Review parts 1 through 15 for details and thinking, then utilize the Recipe for Change.

Part 10 – Stay Focused

Golfer Playing on Beautiful Golf Course

Getting focused is an essential key to making change happen. Here is a story that may illustrate the concept of focus, written by Bill Crowder.

I enjoy playing golf, so I occasionally watch instructional videos or read magazines. One such video, however, left me disappointed. The teacher presented a golf swing that had at least 8 steps and a dozen sub-points under each step. That was too much information!

While I’m not a great golfer, years of playing have taught me this. The more thoughts you have in your head as you swing, the less likely you are to be successful. You must simplify your thought process and focus on what matters most-making a solid contact with the ball. The instructor’s many points got in the way.

In golf, as in life and business change, we must focus on what matters most.

When you are taking people through change, focus on the large view, not all the small pieces first. Take the 40,000 foot view, and hit the main highlights first.

Make sure the main thing remain the main thing. Don’t get caught up in the fine details until the large pieces have become habits. Then you can come in and fine tune the change.

For example, you may desire to start using scripts to answer the phone and sell work to your customers. Start basic, get the big picture, then fill in the details once you feel the buy in.

The bottom line is STAY FOCUSED on the BIG PICTURE, not all the details, in the beginning.

The Recipe for Change

When you’re baking a cake, there are certain ingredients that are necessary for the cake to come out as planned. You need to follow a step by step procedure. Include all portions as described, mix as indicated, then cook for the optimum time and temperature. Any variation from the recipe may cause an incomplete and utter disaster! If you don’t follow the recipe, you will not get the results you were expecting.

When you’re leading your company and staff through change, a recipe would be very helpful, so here it is:

1. You must be totally committed to the change (1 gallon)
2. It must be well defined and written (1 pint)
3. You must be willing to accept the push back and resistance (1 quart)
4. Create the WHY story to sell to sell your staff (Five Pounds)
5. Talk to them one-on-one (1 Tablespoon)
6. Give them time to adjust mentally to the change (Let Marinate 1 week)
7. Let them express their feelings (Snap-Crackle-Pop)
8. Set a rollout date for the change to occur (Cook Time 10 Days)
9. Have many training sessions before rollout (Mixing steps)
10. Establish the change as a habit (Tasting the results)

This is a quick and simple recipe for change. Follow the ingredients and steps, and see what results you will achieve. Review parts 1 through 15 for more details and thinking.

Management is the formula.

Leadership is the essential catalyst.

You are the stick that stirs the ingredients.

Review parts 1 through 15 for details and thinking, then utilize the Recipe for Change.

Part 9 – Profit Protector

Remember the Pocket Protectors from the past? Perhaps you are not old enough, so let me explain. They were made of plastic and would slide inside of your shirt pocket. When you slipped your pens and screw drivers in and out of the pockets protector it kept your shirt from getting ink stained or torn. They simply protected your pockets from wear and tear. Very handy devices from the past. Does anyone still use them?

I want to introduce a new protector call a “Profit Protector”. It is designed to insure profits for you business.

Here are a few questions to gather your thoughts:

• What day of the month does your business break even?
• Do you track your CODB (Monthly cost of doing business)?
• Do you track your daily gross profit dollars?
• Are you stacking up cash?
• Do you have sufficient working capital? (3 times monthly sales)
• Do you have sufficient reserve money? (6 times CODB)

Back in 1992 we required a gross profit of 42% to make money. In the year 2011, it required 61% to make money. Are you a student of your profit? Are you as student of your CODB?

Become a Profit Protector!

Would you like to join the club?

The Recipe for Change

When you’re baking a cake, there are certain ingredients that are necessary for the cake to come out as planned. You need to follow a step by step procedure. Include all portions as described, mix as indicated, then cook for the optimum time and temperature. Any variation from the recipe may cause an incomplete and utter disaster! If you don’t follow the recipe, you will not get the results you were expecting.

When you’re leading your company and staff through change, a recipe would be very helpful, so here it is:

1. You must be totally committed to the change (1 gallon)
2. It must be well defined and written (1 pint)
3. You must be willing to accept the push back and resistance (1 quart)
4. Create the WHY story to sell to sell your staff (Five Pounds)
5. Talk to them one-on-one (1 Tablespoon)
6. Give them time to adjust mentally to the change (Let Marinate 1 week)
7. Let them express their feelings (Snap-Crackle-Pop)
8. Set a rollout date for the change to occur (Cook Time 10 Days)
9. Have many training sessions before rollout (Mixing steps)
10. Establish the change as a habit (Tasting the results)

This is a quick and simple recipe for change. Follow the ingredients and steps, and see what results you will achieve. Review parts 1 through 15 for more details and thinking.

Management is the formula.

Leadership is the essential catalyst.

You are the stick that stirs the ingredients.

Review parts 1 through 15 for details and thinking, then utilize the Recipe for Change.

Part 8 – Comeback

We like to read about comebacks, about people or companies who face near disaster and turn things around. The Ford Motor Company is an example of that. In the 1940s, there was a reluctance by leadership to modernize Ford. In fact, the government nearly took over the company, lest its demise threaten the US war effort. But when Henry Ford II was released from his military duties to run the company, things turned around. Ford became one of the biggest corporations in the world.

Occasionally, we need a comeback or a turnaround. We need to correct wrong directions or compensate for wrong decisions. 

But that’s not the end of the story. 

As John C. Maxwell states, “Everything rises or falls on Leadership.”

Taking your company and people through change becomes a comeback story in itself.  The transition can be very difficult during this turnaround period.

Comebacks are great stories that make the news, making history while propelling companies and people forward. What is your comeback story?  Has it been written or is it unfolding?

The Recipe for Change

When you’re baking a cake, there are certain ingredients that are necessary for the cake to come out as planned. You need to follow a step by step procedure. Include all portions as described, mix as indicated, then cook for the optimum time and temperature. Any variation from the recipe may cause an incomplete and utter disaster! If you don’t follow the recipe, you will not get the results you were expecting.

When you’re leading your company and staff through change, a recipe would be very helpful, so here it is:

1. You must be totally committed to the change (1 gallon)
2. It must be well defined and written (1 pint)
3. You must be willing to accept the push back and resistance (1 quart)
4. Create the WHY story to sell to sell your staff (Five Pounds)
5. Talk to them one-on-one (1 Tablespoon)
6. Give them time to adjust mentally to the change (Let Marinate 1 week)
7. Let them express their feelings (Snap-Crackle-Pop)
8. Set a rollout date for the change to occur (Cook Time 10 Days)
9. Have many training sessions before rollout (Mixing steps)
10. Establish the change as a habit (Tasting the results)

This is a quick and simple recipe for change. Follow the ingredients and steps, and see what results you will achieve. Review parts 1 through 15 for more details and thinking.

Management is the formula.

Leadership is the essential catalyst.

You are the stick that stirs the ingredients.

Review parts 1 through 15 for details and thinking, then utilize the Recipe for Change.

Part 7 – Leadership is the Key

What if you define the 10 Mission Critical Processes that make or break your business model? Then, what if you wrote them down and trained them every day?

What if you defined your 10 Critical Business Philosophies? Then, what if you wrote them down and LIVED them every day?

What if you defined the 10 Strategies of your model? Then, what if you wrote them down and walked the walk daily?

What if you defined the 10 tactics for those results? Then, what if you wrote them down and executed them daily?

Perhaps with this style of Leadership that squad of undead zombies you call your staff would come to life!

Leadership is the key to making your business work.

The Recipe for Change

When you’re baking a cake, there are certain ingredients that are necessary for the cake to come out as planned. You need to follow a step by step procedure. Include all portions as described, mix as indicated, then cook for the optimum time and temperature. Any variation from the recipe may cause an incomplete and utter disaster! If you don’t follow the recipe, you will not get the results you were expecting.

When you’re leading your company and staff through change, a recipe would be very helpful, so here it is:

1. You must be totally committed to the change (1 gallon)
2. It must be well defined and written (1 pint)
3. You must be willing to accept the push back and resistance (1 quart)
4. Create the WHY story to sell to sell your staff (Five Pounds)
5. Talk to them one-on-one (1 Tablespoon)
6. Give them time to adjust mentally to the change (Let Marinate 1 week)
7. Let them express their feelings (Snap-Crackle-Pop)
8. Set a rollout date for the change to occur (Cook Time 10 Days)
9. Have many training sessions before rollout (Mixing steps)
10. Establish the change as a habit (Tasting the results)

This is a quick and simple recipe for change. Follow the ingredients and steps, and see what results you will achieve. Review parts 1 through 15 for more details and thinking.

Management is the formula.

Leadership is the essential catalyst.

You are the stick that stirs the ingredients.

Review parts 1 through 15 for details and thinking, then utilize the Recipe for Change.

Part 6 – “What If?”

“What if” is a short but effective story line for business thinking.

See below your checklist for “what if” success. Are the following items being executed?

• You must have your BOX defined.
• Your systems must be written.
• Leadership must be present.
• Management must be present.
• Behavioral coaching must happen.
• EPS – Mentoring sessions with all staff members weekly for 15 minutes,
• STS – Staff Training Session weekly 30-45 minutes must happen.
• BPS – Business Performance Session weekly must happen.
• Can you define your WHY?
• Are you able to sell your Vision?
• Can you define your recipe for success? Do your staff members know the recipe?
• Are your people willing and able? Or are they unwilling and unable?
• Is there anyone that needs to get off the bus?
• Are you recruiting weekly?

The Recipe for Change

When you’re baking a cake, there are certain ingredients that are necessary for the cake to come out as planned. You need to follow a step by step procedure. Include all portions as described, mix as indicated, then cook for the optimum time and temperature. Any variation from the recipe may cause an incomplete and utter disaster! If you don’t follow the recipe, you will not get the results you were expecting.

When you’re leading your company and staff through change, a recipe would be very helpful, so here it is:

1. You must be totally committed to the change (1 gallon)
2. It must be well defined and written (1 pint)
3. You must be willing to accept the push back and resistance (1 quart)
4. Create the WHY story to sell to sell your staff (Five Pounds)
5. Talk to them one-on-one (1 Tablespoon)
6. Give them time to adjust mentally to the change (Let Marinate 1 week)
7. Let them express their feelings (Snap-Crackle-Pop)
8. Set a rollout date for the change to occur (Cook Time 10 Days)
9. Have many training sessions before rollout (Mixing steps)
10. Establish the change as a habit (Tasting the results)

This is a quick and simple recipe for change. Follow the ingredients and steps, and see what results you will achieve. Review parts 1 through 15 for more details and thinking.

Management is the formula.

Leadership is the essential catalyst.

You are the stick that stirs the ingredients.

Review parts 1 through 15 for details and thinking, then utilize the Recipe for Change.

Part 5 – What if? How? Come on!

What if your car count doubled? What if your net profit doubled? What if your customers said “yes” to all repairs and all maintenance suggestions?

What if all your staff members pulled together as a team?

What if you completed your How-To Manual, and your budget started operating smoothly? What if you dominated your target market?

What if your customers never bought a new car, and they told everyone about your company?

Okay, here’s the catch.

How do you make these “what if” items happen?

How are you doing? How is it working for you?

How do you get buy-in from staff members?

How do you even think these are all possible?

Come on Gary, are you a dreamer?

Come on Gary, this is not possible.

Come on Gary, tell me how.

The Recipe for Change

When you’re baking a cake, there are certain ingredients that are necessary for the cake to come out as planned. You need to follow a step by step procedure. Include all portions as described, mix as indicated, then cook for the optimum time and temperature. Any variation from the recipe may cause an incomplete and utter disaster! If you don’t follow the recipe, you will not get the results you were expecting.

When you’re leading your company and staff through change, a recipe would be very helpful, so here it is:

1. You must be totally committed to the change (1 gallon)
2. It must be well defined and written (1 pint)
3. You must be willing to accept the push back and resistance (1 quart)
4. Create the WHY story to sell to sell your staff (Five Pounds)
5. Talk to them one-on-one (1 Tablespoon)
6. Give them time to adjust mentally to the change (Let Marinate 1 week)
7. Let them express their feelings (Snap-Crackle-Pop)
8. Set a rollout date for the change to occur (Cook Time 10 Days)
9. Have many training sessions before rollout (Mixing steps)
10. Establish the change as a habit (Tasting the results)

This is a quick and simple recipe for change. Follow the ingredients and steps, and see what results you will achieve. Review parts 1 through 15 for more details and thinking.

Management is the formula.

Leadership is the essential catalyst.

You are the stick that stirs the ingredients.

Review parts 1 through 15 for details and thinking, then utilize the Recipe for Change.

Part 4 – Buttons

Have you ever heard the child’s game of button, button that has the button?

Staples has a great campaign – the EASY button. (“That was easy!”) Have you heard about it? Maybe you have one of the buttons on your desk right now.

So here is a list of change or “shift”, buttons you might want to employ. Simple – press them when needed!

• A button for Leadership
• A button for behavioral coaching
• A button for Management
• A button for boldness
• A button for upgrading your staff
• A button for always having room for talent
• A button for having operational systems
• A button for the correct inspection processA button for making a profit
• A button for selling your work for the right margins
• A button for recruiting
• A button for hiring the right people
• A button for advertising
• A button for car count
• A button for resetting your thinking
• A button for mentoring
• A button for vision
• A button for creating the right culture
• A button for budgeting
• A button to create a button

Button, button – do you have enough buttons?

The Recipe for Change

When you’re baking a cake, there are certain ingredients that are necessary for the cake to come out as planned. You need to follow a step by step procedure. Include all portions as described, mix as indicated, then cook for the optimum time and temperature. Any variation from the recipe may cause an incomplete and utter disaster! If you don’t follow the recipe, you will not get the results you were expecting.

When you’re leading your company and staff through change, a recipe would be very helpful, so here it is:

1. You must be totally committed to the change (1 gallon)
2. It must be well defined and written (1 pint)
3. You must be willing to accept the push back and resistance (1 quart)
4. Create the WHY story to sell to sell your staff (Five Pounds)
5. Talk to them one-on-one (1 Tablespoon)
6. Give them time to adjust mentally to the change (Let Marinate 1 week)
7. Let them express their feelings (Snap-Crackle-Pop)
8. Set a rollout date for the change to occur (Cook Time 10 Days)
9. Have many training sessions before rollout (Mixing steps)
10. Establish the change as a habit (Tasting the results)

This is a quick and simple recipe for change. Follow the ingredients and steps, and see what results you will achieve. Review parts 1 through 15 for more details and thinking.

Management is the formula.

Leadership is the essential catalyst.

You are the stick that stirs the ingredients.

Review parts 1 through 15 for details and thinking, then utilize the Recipe for Change.

Part 3 – Equip Yourself for Change

Okay Gary, how do I equip myself for change?

1. You must be committed to the change.
2. You want to set in motion an education process with your staff on why change is occurring.
3. You must have a written plan for why, when and how.
4. You must train the change.
5. You must follow up forever.
6. You must hold people accountable.
7. You must reward and celebrate the right behavior.

Let me sum it up in one word: “resolve”

Repeat after me:

I will accomplish this change.

I will never let my eyes blink.

I will persevere through it all.

I will finish the task.

The Recipe for Change

When you’re baking a cake, there are certain ingredients that are necessary for the cake to come out as planned. You need to follow a step by step procedure. Include all portions as described, mix as indicated, then cook for the optimum time and temperature. Any variation from the recipe may cause an incomplete and utter disaster! If you don’t follow the recipe, you will not get the results you were expecting.

When you’re leading your company and staff through change, a recipe would be very helpful, so here it is:

1. You must be totally committed to the change (1 gallon)
2. It must be well defined and written (1 pint)
3. You must be willing to accept the push back and resistance (1 quart)
4. Create the WHY story to sell to sell your staff (Five Pounds)
5. Talk to them one-on-one (1 Tablespoon)
6. Give them time to adjust mentally to the change (Let Marinate 1 week)
7. Let them express their feelings (Snap-Crackle-Pop)
8. Set a rollout date for the change to occur (Cook Time 10 Days)
9. Have many training sessions before rollout (Mixing steps)
10. Establish the change as a habit (Tasting the results)

This is a quick and simple recipe for change. Follow the ingredients and steps, and see what results you will achieve. Review parts 1 through 15 for more details and thinking.

Management is the formula.

Leadership is the essential catalyst.

You are the stick that stirs the ingredients.

In this webinar, Rob reviews his amazing background story. He discusses how he went from a homeless drug addict to a steady job in an auto repair shop, and finally to owning multiple auto repair shops and winning awards for real estate excellence.

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