Think before spending

If you were spending your own money (including money in your business), you would think very hard about what you were getting in return. Presidents and Prime Ministers around the globe are currently pouring billions into attempts to revitalise their nations' economies.

It is not always apparent that they have thought through the benefits of the money they are spending. Sometimes - even for politicians - doing ... and spending ... nothing might just be the right course of action ... until thinking through the intended and unintended consequences of a course of action.

Fill in your own gaps

Many people, when interviewing for staff, tend to select others like themselves ... this helps them get on with the new member of staff and helps them understand them.

However, these people may have the same shortcomings as you - assuming you have any, of course.

A more sensible option is to understand your own shortcomings and employ people who can fill those gaps - then nothing falls into those gaps and gets lost!

Support your technology

Yet another story in the press recently referred to a vehicle driver following his (it usually is a man, isn't it?) satnav instructions into some form of disaster.

Two lessons from this .... firstly, old technology often does the job well enough (and more cheaply) .... secondly, engage your brain along with your technology ... if you don't have a 'feel' for the results you expect (such as when doing your sums on a calculator), you don't know when things are going wrong.

Fair is good!

The Centre for the Study of Living Standards in Canada released a report last week that suggests that from 1980 to 2005 Canadian labour productivity increased by 37 per cent, while wages - adjusted for inflation - showed no real increase over the same period.

Most of us would feel that this is not 'fair'. So in keeping things simple, also keep them equitable. In the longer-term, this makes your business more sustainable.

Remember ... Happy New Year

Do you wish people well at New year? Of course, you do! It is a fixed date in the calendar which marks a particular celebration - no need to remember it. Other events and appointments are not always as easy to remember - and act upon.

So, if you haven't yet made a new year resolution, get yourself a 'proper' diary ... and use it ... whether paper, electronic or mystic rune writing on tree bark.

Don't rely on memory. find a diary system that works for you.