The 6 M's of Business
Business does not have to be hard.
It just doesn't.
As a matter of fact - the harder you make it, the more likely you'll not reach your outcomes.
If you're trying to envision what your business looks like, or where it needs attention here are 6 M's that may help you.
M1 - MINDSET
We're in this weird neither-world of open, nope now we're closed, now we're open again economy. I'll not debate the cause or the science - but we know this is true. With the light switch being thrown on a frequent basis out mindset is likely to suffer.
As a leader, an executive, a team member, a parent (etc.), our mindset plays a huge role in our effectiveness. When your mindset is off-kilter, your results suffer. The results of those around you suffer as well.
As a matter of fact, my wife and I recently to a week off from news just to do a mindset reset. We felt overwhelmed. The time "off" helped us re-frame and come back with a fresher perspective.
I'm not going to tell you how to do a reset on your mindset. Google it ... or read a short article by Lisa Huber on Medium. But, take the time to do a reset.
M2 - MATTERS
Build a business around things that MATTER. Focusing your energy and time on things that bring results, change lives, grow companies, and solve complex problems by inventing the next "x" -you're doing things that matter.
When you're building a business around things that matter, you create an opportunity for passion - and passion contributes to mindset!
What's your thing that MATTERS?
M3 - METHOD
Put a method behind what you do. Don't go out a buy that hammer, chisel, and a hunk of granite. Your not creating commandments here.
You're creating a process and framework that gives you and the people around you guidance on how to do the things you do. It's also your KaiZen structure (M6).
So, as you build your business, start taking notes on how you are doing to DO what MATTERS. The DO is your method.
M4 - MARKET
"Nothing happens until a sales is made." - Thomas Watson, President of IBM (1914 - 1956)
If you've defined what matters and have your concept of method, it's time to go sell it to someone. Time to bring it to market. I'm not going to solve that process for you here. Depending on the "what" you are bringing to market, the "how" can be unique.
However, I will give you one tip: keep it simple. You don't need a bi-lateral infracted negotiation structure that economizes that psyche of individual herrings. You need a simple, step-by-step process that enables a conversation with those whose problems you are seeking to solve. KEEP IT SIMPLE.
M5 - MAKE
This is probably the hardest step in the stack of M's. This means one thing.
Get up. Don't hit snooze. Go make it happen. Don't put it off. Do it now.
Make it happen.
M6 - MEASURE
Way back in M3 (method), I touched on KaiZen. In the 1930's Sakichni Toyoda, founder of Toyota, used to tell his factory workers to "open the window; it's a big world out there." In other words, raise your level of awareness and seek more. KaiZen became, and remains, Toyota's hallmark process. Make simple improvements continuously.
Jim Kwik, the world's leading expert on memory improvement, suggests S3. Take simple - small - steps.
In this case, the purpose of "measure" is to identify the presence of problems and cause consideration of their solution. "Measure" is your first step to making informed decisions.
6 M's Recap
M1 - MINDSET: Get your mindset right first
M2 - MATTERS: Passion comes from doing things that matter
M3 - METHOD: THe "how" you do the "what"
M4 - MARKET: Nothings happens until a sale is made
M5 - MAKE: Do the work
M6 - MEASURE: Look for small, incremental changes or improvements
Let's pick a time and get together to chat about your 6 M's and where you need help or guidance.