successful attributes and behaviours March 6, 1997 (as amended)
Here are some attributes and behaviours that people have suggested are worthwhile. They have been collected from a range of sources.
see the big picture: have vision
people skills - be communicative, co-operative
customer skills - build a personal relationship, maintain contact
training and skills - ability and talent
sales skills - sell the idea
build teamwork - foster participation
be selective
be strategic - formulate mission, objectives and strategies
build a network - professional bodies, professional advisers (accountant, lawyer..), mentor
information-enabled (reporting and research)
embrace change and diversity - obtain constant feedback and incrementally improve
plan - solidifies objectives and strategies, gives commitment, co-ordination and clarification, minimises errors and facilitates benchmarking
be visible - nobody will buy anything if nobody knows you exist
be contactable - make it easy for customers to get in touch
automation-enabled - use technology
finance - use the right sources for the right things
business systems - build processes
cash flow - anticipate peaks and troughs, review regularly
know when to divest and reinvest
aging - debtors and creditors, inventory, asset (depreciation), employees (succession)
be decisive - but don't be blind to innovation either
stick to core competencies (do only what you do best) - outsource the rest
be self-motivated, energetic, focused, enthusiastic
have courage - be adventurous
sensible risk-taking
practice realistic self-assessment: use a critical eye
knowledge of limits - don't bite off more than can be chewed
be efficient
pay attention when it counts - legal, ethical, financial considerations
accuracy - attention to reliability, timeliness and validity
creative, innovative, insightful, intuitive, imaginative - not scared to take the initiative
maximise self-esteem and self-confidence
macroenvironmental understanding - via paradigms, worldviews, travel, experience, literature
know the target market
know the competitors
minimise surprise
buy the premises where possible - it's the bank's money, and there's no rent
sell the idea
allow for error
be dynamic, adaptable
be persistent, persuasive
be generous, spontaneous, fun, open, loyal, compassionate
reward when appropriate
negotiate - don't buy packages
be consistent, build integrity - stick to principles
keep written records and procedures
encourage diversity of supply - multiple suppliers allows shopping around, reduces dependency on other businesses
add value
manage bank accounts appropriately - invest when possible
create a corporate image - apply it consistently
monitor pricing policies and market activity, and the environment in general, constantly
grow a niche between buyers and sellers; serve as a "channel" through which interested parties can pass, finding a business partner in the process.
create competitive advantage (benefits to customers not provided by competitors)
grow sustainable competitive advantage (competitive advantages that are very difficult to duplicate)
use experience: over time, experience will reduce overheads. This is a competitive advantage. The implication is to persist with strategies, not to the point of being blind to innovation, but not weak enough to change before experience has had time to evolve.
to be transparent, empowering, approachable, diverse, sensitive, accomodating, responsive ...
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