Business is About People First, Numbers Second!

Wow, it's been too long since I sat down to write an entry in this blog. The topic people focus vs. numbers focus in business and my somewhat strong opinion on the subject combined with some recent transactions compelled me to write this... Enjoy and practice it! PEOPLE ARE YOUR BUSINESS.

I am a firm believer in the fact that leaders who focus on the numbers in business more than they focus on the people will ALWAYS be chasing the numbers. Conversely, those focusing on the people while still paying attention to the numbers will find hitting those numbers is a little easier.

This seems like a really simple process yet countless leaders, or should I say, people in senior positions who are supposed to be leaders, continue to miss the boat on this. Wake up folks and smell the damn coffee. If you keep focusing on only the numbers, those people responsible for helping to make the numbers are going to get fed up with your BS and dial it back or go somewhere else. Seriously, how are you caring for your strongest asset, your people? How about the person or persons responsible for closing the last "big deal", how did you thank them, did you thank them? If you are thinking to yourself, "they were paid a commission, or they got a paycheck", you are exactly the knucklehead I am addressing by writing this. It's time for you to step up and pay attention to what actually matters to people. Beyond making enough to survive, monetary compensation doesn't even make the top three on the list of what is important to employees. Strangely enough, when management is asked to list what they think matters most to employees, money is usually at the top of the list.

Don't misinterpret what I'm saying here, numbers are important, we are in business to make money. My point is they aren't as important as the PEOPLE. Focus on the PEOPLE and the numbers will follow.

Now get out there and LEAD and remember to ENJOY THE RIDE!