May 9, 2011
OPEN Forum Message
Company Culture
Can you recognize signs that your company's culture isn't working? Get advice from the experts on what to look for–and how to fix it.
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Featured Response
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Ada Polla
It seems to take forever to start a business. So it's ironic that, after you make all your preparations and leaps of faith, you can get so consumed with implementing the vision, wearing the hats, and putting out the fires that time passes in a flash.
Of course we should take more care to appreciate the everyday. We know this. What I fail most to do, though, is to stop, look, and learn from past events. There are so many lessons to learn from taking the time to reflect on those experiences: the good, the bad, and the too-embarrassing-to-admit.
4 lessons I didn't realize I learned
1. Shut my mouth.
I tend to trust everyone—a noble trait, but one that doesn't always play out so well. I've had designs, ideas, and employees stolen because I share too often and trust too many.
But I've recovered, and I'm stronger for my indiscretions. To this day, though, it's still a lesson I have to force myself to remember.
2. Leave improvisation to the comedians.
It's far easier to keep improvising solutions and reacting to the crisis of the day than it is to take the time to think through the proper protocols and procedures for an assigned task.
I did that for years—until I realized that as we expanded, hired new employees, or (heaven forbid) I took a few days off, the staff didn't know how to react to certain situations, because I'd always handled them (and the outcome was usually different each time).
Finally, last year I created a book of Policies & Procedures—one of the smartest moves I've yet to make. My staff knows what to do when I'm not around, and lo and behold, I have more time to focus on working on the business, and not just working in it.
Want to read more on lessons learned? Check these out:
3. Being present is different from being available.
I used to spend my days at the office. We don't have walls—just one big room—so I thought that I was part of the team simply because I was physically there.
Nope. I wasn't really there. I wasn't supporting my staff, because I wasn't engaging them. I wasn't even listening to them. I might as well have been facing a corner with my fingers in my ears.
When I stopped being present and started being available, the business evolved as my employees became more involved. They started making suggestions and creating content, not because I was staring at them and waiting for an answer, but simply because I wasn't staring at my computer.
4. Networking is learning.
I used to hide behind my desk—do you see a trend here?—calculating that the best way to spend my time was to answer e-mails, write copy for the catalog and make buying and designing decisions for our collection. Attending events, I thought, wasn't as important, because socializing didn't lead to direct sales.
What I failed to realize is that networking is so much more than making connections with people who have potential to offer something of value. Networking is learning from others. It's hearing their stories. It's being aware that you never know where an event, a conversation, or a presentation might lead.
Networking near and far can also lead to sales, ideas, mentorships, lessons and friendships—but those don't need to be, and shouldn't be, the only objectives.
Perspective is a beautiful thing. May you live long enough to have more of it.
OPEN Cardmember Kassie Rempel is passionate about helping women look good and feel good. She's the founder and owner of SimplySoles and Kassie's Closet, and she just happens to think that shoes can make a difference.
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Ada Polla 1 year 0 months and 14 days ago
Thank you Kassie for these lessons. I particularly needed to be reminded about the "present" versus "available" - we also have an open office space, so I completely understand. Thank you thank you thank you!