1999 - The Year of the Phoenix

Tough times find us all. No one is immune from the harsh winds of adversity. No matter how large an organization or how important a person, misfortune affects everyone. It is how you deal with this misfortune that will determine whether or not you or your company will thrive.

Most organizations have a typical response to difficulties.

First they deny it - "It's really just a little blip, sales will pick up next month."
Then they blame others - "We were blind-sided when that dumb competitor decided to cut prices."
After that, companies start arbitrarily cutting costs - "We'll cut 10 percent and make the same bottom line."
Finally, organizations become overly optimistic, expecting the tough times to end quickly - "Our growth next year will be enough to make up for this year's shortfall."

Crossing your fingers, closing your eyes and doing three left-to-right-pirouettes doesn't do much to get your organization soaring again.

Phoenix Organizations

In contrast, Phoenix organizations continually renew themselves. They know that business and financial earthquakes regularly occur, and they prepare for these coming disasters in three ways:

They provide line of sight to customers, engaging everyone in fact-based search and discovery missions.
They grow people by encouraging individuals to understand their customers better and learn to become more effective in delighting those customers as well as advancing their personal career.
They build organizational systems that encourage customer focus and continual employee learning and growth.

Phoenix Leaders

Phoenix leaders also lead companies through hard times. They...

Continually Renew Themselves.

Create Many Other Self-Renewing Phoenix Leaders.

Searchers for facts
Engagers of people
Prioritizers of resources
Unleashers of ownership
Energizers of learning and learners

How You Can Participate In The 1999 Year Of The Phoenix

Nominate the 1999 Phoenix Leader/Organization of the Year and win a trip to Hawaii!

Jim Belasco and Jerre Stead, co-authors of the new book Soaring With The Phoenix: Renewing the Vision, Reviving the Spirit, and Re-creating the Success of Your Company, will be honoring companies and individuals across the country who exemplify the spirit of successful renewal in corporate and personal performance over the past two years.

Each local Phoenix Organization or Phoenix Leader will receive a plaque, community recognition, and a description of their company or career activities posted on this website.

Prizes

We will select a Phoenix individual and organization each week in 1999, and then choose a grand prize winner in both categories.

The individuals who recommend the grand prize winner in each of the categories will win a one-week all expense paid trip for two to the big island in Hawaii during the Millennium Year 2000.

Contest "Stuff"

Enter the name of a company or individual whom you think represents the Phoenix philosophy. Individuals are not allowed to enter themselves or the companies they work for. Companies are not allowed to nominate themselves. However, companies can nominate people who work for them. Nominating parties must reside in the United States. Throughout 1999 individuals and organizations will be selected by Jim Belasco and Jerre Stead as Year of the Phoenix honorees. In December 1999 the Grand Prize Phoenix Leader/Organization of the Year will be announced.

Click here to nominate a Phoenix individual or a Phoenix organization. A person may nominate more than one Phoenix Leader/Organization. In case of duplicate nominations, the nomination received first will be the only nomination counted in the selection process.

Jim Belasco and Jerre Stead will be the sole judges selecting the Phoenix of the Year and the Grand Prize Phoenix Leader/Organization winner. Planned TV Arts, Warner Books, Ingram Micro Inc., Management Development Associates, Inc. and their advertising agencies are not eligible.

Nominations of a Phoenix Leader/Organization must be received no later than October 31, 1999. The Phoenix Leader/Organization of the Year honorees will be selected on an ongoing basis starting March 1, 1999, so early nominations are encouraged. Each winner and nominating party will be notified by mail. The Grand Prize winner will be selected by December 1, 1999.