Is your Company Positioned to "Bounce" Back?

by Pamela Wasley

When faced with competitive threats, economic downturns and other challenges, how does your company react? Some companies totally separate and fragment like a dropped Christmas ornament. Others continue to do the same things, the same way and, surprisingly enough, expect a different outcome. These companies barely survive and get so beat up they begin to appear bruised like an old orange. The successful, well strategized companies are more like a rubber ball; they proceed with resilience and energy to meet whatever confrontations come at them. They "bounce" in a new direction. So, which are you?

This "bounce" concept comes from one of my favorite business authors, Keith McFarland (author of "Breakthrough Companies") in his recent book called "Bounce." Written in a story format, it is a wonderful, quick read that will help companies not only survive, but rebound with "bounce" and flourish through all of today's challenges. Below are three of McFarland's six great principals from "Mike Maloney and his team", the story in "Bounce", that will determine the quality of an organization's "bouncability."

1. Build resiliency into your company
   As we all know, the world is changing at a staggering rate, and companies need the vitality to be able to adapt right along with these changes. Jack Welch said it well in his quote, "If the change happening on the outside is faster than on the inside, the end is in sight."
   
   
2. Manage the mental factors
   I know most of you watched the Super Bowl game this year and saw the New Orleans Saints bounce back. When the Saints came marching into the Super Bowl, not many people thought they had a chance. However, on that day, they not only won the game, but did so by dominating much of the game with a "we control" mentality rather than a self defeating "they control" state of mind. Coming into the second half, Coach Sean Payton took a chance with an onside kick that worked brilliantly taking the wind out of the Indianapolis Colts. A few plays later they took the lead and kept it to win the game. And it wasn't just the offense that won the game but the entire team. As Drew Brees, the Quarterback said, "Coach Sean Payton just continued to dial it up and we just got into that rhythm."
   
   
3. Manage your mission
   This is not just your company mission statement. Instead a good company mission will identify the market(s) you intend to serve, which customers, what needs will be fulfilled and your company's unique value proposition. However don't get too complacent with your mission. Remember the world is changing rapidly and you need to be prepared to adjust to it every two to three years.

McFarland's other three principles for Mike and his team are money, anxiety and morale. But I am not going to spoil the "rest of the story" as Paul Harvey would say, - this is one business adventure you will understand better by reading it yourself.

So, as businesses start recovering from this recession, how is your company doing? Are you splintering like the fragile ornament, bruising like the orange, or bouncing back like the rubber ball, with the energy, innovation and excitement of those New Orleans Saints who are no longer the "New Orleans Aints"?

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