategies help them engage customers, employees, investors, outsourcing partners, and the community. Michael can be reached at mknowles@onestraightline.com.

---

Why Most CEOs & Entrepreneurs Fail?

Times are tough. The economy is in a constant state... Read More

Double Down on Marketing

If you want to compete in the world of high... Read More

What It Takes To be An Entrepreneur Series: Action

Many people have the professed desire to be their own... Read More

Franchises - Emotional Fulfillment - Control Your Destiny

Does A Franchise Meet Your Needs?When you think of becoming... Read More

Financing Your Business

Anyone who is serious about making some money is already... Read More

How to Become a Successful Entrepreneur on the Web

Becoming a successful entrepreneur in the online world is no... Read More

Veteran Entrepreneurs Are Growing In Ranks

When I'm not running my own business, writing articles about... Read More

Enterprising Route is to Go Your Own Way

DON'T talk to me about education for entrepreneurs. They're pouring... Read More

Adding a Service After You Buy a Business

When you buy a business, you should have a plan.... Read More

Abstract Business Marketing Strategy for the Entrepreneur

If you look at those Corporations in franchising today you... Read More

Beware the Opposition!

Any time you make changes in your life you are... Read More

Differentiation ? Smart Marketing Strategies for the Solo Entrepreneur

Are you ever frustrated or hesitant when you talk to... Read More

How to Start a Franchise

Franchising InformationFranchise oppotunities are all around us today. You may... Read More

How Entrepreneurs Make Money Selling Global Brands On and Off-line

Did you know that thousands of companies from all over... Read More

Secrets of My Favorite Government Auction

I love bargains. And there's no better place to find... Read More

PR That Entrepreneurs Often Overlook

If that sounds like you, here's what you may be... Read More

Work On, Not In Your Business

Are you busy? Everyone's busy! Ask anyone they'll tell you... Read More

Top 10 Business Plan Myths of Solo Entrepreneurs

Don't let these stop you from having a business plan... Read More

How You Can Earn $1000 A Week Part Time

About 6 years ago I started to notice that certain... Read More

Should You Write Your Own Business Plan?

If you are just starting a company and looking for... Read More

Evaluating an Opportunity

Business opportunities are often based on broad trends, such as:?... Read More

Documenting Partnerships in Your Business Plan

Forging partnerships to improve market penetration has become commonplace, particularly... Read More

Health Insurance for Solo Entrepreneurs

One of the most important benefits employed people enjoy is... Read More

Entrepreneurship: What does it REALLY mean?

Introduction:In a world where ideas drive economies, it is no... Read More

Prescription for the Future and Technological Revolutions

The world sure has changed in the last two-decades hasn't... Read More

Entrepreneurship Story; Over Regulation in Franchising Final Chapter

Sally and Jim have launched their automotive franchise business and... Read More

Good Questions, good Answers; Bad Questions, Bad Replies

I'm convinced that asking the right questions is one of... Read More

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Isn't enthusiasm a good thing? Aren't we urged to be... Read More

How Home-Based Business Entrepreneurs Think

Too many people are trying to start their home businesses... Read More

Part-Time/In-Home Business - Low Expense and Low Risk

As a first time entrepreneur, there are a variety of... Read More

Profile of Women Leaders

Leadership is based on two words, "pressure and support"and that... Read More

Bonsai Marketing

Site location analysis of regional service areas and planning for... Read More

A Dorm Room With A View

As a senior in high school, he paid cash for... Read More