Create new frontiers for opportunities

extremely good fishermen utilise nine out of 10 bites while bad fishermen catch one (or nothing) out of 10 bites and the average bass fisherman catches one out of two visitations.
I gave the formula for the success rate in fishing as the number of catch divided by the number of bites multiplied by 100.
The maximising of one’s catch implies how one can fully utilise one’s talent.
This entails identification of an individual’s calling. This also entails nurturing of one’s talent by focusing on maximising few main areas of your talent.
I then went on to identify a number of incidents or examples of how people are not utilising their potential.
In this issue I wish to explore this subject further. History is littered with so many examples of potential sportsmen and businessmen that have fallen by the wayside.
Let’s think a little bit about this hypothetical example. An African champion sprinter does 100 metres in 10 seconds.
He can only do 100 metres in less than 10 seconds if he exposes himself to those that can do it under 10 seconds.
The African champion must continuously raise his own bar to achieve excellence in the track.
That is the only way he could rise to his potential without settling for mediocrity.
The ability to think outside the box is one avenue which can be used to utilise our potential.
Thinking outside the box creates new frontiers for new opportunities. Every time we meet customers they relay a message of what they want now and what they want in the future.
A good salesperson, for instance, should be able to give you a database of what will be needed in future and the frequency.
Hardly do salespeople take down the future needs of their customers. Most companies fail to live beyond the present because they are too preoccupied with current survival using their present skills set.
They focus more on the current product and skill but not on future alternatives which can be a source of growth tomorrow. The customers forewarn you but if you resist you fall by the wayside.
Today’s technology is churning new kings on the hill every year. Those who are willing to embrace new technology always take new leadership.
The motor industry is a testimony of this. New technology in safety, comfort, speed and fuel efficiency has transformed the industry.
Again the future of the industry lies in the usage of electric cars. This is going to create new kings again.
Today’s kings are tomorrow’s subjects because most of today’s kings shy away from embracing new technologies.
They think they are the best and no one will be able to challenge them or overtake them.
Some kings believe that their competitors’ technology will not work. They don’t bother to bet on the winning technology.
Ever imagined how the new kids on the block such as Red Bull took the beverages market by storm. Viagra and Blue Diamond are game changers in the pharmaceutical industry.
Always look out for new technologies as a source of competitive advantage. The Point of Sale systems (with built-in stock control and stock ordering) in the supermarket business has revolutionarised the way the supermarkets are run today.
The system has greatly reduced stockpiles and shortages and this has enhanced customer satisfaction.
The success in any market is defined by three things (i.e. know your market, know your customers and know your products and services.)
The ability to configure these in a way that leads to business growth is a desirable skill set which can lead to full utilisation of business’s potential.
David Beckham is one good example of an individual who has fully utilised his skills.
I recently watched how he competed favourably with the British Royal Family for attention during the wedding ceremony of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
I could not help say “King” Beckham before I slept. Beckham is a brilliant footballer who developed into a superbrand.
He utilised his potential by endorsing products such as shirts, glasses and perfumes.
He was such a powerful brand that Real Madrid bought the brand more than a player.
It appears the brand will outlive his soccer playing days. Not many players have been able to emulate David Beckham. Everyone is born with latent talent. Everyone is good at something to a varying degree.
The challenge is to discover oneself early in life in terms of potential and skill.
A lot of people have gone to their graves without getting to a whiff of their true potential. The lucky ones have gone in early on their talents in life.
Take, for example, sport, supremely talented soccer players like Zinedine Zidane, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi come to mind.
Someone spotted and discovered them early in life and, as they say, the rest is history. For golf, Tiger Woods is a prime example.
Peer pressure can be used to positively influence our performance. There is nothing wrong with trying to outdo our peers in a positive way.
This can be achieved by trying to replicate our peers’ activities, skill sets and looking for ways to surpassing them.
Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Steve Jobs (Apple) are interesting peers. They both compete fiercely in the information technology industry.
Apple has sexy products, the Macintosh computers, for a specific niche market.
They sell both the hardware and software. Microsoft sells a relatively easier to configure software only.
Over the past years Microsoft appeared to have wrapped up the market.
However, Microsoft and Apple profits this year are US$5 billion and US$6 billion respectively.
In the Bible, Apostle Paul in his letters encouraged Timothy to meditate on the matters to watch out for in the spiritual growth of the church they had planted.
He counsels Timothy to fully utilise his gifts for the goodness of mankind.
In 1Timothy 4v14-15 he says: “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of presbytery.
“Meditate upon these things: give thyself wholly to them that thy profiting may appear to all.”
History does not have a record of anyone who is extremely bad at doing nothing but it is full with individuals who dared to be different. Individuals who stood up and are now counted.
l The writer is a managing consultant at CLC Training International. E-mail [email protected]