Overcoming Challenges: The Real Iron Man

by | Dec 9, 2013 | Business Success, Latest

I was shown a video last night that I wanted to share with you: found on the VICE website, this video shows a man, Sun Jifa, who lost both his hands during a fishing explosion. He couldn’t afford prosthetic hands – so he made a pair for himself out of iron. His bravery and perseverance in overcoming this devastating accident is already worth mentioning – but what makes this story an even more encouraging one is that he now dedicates his life to making prosthetic arms for the less fortunate in China. It’s a story about overcoming challenges.

Overcoming challenges isn’t only about helping yourself, but to help those around you overcome them as well.

He doesn’t do it to make money – he charges his clients a minimal amount (that is usually given to the clients from Government aid) so that they can continue working to sustain a family. He does it because he knows what it feels like to be handicapped and not be able to afford the things that can help him lead a normal life.

We can all take a page from his book when we consider the bravery and perseverance required to overcoming challenges; in the workplace and in life.

Oftentimes, it is easy when faced with a challenge to turn and run the other way. Adversity is a gift, if you can appreciate the lesson. I agree that it is easier to see a difficult boss, a daunting task, or even a conflict with a colleague as a deterrent to going in to work with enthusiasm – but perhaps facing these challenges with tact and dedication will prove fruitful in the end.

Taking it a step further, if you can turn your challenges into doing good for those around you (offering encouragement to a colleague, taking on extra projects to relieve your teammates, even research possible new developments to give back to your community) then you might just find yourself a happier person, more successful and fulfilled in the knowledge of the betterment of yourself and overcoming challenges.

I hope the story of Sun Jifa serves as an uplifting motivation for you on this gloomy Monday morning, and for every time you feel as though there is a challenge too difficult of overcoming.

To watch this video, click here.

Living In Brand

by | Feb 1, 2011 | Branding

Brand is bigger than you realize.  Brand is what consumers first see of a product/service… it’s the initial hook…but the follow through is even more important as it is how the brand becomes part of  lifestyle.

Living In Brand Korean Macdonalds

Image courtesy of kudumomo@Flickr under a creative commons license

Your brand extends to your employees, clients, right down to your outfit. Your shoes are Nikes, your computer is an Apple, and your car is a Honda. You live in brand, and sometimes you don’t even know it – but the lifestyle these companies sell has worked, and that’s why you identify with them. Living in brand is also a way of building recognition. The iconic Nike swoosh, Apple’s…well apple, and Honda’s big H. My company is recognized by purple and mustard yellow. Purple is my brand, and I believe in brand – that’s why I wear purple every day.

This all-inclusive approach stays within marketing rules of simplicity, be direct and convey a single message. This strategy is a great “value-added” approach. But it’s all about the follow through. I wear purple and I get recognized, but if my service and “product” delivery is below par it won’t matter what colour I’m wearing. Luckily, my clients not only recognize purple, they recognize great service, solid work and expertise… and  and this association sticks. Purple perfection!

mph

Miriam P. Hara

3H Communications Inc | www.3h.ca