I had some contact with an organisation some years ago called Action Coach. No, it’s not the local bus service, it’s a business coaching franchise, international I think.  To my mind it was all an exercise in the blindingly obvious and I could never understand why, if the coaches knew all the answers, they were not all filthy rich and living in Barbados.  Maybe I misunderstood something.  But I did learn one thing.  We all need to allow some time to work on our businesses, not in them.   

The problem for most of us, me certainly, is that we spend so much time trying to get the job done that we never have time to stand back and look at the big picture. The helicopter view is just not one most of us see very often.  

I had a very good example last month.  I had the privilege of attending both the FIDI conference in Dubai and the OMNI conference in The Seychelles.  Both excellent events in their own way, but very different.  FIDI attracts 600+ people.  It’s about work.  People going into huddles discussing, well I don’t know what they are discussing but I suspect it’s operational not strategic.  The business sessions are educational and interesting but, again, they tend to tackle day-to-day issues such as how to comply with FAIM requirements and the consequences of SOLAS.  I think this is an excellent thing to do and I congratulate FIDI for doing a first-class job – but there needs to be more.  Sometimes it’s necessary to take a step back.  

The OMNI conference is, for those entitled to attend, that step.  It’s smaller, usually 100-150 people, and only the business owners and senior managers attend.  It’s usually held somewhere relaxing and beautiful.  The pace is slower.  Dress codes are casual.  The business meetings, unlike most others in the moving calendar, are fully attended.  Mobile phones are turned off.  Business cards are unnecessary.  People join in, listen, learn and contribute their wisdom for the good of the membership, the organisation and the industry as a whole.  It’s a strategic forum that involves some of the industry’s leading players.  There is nothing else like it.   

So, as you go about your daily tasks, and you struggle to achieve your ‘to do’ list, consider taking a break.  Call it an OMNI moment if you like. Let your mind relax and the inspiration flow. Work on your business for once, not in it.