As we approach the New Year, we’d like to offer you a little fast wisdom from some of the brightest minds in business. CEOs, managers and other business leaders were asked for their most valuable advice for a successful 2013.
Here’s what they had to say:
- You can’t keep up. Don’t try to be fully informed on everything. Let your trusted network clue you in to what matters.
- There are no rules. Learn from the successes and failures of others by applying them to your own situation in non-dogmatic, flexible ways.
- Change is the new status quo. No matter how good your business is, some young entrepreneur is working hard to disrupt it.
- Leadership is more important than ever. The key to realizing innovation is to create and nurture a working environment where many contributions can be recognized and channeled.
- Take advantage of “collisions”. Innovation is often the result of random conversations – collisions – where ideas outside your industry are applied to your own.
- CEOs need advice too. Take early action to engage with colleagues.
- If you don’t think you need a jolt, you probably do. Don’t be content to simply polish and refine your current game. Find new ways to meet your ultimate goals.
- Connect outside the four walls. Find ways to interact in your customers’ lives outside your office; keep in touch digitally.
- The world tweets more than you think. Over 70% of Twitter’s active users are outside the US, the majority of whom use it on their mobile devices. It’s time for you to get in the game.
- There is zero substitution for quality. You can’t fool the public. Content has to be really good, if not exceptional.
- Feed the public’s hunger. The public’s appetite for data and better ways of looking at information will continue to grow. Get ahead of the demand.
- The product comes first, always. No matter what problems or opportunities arise, never stop focusing on the product.
- Connect the unconnected. The Internet connection for everyday things like household appliances is emerging. By 2020, everything that can benefit from an Internet connection will have one.
- Luck is a talent. You can manifest all kinds of luck depending on your outlook and actions.
- Find time for peace. You must take a holiday at least once a year if you want to survive!
Enjoy your last few days of 2012. We send you and yours our very best wishes for a fruitful, fulfilling and fantastic 2013!
*Excerpt from % Lessons in the DEC/JAN issue of Fast Company Magazine
