Slide Rule, of Building Blocks Inc., the architect of record for the Castle, walked with Igor of Moat Designs Ltd., the builder of the Castle, up the long and never-ending winding stairway in one of the many towers. Stretched out before them was the elevated walkway connecting the towers around the perimeter. It was this defensive position that was manned at all times by the King’s Knights in shining armor, on the lookout for any invading neighbors. The King met his two subjects as they got to the top.
“I’m glad that you have both joined me,” said the King.
Igor was out of breath and looked for a place to sit down. “Why, your most honorable Majesty, did we meet you here? It would have been so much easier to meet at the pub over a cold brew of watered down wine, then here at the top of the Castle.”
“I have asked you to join me in my cardiac rehab program.”
“We did hear that you had an incident a while back, but we did not pry into your health matters.”
“That’s fine. The doctors diagnosed me with severe aortic stenosis, and after replacing it with a pig’s valve, they put me into cardiac rehab.”
“A pig’s valve?”
“You don’t want to go down that road.”
“Very well. How long have you been participating?”
“I’m in phase 17 of their program.”
“Phase 17? Is that good or bad?”
“I don’t know. But I spend a lot of time walking. So, I thought it would be good to walk with my friends, and I immediately thought of you two. I’m sure you’re pleased to join me in strengthening my heart.”
Igor and Slide looked at each other. This was not going to turn out good. They remembered the last time something like this happened when the King went on a diet, and they also went on a diet, by orders of his Majesty.
They started to walk. Slide took the lead. “So, your Majesty, tell us about the program.”
“It’s really quite simple. It’s very much like business planning. It starts with education, consider it market research, about what is good and what is bad regarding my heart. The goal is to improve my lifestyle in terms of minimizing chest pain, improving my diet, improving my exercise program, reducing stress and addressing smoking.”
“It’s really quite simple. It’s very much like business planning. It starts with education, consider it market research, about what is good and what is bad regarding my heart. The goal is to improve my lifestyle in terms of minimizing chest pain, improving my diet, improving my exercise program, reducing stress and addressing smoking.”
“I don’t think you understand. I’m supposed to stop smoking.”
“Oh.”
Slide was lagging behind, and the King noticed this and turned toward him. “Slide, what’s the problem? Don’t you want to help your King? With a little bit of exercise, you might feel better and your business will improve.”
“I don’t think this walking thing will help improve my business bottom line at all,” replied Slide.
They walked and they talked.
The King continued undaunted by his less than fit friends. “But listen. The cardiac rehab program is a business plan for good heart health. It’s a process whereby we heart patients are educated as to better ways to live, and as a result, our lives will be better and fuller.”
“Can’t help me,” replied Slide. Igor agreed.
“But it’s the same thing as your own business plans in your own businesses. As you well know, when it comes down to it, business is really the ultimate game as it has a scorecard, which is profit or loss. The cardiac rehab program also has a scorecard, which is set to individual levels of achievement.”
“I never thought of it that way,” said Igor.
The King continued, as he was excited about his newfound program of good health. “In cardiac rehab you work to improve your scores so that you will be less likely to have a heart incident in the future. The nurses are all there to help you. They are all very attentive and understand your medical issues. In your business, you follow your business plan, which is outlined in a way that is very similar to what they do in cardiac rehab.”
“So, if I may, your Majesty, are you saying that cardiac rehab is similar to a business being successful because they are both seeking to improve one’s health in a planned and organized manner?”
“Right, you got it.”
“I think you’re lucky to be involved in such a positive program of health and wealth,” said Slide. “If I may suggest something, I think I can actually contribute to your program. I am an expert at stopping smoking. I can help you with that part of your program.”
“Oh Slide. That’s wonderful. Excellent. What makes you an expert?”
“I’ve stopped well over 100 times.”
Ronald A. McKenzie is president of COMPASS Consultants Corp., a strategic planning and marketing company specializing in developing business growth. He is a published author and has made nationwide presentations on the subject of strategic planning and marketing. He can be reached at (630) 740-4434 or ramckenzie.compass@gmail.com.
