Lillian Lincoln Lambert

If you are working in your business and not working on it you have a job and not a business.  Building a business that runs without   the owner will 1) give the owner more time; 2) position the business to grow and make money and 3) Increase the worth of the business if the owner wants to sell.  Working on the following leverage points makes an owner think more like a CEO and less like a technician.

1. Concentrate on having an attitude of a CEO.

2. Use time more effectively

3. Develop an organizational structure of roles who work “in the business.”

4. Recruit talent who are accountable for meeting objectives in their role

.5. Develop routine processes with standards.

6. Develop repeatable systems to get consistent results.

7. Use technology wherever possible to automate routine functions.

8. Building a team that is aligned, involved and motivated.

9. Continue to evolve the owner’s role as leader who sets overall direction, motivates, attracts and retains talent, continuously raises the bar and builds the business the way a CEO should.

A business that has these things in place can look forward to lasting success.

Arising from my bed on Sunday to prepare for my departure from Durban, SA I turned on the TV not expecting to find anything of interest or in a language I could understand. What appeared on the screen was an elderly man dressed in jeans, a cotton shirt and wide brim hat. In the background was an open field that looked like a farm, inhibited by cows and other farm animals. After listening for a minute or so, it was obvious that he was a preacher. What a difference in the background that I was accustomed to in the USA – a preacher impeccably dressed with extensive sound systems, beautiful décor and maybe a huge choir in the background! His topic was “The Scope of your Purpose”

A few things struck me about his message.

1. Success is failure turned inside out.

2. People spend too much time being “picky” that is picking out all the bad in others.

3. Too often our purpose is treated frivolously. We pursue it in a halfhearted manner.

These are things to think about. We never know where we will get our next lesson. We can learn something from everyone regardless of the attire.

I love to travel.  Through travel I am exposed to many people from other parts of the country as well as other parts of the world. I have learned so much about different cultures and the way of life for others. That has given me an appreciation and respect for the beliefs and lies of those I meet.  It does not matter whether I agree with or even understand the differences I see, I can still respect them.

Sitting in Durban, South Africa in a lovely bed and breakfast I reflect on the similarities and differences of this trip and my trip to Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Capetown, South Africa three years ago.  On this trip my experience has gone from  intellectual discussions at the largest university here to an authentic Indian dinner in the home of an Indian couple and their two lovely daughters to learning about and some limited experiences of the Zulu life.  The trip three years ago was longer and covered more territory, including Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated), Soweto Wine Festival and The Apartheid Museum.  Each experience was unique.  I learned a lot about apartheid from the people who lived through it and the changes in South African life since it ended. What humiliation they endured and the strength they exhibited to live through it and talk about it.

Travel also makes me appreciate and be more thankful what I have; not complain about my problems and move ahead with a purpose in life.

We live in a society of immediate gratification.  We want everything and we want it now.  In reality, life is about setting priorities and making choices based on your values.

Too many people stretch themselves by trying to keep up with “the Jones”. Since this economic crisis many have suffered because they have tied to “keep up with the Jones”. Forget about keeping up with the Jones. The truth is no one knows what the Jones are doing or how well they are doing. One thing good that may come from our economic crisis is people will become more conscious about how they spend their money and begin saving more rather than spending more. We all know the saying; the grass looks greener on the other side. It may look greener because we may be wearing “rose-color” glasses.  The same may be true of the Jones. They may look successful but are they?

My husband and I just returned from an exciting week in Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO.  My primary purpose for the trip was to be a keynote speaker at the Economic Empowerment Summit at Harvest Church where the graduating class from its Joseph Business School was honored.  The school selects and trains entrepreneurs in practical aspects of starting and running a business. Based on principles taught in the church. It was a great experience where I met many new friends and entrepreneurs.

Why travel so far and not take advantage of other things in the area by adding a few extra days to the trip? Fortunately my sister-in-law lives in KC and she is very involved in the community.  We arrived in time to attend a reception and book signing for Terry McMillan who is promoting her new book “Getting to Happy’. What an interesting person!

It is amazing how we go to college with people and seem to not have much in common and years later can connect and share so much!  My husband and I had dinner with two classmates who were in my section at Harvard Business School and their spouses.  One I had seen a year ago at the 40^th class reunion, saw again when I was in KC in April and again on this trip – three times in one year after 40 years of no contact. The other one I had not seen since graduation in 1969. After all these years there was so much to talk about that there was not a quiet moment. We promised to stay in touch.

The trip ended with my sister-in-law entertaining friends at her home on Sunday afternoon. This gave me the opportunity to get to know some new friends in greater depth.  My sister-in-law likes any excuse to entertain and I promised to give her more excuses in the future.