Thoughts on a business in transition... the first of many it seems.

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

Recently I have been having in depth discussions with a colleague of mine regarding businesses in transition, what it means, its impact, and how our backgrounds offer a unique perspective on this topic; particularly on the commercial side (Renee is quick to remind me that Sales and Marketing is much clearer than saying "commercial"; this is another point of discussion). Call it Commercial or Sales and Marketing, we definitely can offer insight.

Transition (the noun) is defined as the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another*, and with respect to business, I will say this is a constant state... the exception I suppose is when a business is stagnate (showing neither growth nor decline). Even this stagnation though will tip either towards growth or decline in time and return the business to its natural state of change. BY DEFINITION, A BUSINESS IS ALWAYS IN TRANSITION... sometimes fast and sometimes slow, but always transitioning one way or another.

There are four considerations that come to mind when it comes to transition that frame up the real world aspects of dealing with it:

Transition due to internal factors - Transition and change in the organization driven by internal activities and initiatives by leadership and employees to build a more viable and successful business. An example of this would be the implementation of a new CRM system for the sales force to manage customer opportunities and increase revenue.

Transition due to external factors - Transition and change in the organization driven by external forces that impact how the company conducts business. Examples of this can range from new government regulations, through new competitive products, to the countless changes that can happen with the customer's ever changing expectations. 

Transition by "evolution" - Transition and change that occur at a controlled pace as part of long term strategic planning, the companies goals, and market considerations. 

Transition by "revolution" - Transition and change that occur because of a dramatic event... either externally or internally. A merger or leadership change (with very different philosophies) represent the more colourful examples of transition by "revolution".

It was at this point I literally looked up from my computer and asked myself, "Do you really believe you can tackle this topic with a 500 to 700 word blog post?"  I will definitely need more words and future posts, and with that said, I will lay the foundation regarding a business in transition by saying,

"Transition in business is a natural state that is under constant influence by external and internal factors, and it is the responsibility of leadership and employees alike to manage this as proactively as possible... ever prepared to deal with the change of revolution" 

The gauntlet has been thrown down... I will organize my thoughts on a business in transition, particularly with the commercial function, and tackle it with gusto 500 to 700 words at a time. I invite my colleague Renee Cormier, as well as anyone else, to offer insights on a business in transition.

Because in a very practical sense, it will touch us all throughout our careers.

iamgpe

* Thank you internet for one of the many definitions.

What's in a picture? Well for one... it seems a black suit should be!

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

I found this email in my inbox from a good friend a couple of days ago,

"Meant to share this earlier, and apologies in advance if I already have. For those relying on online profile photos for job hunt, client hunt, etc hunt - the website www.photofeeler.com provides a free tool for the evaluation of your mug. Just submit your profile photo, evaluate a handful of other submissions, and receive your unbiased feedback. Don't like the feedback - change the photo. Give it a try."

So I did.

As I got into PhotoFeeler I found that a "quick evaluation" was available for free, but like so many things of this ilk, you can use cold hard cash to upgrade and get more feedback. The categories for photo evaluation are Business, Social and Dating and each category has three characteristics that people rate you on; for example, with the Business category people rate your picture on "Competency", Likability, and "Influence".

I have a standard business photograph that I use on my website and various social media sites including beBee. It made sense to start with this, and this was the feedback:

Not bad... really high in the areas of "Competence" and "Influence" and just the right level of "Likability"; what I mean by this is if you are too likable people will think you can't make the tough decisions. That's true isn't it?

Since I'm a curious fellow and do like my data, I couldn't help but try out the other two categories. I started with the Social category; with that I determined I needed a new photograph because Social is different than Business - Isn't it?

Well this isn't exactly what I expected. I'm good with the confidence, but what's with "Authentic" and "Fun" being less than 60%?

I think I'm pretty true to myself, and after a martini or two I'm a bunch of fun... this is disappointing!

As the saying goes, "In for a penny, in for a pound", so it's a new photograph and onto the "Dating" category; after setting some parameters regarding age and orientation, I submit and waited patiently.

"WTF!"

So it seems a shiny penny is brighter than I am, that you probably can't trust me as far as you can throw me, and as looks go, it has been suggested that I've been beaten quite liberally with an ugly stick.

There had to be something wrong!

Something just had to be done. This had to be fixed!

I knew what I would do! The black suit to the rescue.

Now, that response is much better!

I can live with 86 % attractive... after all, I am no Brad Pitt.

But now what?

Well, after burning up twenty minutes of my life that I will never get back, I suppose it may be worth looking at what I've learned from my efforts... 

1. This was fun. Yes, I have added more pictures onto the web that people with "facial recognition software" can exploit but hey, that's the way of the world and we have to learn to live with it.
2. 10 votes is probably not statistically relevant so all of this data is suspect. PhotoFeeler offers the ability to gather more data, so depending on your goals and how you want to use your image, it may be very helpful.
3. With consideration to point number two, there is some indication that having a black suit may offer some advantages for presenting a positive image. With this said, it may also suggest that wearing sunglasses offers up a negative one ... my guess is people want to see your eyes.
4. Data is just data... you can't say it's good when you like it and bad when you don't. The question to ask is, "What are you going to do with the data to help meet your goals?"
5. Like it or not, people will judge you.
6. People will make interpretations based on your photograph, so choose wisely regarding the image you want to portrait.

In all of these photographs I am the same person (with all the same strengths and weaknesses of the human condition), and because of this twenty minute exercise I ultimately asked myself the simple question, "Am I pleased with who I am?" And although I am still a work in progress, the answer was "Yes".

In the end, using the appropriate photograph is just an exercise in good "Marketing". 

iamgpe

PS: I have no association with PhotoFeeler whatsoever. 

Five good friends and Mary Margaret Edwards.

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

Behind the curtain and under the harsh fluorescent lighting I heard my mother had had a heart attack; a clot had also formed in her heart, went to her brain, and caused a stroke, and for good measure fluid was building up in her lungs and she had slight pneumonia. We all agreed Mary Margaret Edwards was having a very bad day. 

We held whispered conversations in dull tones as medicine was translated into layman terms, the situation clarified for understanding, and philosophies bigger than ourselves discussed; all the while hoping (and praying) Mary Margaret Edwards could not hear the conspiracy that was unfolding. 

The late summer night air was unusually hot and heavy, and as we quietly walked to the car, we were left with our thoughts and the culpability of the decision to offer no further intervention, and let nature take its course.

Mary Margaret Edwards
(March 2, 1933 - September 13, 2016)

Mary Margaret Edwards passed peacefully September 13, 2016. 

Stoically, Mary took life on the chin, and true to her character, has asked not to be a bother or inconvenience anyone. Her only request was the reading of the 23rd Psalm. 

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 
He leadeth me beside the still waters. 
He restoreth my soul: 
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me; 
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; 
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. 

Mary will be cremated and there will be a private family ceremony. 

Mary Margaret Edwards now dwells in the house of the Lord forever, along with her daughter: Angels both. 

Death is a surprisingly administrative enterprise as you work through a person's last will and testament, consolidate things, distribute memories, remove a person's name from the ledgers of everyday life, and leave a marker behind to battle with the passage of time.

Shortly after Mary Margaret's death an invitation came my way to join friends at a cottage and take advantage of the last breath of summer; at this time of year, the air is cool, the sunshine is warm, and surprisingly, the water is warm enough for a mid day swim. I immediately said yes.

Five good friends were able to make it; two of them I have known since grade school. As we greeted each other with hands extended, one of my oldest friends hugged us all instead. It was a recognition and reminder that our friendships deserved more than just a simple handshake... at least this was how I interpreted this simple act as I hugged him back with the greatest of appreciation.

There was some talk of Mary Margaret Edwards but much of the weekend consisted of sharing the current events in our lives, laughter, the odd swim, prideful stories of our children, and the memories that come with a lifetime of friendship. It was a very good weekend by all measures and ended with hugs all around as we went our separate ways.

Mary Margaret Edwards will rest in peace and our friendships will continue.

Life goes on, as it should.

iamgpe