I’ve decided to take a sabbatical for about a month, maybe longer. I will be investing this time in reading, researching, organizing my thoughts and strategizing for the future of my business.

During this time, I won’t be posting anything to the blog.

I’ll see you on the other side.

All the best,

Matt

Sometimes I like to go to Panera Bread for some food and WiFi access. The Panera I go to here in Carlisle is humming with activity on most Friday afternoons. No, it’s not business people, or seniors, or families. This Panera is just about across the street from a middle school. Right after school lets out about 100 6th, 7th and 8th graders ascend on Panera. They buy drinks, bagels, and an assortment of other food. It gets loud as you might imagine.

What amazes me is watching the staff. The staff is respectful. They keep things moving in an orderly manner up at the cash register. They clean up the messes that are left. Sometimes the kids get a little out of hand and one of the managers talks with the kids calmly to restore order. Everything is done very calmly.

Maybe the calmness comes from lots of practice, I don’t know. All I do know is that the service remains great whether the place is almost empty (which is rare) or buzzing with pre-teen and teenagers.

How do you deal with your challenges?

How are you being innovative today? Answer that question and you have a focus to carry you forward. The same old, same old just isn’t going to cut it. How will you innovate today? How will you differentiate your business from your competition? How will you create value?

I can’t emphasize how important clarity is. When we feel cluttered, disorganized, or any other way that prevents us from being clear with our vision, mission, goals, values, etc - the results can range from indecision to downright disaster.

How clear are you with your travel business? When you tell people your vision, mission, or values, do they really understand what you are talking about? Can you describe who an ideal client looks like to the point that someone has a picture in their head of this person?

Clarity isn’t quick and it often times isn’t easy. It takes an investment of time and thought. But the payoff can be tremendous. Make time to be clear.