I can’t imagine the absolute fear the young men and women would’ve faced during the first World War (or any war, thereafter). Facing unknowns, and harsh conditions; they would’ve had to conjure up courage on a daily basis to get through it.
It’s Anzac Day here in Australia as I write this post. It’s an annual day of remembrance for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. In particular, the day signifies the battle that Anzacs faced in their campaign to take hold of the Gallipoli peninsula so they could take control of Dardanelles and open Constantinople to the allied forces and push out the German ally – the Ottoman Empire. 
As the Anzacs landed on the beach at Gallipoli, they were met by fierce resistance from the Ottoman Empire. What was hoped to be a quick win dragged out to eight months of fighting.
Not all the soldiers came home alive — in fact, 8000 lives were lost — and Anzac Day is truly a day of honouring the fallen and remembering their sacrifice.
It’s how we handle the tough times… when we are put into situations that can easily bring out our worst traits, when our true characters and personalities shine through.
Today, I’ve reflected on the meaning of Anzac Day and how as humans, we get through times of adversity and uncertainty and I translated these feelings into the business arena. I know there isn’t direct comparison in regards to fighting for your country, facing life and death situations and a tough client, I’m interested in the feelings we show and the sentiments of character we display through times and situations we cannot necessarily control.
It’s how we handle the tough times… when we are put into situations that can easily bring out our worst traits, when our true characters and personalities shine through.
Being in business can do this. Everyone that works for themselves or for someone else has faced a situation they couldn’t control or was in charge of a task that they really didn’t like. We usually call these incidents: “having a bad day.” It could be the moment you discovered you’ve made a huge mistake and have to walk into the boss’ office to notify him/her, or a difficult client has decided to change a strategy at the last minute that you’ve spent the last three weeks designing… It hurts even more when you know they’re suggestions are wrong, won’t work and you’ll have to take responsibility for the negative ROI.
But at the end of the day, business, like war is about humanity. It’s about people helping people. Sure, we use machines to make things and communicate with one another but at the end of the day, it’s humans that buy and sell those things. And we do so because we either need or want those things. We trade with one another and sell our services because we all have different things to offer.
Communication and connection are the absolute building blocks of all personal and business relationships. Good communication in business is good business. Good business is good communication.
During the war, almost strangers became fast friends through necessity and unnatural environments. Trust was built on mutual suffering, anger, laughter, loss and celebration. Long lasting relationships were formed. Their foundation? Connection. The glue? Communication.
Communication and connection are the absolute building blocks of all personal and business relationships. Good communication in business is good business. Good business is good communication.
Your customers, colleagues, clients all require something from you in order to have their needs and wants met. They made need your products as a link in their value chain. A colleague may need to see your smile to brighten their work day or a client may just want to rely on you to deliver your service in a professional way so they have one less thing to worry about.
Your connection to clients or colleagues may be minimal or strong but how you communicate with them will forever be the glue that binds that connection. How you hold yourself, how you handle stress and how you handle those tasks you absolutely despise doing, all contribute to how others view you.
It’s the corporations and brands that foster good connection and communication that do well on social media.
1. They respond to negative feedback within an hour. Eg: https://www.facebook.com/boostjuice
2. They work to resolve the customer’s issue. Not just make them go away. Eg: https://www.facebook.com/boostjuice
3. They use the customer’s feedback as an opportunity to learn and improve. Eg: https://www.facebook.com/jurlique.au
4. They let their customers’ be the stars on their social channels. They encourage engagement; build community and ask their audience to get involved: upload photos, comment and share content. Eg: https://www.facebook.com/kathmandu
5. They consistently think of how their product or service helps their customers and build their content from there: providing entertaining and informative answers to their customers’ questions. Eg: https://www.facebook.com/kathmandu
The next time you’re having a bad business day, think about all those who fought for your country (some of whom didn’t have a choice). Think about the strangers that were thrown together in cold, muddy trenches and were asked to guard each other’s lives. Think about those young frightened people connecting with other young frightened people. It wasn’t just what they did for each other and for their country that they’ll be remembered for. It’s how they connected, and bravely helped one another… because, at the end of the day – we’re just people helping people.
Have you had an experience in business that required tested your character and personality?
Social Media. Marketing. Public Relations. Customer Engagement. Connection. 