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Say no until you can say yes - know when that is

All organizations need to stretch beyond their core competencies to be able to stay competitive, relevant, and innovative.  However, it is important to plan this strategically.  Either pace it out or budget it out. Do not aggressively promote a service or product that you do not know you can deliver with good quality at a profitable rate.  

Keep in close contact with the sales and marketing teams as they come in contact with changing demands and needs of clients faster than other teams.  Record all predictions and compare variances between previous predictions. Use indicators that prove to be more successful. Once you have set intention to go in a direction, get team members on board and share your vision. Encourage them to prepare. Guide them with resources required. Motivate them to learn.

It is better to say no to something than to deliver mediocre quality products or services; worst case is to not deliver acceptable product at all.  Saying no may only cost current business. Saying yes and messing it up ensures all future business in that avenue is lost too.


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