Like many offices open during this Twixmas (thanks GLVToday for the snazzy vocab), we spent part of our week outlining our goals for Complete PR in 2017, and the steps we’ll take to reach them. We want to work harder by working smarter. We want to invest in our education about new technologies and trends that support this ever-growing field. We want to foster relationships that are the building blocks of our company and our community.
These goals may sound similar to your own company’s goals. We are lucky to work in a business community where hustle, grit and grind are not just trendy buzzwords, but mantras lived out every day. We see it every time we walk down Main Street, a living, breathing reminder of what it looks like to set a goal, form a plan, and stick to it.
But this very city that inspires us did something interesting recently in regards to their goals. When developers wanted to put premium office space on the banks of the Reedy River, the city said no. The plans for the development theoretically met the guidelines set forth by the city. But the outcry from environmental advocates, friends of the Reedy River, and downtown residents and visitors was louder than the siren song of a perfectly executed plan. So the city said no.
The ability to say “no” in the middle of all of the “yes” is commendable, because it is easy to overlook legitimate concerns about a project that otherwise checks all the boxes. It’s very easy to get caught up in the flow of growth and success and forget that decisions have consequences, good or bad. But if it’s not good for your people – your residents, your employees, your clients – then is it really good? Is it worth following the plan to reach the goal if the people impacted by the outcome are worse for the wear?
So in 2017, let’s all commit to working harder, better, faster, stronger. But let’s also commit to checking in with our people while we’re doing so, to make sure that the plan is working for the whole team.
Have a happy and safe New Year, and as always, thank you for reading the Friday Flash. We’ll see you in 2017.
