The Zigzag Principle: The Goal Setting Strategy that will Revolutionize Your Business and Your Life

Book description

“Zig zag” your way to success!

The Zig-Zag Principle presents a proven method for achieving business goals by “zig-zagging”—making flexibility, bootstrapping, and the creation of multiple opportunities central to overall strategy. Because it’s better to be prepared for the inevitable bumps in the road than surprised by them.

The Zig-Zag Principle walks you through the process of establishing an achievable objective—working into the process room for the extra resources, time, and emotional latitude it will truly take to achieve the goal.

Rich Christiansen has started up and launched several technology-oriented companies, including Tornado Solutions, Know More Media, Cyclone Trading Company, and MortgageSaver101.

Table of contents

  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Contents
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. INTRODUCTION Deliberate Detours
  6. ONE Assessing Resources—What’s in Your Pocket?
    1. WHAT ARE YOUR RESOURCES?
    2. EATING OUR OWN COOKING
    3. SUMMARY
  7. TWO Beacons in the Fog and Catalyzing Statements
    1. FINDING OUR BEACON IN THE FOG
    2. CATALYZING STATEMENTS
    3. DISCOVERING YOUR OWN BEACON
    4. EATING OUR OWN COOKING
    5. SUMMARY
  8. THREE Values—A Firm Foundation
    1. VALUES WILL GUIDE US THROUGH THE ROUGH TIMES
    2. VALUES ARE NOT ALWAYS CONVENIENT
    3. MAKING OUR VALUES CLEAR
    4. EATING OUR OWN COOKING
    5. SUMMARY
  9. FOUR Zig Number 1—Drive to Profitability
    1. FINDING HIDDEN ASSETS
    2. MINIMIZE YOUR RISKS
    3. THE NEED FOR PACING
    4. GETTING IDEAS FOR YOUR FIRST ZIG
    5. HOW MUCH CASH DO I NEED?
    6. COMPONENTS OF ZIG NUMBER 1
    7. RESOURCE LIST
    8. THE 80/20 RULE
    9. FAIL EFFICIENTLY
    10. EATING OUR OWN COOKING
    11. SUMMARY
  10. FIVE Zag Number 2—Adding Processes and Resources
    1. ADDING RESOURCES
    2. HIRING SMART
    3. OTHER RESOURCES TO ADD
    4. BUILDING PROCESSES
    5. THE FIVE-MINUTE WHITEBOARD
    6. EATING OUR OWN COOKING
    7. SUMMARY
  11. SIX Zig Number 3—Adding Scale
    1. THE FOUR RULES OF SCALE
    2. BREAKING DOWN OF THE CONCEPT
    3. THE DECISION MATRIX
    4. EATING OUR OWN COOKING
    5. SUMMARY
  12. SEVEN Boundaries and Guardrails
    1. KEEPING YOUR ZIGZAGS UNDER CONTROL
    2. BUILDING YOUR GUARDRAILS
    3. STAYING OUT OF THE WEEDS
    4. EATING OUR OWN COOKING
    5. SUMMARY
  13. EIGHT Rewards—Finding Hidden Treasures
    1. WHAT WILL MOTIVATE YOUR PEOPLE?
    2. KEEP YOUR SYSTEM SIMPLE
    3. AVOID THE ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY
    4. ALLOW FOR SOME FLEXIBILITY
    5. THE WHIP
    6. SEEING THE VALUE IN FAILURE
    7. DON’T GIVE OUT REWARDS UNTIL THEY ARE ACTUALLY EARNED
    8. REWARD YOURSELF
    9. EATING OUR OWN COOKING
    10. SUMMARY
  14. NINE Avoiding the All-or-Nothing Trap
  15. Index
  16. About the Author

Product information

  • Title: The Zigzag Principle: The Goal Setting Strategy that will Revolutionize Your Business and Your Life
  • Author(s): Rich Christiansen
  • Release date: September 2011
  • Publisher(s): McGraw-Hill
  • ISBN: 9780071775274