Organize, Deputize, Terrorize And Prioritize

There is Some one whose favorite slogan is, “Organize, Deputize, and Terrorize,” and I’d add “Prioritize” to that group.

Now it sounds fairly simple at the outset, but as you begin to put it on paper strange things begin to happen. 

Entrepreneurs will begin to see their ideas take form and direction, and even identify some stumbling blocks.

As entrepreneurs, we have this strange system of keeping our goals, visions, and modus operandi in our heads and not on paper. 

That’s not a sure path to failure, but think of the time when you need a stand-in for your business. 

You wouldn’t be able to have one take over until they spent about a week in training with you.  Instead, let’s put that slogan to work now and get it on paper before we have that need.

1. ORGANIZE – Put your present operating procedures down on paper in the order to be done.  Any format that pleases you will do – it may begin with the time to open the office/store or the order in which to accomplish daily tasks.  Whatever your particular business needs to function and produce.  Think of how and what you do everyday that leads to you being successful, and put it on paper.  Here is where you’ll also include your “goals” and your plan for achieving them.

2. PRIORITIZE – Here’s where I’d insert this item.  Once you know what it takes to run the day-to-day operations of your business, you can prioritize the tasks by their importance. What must be done first, and what second.  To explain it simply, you can’t open a store for business before you have the change money in the cash register. Apply this line of reasoning to your business operations.

3. DEPUTIZE – This is the next item on your paper that tells who will/does accomplish which job or task.  What is expected of them each day, and who takes over if they’re not available?  If you haven’t assigned particular responsibilities to your staff, perhaps now is the time to evaluate each person to determine who would do which job the best. (As entrepreneurs, we have a tendency to think that nobody else could do a task better than ourselves, but you can’t do everything – and now is the time to delegate.)

4. TERRORIZE – Perhaps this is too harsh a word to use.  What I really mean is that once you’ve assigned a task to someone let them run with it, don’t get in their way but keep track of the progress.  If you assign a particular job to a person, let them handle it but keep a tickler file so that you can follow-up to see that it’s been done.  This is not playing “Big Brother,” but making sure that the ball isn’t dropped and disaster is diverted.

Once you go through this exercise, you’d be amazed at how clearly you begin to see how many of the goals you had at the outset of your business have been successfully accomplished, and which ones still need work in the coming months.  You might even surprise yourself at how well you’ve done thus far.

As entrepreneurs we all like to be the “Captain of our ship”, but remember even a Captain needs a crew to sail the boat and bring it safely to port.

How To Handle A Business Meal

Sometimes your potential boss or your boss decides to set up a meeting or interview in a strange place, such as a hotel lobby. 

First things first, get there early, find a comfortable, quiet place and sit calmly while waiting.  You should take a few steps around to release some tension too. 

If an interviewer wants to catch you off-guard, they will arrange a business meal at a local restaurant.  At this meal, there are some key points you need to keep in mind. 

 Your social graces will be observed and you will be considered as a whole person.  

 Most of the time, a meal interview is the second interview, so you are under strong consideration and also intense scrutiny. 

Over ordering food or drink can signal poor self-discipline, which will call into question your judgment and maturity. 

 If you are rude to waiters and bus people it shows that you will not get along with subordinates and thus, poor leadership skills. 

First of all, you will want to avoid alcohol because it fuzzes your mind and cognition.   

If you do have a light wine, never order more than one glass. 

 Water is a much better choice, but if your interviewer is ordering alcohol, you may want to also.

Smoking is tricky.  If your interviewer is a smoker, and he/she lights up, you may join, but never light up during a meal. 

Never order something really messy, like spaghetti or sloppy joe, and never speak with your mouth full.  It is easier to order the same thing that your interviewer does.  

 Do not change your order once it is made and never send the food back.  Do not order expensive food.  Don’t order anything with bones. 

Finally, if the waiter puts the bill in front of you, do not touch it. It is the interviewer’s duty to pay it; you should never offer to share payment.  Thank the host for the wonderful meal.