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While some feel Hurricane Matthew was not one of the most destructive storms in our nation’s history, it is still estimated that final numbers could find the storm approaching the $70 billion price tag of Hurricane Sandy. Though frightening, stressful, and uniquely demanding, here are the final 2 key lessons that you can gain from this storm’s fury.
Ninth, debrief. Following Hurricane Matthew emergency teams, state and local authorities and even citizens in the affected areas began conversations on what went well, what fell short; and, what must change for better results next time.
Debriefing outcomes, good or bad, brings about quality resolutions. The military has long utilized this tool to a high measure of success. It has also been used by a select group of the most effective business operations and family units as they cascade the results of many undertakings. The challenge is that not enough business operations or families for that matter make this valuable asset a normal part of their business or personal profile. Thus, they too often face a repeating reality expecting different results to occur. When success does hit, they seem to harness the power behind that success and soon fall back into their “normal” reality. To better understand success or shortfall, it is vital to always debrief.
Finally, always build on best practices. In virtually any encounter, best practices can be developed that will enable you to better know how to confront situations. Hurricanes provide great learning options in this regard.
- You discover how to build a better emergency kit.
- You find better ways of securing your home.
- You are taught that a generator just might be a sound investment.
All the experiences you face present you with proven activities that can be used to better direct your efforts now and in the future.
The same process also comes into play in business and life situations. For example, best practices enable you to observe what marketing approach works best for a particular market segment. They can direct you to use proven interactive scripts that gain attention. Best practices can even provide a guide on how to best handle Uncle Bill’s annual commentary on your life’s mission. Finally, best practices provide the proven disciplines that enable a business, an individual or other entity to benchmark the options which have lead to greater success.
Action Step: Can you find a way to incorporate these 2 key lessons into your business planning now? Have you experienced any recent challenges where a debrief would be valuable? Do you have 'Best Practices' in place to guide your future efforts?
In every challenging situation, there can be a “silver” lining. Hurricane Matthew, while devastating in its presence can also provide some valuable lessons for us. Utilize the 10 key lessons gained and “storm” your way to a more successful future.
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