Don't Be SNIOPS!

16 years of my career were spent working for a dynamic entrepreneur named Tom Gegax. Tom and his co-foundering partner Don Gullett founded Tires Plus. Tires Plus was a Minneapolis based tire and service retailer (now owned by Bridgestone-Firestone www.bridgestonetire.com/ ) that dominated markets it entered. One of Tom's favorite expressions was "Don't be SNIOPS!" SNIOPS stands for Subject to the Negative Influence of Other People".

How has the chatter around your office or work place been lately? Are you hearing a lot of doom and gloom? Does it seem like business is bad and getting worse? Are many of you afraid for the loss of your jobs? Are you wondering how you are going to handle to bills if your income stream comes to a screeching halt? If these are the kinds of thoughts that are racing around your head, how exactly are you going to focus and remain fully engaged with your business building initiatives? If you are an entrepreneur or manager, your leadership has NEVER been more important than it is right now.

The point of this article is not to ask you to be an ostrich or a Pollyanna. The current economic situation is very real, but focusing on the challenges rather than the objectives will derail any team. As a leader, consider these techniques for pushing through these tough times.

• Ask for and share success stories. Good news can be as contagious as bad news. Find it. Spread it!
• Keep meetings with staff focused on objectives and steps to attain them. A receiver who looks down field before catching the ball often drops it. Keep every one's eye on the ball.
• Celebrate all successes publicly within your work groups. Seeing others chalk up "wins" will drive the rest of the team and show them that it is possible.
• Keep long-range planning and objectives visible. Short term market challenges look like blips when looked at as a small part of a long-range plan.
• Keep your team tuned in to WIIFM. No, this is not a radio station, but "What's In It for Me". Remind them of the rewards that await them for good performance.
• Emphasize the intangibles. With people, motivation often comes from the little things like a face to face compliment about a specific task or project done well. Send hand written notes acknowledging notable efforts and accomplishments. Studies show that environmental issues outweigh compensation when people list what is important.

There is an old adage that reads "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." As a leader, step up and keep the focus on moving forward. Be realistic, yet positive. You will get results that may surprise you.

Jim Pascale is a 20+ year veteran of consulting with small business owners and has comprehensive knowledge of franchising.

Contact Jim at jimpascaleminnesota@yahoo.com.