What is money?

Money, of course, is why most people are involved in business.  At its basest level, it is anything that represents the value of a person's actions.  In the case of the USA, that means green slips of paper.  Canada, it was multi-colored slips of paper.  In Yap, they use giant stones.  Seashells, silver, food.  What makes thedollar, yen, and euro special is that they don't have any purpose beyond representing a person's value to society - and money allows people to exchange it.

Power

To some, money represents power.  It has long been known that the people who have the most money tend to have everything they want - even things that are not for sale.  It can get people to do things they wouldn't normally do.  The phrase "Everybody has a price" refers to the cost required to get people to do something they wouldn't normally by paying them enormous sums of money.  And with enormous wealth, often comes the ability to break the law and receive a reduced punishment, even for such heinous crimes as murder.  

Living

While money does sometimes bring out the worst in people, it is a strong means to the end of living in our society.  The capitalist system works under the assumption that every action should receive a reward based on the demand for that.  Companies pay people for their services in the form of employment.  Employees pay companies for food from a store.  Each person, in theory, receives money from the market that is comparable to what the market will pay for their services.  So you need to use and be familiar with money to live.  Caves in the woods are no longer prevalent in North America.  

Side-item

Then there is the concept that you should do what you love.  If you find something that the market will reward, and that you love to do, you will do your job for pure enjoyment, and the money will be just a side benefit.  This represents the ideal strategy because it reduces the severity of the word "work" to the fun of the world "play."  

Tool of Oppression?

The problem with money is that it tends to accumulate over time.  And that means that people who have made a lot of money, and are prudent, can continue making more and more money, passing it on to their descendants.  And where there is no money, it is difficult for people to achieve.  Which is one reason why the black minority in this country isn't making drastic financial steps, even 40+ years after what some consider the "end" of the African-American Civil Rights Movement.  

I like money.  From what I've learned, I believe that it enabled the world to grow beyond a few small city-states through trade.  We just have to make sure that it isn't also our downfall.  

Challenges

Challenges in Business

There are many different definitions of challenges, and it is amazing how many apply to business.  In my mind, it is the single most important word you can have in your vocabulary when dealing with business.  First, it is:


A test of one's abilities or resources in a demanding but stimulating undertaking

Welcome to a job that offers a challenge!  The zest of a tough fight, well fought!  It is exhilarating and energizing.  It reminds you of your own strength and the power of your will.  And the definition above is certainly descriptive of today's business arena.  With improved efficiency, large corporations, and cost-cutting, you may be challenged every day to keep yourself employed and the company on the track to success.  For some, it is more... It's: 

A call to engage in a contest, fight, or competition

Business challenges you to succeed.  It beckons you with the promise of the fun you can have testing your skills.  That test of skills can be decided, with a winner and a loser.  And best of all, it doesn't have to be decided by you!  The market will act as the referee and you can really bare you teeth.  And you'll need everyone behind you, so challenge is also: 

To summon to action, effort, or use; stimulate

Challenge your people to do their best work, and you will likely get it.  People revel in the knowledge that they can do something great, and are united in the cause to do something great.  Make sure they don't let the stimulus slip.  Keep pushing, and your company will grow big and strong.  You'll be a challenger!

One who competes against the holder of a title or championship

Personal motivation, leadership, management advice, goal - Challenge is a huge part of business.  Remember that as you lament the difficulty of your job.  And also as you seek to improve it.  

Your Workspace

I'm sorry for the lapse, all.  I have a strategy for not letting that happen again.  ><

Now, on to something truly important to a businessperson - the office.  Your office is any work space that belongs to you.  It can be a traditional four-walls-and-a-door office, a cubicle, a desk sitting in the warehouse, or a room in your home.  The key is that it is yours.  You spend your time there, it reflects on you as a person, and you should make sure others perceive what you want them to.  Below I've given you some tips on how to furnish your office to best effect.  

Keep your office tidy

No one likes to be neck-deep in unfiled papers and folders.  For many, it makes it more difficult to get work done because things are getting misplaced.  Or, if you're naturally untidy, it means that four months from now a coworker is going to ask for a report from today, and you'll have to dig through three inches of papers to find it.  But more importantly, people perceive a tidy desk as indicative of a tidy mind.  When your office is organized, people believe you are as well.  It doesn't take much time to maintain, once you've done it, so make it a regular part of your end-of-day routine.  

Picture say 1000 words... about you!

The pictures, paintings, photos, printouts, etc. of your office will tell people a lot about what you value.  If you have an entire wall covered in pictures of heavy metal bands from the 80's, you won't get much respect.  On the other hand, if you cover the entire office area with work memorabilia, charts, and graphs, people will think you have no life outside work.  You want a balance represented in your office.  Consider adding a few photos of your family or friends.  A couple nice prints of your favorite painting are good conversation pieces and make the walls less bare.  My personal favorite is to dedicate one wall to drawings of important concepts.  A mix like that will show both your professional and personal side, while still remaining modest.  

Furniture Arrangement as Personal Feng Shui

The furniture in your office may be nailed to the floor or otherwise immovable.  But there are things you can change to suit your self.  Putting the couple chairs far away from your desk suggests you welcome visitors.  A potted plant can make the place warmer with its life.  And if you can move your furniture around, all the better! Then visitors can see how independent and creative you can be with your space.  And how strongly you can exert your sense of control!  

Room use sends a message, too!

So far I've talked about how you set up and decorate your office.  But you also have to think how you'll use it. If you are always busy with individual work and can't (don't like to be) bothered, you can keep your door closed and/or turn you desk to face away from the door.  If you like to have everything printed out and at your fingertips, your desk may be completely full (but still tidy!).  If you want to have lots of visitors, put a candy dish just inside your door - everyone will stop to say hello and eat M&Ms.  

Just as your appearance says volumes, so does your work space.  A person's office is their sanctuary and their fortress, providing a safe anchor spot at work.  Treat it as if it is a part of you, and it will reinforce your message with power.  

Organizational Purpose

I've been flooded with discussions on strategy lately.  And one of the main questions that comes up is along the lines of "What is the purpose of the organization?"  Organization, of course, can mean any group of people - not necessarily a for-profit corporation.  It can as small as a two-man garage band or as large as Wal-Mart.

I'm a firm believer that every organization needs a purpose, no matter how small.  Purpose can be anything.  It could be to make music, to enjoy the company of friends, mutual protection, or any number of other reasons.  The most common in business is "to make money," which was the mantra pushed in a book I read, The Goal.  Making money is a key to survival, but it can't be the only reason for an organization's existence.  BUT...

Problems with Organizations Focused on Making Money

• Wouldn't be a very rewarding place to work.  
• Output would tend to reflect only high-reward opportunities. 
• Ignores new opportunities.
• Can breed unethical and/or illegal behavior.  
• Creates a hostile, driven work environment.
• Don't make a true impact on the world (for good or evil).  

That last one is the key.  You really want to make a difference in the world, and an organization is the best way to do it. It enlists others and gives them something to strive for.  The whole is greater than the sum of its parts is no more obvious than in a smooth-running organization.  

Here are some organizational purposes.  

1. To make easy-to-use, aesthetically pleasing technology
2. To help people suffering from the ills of third-world life.  
3. To maintain and distribute common goods.  
4. To provide convenient drug and convenience stores.  
5. To provide high-quality baked goods and meals containing them.   
6. To protect the United States.  

What do you think about the Chicago Cubs?  Fox News?  Your local high school?  

-sjk

My Answers:

1. Apple
2. Red Cross
3. Government
4. Walgreens
5. Panera Bread
6. U.S. Army