To celebrate the new design of our web site www.lanebaldwin.com, this issue focuses on change, and its promise of a better tomorrow.

Don't Be Afraid of Change

Heraclitis (540-480BC) probably said it first: "Nothing endures but change." And yet we resist it, fear it, avoid it at all costs. Even when it's in our best interest to flow with the tides of change instead of beating ourselves against the rocks of stubborn entrenchment. In the business world, if you are unwilling or unable to change, your business will suffer, perhaps even fail altogether.

Stagnation can be an alluring trap for a business already turning a profit. After all, it's making money; it may even be growing a little each year. Objectively, however, no business is a perfect operation. There's always something to improve in order to save money, improve efficiency, derive greater profits or create a better working environment.

One of the gravest dangers in growing a business is the continuation of processes and procedures - even core methodologies - that aren't suited to the increase in business. While the old methods may still show measurable growth, they can also prevent achieving maximum results. It can difficult, however, to break out of old patterns.

Here's an example: Over many years, Gidget's Widgets has grown slowly but steadily from one location to several dozen. Each year, the company shows an increase in sales and profits. However, at some point, their inventory, warehousing and transportation procedures became a hidden choke point. They had outgrown their old methods.

In order for the company to achieve its true potential, it needs to rethink it's product flow procedures and inventory levels. The greatest obstacle in this particular scenario is the fact that the owners are very resistant to change, so entrenched in their thinking that they are finding it hard to modify their methods even though they know they'll make more money.

Don't let this happen to you. Fight the tendency toward unchanging - and unchallenged - thinking. Always remember that only through change can you improve the way you do business.

Resource Review

Web Site - lanebaldwin.com

As I mentioned at the beginning of this issue, we have recently completed the redesign of our web site. In a bit of "shameless self-promotion", our site is the resource for this issue of Solutions. The site still includes the newsletter archive and the complete Tips & More section. For the rest of 2003, we will focus on adding more content to the Tips & More section, as well as creating a new Book Review section, where visitors can get more information on resource books of interest.

Quick Tip - Change One Thing
To help you warm to change, start small and work your way up, if necessary. Pick one specific thing, and change it. Once you've incorporated this change into your life, pick another one. For small changes, it can take just a day or two to put something new into effect. As you work your way up to more significant changes, you may find you need a week or two, perhaps longer to complete the process.

You've Got Questions

Q. - How can I avoid falling back into old habits when trying to adopt a new behavior?

A. - To break a bad habit, try formulating a new, better habit to take its place. Then, focus on the new habit, not the old. Many have found this to be a crucial change in thinking that helps them stay focused on the positive aspects of changing behavior. Post notes to help you remember your new habit, and to cheer yourself on. Brainstorm for other ways to keep yourself focused and positive. Remember, most people find that, if they do something for thirty days, it becomes a habit. As my father used to admonish us when the going got tough, "you can hang by your thumbs that long."

Thoughts for the Day:

Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth,
the egg of the phoenix.
Christina Baldwin (yes, a very distant relative)

Change your thoughts, and you change your world.
Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993)

End of Solutions V2003 #7 A Publication of:
Lane Baldwin Business Solutions
Our business is improving yours.™

Copyright by Lane Baldwin Business Solutions, 2003. Reprinting or republication of Solutions is prohibited without prior approval.

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