Herein lies the foundational problem when it comes to running a business. Most business owners, leaders, key executives can’t definitively describe the process for building a business.

Granted they have great ideas, work [...]]]> “If you can’t describe what you are doing as a process, you don’t know what you’re doing.”
W. Edwards Deming

Herein lies the foundational problem when it comes to running a business. Most business owners, leaders, key executives can’t definitively describe the process for building a business.

Granted they have great ideas, work hard, persevere and even get lucky, but in the end, they are just wingin’ it. Don’t take it personal. I know you are doing the very best you can. We all are!

You understand that building a business is something we do, it’s a process. And, as Deming states, if we can’t describe the process, we simply don’t know what we are doing.

I have worked very hard over the last 10+ years developing a system for building a great (your define what great means to you) business. Once you understand this process called the Level 7 System, you can clearly describe what you are doing when it comes to building your organization.

The Level 7 System is a process focused on building and implementing these 7 core elements. (Stay with me folks…this is really good stuff. You could say I’m sort of giving away the farm.)

• Setting clearly defined goals and expectations throughout the organization.
• Establishing the highest level of accountability and trust so you can absolutely count on people to do what they agree to in the organization.
• Ensure optimal performance through the development and continual improvement of systems and procedures throughout the business.
• Thread a culture and set of values that will permeate everything you do in the business and will stand the test of time.
• Make sure the business has the best possible communication in and out of the business.
• Knowing your numbers, truth and establish objectivity within our decision making processes. No guessing.
• Engage the talents and creativity of everyone in your business to support in the ongoing and systematic improvement of the business and it’s systems.

The process of implementing the Level 7 System walks businesses through a series of steps and processes to develop each of the above areas listed above.

What does this all really mean for you in the end? It means you have some choices and control over the design and destiny of your business. It means you can create something that has real meaning and value to you. It means you can be far more effective in the work you do as the owner or leader of your business.

Here is where the rubber meets the road.

I genuinely care about helping those that wish to be helped navigate their journey to establish and build the business of their dreams. (I know that sounds a little hokey but we all have a vision for our business that genuinely excites us.) That is why I created the Level 7 System. I firmly believe and have experienced business owners transforming their business in such a way that resulted in a life transformation. I’ve seen businesses go from survival mode to a place where they can be free to serve and benefit others in a more powerful way.

Now you can read all you like about Level 7 by going to our website at www.levelsevensystems.com You can even download the Level 7 Manifesto and get the inside scoop as well.

In my experience the process that results in the best opportunity for YOU to determine if Level 7 is a good fit for you and your business is to have a personal conversation about Level 7 with me. We will talk about your business, I’ll tell you about Level 7 and then at least you will know. No pressure. Yeah…it takes a little guts to call and say, “I’m not sure if this is for me and my business but I would like to find out.”

I promise I will make it painless and productive for you. Be a little gutsy today. (I Just had to say it)

By the way, we have several options for you to engage in Level 7 depending on the size of your business and your budget.

• The Level 7 i2 Program is a self paced, comprehensive implementation program. Designed for the do it yourselfers. You can check it out here. It’s on sale through the rest of the day. Price goes up tomorrow. No it’s not hype. The fact is the program is priced too low right now for what you get. I assure you. The amount of content and the format will blow you away.
• The Level 7 G12 Program is launching this month in Phoenix, Arizona. The G12 Program is a group oriented implementation process that offers the high caliber, actionable content coupled with implementation support and accountability.
• The Level 7 Premier is our exclusive One on One Implementation Program designed specifically to meets the needs of your company. The program is by invitation only. Call for more information on this process.

Regardless, if you even have an inkling of interest or curiosity, I encourage you to call or shoot me an e-mail. Here is my direct line. 623 551 5469. I hope to hear from you today.

Many people are familiar with the story about Jesus walking on water. But did you know Peter, one of His disciples, walked [...]]]> “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Many people are familiar with the story about Jesus walking on water. But did you know Peter, one of His disciples, walked on water too? The bible recounts how Peter saw Jesus walking on the water. Peter, on a boat, called out to Jesus as He walking by. He said, “Lord if it’s really you, call me to you.”

Jesus told Peter to come to Him. So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water. It wasn’t until Peter took his eyes off Jesus that he began to sink.

Peter noticed and was distracted by the wind and the waves around him. He lost focus.

Regardless of your beliefs, one point of this story that can be applied to us all is this…

When we stay focused on our goals and vision, we will accomplish extraordinary things. However, the world around us is filled with distractions, wind and waves if you will, that want to take your eyes off your target. The wind and waves of life will always be there. Let’s accept that fact.

The solution is simple. Identify your target. Acknowledge that distractions are going to be all around you. However, never take your focus off your target.

Do you know what your target is? Is it so clear to you in your mind (and on paper) that when you focus you can see exactly what you are going for?

If you don’t have a clear target, coupled with laser focus, chances are you won’t be walking on water.

In a nutshell, a leaders job is to create and [...]]]> I have had many conversations with my clients about the effectiveness of their leadership over the years. I’ve written some really good stuff about what leadership REALLY is and how to get good at it. Check it out if you want. Click here =>

In a nutshell, a leaders job is to create and articulate vision, goals and objectives. In doing so, they should create an enthusiastic collective focus. In other words, good leaders get people engaged and inspired to follow and support the vision of the organization.

Let’s not over complicate your role and responsibilities as a leader. If your people are not bought into the direction of the business you are not leading. Oh yes, they show up everyday to work. They may even offer some lip service to suggest they want to see the company succeed. But the reality is they are there for the paycheck. And that my friend is not leadership. You are just paying people off. Sorry for being so direct.

Now you might be okay with that; paying people off that is. And I’m not going to deny the fact that getting a paycheck is a key motivator to get people to show up and work. However, there are literally hundreds of 1,000′s of non-profit organizations, churches and religious organizations that rely entirely on volunteers who are passionate about the cause and will freely give of their time and money to be involved.

Can you imagine if you could actually get people excited, motivated and compelled to be at work. Do you think you might have a more fulfilling and successful business environment? What if you could create an environment where people wanted to work for your business. Not because you pay or offer better benefits than everyone else but because people wanted to be a part of what your business is doing.

Leadership is hard work. Leadership requires listening and understanding what motivates people. Leadership requires communicating in a way that creates understanding and buy-in. Leadership requires diligence, focus and consistency in order to get your people engaged.

The question I often get asked is how do you know your people are engaged? How do you know your leadership message is inspiring people? How do you know they really care?

One of the ways to evaluate your leadership effectiveness is to observe the quality and quantity of your Vision Viral Lift. I made the term up so you won’t find it on Wikipedia, yet.

Vision Viral Lift is like a popular video on Youtube, a big story in the news or a public relations message. The message is spread through word of mouth and communication from individual to individual. When a Youtube video is good, interesting, absurd or whatever, people talk about it and share it with others.

I never once saw an advertisement for Google Earth. A friend introduced me to it. If you haven’t seen it it’s awesome. You can see satellite imagery of any location in the world. Check it out =>. This is an example of viral lift.

One of the indicators that will help you assess how well you are leading is by observing if there is a positive Vision Viral Lift in your business. You will hear people talking about your goals, vision and direction, independently and enthusiastically.

Here are a couple to tips to get you started to create some Vision Viral Lift.

1- Study your people. Think about what really matters to them. Consider what will motivate them to want to get engaged in the growth of your organization other than more money or a paycheck. Be creative and consider what will emotionally drive people.

Call me if you want some ideas to spark your thinking. 623 551 5469.

2- Write down your vision as it relates to your employees primary motivators. Create a compelling written story. I didn’t say it would be easy.

3- Come up with some creative and some direct methods of sharing your vision with your people. Don’t stop with one or two times. Keep telling the story until they either understand it fully and embrace it or understand it fully and reject it. The fact it there is no in-between. You have the responsibility of helping them understand until they can make a decision if they want to follow you.

Here is my number again. 623 551 5469. If you would like to talk more about this topic or need help creating your Vision Viral Lift, give me a call. I’d love to help you.

But does it have to be that way? We have a notion or belief, [...]]]> Building a business is serious business, isn't it? When it comes to money, success, results and work there is simply no time for fun. It seems the two – work and fun – generally don't coexist together.

But does it have to be that way? We have a notion or belief, or at least I do, that if we are having fun we couldn't possibly be productive. I am probably wrong about it.

Friends, I don't have the answer to this one. I do believe that if we could make work more fun than it would be – more fun. I also believe that if a business were to decide that they would create a productive environment that was also fun that it could be done.

A vision like this requires a commitment to both objectives, creating fun and being productive.

Here is my call and charge – How are you doing it? Or how do you think a business can be successful, productive and still be fun?

What do you think? Please comment below.