Now is the time for an optimistic vision

The Briggs Communications approach to successful communication, business, and career development, centres on robust personal and organisational vision and values.  These drive an entity toward its goals in the good times, and become an anchor in adversity.  Despite the pervasive theme of doom and gloom in global business outlooks, we propose that if ever there were a time to set an optimistic vision for your business and career, it is now.  There is plenty to be optimistic about, so don’t tend toward austerity in your vision.  In many ways it’s a perfect time for business and career growth; a firmly optimistic outlook is essential to achieve this.

So, why do we suggest now is the time for an optimistic vision when global prospects seem so grim?  With the eurozone crippled by debt, the imminent threat of another economic collapse casts a dark cloud over the world.  On Monday, Victorians kicked off the week as The Age led with a front page article reporting huge share market falls, and signalling worse to come $24b wiped off market.  Greece teeters on the brink of a ‘Grexit’, awaiting another election on 17^thJune to select the government that may determine whether it stays or leaves the eurozone (read more about the ramifications of a ‘Grexit’ here This Is What Happens If Greece Exits The Euro

Meanwhile, the European Central Bank remains tight-lipped and Germany focuses on negotiations to rescue Spain.  We can speculate on the final outcomes and possible consequences of these events, but while things remain in limbo the business reality is simply a state of uncertainty. Yet, on Wednesday, Treasurer Wayne Swan had positive news for Australia as he reported the national accounts for the March quarter this year, March Quarter 2012.  He reported growth at 4.3 per cent, which gives Australia the fastest growth rate of any developed nation in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.  Mr Swan said the figures “Paint an extraordinary picture of exceptional growth in the March quarter, and showcase the rock-solid economic fundamentals that put our economy in a league of its own despite ongoing global turbulence.”  Read Tim Colebatch’s opinion article in The Agefor a good critical overview of the Treasurer’s report, Hey, big spenders … and it’s not just the bananas.

These figures may be downgraded eventually, but the crucial message is this:  things are not quite as bad as we thought.  Now is the time for an optimistic vision . A challenging environment offers opportunity for those who are prepared and courageous.  As we’ve noted before, history is testament to this; more millionaires were made during the Great Depression than in any other comparable period of time before or since.  People who work in communications see ‘problems’ and read ‘opportunity’; a chance to make improvements and deliver value for clients, stakeholders, or their company.  This is exactly the attitude that should be applied now to define a clear and confident business vision that transcends immediate logistical fears.  An optimistic vision prepares its owner to capitalise on opportunity and commits them to drive growth. In trying times this approach is as true for Australia’s macro-economic direction and growth as it is for an individual’s career development and stability.

The rules of physics, economics, and life, concur in telling us there must be an input of force, investment, or personal effort to realise relative and valuable outcomes.  In past blog posts, we’ve noted that professional growth, like business growth, requires investment.  So, we can apply some good investment principles in suggesting how you can develop a successful optimistic vision for your business and career journey.

Warren Buffet is probably the most successful investor of the 20^th Century, perhaps of all time.  He has an impressive investment record of consistently good results.  He learned his trade (excuse the pun) from scholar, financial analyst and investor Benjamin Graham, whose books are considered essential texts for investors.  Here are some basic take-outs from Buffet and Graham’s investing principles, The 3 Most Timeless Investment Principles.

• Give yourself a margin of safety
  Often start-up costs are low during downward turns and recession, which means your profit margin increases when the market recovers.  This reality might give you the opportunity to invest in a plan that previously you couldn’t afford to get off the ground.

• Expect volatility and profit from it
  Volatility breeds trends; business (and money) can be made from trends.  Decisiveness is the key to capitalising in a downward market; waiting and hoping does not create growth or positive change.

• Know yourself, and invest in what you know
  Seek to know your professional self – your vision, mission, values and ethics, and your overarching career goals – intimately.

No-one else can, or will, tell you about your brand, encompassing your vision, mission, values and ethics.  You may know these intimately for your organisation, but have you defined your own?  Briggs Communications urges you to do it now and consider our training programs to ensure you have a stable and confident foundation guiding your work and career in public relations.  Opportunities are there for the courageous in challenging times, so now is the time for an optimistic vision.  Having such a vision will prepare you to capitalise when others are stuck in limbo.