On a recent vacation, I found myself playing a lot of RISK, the game. The beauty of RISK is that it forces you to make choices, or you can’t succeed. Here are 15 vital lessons from playing Risk that I think we could all learn from. Focus your efforts. Have a plan, and stick to it. Be flexible enough to react to new opportunities. New opportunities will pop up. If it’s better than your plan, consider changing (quickly). If you’re not sure, ignore it, and stay the course. Don’t … [Read more...]
The One Word to Get You Through Strategic Gridlock
We strategic thinkers so easily get our hopes up sometimes. Haven’t you been in those sessions before where you just know you can drive the group to truly sell out to your key objectives? Committing together to make it all happen? Things are going well, you’ve got your tight list of objectives and goals, and it feels like some real barriers have been knocked down. And It Goes Downhill... Then someone points out that there’s one small initiative that hasn’t been addressed in the … [Read more...]
The Difference Between a Mission & Vision Statement
No day-long corporate strategy session or weekend retreat can survive for long without two things being forced upon everyone to ponder and pander over: Mission Statement Vision Statement I’ll confess, I’ve never had a strong grasp on the differences between them. Most vision statements I’ve seen would pass for mission statements and vice versa. But then I heard them both explained this way, and it made all the difference in the world. I first saw this expressed by Christopher S. … [Read more...]
Are You Just Strategically Wishing?
The next time the strategic planning season is upon you, don’t do what most smart, well-meaning people do. My experience has shown me that most people confuse the words “strategy” and “wish.” They’ll bellow decrees of how 2018 will be the year we increase sales, or boost recruiting, or retain more customers. Sounds great; who doesn’t want to do any of that stuff? But it’s not a strategy. Difference Between Wishes & Strategy Wishes usually encompass only the “what.” They answer the … [Read more...]
What Can the NFL Draft Teach Us About Strategy?
Last week (April 27, 2017), we Americans got to enjoy what has quickly become a national holiday. Or at least it seems that way. It's the NFL Draft. Lots of analysis and educated guessing goes into the days, weeks and even months leading up to it. And since the draft, there's been no shortage of grading and analysis, as well. I definitely get excited about the draft, too, but for different reasons. I absolutely love what the NFL draft teaches us about strategy. Because, even though all 32 … [Read more...]
Midyear Resolutions for Direct Selling Companies
It is common to make New Year’s resolutions, right? But why not make resolutions throughout the year? I mean, what's so special about January to think that's the only time we can be clear on our resolve to improve, right?!? It is always a smart move to make new goals, analyze our habits and look for blind spots. If you feel like you’re at a standstill or have plateaued, don’t let this year pass by without making a change. Brett Duncan, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Strategic Choice … [Read more...]
5 Critical Mistakes that Plague New Party Plan Companies
“What are the mistakes I should avoid?” At Strategic Choice Partners, this is one of most common questions we hear from a start-up or young party plan company. I’d like to say that the best answer is “Avoid them all!” But unfortunately, by the time we’re brought in to help, it’s often too late. Avoidable mistakes have already happened. It doesn’t have to be this way. Alan Luce, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Strategic Choice Partners, recently outlined five of the most detrimental … [Read more...]
The Importance of Having a Plan in Any Direct Selling Company
I have been working in this amazing industry for nearly 20 years. I have held the posts of Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer, in addition, I have had the opportunity to serve as a consultant to many companies in the industry. I have seen how this model can grow rapidly and in the process change the lives of so many people who are willing to take advantage of a lucrative business opportunity and provide products and services to their friends and family … [Read more...]
Big Changes for Direct Selling
Anyone who is even remotely involved in direct selling knows that the changes in the space over the last few years only pale in comparison to the changes that are quickly coming upon us now. Alan Luce, Sr. Managing Principal for Strategic Choice Partners, recently shared his timely insights on some of the areas where these changes will be most apparent and have the biggest impact in a guest article on the World of Direct Selling News titled, "The Wave is Upon Us: Big Changes for Direct … [Read more...]