Stimulate Creativity and LearningWritten by Wendy Hearn
What does cultivating creativity add to workplace and your business? The benefits are huge but are often underestimated by most people. Companies who wish to progress quickly and stay ahead need to stimulate creativity and learning among their employees. This goes beyond just being a desirable thing to do; it's imperative to success of your business."In a two-year study for Economic and Social Research Council, Professor Richard Scase of Kent University concluded that straitjacketed management attitudes were 'the major barrier to Britain becoming a high-performing creative economy'. Corporate Britain is still in grip of low-trust, low-commitment, command-and-control management styles that kill innovation and creativity, says Scase" - Management Today, November, 2000. Lack of creativity costs companies their leading place in market. It inhibits invention and innovation, which form backbone of a thriving business. Companies which fail to develop a culture of creativity will soon find themselves left behind. People now realise that working for a company which cultivates creativity is much more rewarding and as employees are becoming more discerning in their choice of employers, this may be one factor they insist upon. Cultivating an environment of creativity allows you to get more out of your employees, instead of stifling their ideas or vision for company. Creativity encourages them to ask questions and give feedback on how things can be improved or changed. It develops their desire for improvement and their risk-taking ability. It enables employees to enjoy process and be rewarded for their efforts. Creativity engenders new ideas, which lead to innovation. The critical part is to put these ideas into action. Coaching cultivates creativity and encourages people to act. It stretches employees to go beyond their usual way of going things, preventing them from becoming stuck in a rut. In today's economy it isn't enough to say you believe in creativity; you must prove it by putting it into practice.
| | Prepare Your Business For Your Ultimate CustomerWritten by Noel Peebles
Most business entrepreneurs would rather be in drivers seat than to be driven. Yet, surprisingly enough, many business owners put little effort into planning to sell to their biggest and ultimate customer... person (or company) that buys their business. I've seen genuine hardworking people struggle and persevere to build up a successful business, only to watch them fail to reap their deserved rewards when they come to cash-out. They don't know what to do, or where to go. They lack required skills to present their business effectively to potential buyers. The end result; they get stressed-out and bitterly disappointed with outcome. Don't fall into same trap. The day will come when you want to (or have to) sell your business and cash-out. That might not be in near future, but now is time to start planning for your ultimate sale. Self-made millionaire entrepreneur Mal Emery, has bought, developed and sold 14 businesses. Mal had this to say: "Before I even consider buying a business, I must be able to visualise or articulate a clear and concise picture of what that business will look like when I sell out. You see, I design all my businesses to sell. I call buyer of my business, my ultimate customer... one who puts me out of business."
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