photo credit: Furryscaly

Often when we talk about risk in the business world, it’s a Bad Thing. As in “minimizing risk.” “Managing risk.” And so on.

And sure, when you have an idea where you want to go and how you want to get there, risk is anything that can keep your plans from succeeding.

But let’s be honest: in our personal lives, risk can be kind of fun, too. Risk that isn’t out of proportion with potential reward is what makes life fun.

So why aren’t we more excited about taking risks in business? Why isn’t there a “risk advocate” instead of a “risk manager”?

I suppose it’s because predictability is key to efficiency and we think of efficiency and all kinds of other attributes like profitability and scalability as being nearly the same. In truth, they’re not. They may well relate, and there may be strong correlations between companies that have predictable results and those that are profitable, but there are some big, profitable companies that have taken some pretty huge risks, too.

But I’m not even advocating huge risks. I know people’s jobs can be jeopardized by bad decisions. But even little everyday risks can be rewarding. Like answering your phone when you don’t know who’s calling.

Sure, when you’re deep in the process of meeting a big deadline, it can be beneficial to tune out things like phone calls, emails, and so on. But when you emerge, it may be time to reconnect with the outside world.

The benefits that can come from an unexpected connection with a sales prospect, an unsolicited job candidate, or even someone who called the wrong extension are too random to predict, but they do happen.

We don’t often get to have serendipity in our business lives, because we don’t often allow ourselves the unpredictability.

This week, why not take a small risk or two, and see what happens?

Happy Monday!

photo credit: rahims

We all have them. You give them out pretty frequently, quite possibly at parties. And you probably get a ton whenever you meet up with people.

Get your mind out of the gutter – I’m talking about business cards.

They say so much while saying so little. They’re such a part of the corporate world that we all know what to expect when we see one. Can one really be idealistic when it comes to this staple of society?

Perhaps. That’s exactly the question Matt Cheuvront asks when he challenges his readers to be memorable. His trick? A hand-written business card.

Guy Kawasaki calls attention to the handiwork of Justin Ruckman. These cards are easy on the eyes while cutting to the chase.

Of course, there’s a difference between being memorable and being ridiculed. What you might do by attempting to stand out may have you falling flat on your face. What’s important to remember, then, is the element of risk. No one was ever remembered for playing it safe. No one became remarkable or outstanding by maintaining the status quo.

So, whether it’s your business card or your business suit, your business model or your business plan, be willing to take an appropriate risk. Doing so may open you up to an entire new world of contacts, opportunity, and possibility.

Tell us: how do you take risks at work? How do you know which ones are worth taking?

photo credit: rickilevy69

I’m an unrepentant Bear Grylls fan. His show on Discovery Channel, “Man vs. Wild,” always inspires and encourages me. Most of us will never encounter the challenges and outright risks and dangers Grylls does, but this weekend’s show got me thinking about how we may not be so far apart after all. He used the phrase, “a proper wilderness,” and that feels like a great metaphor for so many people striking out to find their new best careers and goals.

Grylls served three years with a special forces unit of the British army. One can really only officially be on active duty in the army for so many years before one has to start thinking about other things; particular if one has broken one’s back in three places during service! But what if what you do, what you love, what you were meant to pursue and prove and teach, is the very thing you feel required to depart?

Today’s economy and the dramatic shifts in the work place have required many of us to take a step back and start thinking about how to answer this question. If you find yourself required to make a change, don’t be too hasty to assume that all of what you loved about what you used to do is now out of reach. Spend some time in self-analysis, identifying not only your hard skills but your favorite pursuits and activities. Think not only about yourself as an individual, but about your skills on a team, and within an organization.

Grylls left the special forces, and one might think he would never skin a rattlesnake barehanded and eat it raw for a living again; yet here he is, still doing what he does better than anyone, and doing that in which he finds the most personal and professional satisfaction.  (He earns a nice paycheck as well.  Coincidence?  Probably not!)

Give yourself a taste of something new and off-the-charts innovative this week, but bring your favorite existing skills. You might just find yourself rethinking what is and is not possible for your own next adventure.