Downturn? Upswing? Full Swing!

I don't know about you, but I can't hear all the fuss anymore about the coming economic downturn in Europe. Well, I do not presume to predict if and when there will be anyone in the near future or not.

My point is different: the fitter you and your team and your company are, the less any external influences can affect you. On the contrary: the best-trained teams can even benefit from a deterioration of the situation.

I like to talk about going through any crisis in “full swing”. Three examples:

1. Full swing in sales. Bring your sales strategies, sales methods and above all the mindset of your teams up to speed at all times. Continuously increase your sales productivity. Most companies do far too little for this and then wonder when nothing more is sold as soon as the situation becomes difficult.
2. Full swing in leadership. Work continuously to increase the quality of leadership in your company or team. Here, too, I can see that most companies have a lot of catching up to do. Mediocre leadership is no longer enough when things get tough. Anyone can do “sunshine leadership”.
3. Full swing in innovation. Practice continuously with your team to generate innovative ideas for business models and positioning in the market. Innovation is largely a matter of practice. How much do you practice with your team?

These are three ideas to gain momentum while others retreat into their caves. Well then, let's go!