Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

Andy4 · 01-23-2010, 10:43 PM

I'm not talking about well-meaning buzz words or customer friendly platitudes either.

I'll tell you the most important word I've ever come across and then hopefully you'll share some of your's with me.

The most important business word in my vocabulary is this one.

RE-ENGINEERING.

I believe this concept is key to continual improvement.

What business words are important to you and why?

Regards, Andy.

Rebecca800 · 01-24-2010, 09:53 AM

Hmm, good question!

I'm going to take a leaf out of Steve's book here and say: VALUE.

I'm in the business of making niche content websites and it's my #1 goal to offer people value through my articles. It's not good enough just to re-hash something they've heard a dozen times before.

Giving them something useful and unique helps build ongoing relationships where they want to return to my site and eventually buy one of my affiliate products, click on an ad, etc - which generates income for me.

It all begins with creating VALUE.

Curtis2011 · 01-24-2010, 06:30 PM

Hmm.. a few choices for me:

Asset - as learned from Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Something that brings in positive cashflow.

Create and Deliver - as taught by Steve, also referred to as "Your product and your market" by information product sellers.

Vanessa · 01-24-2010, 08:40 PM

Positive cashflow
Without this the game of business is over.

Return on assets
The bigger the return the healthier my margins are.

Customer development
Way to much focus is on product development. Much better success rates comes from understanding and creating a customer centered product/marketing campaign.

Requiem · 01-29-2010, 03:25 AM

Prudence
-I think this is the most important value, business or otherwise.

It's about being solidly grounded, yet diligent and shrewd. It encompasses the ability to differentiate when it is good to be courageous and take risk, and when it is good to be cautious.

findinginspiration · 01-31-2010, 10:03 PM

Discipline. All the way.

David Hooper · 02-01-2010, 01:16 AM

No.

Gene · 02-01-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Hooper

No.

David,

I use NO and I also use YES, the ability to choose the correct choice of yes or no is a gift which helps me move on to the next decision rather than remaining undecided and mentally ruminating to the detriment of efficiently living life. To choose between the two would require a coin toss.I often need to make a decision and communicate that decision to others. Maybe is not to be found in the top ten of my list of words.

Margarita888 · 02-02-2010, 01:35 AM

Trust

David Hooper · 02-02-2010, 02:32 AM

I use "yes" also...too much. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should though.

Andy4 · 02-06-2010, 11:21 PM

Thanks guys for your kind and informative replies to this, my first post on your section of the forum.

Love value, Rebecca, nothing wrong in taking a leaf out of Steve's book, try typing 'Steve P' into Google or 'personal development' into Bing and see what you come up with, that's success. Trust me, I'm no sychophant but I am a firm believer in respect.

Value, overdelivering, justifiable price increases, I believe that these are all great words/phrases.

Hi Curtis, I like asset, I've already mentioned delivering and often refer to it as being key to business success.

Vanessa in 'sunny' Florida, this is Andy in 'rainy' Manchester. Cashflow, well yes, it may be obvious but it is vital. Like your focus on the customer, however I believe that not all customers are king but that the 'right' customers are king. Build it and they will come, it's who you admit that matters.

Great comment Requiem, seriously, it's made me see PRUDENCE in a different light, well written.

Yeah, findinginspiration, DISCIPLINE is my watchword. I get up at 5am every morning and work between 60 -100 hours every week, for the love of life. 'The sky is the limit', nice thought.

I almost missed that David but YES, I agree the ability to say NO is vital, wish you'd commented more though, but hey, quality not quantity is good.

Hello Gene, decisions are vital to us all and sometimes the importance is not wether the decision is right or wrong but the fact that a decision has been made and thus everyone affected by it can then deal with the outcome. I agree 'Maybe' never cuts it.

Margarita888. 'TRUST', This is a better word than my keyword, however I am a man so naturally I am going to claim some of the credit. This is my favourite sales word, it is the absolute key to closing a sale.

Thanks guys, stay prosperous.

Andy.

David Hooper · 02-07-2010, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4

I almost missed that David but YES, I agree the ability to say NO is vital, wish you'd commented more though, but hey, quality not quantity is good.

More thoughts...

Distraction is the biggest problem in business. There is opportunity to make money and serve people almost everywhere, but unless you're very skilled at organization and have systems/staffing in place to handle everything, you'll never be able to take advantage of the majority of it.

There is an old saying which says, "When you try to please everybody, you'll please nobody." Not an exact fit for this situation, but close.

KFC used to have a motto - "We do chicken right."

They don't do hamburgers. They don't do roast beef. They do chicken.

Could they add more things to the menu? Yes, but why not put more energy and resources into the chicken?

Hope this helps to clear things up.

RagsToRiches · 02-08-2010, 03:03 PM

DRIVE

But then at this stage I don't yet have much to base that on

jerrymarti · 02-10-2010, 07:50 AM

Sustainability -- weathering the storm along the way.

Andy4 · 02-13-2010, 10:26 PM

Hi again David,

I wouldn't say it's about clearing things up, However I love the KFC analogy

'We dont do burgers, We don't do roast beef. We DO chicken and we do it right.'

Personally, I love companies that specialize, know what they do well and just do it.

RTR,

Drive is always good.

My wife asked me today if I had no other commitments how much time would I spend on my website. Without thinking I instantly replied every minute of every day and then felt really guilty for saying it.

However, She knows I am totally committed to her and the kids and she really encourages me to succeed. If I don't it wont be for the want of trying and anyone who stands in my way will truly regret it. That may sound harsh but at least I'm honest.

I think that drive is important but DESIRE will always top it.

Good point jerrymarti,

Weathering the storm is vital, good insight.

Regards Andy.

Mike75 · 02-15-2010, 05:37 PM

Punctuality...

Things, people and everything else needs to be on time or its of no use at all. I really use this word a lot in my office.

wbindia · 02-16-2010, 06:22 PM

Quote:

What is the most important business word in your vocabulary?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm not talking about well-meaning buzz words or customer friendly platitudes either.

I'll tell you the most important word I've ever come across and then hopefully you'll share some of your's with me.

The most important business word in my vocabulary is this one.

RE-ENGINEERING.

I believe this concept is key to continual improvement.

What business words are important to you and why?

Regards, Andy.
__________________
The handsome storyteller.

People don't CARE how much you KNOW until they KNOW how much you CARE.

I'll admit this is longer than the one word response but I believe it sums up the essence of what is at stake here.

Best-

Wayne

Andy4 · 02-20-2010, 10:34 PM

Hi Mike,

PUCTUALITY.

Yeah that cuts it with me, it is the starting point of all good relationships. That and the word that Angela used on a relationship post tonight. Her word was 'COURTESY'

If you can get these two things along with Margatita's TRUST into a business relationship early on then you will greatly enhance your chances of succeeding.

Well that and having some sexy girl pose as Lara Croft on your homepage.
But Mike, I think you've already sussed that one out for yourself. Take care.

Listen Wayne,

Drawn out or not your observation is vital. Your word CARE is very similar in effectivedness to Margarita's TRUST.

If your customers BELIEVE that you CARE about them and THEIR problems and issues then
they will keep buying from you again and again.

Thanks guys,

Regards Andy.

Isaac Ben · 02-23-2010, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebecca800

Hmm, good question!

I'm going to take a leaf out of Steve's book here and say: VALUE.

I'm in the business of making niche content websites and it's my #1 goal to offer people value through my articles. It's not good enough just to re-hash something they've heard a dozen times before.

Giving them something useful and unique helps build ongoing relationships where they want to return to my site and eventually buy one of my affiliate products, click on an ad, etc - which generates income for me.

It all begins with creating VALUE.

Nice word! I like it.

Mine: ACTION

That's it. Taking action has become something really important for me in life.

Angela · 02-23-2010, 03:28 AM

you.

Milo Riano · 02-23-2010, 04:44 AM

If its my Business it's going to be "Perseverance"

If its in the company I'm working it's going to be "Politics"

icesar · 02-23-2010, 11:42 PM

Milo beat me to the punch by one post!
My word is Perserverance.

Andy4 · 02-27-2010, 09:51 PM

Hi Isac Ben,

ACTION - is key and vey underrated, also I think people like people who are prepared to take action.

I've had a quick look at your site and I like it. Thanks.

Thanks Angela,

YOU - Nice one. It's quite obvious but often we overlook these things and try to overcomplicate life. I'm a great believer in simplicity. You also highlighted a word the other day which I like and that was COURTESY.

Milo Riano,

Great comment and brief, the perfect business combination. Keep meetings short that's what I advocate. Take all the chairs out the room, that helps.

icesar,

Beaten by one post, I think we all know that feeling.

"If your not fast your last and if you snooze you lose."

Sorry about the cliches but at least you got the consolation bottle of sauce.

Andy.

Manomanman · 02-27-2010, 11:35 PM

Results.

mattinglot · 03-07-2010, 07:00 PM

Automation and Processes

Most important thing I've ever learned (the hard way, several times) is that regardless of what the heck your business is, if it's going to be a business then it needs to be a formula that you can repeat over and over. Otherwise it's self-employment.

One of the two companies I run right now is website development - this is a heavily service-based, customized work business. Yet we have gone to great lengths to turn everything into a process and automate whatever can be automated. It's paying off as doing so is the reason we are able to grow and scale. My own main day-to-day tasks right now are sales and project management, the latter of which is increasingly delegated/automated, and the former which I will delegate as soon as we get to the point of hiring our first account manager. The result of all this by the way has been dramatically higher quality of work, less delays in projects, and a much more efficient/consistent company.

Just some of the specific things we have done:

Embedded our development process directly into our custom project management system. The PM is then able to enforce the steps, detect problems in the project, and estimate project completion.
Created a company wiki for awesome knowledge sharing throughout the entire team. Company policies, processes, system documentation, etc can all be documented there, and the entire team contributes to the maintenance of this information. The result has been an organic building of collective organizational knowledge that grows naturally. I only planted the seed by initiating the project and setting out some initial pages.
Created clear and specific standards for all of our work that can then be checked by developer and by tester. Used to be ad-hoc quality checking by me.

PerDev · 03-12-2010, 04:36 AM

Contribution

JohnTyler · 03-12-2010, 09:05 AM

I think, the most important business word in my vocabulary BRS.
It is important for me and my business.

Andy4 · 03-13-2010, 08:50 PM

Manomanman.

RESULTS?...I started this thread by saying that RE-ENGINEERING was the most important word in my business vocabulary, Margarita hit me with the word TRUST, Rebecca with VALUE, Rags to riches with DRIVE and Isaac Ben with ACTION.

RESULTS though is so key to business success I use that word so much.

mattinglot,

I'm a wily 'youngish' kind of a goat, your shmooze sounds great but can you deliver? AUTOMATION and PROCESS to me are cold words, however we will never stop progress or progressive behaviour.

PerDev.

As with Manomanman, I really do use this word a lot, it is really kind of spooky, good minds obviously think about similar things.

Regards, Andy.

01-23-2010, 10:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Andy4 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 368	What is the most important business word in your vocabulary? I'm not talking about well-meaning buzz words or customer friendly platitudes either. I'll tell you the most important word I've ever come across and then hopefully you'll share some of your's with me. The most important business word in my vocabulary is this one. RE-ENGINEERING. I believe this concept is key to continual improvement. What business words are important to you and why? Regards, Andy.

03-07-2010, 07:00 PM	#25 (permalink)
mattinglot Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 26	Automation and Processes Most important thing I've ever learned (the hard way, several times) is that regardless of what the heck your business is, if it's going to be a business then it needs to be a formula that you can repeat over and over. Otherwise it's self-employment. One of the two companies I run right now is website development - this is a heavily service-based, customized work business. Yet we have gone to great lengths to turn everything into a process and automate whatever can be automated. It's paying off as doing so is the reason we are able to grow and scale. My own main day-to-day tasks right now are sales and project management, the latter of which is increasingly delegated/automated, and the former which I will delegate as soon as we get to the point of hiring our first account manager. The result of all this by the way has been dramatically higher quality of work, less delays in projects, and a much more efficient/consistent company. Just some of the specific things we have done: Embedded our development process directly into our custom project management system. The PM is then able to enforce the steps, detect problems in the project, and estimate project completion. Created a company wiki for awesome knowledge sharing throughout the entire team. Company policies, processes, system documentation, etc can all be documented there, and the entire team contributes to the maintenance of this information. The result has been an organic building of collective organizational knowledge that grows naturally. I only planted the seed by initiating the project and setting out some initial pages. Created clear and specific standards for all of our work that can then be checked by developer and by tester. Used to be ad-hoc quality checking by me.

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01-24-2010, 09:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rebecca800 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 636	Hmm, good question! I'm going to take a leaf out of Steve's book here and say: VALUE. I'm in the business of making niche content websites and it's my #1 goal to offer people value through my articles. It's not good enough just to re-hash something they've heard a dozen times before. Giving them something useful and unique helps build ongoing relationships where they want to return to my site and eventually buy one of my affiliate products, click on an ad, etc - which generates income for me. It all begins with creating VALUE.

01-24-2010, 06:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Curtis2011 Family Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,950	Hmm.. a few choices for me: Asset - as learned from Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Something that brings in positive cashflow. Create and Deliver - as taught by Steve, also referred to as "Your product and your market" by information product sellers.

01-24-2010, 08:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Vanessa Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 194	Positive cashflow Without this the game of business is over. Return on assets The bigger the return the healthier my margins are. Customer development Way to much focus is on product development. Much better success rates comes from understanding and creating a customer centered product/marketing campaign.

01-29-2010, 03:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
Requiem Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Pennsylvania, US Posts: 176	Prudence -I think this is the most important value, business or otherwise. It's about being solidly grounded, yet diligent and shrewd. It encompasses the ability to differentiate when it is good to be courageous and take risk, and when it is good to be cautious.

01-31-2010, 10:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
findinginspiration Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 114	Discipline. All the way.

02-01-2010, 01:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
David Hooper Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 22	No.

02-02-2010, 01:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
Margarita888 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Never Never Land Posts: 188	Trust

02-02-2010, 02:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
David Hooper Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 22	I use "yes" also...too much. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should though.

02-06-2010, 11:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
Andy4 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 368	Thanks guys for your kind and informative replies to this, my first post on your section of the forum. Love value, Rebecca, nothing wrong in taking a leaf out of Steve's book, try typing 'Steve P' into Google or 'personal development' into Bing and see what you come up with, that's success. Trust me, I'm no sychophant but I am a firm believer in respect. Value, overdelivering, justifiable price increases, I believe that these are all great words/phrases. Hi Curtis, I like asset, I've already mentioned delivering and often refer to it as being key to business success. Vanessa in 'sunny' Florida, this is Andy in 'rainy' Manchester. Cashflow, well yes, it may be obvious but it is vital. Like your focus on the customer, however I believe that not all customers are king but that the 'right' customers are king. Build it and they will come, it's who you admit that matters. Great comment Requiem, seriously, it's made me see PRUDENCE in a different light, well written. Yeah, findinginspiration, DISCIPLINE is my watchword. I get up at 5am every morning and work between 60 -100 hours every week, for the love of life. 'The sky is the limit', nice thought. I almost missed that David but YES, I agree the ability to say NO is vital, wish you'd commented more though, but hey, quality not quantity is good. Hello Gene, decisions are vital to us all and sometimes the importance is not wether the decision is right or wrong but the fact that a decision has been made and thus everyone affected by it can then deal with the outcome. I agree 'Maybe' never cuts it. Margarita888. 'TRUST', This is a better word than my keyword, however I am a man so naturally I am going to claim some of the credit. This is my favourite sales word, it is the absolute key to closing a sale. Thanks guys, stay prosperous. Andy.

02-08-2010, 03:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
RagsToRiches Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Spain Posts: 466	DRIVE But then at this stage I don't yet have much to base that on

02-10-2010, 07:50 AM	#14 (permalink)
jerrymarti Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 10	Sustainability -- weathering the storm along the way.

02-13-2010, 10:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
Andy4 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 368	Hi again David, I wouldn't say it's about clearing things up, However I love the KFC analogy 'We dont do burgers, We don't do roast beef. We DO chicken and we do it right.' Personally, I love companies that specialize, know what they do well and just do it. RTR, Drive is always good. My wife asked me today if I had no other commitments how much time would I spend on my website. Without thinking I instantly replied every minute of every day and then felt really guilty for saying it. However, She knows I am totally committed to her and the kids and she really encourages me to succeed. If I don't it wont be for the want of trying and anyone who stands in my way will truly regret it. That may sound harsh but at least I'm honest. I think that drive is important but DESIRE will always top it. Good point jerrymarti, Weathering the storm is vital, good insight. Regards Andy.

02-15-2010, 05:37 PM	#16 (permalink)
Mike75 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 124	Punctuality... Things, people and everything else needs to be on time or its of no use at all. I really use this word a lot in my office.

02-20-2010, 10:34 PM	#18 (permalink)
Andy4 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 368	Hi Mike, PUCTUALITY. Yeah that cuts it with me, it is the starting point of all good relationships. That and the word that Angela used on a relationship post tonight. Her word was 'COURTESY' If you can get these two things along with Margatita's TRUST into a business relationship early on then you will greatly enhance your chances of succeeding. Well that and having some sexy girl pose as Lara Croft on your homepage. But Mike, I think you've already sussed that one out for yourself. Take care. Listen Wayne, Drawn out or not your observation is vital. Your word CARE is very similar in effectivedness to Margarita's TRUST. If your customers BELIEVE that you CARE about them and THEIR problems and issues then they will keep buying from you again and again. Thanks guys, Regards Andy.

02-23-2010, 03:28 AM	#20 (permalink)
Angela Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 22,520	you.

02-23-2010, 04:44 AM	#21 (permalink)
Milo Riano Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 111	If its my Business it's going to be "Perseverance" If its in the company I'm working it's going to be "Politics"

02-23-2010, 11:42 PM	#22 (permalink)
icesar Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 138	Milo beat me to the punch by one post! My word is Perserverance.

02-27-2010, 09:51 PM	#23 (permalink)
Andy4 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 368	Hi Isac Ben, ACTION - is key and vey underrated, also I think people like people who are prepared to take action. I've had a quick look at your site and I like it. Thanks. Thanks Angela, YOU - Nice one. It's quite obvious but often we overlook these things and try to overcomplicate life. I'm a great believer in simplicity. You also highlighted a word the other day which I like and that was COURTESY. Milo Riano, Great comment and brief, the perfect business combination. Keep meetings short that's what I advocate. Take all the chairs out the room, that helps. icesar, Beaten by one post, I think we all know that feeling. "If your not fast your last and if you snooze you lose." Sorry about the cliches but at least you got the consolation bottle of sauce. Andy.

02-27-2010, 11:35 PM	#24 (permalink)
Manomanman Family Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,052	Results.

03-12-2010, 04:36 AM	#26 (permalink)
PerDev Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 591	Contribution

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

03-12-2010, 09:05 AM	#27 (permalink)
JohnTyler Banned Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1	I think, the most important business word in my vocabulary BRS. It is important for me and my business.

03-13-2010, 08:50 PM	#28 (permalink)
Andy4 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 368	Manomanman. RESULTS?...I started this thread by saying that RE-ENGINEERING was the most important word in my business vocabulary, Margarita hit me with the word TRUST, Rebecca with VALUE, Rags to riches with DRIVE and Isaac Ben with ACTION. RESULTS though is so key to business success I use that word so much. mattinglot, I'm a wily 'youngish' kind of a goat, your shmooze sounds great but can you deliver? AUTOMATION and PROCESS to me are cold words, however we will never stop progress or progressive behaviour. PerDev. As with Manomanman, I really do use this word a lot, it is really kind of spooky, good minds obviously think about similar things. Regards, Andy.