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Winter 2003/2004
Success from the Ground Up
If you were 75 feet high on a sheer ice cliff, who and what would you want supporting you in a successful climb? If you're like most people your mind leaped to a diligent, knowledgeable, dedicated and experienced colleague. Should business be any different?
When you're about to undertake a new business venture or to plunge into a process that you've done only once or twice before, it makes sense to do the same things you'd do in undertaking a physically dangerous task:
- Find an expert and listen with the mind of a beginner
- Have the right people with the right attitude along for the fun
- Get the right equipment and then trust it
Find an Expert
We think we know, therefore we assume. Thus we make mistakes. It's tough sometimes to admit we don't know it all and to seek help. Experts have the experience to know the routes that will get you there and can point out what will torpedo your effort. The second tough thing you have to learn is to trust the expert and do what they recommend.
Have the Right People
If you were climbing a vertical ice wall, who would you want on the belay rope-the only thing between you and the bottom if you mess up? You'd want somebody who paid 100% attention 100% of the time. Those are the people you want with you in a business venture as well. They are committed to the success of the enterprise every bit as much as you are because it's fun to succeed. Committed people also have the skills to do the climbing themselves and so you can trade off with them on tasks. No one person is consistently called upon for the same job over and over. Committed people usually like the challenge of taking on different roles.
Use the Right Equipment
Two inch steel spikes will support a climber's weight when properly dug into the ice. An ice pick properly placed will support weight as the climber detaches one foot to move it up to the next point. Trying this in sneakers or hiking boots would be ridiculous-just as ridiculous as a company trying to support customers with old, slow, outmoded software or worse yet, dated products. The right equipment will ease the path to success. The wrong equipment will make it difficult or impossible.
Photo Credit: Wayne C. Wilson
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