The difference between having a daydream and working towards a vision is the call to action (strategy, plan, execution, delivery).
Desperation is a great call to action!
The recession is forcing people to think the unthinkable. Considering new markets, new processes, new ways of working and new terms. Everything is up for grabs again. Positive or negative, it’s an adrenalin rush and we are thinking in basic terms again.
- Stay Positive
- Work Hard
- Innovate
- Think Big & Take Action
My favourite case study of the recession is Brawn GP. In March 2009, Ross Brawn announced a last minute buy-out of Honda F1 under the new name of Brawn GP. Almost half the workforce was made redundant, Jenson Button took a significant pay cut and they didn’t have an engine until Mercedes stepped in. I have listened to Nick Fry talk about this experience and it is clear that things got pretty desperate; they were a hair away from going down the tubes.
The success they are now enjoying is shared by all the people who put themselves out there getting a car ready in the shortest possible time ready for the first race. It is testament to the following characteristics:
- Belief
- Courage
- Determination
- Motivation
- Commitment
Even Jensen Button admits that “It felt impossible because I wasn’t positive myself”, the people around him reminded him that they needed to be positive or no-one would want to buy the team.
Of course a number of elements have to come together, held together by sheer hard graft. A friend of mine works alongside the Brawn GP team and he confirms that it is half the people doing twice the work and its better. There is a different attitude and normal rules don’t apply.
Normal rules don’t apply!
Sometimes we need help to think the unthinkable. Braun GP are working towards a vision of making Jensen Button the best driver he can be.
Who is helping you? What is your success story going to be?
