Risk taking is part of the thrill in the business world. Business people that survive are those who take the time to calculate the risk and formulate alternate paths to mitigate damage before it happens – two very important exercises in the pursuit of greatness.
A person who thought he was a wise man once told me, “the great ones adjust.” The great ones do indeed adjust – but greater ones take informed steps and have less painful adjustments. Here are a few tips to consider along the informed pursuit:
Stop Guessing – Opinions are Expensive
Guessing is best done at a gambling table in Las Vegas. This is also the best testing ground for opinions. Business decision making, however, deserves a smarter approach. I’ve seen an enormous amount of money and time wasted on decision-by-opinion. With just a little information gathering before decisions are made, companies will be on an informed path, have a more productive staff and reap stronger returns.
Small Effort, Big Rewards
In a few short months of redesign and user testing, a company I consulted with increased their annual revenue by $6M (for them it was a 6% increase). The process cycle we did was design, test, analyze, and change. A small sample of test data drove usability changes that significantly impacted the business output. It doesn’t take much to earn big rewards.
Big Heads Not Allowed
Check your ego at the door. This is no place for know-it-alls. The world of technology and user interaction is moving quickly. Information grows old faster these days. Be open to fresh perspectives and new data. Listen and learn from others. Cooperation and teamwork is essential.
Plan, Project, Posture
It takes some measure of discipline in planning and positioning to remain successful. Whenever I start a new job I take a little time to understand the history and culture of the company. But I don’t linger on the past, it’s not healthy for a moving-forward company. Capture the vision. Make goals and drive hard with a plan. Always look forward.
