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7 Things I Learned About Running A Business From the Aral Sea Disaster

August 21, 2012 By Danielle Hatfield Leave a Comment

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Recently I was reading this Wired Science Article and discovered the Aral Sea and the haunting images of it’s slow death. As I was looking through the images, I was struck by the similarities I found in what happened to the Aral Sea and  what can and has  happened to business owners. It seems as though there are more lessons to be learned from this man made disaster.

For those of you who may not know, the Aral Sea was once the world’s fourth-largest lake that lay in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and employed nearly 40,000 people in the fishing industry. Since the 1960’s, when it’s water was diverted by ill planned irrigation projects, the Aral Sea has been steadily shrinking.  The inland sea that once covered 26,300 sq miles and provided a prosperous fishing industry is now aiding to local climate change and polluted with not only chemicals but ghost ships.

You may read the title and think “What the hell can a man made disaster teach me about business?” and my answer will be . . . PLENTY.

  • Don’t divert your businesses resources.

All too often, as business owners, we can get caught spreading ourselves too thin. You are the primary resource that makes your business a success.  If your energy and your focus is off, it will impact your business in negative ways that may not be visible to you at first. In the process of trying to do it all we end up killing not only our productivity, but what has made us and out company a success. Learn to say no, delegate and protect your family and your you time.

Other resources you may inadvertently be diverting from your business are;  valuable online training, networking and trade events, workshops, industry magazines, banning the use of/ignoring social media . . . ask yourself what resources will feed your business to reach your goals and make it priority NOT to divert them.

  • Listen to your experts.

Whether it is your board of advisors, accountants, managers, team leaders, marketing/web agency or mentors – when they bring something to your attention, are trying to teach you something to make you better at what you do, tell you about a great learning opportunity, advise you to join an industry group or simply update you on challenges they are facing . . . the best thing you can do is listen! Put down your phone, close your computer and pay attention to what they are sharing.

  • Improve your management.

Whether it is through reading a book, attending a seminar, hiring a personal coach, delegating tasks to a personal assistant – what ever works, it is up to you to improve the achieve organizational goals through effective management of your company.

  • Review your policies.

There are times when it’s necessary to review our company’s policies and make some changes to not only what they are, but how they are implemented. If your billing cycle is a net 30 and you have clients that are paying your company on a net 90 – you need to have penalties for late payment and enforce it. But I must add that you shouldn’t be afraid to be more adaptable by altering your policy terms. Talk to your clients and team members and vendors to find solutions that compromise to please everyone.

Also, it helps to establish, up front, what your policies are for payment and delivery of goods or services. By clarifying needs, establishing boundaries and setting clear expectations with your clients and vendors, your team can focus on growing your business.

  • Free yourself from toxic relationships.

Whether it’s personal or professional I’m sure you’ve heard that 20% of your relationships will give you and 80% percent of your headaches. Well, you are the only one that can set your self and your business free. As Renee Zelnick says in this great post about Toxic Clients, “the toxic client is more problem than profit. . . . You will grow your business by focusing on the 80% of the clients you enjoy.”

Throw out the old adage that everyone must like you. It’s bullshit. Never compromise your values and standards to fit into someones budget or box. By spending so much time “people-pleasing” those who will never be happy with you, your business or your product . . . essentially you and your company are NOT spending time on those clients who do appreciate your time/services/product.

By making room for those who genuinely like you and your company for who you are, and what you stand for – your business will not only grow, but your stress level will nearly disappear.

  • Evaluate your losses.

We all have tried things that didn’t work. A hair style or a fashion fad is easy to overcome but what happens when you’re not paying attention to specific methods or strategies as part of a production/delivery process that are costing you and your company money? Understanding where you are losing money and time will ultimately help your business dam up the leaks and begin to rebuild your reserves.

Don’t be so set in your ways that you fail to act upon, change or eliminate those things that are costing your company progress.

  • Get Lean!

If you own you own business than more than likely you have been multi-tasked into exhaustion. By learning how to be a lean leader of your company, you make using the least of everything a priority. But don’t confuse lean with cheap.

Lean is learning how to reduce your company’s waste, whether it’s with your time, process, procedures, policies, tools or money. By eliminating those things which don’t add value to your product or service, you free yourself and your team to focus on the tasks that bring your business the revenue it needs to succeed and build lasting client relationships.

—

Where have you found unexpected lessons in business?

How are you stabilizing your business to succeed?

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Filed Under: Business, Motivational, Success, Uncategorized Tagged With: aral sea disaster, business growth, business planning, business resources, firing clients, lean business, toxic relationships

About Danielle Hatfield

Owner/Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm - DIYs, recipes and sharing my 2 cents on social media

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I can’t describe the joy this little fella has b I can’t describe the joy this little fella has brought to our lives. 😍

We sadly lost our sweet Charlie back in March to chronic kidney disease. We were heartbroken that our four legged friend of nearly 12 years finally crossed the rainbow bridge. 

Months later we had the opportunity to rescue Max. His mother had died and he needed a home...and we needed some hope for the future. 

Max is growing fast and his boundless energy and sweet snuggles have brought some much needed joy to our lives. 

He’s a #GermanShepherd / #TerrierMix and is not only fast but wicked smart. 

Even on the toughest day he makes it brighter. ❤️

#adoptdontshop #puppypower #pandemicpuppy
They say that #SewingMendsTheSoul and agree 💯%. They say that #SewingMendsTheSoul and agree 💯%. 

Sipping @cafedumonde coffee out of my antique #NoritakeChina and #HandSewing some #AntiqueLace from @thebrandonpirece’s grandmother’s stash to mend a velvet cape is my #MindfulnessMeditation today. 

I am looking to add more #MindfulMoments to my 2021. Though I don’t have the complete set to my antique @noritakechina coffee cups - they bring me such joy every time I use them. (and I have no clue what the pattern is! help?!) 

#ThriftStoreFinds like this, that contribute to my #MindfulnessMeditation, are giving me hope for what the #NewYear can offer. ❤️
“As long as you keep secrets and suppress inform “As long as you keep secrets and suppress information, you are fundamentally at war with yourself…The critical issue is allowing yourself to know what you know. That takes an enormous amount of courage.”

- Bessel A. van der Kolk, @thebodykeepsthescore : Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

I’m close to finishing this amazing book. If you have suffered #trauma in your life I highly recommend #thebodykeepsthescore. It is helping me come to terms with my own trauma in so many ways. ❤️
Breakfast yesterday was #ShrimpAndGrits heaven! Breakfast yesterday was #ShrimpAndGrits  heaven! 

@TheBrandonPierce grilled #sriracha marinated shrimp and I brewed @cafedumonde #chickorycoffee and cooked @quaker old fashioned #grits with a pat or three of unsalted butter and @betterthanbouillon vegetable base. 

Most of the time we eat this dish out of a salad bowl. 🤤 The grits are slathered in butter,  @traderjoes sriracha sauce is drizzled over piled high shrimp, and grated black pepper #ToscanoCheese blankets the shrimp like snow. 

It’s one of my absolute favorite breakfast/brunch dishes! 

I tried something a little different with the plating - seeing as we had already eaten most of our #GrillDay portion of shrimp. 😬

I am still working on our #ChristmasBrunch menu... and I learned that this is a perfect portion size that helps us save room for ALL of our favorite holiday foods. 

What’s your favorite holiday dish? 

#BrunchRecipes #BetterThanBouillon #CafeDuMonde #Quaker #SouthernCooking #ItsaSouthernThing #TraderJoes
Going through my #FabricStash today to find pieces Going through my #FabricStash today to find pieces that are perfect for #ChristmasStockings. 

I’ve enjoyed #HandSewing these @orange_bettie mini stockings to surprise some of our elderly relatives with treats on Christmas Day. 

If you love #sewing this is a great project to not only help you give a #handmade gift but it also makes quick work of the fabric you may already have stashed away.

Here’s a link to the pattern: http://orangebettie.com/2018/11/27/mini-christmas-stocking-in-3-sizes-free-sewing-pattern/

#HappySewing!
#HomaroCantu once said “When we think of classic #HomaroCantu once said “When we think of classic #AmericanDesserts, we tend to imagine apple pie and ice cream. However, the most classic American desert of all might be the #ChocolateChipCookie.”

I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been baking #ChocolateChipCookies to share for the last week now and it has become a much needed calming holiday ritual. 

I’ve upped the #ChocolateChips in my recipe to 3 cups and my chief taste tester @thebrandonpierce tells me it’s perfection. I hope y’all feel the same way. ❤️
I do love it when @thebrandonpierce makes breakfas I do love it when @thebrandonpierce makes breakfast. 😍

A #SausageEggAndCheese #ButtermilkBiscuit FTW!
The only things missing are a warm #beignet and ja The only things missing are a warm #beignet and jazz. ❤️ #cafedumonde
One of the most wonderful things you can do is #Sh One of the most wonderful things you can do is #ShareYourJoy with the world. 

Make time this holiday season to share something that brings you joy. 

Whether it’s a #homemade goodie or locally bought gift. Give from your heart this holiday season and let the people who impact your life in a positive way know what they mean to you. 

Gratitude is a miraculous gift. ❤️
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