When I was developing a recent training course I put in a tiny little section on what I call the SACI principle.
I have to admit, at the time it was pretty much an afterthought. A few minutes of filler I thought.
But the feedback I got told me it was something more.
And the more I reflected on it, the more I realised I was onto something. I’d accidentally stumbled ont a really important point.
Let me explain.
You see, we all like secrets. Silver Bullets.
We all want to know that one elusive thing that’s gonna change everything. Turn everything around.
“It’s not your fault”. How many times have you heard that before someone tries to sell you the latest, greatest silver bullet?
“It’s not your fault. You see, you didn’t know X”.
It’s super alluring. The thought that if we just knew X – that one elusive thing – then we’d be a huge success.
Of course, there is no X. No one mystery or secret that’s going to change our lives.
But that doesn’t stop us wishing for one.
How often have you been on a training course or read a book hoping to learn a new secret only to be disappointed?
“I already know that”. You think. “Nothing new here”.
But really, the question shouldn’t be whether you already know it. It should be whether you already do it.
You see, we already know the things that will make us successful. They’re not complex. They’re not mysteries. They’re not magic silver bullets.
They’re simple things.
Things like regularly keeping in touch with prospects and clients.
Things like regularly going out and networking (if that’s a strategy that works for us). Or regularly getting up on stage to present. or regularly writing blog posts and articles.
The secret – if there is one – is consistency. It’s doing these simple things week in, week out.
Success in business development is not determined by big, one-off, complex new strategies.
It’s Simple Actions, Consistently Implemented that bring success.
And that’s the SACI principle.
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Image by Tim Green
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Hi Ian, I totally agree. Nothing works better than simple actions and consistency. I never heard the term SACI before however it seems that I have been living by this principle for almost all my professional life.
I run a small business and one of the things I learned very quickly is that you can’t change the direction you are going (and that relates to even the smallest plans you have) because you simply won’t get anywhere.
But if you stay on your track, do not overcomplicate things and stay focused, the world is yours
Thanks for a great post.
Thank you for reiterating the facts! So many times people say that they “fail” but when I inquire further they practically follow through on only 70% of it and then wonder why they are not accomplishing their goals. This concept is not just for business but for life. Follow through and consistency with a mediocre plan always wins over a great plan and mediocre follow through.