Industrial Inspiration: Staying Above the "Red Line"

Life is all about trying to stay above the red line. This last week on "The Biggest Loser" (a show about weight loss) the contestant who fell below the red line instantly went home. It was the first time this had been done on the show's history. The normal ending is to vote between two people who've gone below the yellow line, that is they were the two who had the least percentage of weight loss for the week (not necessarily the least amount of weight).


In the business world the competitiveness doesn't last a certain amount of weeks. Just like watching one's weight cannot just end after a certain number of weeks, making sure your business is successful never ends. Every business is replaceable. We would make it without Wal-Mart, McDonald's, Macy's, and your business. Every employee is replaceable. Your business would probably be able to survive without you. This concept is understood, that is why the competitiveness among businesses never ends.


I knew a State Farm employee (who I am insured with) tell me that when he had customers who threatened to leave he didn't worry too much. State Farm is an insurance mogul. One customer isn't going to affect them that much. What if it was one per agent, that might make them a bit nervous. However, we don't all work for moguls. Some of us are the only employees. Regardless of the history of our companies or place of employment, we never want to go below the red line.


Even those who are with moguls, as an employee, you're always replaceable. However, you are where you're at to do the best job you can do with the company you work for. You can make a huge difference in the position you are at. You can be the best salesperson. You can be the top realtor. You can also be a great employer, gaining respect from your employees. Not always is the top about sales and money.


You shouldn't want to relax in your position to think you and/or your company is "safe" from falling below the red line. I know a seed salesman who talks about trying to make courtesy calls regularly to keep that relationship with his clients. He's continuing to fight. He doesn't want to all below the "red line" because there's always another seed salesman who can replace him.


Though there is a lot of competitiveness in the business world, there should also be a sense of staying relaxed. When the body is too stressed you won't lose the weight, cause your body goes into panic mode. When you put too much stress on you with your business you will appear too greedy or impersonable. This won't help you in your quest to stay above the "red line". So, keep going, be as good as you can, relax, strive for the doing better each day, relax, and enjoy the ride!