Learning From Ants and Leaf Lice

Type ant and some aphids have a symbiotic relationship called. In symbiosis, different animal species help each other. Aphids are small insects that move slowly, live plants and feed on nectar. Nectar is sucked from the tree trunk with a sharp mouth and long. When ingested, nectar turned into a sweet substance called honey dew. This material was then issued by the lice through organs called kornikula. This honey dew favorite food of red ants, which eat as much as they can be produced by the aphids. With cattle aphids, ants have a backup that is always readily available.

To protect the reserve honey dew, ant very concerned about his aphids. For example, an ant infestation is to move a lot nektarnya place, and if the food search area becomes too crowded, ants, lice will move to an area that is more lax. Ants also attack any insects trying to eat the aphids, even though the attacker may be much larger than the ants themselves.

Scientists have been obtained certainty when or how this special relationship began. However, with the discovery of the ants and aphids that have become fossilized together, proved that these two types of insects have helped each other since at least 30 million years ago. The story of ants and aphids, according to Stephen R Covey, called the effectiveness, which is a balance between production and production capacity.

Production is the result of a chill, the honey dew. While production capacity is the ability or asset that produces honey dew, namely aphids. Ant trying to maintain and protect aphids best, so that aphids are still producing honey embut. Ants effective action.

In business, we often seek profit or short-term results with production or impair the ability of physical assets, such as cars, computers, telephone, fax, and even our bodies or our environment. We rarely maintain or care for cars, computers, telephone and fax. Once the asset is damaged, then we realized that the asset is a key asset. The cost to repair these assets much more expensive than maintaining these assets on a regular basis. So we have to do things that are not effective.

We also often talk about customer service. We often ignore those who deal with customers, ie employees. So we just realized after customers gradually left us. Trust and loyalty to us is lost. Usually we just blame employee. That action is not effective. If we want our employees to treat customers well, then we also have to treat our employees like customers.

''You can buy someone's hand, but was never able to buy his heart. His heart is the place to be enthusiasm, loyalty. You can buy his back, but can not buy brains. That's where his creativity, his intelligence, his wits,''said Stephen R Covey.

Proved effective for the acts we must learn to ants and aphids.

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KEEP YOUR CREATIVITY

Entrepreneurs are people who respond to any changes in the environment in a creative and innovative. Any kind of environment does not cause problems, including crisis since responded to creative and innovative. Thus, behind the emergence of difficulties or the threat there is also a promising opportunity. Creativity is the ability to present ideas or new ideas. While innovation is the application of ideas or new ideas.

We all really are creative beings, but because creativity is rarely practiced on a regular basis, then this creativity eventually become paralyzed, the muscles like a man who was never trained. The results of the tests to measure creativity in different age groups showed this. George Land reported in the Break-Point and Beyond, that the 5-year-olds scored 98%, 10-year-olds scored 32%, 15-year-olds scored 10%, and adults 42 years of age scored only 2%. This happens because the children make creative thinking skills as a routine activity. They are always watching and asking and his favorite question is "Why?". Sometimes these children do not believe what adults say to them to test themselves and their own conclusions. When my first child was three years old asked his mother "Mom. Heaven is like what? ". Her mother said "If we ask for food, the food came alone. If we want to come drink then drink alone ". My children spontaneously responded "yes ma'am restaurant Rich". My wife got these answers, smiling. Even I can not question less interesting. When I came home from work, children who suddenly gives me guess. "Pak. Five tennis balls fell in a so what? ". "Four" I replied. "One Pak. That really be a rabbit "he said. "How?" I asked with amazement. "Yes. Because pocus "she replied innocently. Apparently he saw the magic that turns on the TV tennis ball into a rabbit. Even a very brilliant idea that came from a toddler when the child was walking at night, then he tripped over a stone because of the dark, spotan he said "there is light harusny shoes". This idea inspired shoemaker existing lights. This is an extraordinary creativity. Indeed in the end the children will learn to follow adult rules and make an informed without again. By following the rules and restrictions are actually adults we have to limit our creativity. But the question remains, menaruik conclusions and see things from a new perspective, like the children, we will remain creative and innovative.

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STRATEGY IMITATION

Imitation strategy is the strategy that mimics the strategy of other companies. In his book Managing imitation strategy, Steven P. Imitation strategy Schnaar classifies into four types. Imitation strategy is the first type of piracy strategy. Companies that perform this kind of imitation strategy to sell products with the brand and product design exactly the same so that the counterfeit products are often called. This strategy has dogolongkan illegal activities. Imitation strategy is the second type of cloning strategy. Companies using this strategy are really imitate an existing product, but given the other brands, for example in the field of children mainanan Tyco Toys issued a product that mimics SuperBlocks Lego. Tyco Toys Lego demands, but without success, because imitation Lego toys indeed there ever was in the 1940s in England. Strategy imitation third type is a strategy that mimics the design or trade dress mentioned, too. For example imitated by Adidus Adidas, Adidas symbol on the leaves number three, was at number two Adidus. Strategy imitation of the fourth is a creative adaptation strategies, namely copying existing products and developing or adapting to apply to the new environment. According to Theodore Levitt, is called innovative imitator imitator. This strategy is also referred to as a strategy of camouflage or disguise strategies.

For large companies, using a strategy of imitation is only used for short-term, such as Toyota's Lexus to compete with BMW and compete with Rinso Wings. While small companies are often used as a permanent strategy. Small brands in general when entering the market reach of major brands or regions that are difficult to reach by big brands. This strategy is suitable for the target market lower. By selecting the target market lower, then the lower cost strategy than the imitated brand. So Klin imitate Rinso packaging with prices 10 to 15% below Rinso, Oreo imitated by Rodeo, Mie Sedaap imitated by Supermi by issuing Sedaaap said, would sedaaapnya

Imitation strategy not only imitate in making products, but also imitate the strategy of promotion and distribution strategies. However, imitation strategy is only used at the beginning of it, if want to succeed in the long run. Because the marketing strategy, especially stretegi positioning is a strategy that puts a product that has a good position in the consumer's mind, so if companies continue to use this strategy for the long term this company will be a firm follower of it, will never be number one company or market leader if you only use imitation strategies.

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HAPPINESS IS NOT NUMBERS, NUMBERS

Fortune magazine and Forbes magazine to use numbers to assess the company's success or failure. The success of the company is shown by the large sales figures, the magnitude of the numbers benefit, productivity figures, large numbers through ability global market, the magnitude of the numbers issued to improve the performance human resources and large numbers to improve the image company. Most large companies the figure is a company that the top of the world. Similarly, the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) the company also with the numbers assessed success. CEO feel happy about the numbers that have been targeted to be achieved. The figures showing the success of this is being pursued by the CEOs in antero world. CEO Richard McGinn was Lucent Technologies, never succeeded in changing the equipment manufacturing division of AT & T became a star Wall Street after reaching double-digit increase in sales (more than 10%). But it will not last forever and in 2000, Lucent twice failed to reach the target. The problem is the sales force. Of business media reports, orders to the troops McGinn sales transaction is manifest, any barriers. According to the media Lucent promising various discounts, credits and other incentives to stimulate sales. When he failed to achieve the target return, all broken and lying McGinn, Lucent's stock price fell and the future corporate chaos. McGinn felt sad for not able to meet the numbers made. Pramod Batra in his book Born To Win tells the story of Henry Ford and Florist. Henry Ford bought flowers for his wife from a shop every Friday night. One time he asked the flower seller older. "Sir, your store bestseller. Why not open a branch? "Ask Henry Ford. "Yes, after that continue?" Replied the vendor relationship with asked again. "You will have several branches in Detroit." Said Ford. Flower seller, "Yes, after that continue?". Henry Ford "Then in across America ". Flower seller, "Yes, after that continue?". Henry Ford, with a little angry "God. Of course, you'll be happy. ". "Yes, I it's happy now, "replied the florist. Henry Ford passed with shame. That is the difference of happiness of people measured by numbers and not with numbers. Gauge florist happiness is not with numbers, while Henry Ford to measure happiness with numbers, ie numbers subsidiary, or the rate of profit company. Most of us, often measuring happiness by the numbers numbers, ie the number of houses or housing prices, the number of cars, number of companies, the number of the figures in savings, stock figures ownership of the company and the other numbers in hopes of happy. That was the numbers that would plunge us, if we are not able to use the numbers well. If we can live happily with the numbers, then we can die horribly with Besides numbers. Not the number that makes happy. "Dahilan grace-the grace of God that ye may be happy "(Al-A'raaf, 69).

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WAKE UP AND FACE REALITY

"Almost all the strategic principles and tactics that work for large companies can also be used effectively to market products by small companies. Any strategy or consumer learning who succeeded in a certain product categories can usually be successfully applied to other products that are not related, but The same consumer dynamics. The companies of the top educational their marketing personnel acquire in-depth knowledge of consumers through everyday life. Seeing the ads on television, a walk in the mall, talking with friends and families. Failure to clearly state the benefits for consumer is the biggest problem in the marketing world today. Many companies that have spent millions of dollars to provide information about the company to consumers, but they do not managed to make sales "said Eric Schulz in his book The Marketing Game. That's the reality.

Carol Loomis, Fortune magazine editors research the 150 companies in three time periods, namely 1960-1980, 1970-1990 and 1989 - 1999. In each period, only three or four of able to grow 15% or more. Approximately 20 to 30 companies achieve growth of 10% to 15%, 40 to 60 companies achieve growth of 5% to 10%, 20 to 30 companies to grow 0% to 5% And 20 to 30 companies did not grow up (down). In reality like that, it is not surprising if companies start doing some bad things to increase their growth rate. Reality is the core of the strategy. Similar to a dream destination, wake up and face reality. The point is the market reality. Better be first than to be a better, that's the reality not imaginary. "While the CEO can not do all things adult this, one thing they should always consider is the morality market. If one of your marketing experts to meet you with a new products, ask how many similar products that have been particularly first on the market. Then urge him to explain why consumers want to buy the product, rather than competitors' products. If the answer is not satisfactory, send it back to his office. But before he go, remind him that one of the first law of positioning is better to be first than to be better. That is reality not fantasy. Similar to a dream destination. Arise, and face reality "says Jack Trout. "Marketing is too important to submitted to the marketing department"said the late David Packard,one of the founders of Hewlett-Packard.

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SIMPLE AND SMALL

Using good strategy is how to survive in a competitive world," said Jack Trout, in his book Trout on Strategy. Key to success is to understand the basics of business. Basis of the number one business is to design and maintain a clear strategy and focused.

"We've long been a very successful company, but success could be the worst enemy. We want to be careful we're not overly confident. Some people use the word arrogant. In such circumstances our success, we do not want to feel satisfied. We want to approach each day with a healthy dissatisfaction with the status quo, "said Arnold Langbo, CEO of Kellogg Company.

The essence of strategy is the perception. Company a competitive advantage, in fact are the hallmarks of communication. So the problem is a problem in competing in the communication. Positioning strategy is in fact the communication strategy.

Advertising is a form of communication, from the standpoint of recipients, built in a low appreciation. If you succeed in the advertising, you're likely to succeed in business, religion, political or other activities that require mass communication.

Positioning is a concept that changed the authenticity of the ad, a simple concept that makes people face difficulties in understanding its power. Positioning starts with a product, goods, services, companies, or people.

But positioning is not something you do with the product. Positioning is something you do to prospective customers mind, which is placing the product on the prospect's mind. So a mistake when calling this concept as "product positioning". Just as you do something about the physical product. Was also wrong if the positioning does not involve a change. But these changes are changes to the name, price and packaging of the product rather than as a whole.

Basically there are changes that will be performances with the aim of ensuring a more valuable position in the perception of potential customers. Merupakah also positioning the first body of thought that are designed to hold a hearing problem in our society who flooded information. The only defense a person has in society is a very simple idea. So the best approach to be taken someone in the community is a simple message.

John Sculley, former chairman of Apple Computer, said, "Everything we have learned in the industrial era tend to create more severe complications. I think more and more people are aware that you have to do to simplify, not vice versa. This idea is very Asian, that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. "

"Do not overload your soul, with all sincerity. Entertain yourself with things that are light and funny, because when the liver is forced to continue to carry the heavy burden he would be blind," the words of the Prophet.

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LEADER WITHOUT ISTANA

Jeff Bezos is the founder of Amazon.com, which was originally just a bookstore. Why is he named his company with Amazon? Because, "the Amazon River is the largest river in the world," said Jeff Bezos.

What about the river Nile? River Nile is the longest river in the world, when compared with the Amazon River water volume is only a tributary of the Amazon. Amazon River contains 20 percent of the world clean water, then had Jeff Bezos about his company would become the company that controls 20 percent of the world market.

Amazon.com to open the E-Commernya site in July 1995, starting from the bookstore and then extended to the compact disk (CD) and then to the auction and now thousands of different products and different vendors. In the year 1996 to sell 15.7 million dollars and increased to 600 million dollars in 1998.

Amazon.com reported on November 1 until December 23, 2002, consumers who do order in the world 56 million items to become the best online store in 2002 version of Yahoo magazine.

John F. Welch Jr., CEO of General Electric, said:''We use three operating principles for setting the atmosphere and attitudes at General Electric without borders in all our behavior, speed in everything we do and stretch in every goal we set. ''

Behavior without borders unite the twelve major global businesses, each number one or number two in the market, into a vast laboratory whose main product is a new idea, along with a general commitment to disseminate throughout the company.

Speed is something not usually found in the company of General Electric, but at General Electric in the form of speed product development, design re-cycle (from order to delivery), set back the ability to reduce plant and equipment investment. Stretching means using dreams to set goals that exceed the targets set.

Yet many leaders do not have a spiritual element in life meraka vision, it is no wonder many leaders are seemingly happy, prosperous and abundant worldly success, but they live a meaningless void.

The New York Times reported that real income has increased more than 16 percent over the past thirty years in America, but Americans who describe themselves as "very happy" actually in the same period has fallen from 36 percent to 29 percent.

The Dalai Lama said, "People can be much happier if only they'd share the wealth, share more friends, more fragrant names, positive things are inherited, and also less regret when they died later. They can say to yourself, at least I have used my money to help others, "wrote Howard C Cutler in the book The Art of Happiness at Work.

Great leader who is not wallowing in wealth, even sleeping on a mat that marks on her body, friends with poverty and the weak, no palace, but a meaningful life is Muhammad.

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