It’s interesting being back in front of people these last couple of months after our extended lockdown. As we’ve re-engaged in a physical sense, I’ve found it eye-opening to observe not only some old patterns re-emerge, but notice behaviours inside of family businesses that, perhaps, the owners and managers are unaware of.

It started out with computer chips. A worldwide shortage that has had everyone from electronics companies to car manufacturers scrambling to solve the problem.

It’s been my experience over the years that most owners of small and family businesses devote:

1. A lot of time to their businesses.
2. Less time to their families.
3. No time to themselves.

Six years ago, when I started writing “Growth”, I never expected I’d reach Edition 300. Yet, here we are.

Part of the reason for writing was to release some creative energy I’d built up over the years. Part of it was to indulge in something that almost took me down a career path into journalism many years ago. I toyed with the idea of journalism in High School, only to make the decision to pursue Accounting as a career, primarily on the basis that, in my opinion, an Accountant was a better grounding than Journalism for what was then the ultimate ideal – pursuing a career in Politics.

SQUARE PEGS, ROUND HOLES

My friend and colleague from Portland, Oregon, Gary Furr, wrote a great piece in his weekly newsletter recently about the leadership qualities of individuals that he’d observed in his work amongst his clients. In particular, he referenced an example of a manager recruited from small business to run the operations of a much larger one and the issues that small business thinking created in a larger business. You can find his article here:  https://garyfurrconsulting.com/grow-your-leadership-to-grow-your-business/

Cars have always been a hobby of mine. One of my first memories is standing on the bench seat of my father’s grey Chrysler Valiant R Series as it headed towards Dee Why Beach. My guess is that I was around three at the time and back then, I’d ask him what the other cars on the road were. An encyclopaedic knowledge of the automotive world was forming even before I could speak properly and, by and large, continues to this day.

After heading out for dinner together for the first time in months, Trish and I piled into the car to head home. As we’re chatting away, Shirley Bassey’s classic “Goldfinger” roars into life on the stereo. Her distinctive voice is only topped by that delightful brassy sound – the trumpets and trombones belting away in the musical equivalent of an exclamation mark.

I received an email from AMP, the life insurance behemoth, recently suggesting that I check my details as my premiums had changed. I’ve learned in the past that when a life insurer sends correspondence, make sure you follow it up straight away.

“Are you looking forward to opening back up?” I asked the cafe owner as he took my regular order, skim latte, extra hot.

“Sort of” he replied, with a hint of exasperation in his voice. “If we can just manage to get staff.”

Initially surprised at his response, my follow up question was “What about those that worked for you before lockdown?”

“Some will be back. A couple of others have chosen not to” was his response, with a slight look of despair on his face.

Here in my home state of New South Wales, we’re as close as can be to the State Government’s 70% double dose vaccination target (and at 88% single dose!). Fingers crossed that we jump the chasm this week which means by next Monday 11th October, a raft of new freedoms will become available to individuals that themselves are double vaccinated. That will be at least two weeks earlier than originally envisaged and perhaps, in itself, a study on how to motivate people with a carrot (70% = freedoms) vs. a stick (cases = lockdowns).