Apply best practices to your business, no matter the season
2019 begins the Year of the Pig, which is one of 12 Chinese zodiac signs. If I were to believe in zodiac signs, I’d be in luck this year, as I am a Pig! Are you?
One lofty source, KarmaWeather, tells me that “everything the Pig wants to undertake or strengthen is successful” this year. That is a sure sign that I need to incorporate the Year of the Pig into my business model.
Everything the Pig wants to undertake or strengthen is successful.
I’m not sure if this means I should broaden my business scope, or simply play the lottery. But, since I’m not a gambler (see my blog on Maintaining a Poker Face around a Boardroom Table), I’ll take the safe bet and apply this knowledge to being a better entrepreneur.
Embracing the Chinese New Year
In similar fashion to the Western tradition of celebrating New Year’s Eve each Dec. 31, our Eastern friends will celebrate the Chinese New Year’s Eve today, Tuesday, Feb. 5. #CNY
In both traditions, the New Year celebrates fresh starts and new beginnings. Different from the Western tradition, however, the CNY celebration lasts 16 days.
This means that, for those of us who work alongside Asian counterparts, things are about to slow down.
For those of us who work alongside Asian counterparts, things are about to slow down.
Taking Advantage of the Slow Season
Unlike Asian countries celebrating a long #CNY, or European countries relaxing on long summer holidays, the United States doesn’t enjoy a “forced” time off of any length, for any reason. In my experience, this makes it tough for Americans to enjoy and embrace another culture’s slow season. Instead, we seem to opt for frustration.
Perhaps this time would be well-spent by taking a fresh breath, and incorporating the Year of the Pig’s strength, resilience and success. To do this, take the time to ensure that:
Teams are tracking against key performance indicators (KPIs) and personal goals
Corporate messaging hasn’t strayed far from communications plans
Best practices are being followed whenever possible
Back from our holiday season for one month now, there is no doubt we already are ingrained in our daily habits. As such, we can stand to come back to balance with our respective business plans, goals and KPIs.
There is no doubt we can stand to come back to balance with our respective business plans, goals and KPIs.
Signing Off …
I, too, need to focus on my business plan, and ensure I’m implementing the lucky Year of the Pig best practices in my business in the same manner I deploy them onsite for my clients. I’ve learned quickly it’s easy to place important things aside when I get too busy with client work.
It’s easy to place important things aside when I get too busy. The fact is, when things are busy, it’s still vitally important to stay the course. During these times, it becomes easy to jump the rails and leave behind your corporate strategy and your business planning, and thus the strength and success of your business model. But don’t! For the same reason other countries take longer breaks to rejuvenate their focus, no matter the season, you, too, need to maintain focus. Always account for the years during which you aren’t as lucky as the Pig.
Always account for the years during which you aren’t as lucky as the Pig.
More about the Chinese New Year:
Based on a lunar calendar, the Chinese New Year is a moving target each year (it can land any time between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20)
Prayer is heavy, and rooted in agrarian times, for a great harvest to come
Family is at the center of the Chinese New Year, and city dwellers travel far distances en masse to visit older relatives in rural settings
Firecrackers and the color red are said to ward off the monster Nian, and are used aplenty
Fake gold coins and paper money are offered to departed relatives, for luck in the afterlife
Plenty of taboo items, such as haircuts and swearing, are not tolerated
About Jill Collins Jill Collins at j.comm marketing is a marketing and data professional who specializes in breathing new life into brands, and finding money in nonprofit donor databases. She is a proven and trusted partner when it comes to understanding an organization and its culture. Her talent lies in marrying a client’s wants and needs with logistics. Give Jill a shot. She won’t let you down.