Leanne Wesche of Pacco, is the 2009 Australian Telstra Business Woman of the Year. The award was recently presented to Leanne in recognition of her successful launch of five different companies in the manufacturing and fresh produce industries over the last twenty years. We asked her to share her story as well as her goal achievement and goal setting strategies. And, we asked what her top 5 strategies for success are below. I have added my comments in italics.
Her strategies are:
- Systems, systems, systems. Have written procedures and continually update them.
- Be real and vulnerable. Appreciate what you are good at and don’t be too proud to ask for help.
- Measure everything that might be significant; anything that is measured and watched improves.
- View every ‘No’ as an opportunity; find an alternative way to achieve your goal.
- Have the toughest conversations as soon as possible; complete the nasties in the bottom of your tray. They are never as bad as you think and putting them off only distracts you from doing what you are good at.
A couple of comments…
Systems – Regardless how small or large your business, this is a must-do. On our website you’ll find an article titled Create Systems for Your Small Business. This will help you get started.
Be real and vulnerable – I believe that you can never get too arrogant about your position. Times change and none of us is too good to ask for help. Fakeness comes undone.
Measure everything — It’s easy to miss important details/trends when you don’t have specifics about how you’re creating, or not creating results. Start small. How many new enquiries this week compared to last? How many new people on the database week by week? How many sales were ‘closed’?
No — My staff have over the years been at times frustrated with my inability to take no for an answer. Of course there are many times that i don’t get my own way.. but the first no never even gets a listen. Ask instead – HOW you can get your goal. There’s more than one path, always.
Have the toughest conversations as soon as possible — Well Leanne, you’re my hero. This has NOT been my strength in the past and it’s something I keep practising. You’re right.. it IS never as bad as I think it will be AND it ties up energy that I can be using creating more of what I want.
This article appeared in the Women in Business eNewsletter: Great ways to achieve your business goals faster.
