Tips for today’s challenges in business

One of the benefits of maintaining friendships with my Chamber friends around the country is the material we share with one another. The August Chamber Executive Network included a piece written by Kevin Ireland, titled “North Central Florida Business Report.” It contained some advice from inspirational sources. I’ve modified the tips to relate to the Chamber and to your businesses.

There is no future for vanilla.

Thomas Friedman wrote in The World Is Flat that “you want constantly to acquire new skills, knowledge and expertise that enable you constantly to be able to create value — something more than vanilla ice cream.” Just for the record, when I do eat ice cream, especially at Arethusa’s new dairy in Litchfield, I love it. His point was that we must find fresh ways to stand out against the competition. It’s ultimately about people. Ad agency co-founder Curt Hanke notes that this applies to every business even in this highly technical society. We all must provide special experiences for both customers and employees alike. This is one of my favorites because, while news travels fast and efficiently through email, nothing replaces that face-to-face contact. If we forget this, challenging days are ahead.

Fortune favors the prepared mind.

Louis Pasteur understood that success is based on research, training and hard work more often than good luck or instantaneous inspiration. We all need to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. He didn’t give up, and we won’t either.

Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.

This thought was borrowed from Bill Gates. How often do we shrug off a comment or complaint, as if someone had a bad day? He feels that the most critical complaints may offer the greatest insights into new ideas, attitudes and what needs fixing in our organizations or businesses.

When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.

Ben Franklin came up with this approximately 200 years ago and it definitely applies today. How often do we hear that something can’t be done and that change is impossible? Personal and professional success will only come from adaptability, flexibility and willingness to try something new and different.

If you are going through h***, keep going.

Winston Churchill is an excellent example proving that when things are at their worst, nothing is accomplished if you stop and fret. He suggested continuing toward your goals with faith and optimism — attributes that all successful businesses must have.

Here’s how we are heeding this advice: We’re shaking things up a bit by adding new twists.

Health Council kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Northwestern Connecticut Community College at 8 a.m.

Take part in the House Tour, a collaboration of the Torrington Historical Society and the Chamber’s Education Foundation, with the Preview Party on Sept. 11 and tour on Sept. 12.

We’re giving everyone the opportunity to learn about the successes of the Manufacturing Community at the Summit Sept. 15 at Fairview Farm at 7:30 a.m. TDBank is the sponsor, featuring Mazen Issa, Senior Foreign Exchange Strategist from TD Securities.

We’re listening to you for your ideas and responding to your concerns. Yes, these are challenging times but we will get through them — as long as we work together.

JoAnn Ryan Chamber Corner