Getting in shape… do you need a business workout?

Most of us, if not all, know how difficult it is to get into good physical shape and keep ourselves at peak performance. There are plenty of diet plans that can help us to lose weight which along with a regular exercise are seen as being key to keeping ourselves fit. But those of us who have tried to make a plan and then make it work on a regular basis know that it is easier said than done. Our hectic lifestyles with always on communications along with many and varied temptations make it difficult to stay the course even though we know our health is a vital part of our lifestyle plans; they can easily get squeezed out.

So how do you ensure that you remain committed to your goals and mitigate against the factors that are likely to undermine your determination to achieve them? Many who use a gym on a regular basis will be familiar with the role of a fitness trainer as someone who is often attached to a gym to offer advice, guidance and the occasional prod to users.  

Their role is to work with you to design a plan for your diet and exercise regime that will help you to meet your goals for both getting and staying in better shape in both the short and long-term. Working with a good fitness trainer will help you to get fitter and leaner more quickly. They will help you to create a varied programme of exercise that you can use on a day to day basis to get the right balance between your resistance training and your cardiovascular work. Having agreed a plan they will work with you to provide the encouragement and discipline that you will then need if you are to stick with it and so ensure your goals are actually achieved.

Compare this with your business

So how does the metaphor of getting in good physical shape compare with the situation in your business? Does all the day to day activity, those urgent tasks crowd out the things that are really important? Has the pressure of surviving the downturn taken its toll and left you asking some serious questions about where you are headed and how you are going to get there? Questions like:

• What am I up against (competition, implementing change etc.)?
• What decisions do I need to make to become more profitable?
• What do I have to do to create competitive advantage?
• Do I know my target markets well enough?
• Do I have a plan to get me where I want to be?
• Do I have the right processes to support my plan?

If you want to find the answers/consider the alternatives then participating in the ‘Business Value Challenge’ could be just what you need. During this half day interactive and challenging business simulation you will be engaged in working through a case study that explores how a business can respond to an adverse business environment, grow and secure profitability both in the short and long-term. As a result you will gain

• Pointers as to how you might build a plan to develop your business increasing your confidence of success.
• Give you a clear view of your readiness and commitment to growth (What shape you are in now)

For more information and to book places for you or for a team of up to four people - Click here