Aquisitions – Rules to aquire by

Mergers & Acquisitions are certainly one way to significantly grow your business.  However those who’ve done it know that it’s not without it’s fair share of problems.  September’s issue of Harvard Business Review has a great article on the subject.  Pitney Bowes share their lessons learnt having done more than 70 acquisitions over the last 6 years.  In a nutshell they advocate sticking to adjacent spaces, taking a portfolio approach, having a business sponsor, knowing how to judge an acquisition and not shopping when you’re hungry.   

The Alchemist

Had a chance this weekend to re-read this gem of a book. 

The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

The richness within the simplicity is astounding.  On the one hand it is a story about a shepherd boy, on the other hand it’s whatever you conceive it to be.  I’ve always loved the line ‘the world conspires to give you what you want’.

What are you asking for?

Discipline

I got to see the Red Arrows last week and even though I’ve seen them before my mouth was wide open in amazement.  Thousands of people were gasping, oohing and aarhing.  I also had to laugh at myself as every time they flew towards each other my heart stopped, even though my head said ‘of course they’re going to miss’.  Their skill, dedication and discipline were evident.

Afterwards it got me thinking about their discipline.  What happens if one of the pilots decides they want to do something different?  The answer is obvious.  So here we have a leader and several followers, together as a team they put on a fabulous display of aeronautical acrobatics.  What about in business…too many times I’ve seen people decide that they’re going to ignore what the leader says and go off and do their own thing.  Now I’m sure when the Red Arrows are planning their displays there’s much discussion on what they’re going to do, but when they’re in the air, that’s it, everyone does what they’ve all agreed.  None of this I’ll do my own thing anyway because a) I know better, b) I want more recognition, c)I didn’t actually agree or any of the other common reasons I see in business.

As a leader people won’t follow you if there is no respect or trust.  As a member of the team speak out in the planning stage, but when it gets to execution do you have the discipline to follow through on the agreement, or are you going for a freestyle solo performance without telling the rest of the cast?