I was walking my little Caviller King Charles, Flash, at lunch time thinking about the lessons he could teach us about business:
- Doing the same thing will get the same result. Sitting and barking at the bottom of the tree will not encourage the squirrel to come down. What are you doing to adapt your approach?
- Go with your instincts. the most successful business owners take a risk. You might just catch that squirrel.
- Loyalty. I feed him, I walk him and in return he greets me with more enthusiasm than a wasp around a coke can. I get so much more back than I give.
- Be yourself. Luckily we don’t have to kiss a*s* to get to know one another!
- Don’t take no for an answer. I couldn’t take the constant whining and scratching at the door so he now sleeps in my room.
- Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. No example it’s never happened and we are happy together. Treat customers and staff with the same respect.
- Confidence. Flash is a very small, cute, fluffy dog but I have been dumbfounded to witness him ward off boxers, Dobermans and even an Irish wolfhound. I greatly admire his self belief and lack of self awareness.
- Demonstrate active listening. I can’t deny how endearing he is when his big brown eyes are fixed on me and his head is slightly tilted. Take notes, ask questions show you are listening.
- If you can get away with it do it. The sofa cushions are suspiciously warm when I get in from work.
- Make it clear when you know it’s time to go! Whimper, scratch at the door, you need to leave right now!
- Living for the moment. He spots a big steaming cow pat and rolls in it, knowing he will have to endure the hose later. What are you doing right now to catch every opportunity?
- Start each day with the same enthusiasm. He’s just been stuck in the car for five hours and an hour later he hops happily back in as this time you might be going to the park.
- Go out in the rain. You sometimes have to do uncomfortable things to get the results you want.
- Learn from your mistakes. He doesn’t chase bees in the garden anymore.
- Positive reinforcement. He won’t come back when you call if there’s nothing in it for him. Praise your colleagues for a job well done if you want a repeat performance.
- Bury some treasure for a rainy day. Contingency; need I say more.
- Timing. Flash has discovered if he barks at night I will play ball to stop him waking the baby. Time it right and you are more likely to be successful.