Half Baked - February 10th, 2004 - Your Business Attention

Half-Baked

Feb 10th, 2004

Jan Suchomski
Creative Realist
BizSmart

phone: 404.314.8094

email Jan

BizSmart / contact Jan / comments welcome! / subscribe / past issues of Half-Baked

half-baked
You mean like the pizza we ate last night?

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Welcome!

Hope you've had a great couple of weeks! Personally, I'm ready for a change in seasons.

This issue is packed with graphics, so it might take a bit longer to load than normal.

Enjoy,

Jan
jans@bizsmart.net

In this issue:

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Mind Map: Creating a Perfectly Unbalanced Life

Uses: A "new and refreshing" perspective on creating balance, or shall I creating what you want most in your life. I don't believe in balance in a traditional sense.

Background: I had the opportunity to speak to pARTicular women, a group of artists in the Atlanta area. The group was introduced to me by Flora Rosefsky. I originally created this presentation for them.

How to: Click on the map below you will see the expanded version via a web page. Start in the top right hand corner and read clockwise. If you are interested in this presentation - either live or via teleclass, drop me an email or a phone call.

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Feature Article: Your Business Attention

Ah yes, my past. I wrote business plans for a living. After a few months in business, our primary market emerged as high technology companies looking for venture capital.

One day my business partner and I were meeting with a high tech client. We were carefully expressing our concern for his business model. He was a start up company. The problem was this - he wasn't expected to make a profit until year six.

His response was, "It is o.k., we will worry about that later." My eyebrows shot up so quickly that I think they temporarily moved to the back side of my head. I was shocked!

Yes, there are situations and circumstances where (for reasons I don't have space to explain) this type of model would be appropriate. If, for example, you are independently wealthy and just wanted to "play" in business, you might not need profit.

Unfortunately for my client, showing a projected profit within two to three years was necessary to receive financing. And the oddest thing was that my client wasn't at all concerned.

As I think back on this experience, I'm still wondering what my client WAS thinking about at that time. What was SO important to consume his time, energy, attention, and creativity?

Was he thinking about his product? his operational plan? his customer service? Maybe he was more focused on his network, his negotiating skills, or his industry. They all sound important enough, don't they?

Profitability clearly did NOT have his attention. This idea so confused me that I've considered writing a book entitled.... (I can't tell you here - if you are interested email me)

In all seriousness, this leads me to this very important question.

How do you decide what to focus on during any given day, week, month or year?

This is a question that you must answer for yourself, based on your situation. However, from my experience I can tell you this:

1) People tend to "see" and spend more time on what they are either comfortable with or good at.

2) The ability to fully see your business or even the most important part is possible, but because of the above, is difficult.

and

3) It is possible to see more of the business with the use of visual tools, techniques, and plans.

I could write pages and pages discussing these various tools and techniques. But I won't. Quite honestly it is getting late, I have a presentation to prepare!

My point is this. The pieces, parts, or areas of your business that you are NOT focusing on may be more important than the ones you are!

Seek to identify what your attention is not focused on. It might shock you or even blow your eyebrows to the back side of your head. I promise, they come back quickly. It will be worth the effort!

p.s. Take 15 minutes and do a mental inventory right now. Email me and let me know what you find out.

Creativity Quote

"What we take for granted we give up the possibility of changing or improving."

Richard Saul Wurman, Information Anxiety

A Picture

Being able to see different perspectives is a great asset!

Please send me your interpretations of this picture to picture021004@bizsmart.net. I will compile the listing of the most thought provoking and publish in the next issue of Half-Baked.

If you want your name and city published, please specify in the email

	??? What does this picture represent to you? comment here
Comments on picture in the January 27th issue: "nice looking hardwood floor..." "work or play?" "stress reliever?"

Shorts 1) In a day and a half, I'm presenting the latest version of my "Idea Overload" workshop for a local business organization. I've already spent several hours on it, but still ideas for content keep coming. Apparently I'm writing this presentation for my own good! 2) What would a low carbohydrate business diet look like? Maybe less paper? 3) If you haven't already, please check out The Lounge and let me know what you think!

Thanks for reading - see on February 24th!

p.s. If you enjoy what you've read, pass it along!!!!!

The content of Half-Baked may be forwarded in full without special permission provided it is used for nonprofit purposes and full attribution and copyright notice are given. Our mailing address is: BizSmart LLC, 1182 Russell Drive, Decatur, GA 30030. For other purposes, contact jans@bizsmart.net.