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Go With The Flow
By Charles Vander Kooi

Whitewater rafting is a fast growing outdoor activity with thousands of enthusiasts across the country. It is a combination of individual effort, guided instructions, and team spirit. There is nothing quite like the satisfaction one gets after successfully running a daunting set of rapids with your raftmates. The price of failure is high; the thrill of victory is exhilarating just like life in the entrepreneurial business world!

In order to enjoy whitewater rafting you need three elements: a raft, an elevation drop, and a river. The raft, as we will shortly see, can easily be related to the work team we find in our businesses. The elevation drop can be compared to the environmental changes that impact our businesses that impact all mental changes that impact our businesses -- that impact all businesses to varying degrees. The river can be compared to your business in that rivers an businesses are created in the same way, grow in similar fashion, create unique "ecosystems" around themselves, and certainly provide the ride of your life if your are brave enough to ride them.

A river is created in its headwaters by runoff from melting snow. The runoff follows the path of least resistance into valleys to create brooks; several brooks merge to become creeks; creeks join together, with further elevation loss, to become streams. Streams run from mountains to become small rivers in valleys first; then become progressively larger rivers as they flow to the ocean.

In the same way, businesses start with the creation of an idea or the thought of doing something a better way. Soon, the idea progresses beyond the thinker and attracts other people. These people will have a deep sense of loyalty to the company as long as they remain employees. The idea grows and starts to produce a profit, which brings more employees and "units of activity" such as vehicles, assets, etc.

Just as a river is made up of many different flows, a company starts to develop many different goals, as the number of different people needed to facilitate its growth expands. In the worst case scenario, if a business grows too fast it is like a river overrunning its banks, and its growth can become destructive to both the company and the surrounding environment.

"Troubleshooting Your Business to Cause Success"
by Charles Van Der Kooi. You may order this book by calling Tim Saul at 303-697-6467.

Charles Vander Kooi Biography:

Charles Vander Kooi has been involved in the construction industry for over 30 years, thirteen as an upper-management employee of companies and seventeen as a consultant. He has bed over a billion dollars in work over his career. As a private consultant, he has helped over 1,200 companies in their estimating/bidding systems and has lectured to over 70,000 contracting people nationally and internationally.

Constantly in demand, Mr. Vander Kooi speaks at an average of 100 Trade Shows and Conventions annually, teaching his philosophy across the U.S., Canada and Australia. His company consults with an average of 100 clients annually to assist in improving their performance.

He has authored eight books to the industry and his seminars are available on audiocassettes as well as videos.

Vander Kooi and Associates, Inc.
Phone: 303.697.6467, Fax: 303.697.6815