Enjoying the Fruits of Our Labor

Executive Editor Daniel Alter, MSc, MDT, CDT | daniel.alter@broadcastmed.com

In life, we can learn much about a particular function within our lives by examining and reflecting on other undertakings. What do I mean by that? I emulate the philosophy of constant learning and thinking, which begins by being a true observer; for instance, take the opportunity to learn through the correlation between running a business and gardening. In gardening, everything starts with a planted seed that then requires a strategic, timely, and actionable plan to support and grow the seed into full maturity. When done right, we can truly enjoy the fruits of our labor.

As in business, once the seed is planted, it is up to us to nurture the seed to become a healthy seedling and subsequently a strong producing plant. This is done by keeping it at the optimal location and in the right soil with ideal temperature, moisture, and light. It should be prepared to enter the world at its strongest and healthiest so that it can continue to grow and flourish. Once the seedling is planted in the garden, we then must protect it, create proper supports during its growth phases, and provide the plant with whatever is necessary so that it can grow successfully: fertilizer, water, sunshine, shade, or more. Can you see the correlation with your business? As a business owner or manager, you need to spend time and resources to protect, nurture, and support your business concept, first in an "incubator" of sorts and eventually in the real world—but that is not enough. Once your business engages with the world, it is up to you to provide the business with strategic investments and resources to support its prolific growth. This notion applies to new, developing, and mature businesses, which all require investments and support in different ways. Much like our seedling, if we left it to fend for itself after being planted, its chances are very bleak—and such is the case with running a business without a continuous commitment to invest and support business growth.

Recognizing the things that hinder growth is also critically important. As with gardening, low-hanging leaves that may touch the dirt are more susceptible to disease and infections; it is best to remove them to protect the plant. In the same way, suckers are appendages that grow from a plant that are non-productive, but they wastefully suck up just as much energy as those appendages that are productive. It is up to us to remove the low-hanging and unproductive appendages, which then redirects the plant's energy to focus on growing and producing better, healthier, and larger fruit. Again, the same principle applies to our businesses; examine all components of a business to ensure that focus is not being wasted on unproductive elements and rather feed the focus and energy toward the elements that are productive.

Simply having a plant—or a business—does not guarantee a fruitful harvest. We must provide our plant or business with appropriate and timely investments to support and nurture its growth, and thereby its legacy. Making sure to eliminate all the things that don't benefit your goals will ensure the best yield of the fruits of your labor.

It is my honor and privilege to elevate and inspire with knowledge.