In fond remembrance of primary school lessons with Dick and Jane I present this tutorial on cause and effect.
In preparation for this lesson we need to know that cause is an action that results in a movement. You also need to know that effect is the end result of the action.
Okay, we'll start off easy.
If the cause is a boy teasing a dog then the effect may be a dog barking at a boy.
If the cause is a student studying for a test then the effect may be a better grade than if they had not studied.
If the cause were a woman opening a bottle of water the effect may be access to liquid refreshment.
If the cause is a business owner marketing their website the effect may be more visitors and improved cash flow.
And finally, if the cause is a business owner who pays no attention to marketing the effect will be minimal visitation and very few sales.
All right the technical aspect of the lesson is over, now on to some practical applications.
Everything we do in life is subjected to the ebb and flow of cause and effect. Every action we can supply will result in a return answer for that action. Sometimes the effect is positive and sometimes it can cause us to revisit the cause.
Online business is constantly subjected to the world of cause and effect. These two terms are inextricably linked.
Did you know that even inaction is a cause and it usually has a negative effect when applied to business?
The role of online business is to use the greatest cause to exact the greatest effect. In other words if you want a positive outcome you must enact a cause that corresponds well with a positive effect.
Sometimes we sabotage our own efforts by setting a negative cause in motion and then wonder why we see very little beyond a negative ending.
If you want your business to succeed you need to work to ensure you set in motion those things that will contribute to your overall success. That means that you don't simply 'wing' it, rather you devise a plan that considers what effect will likely occur in response to the cause you enact.
Your decisions need to be forward thinking. If, when you follow a decision to its logical conclusion you determine it will have a negative effect then the idea should be abandoned even if it seemed initially positive.
For instance you might envision a contest for your website, but the structure of the contest could result in misunderstanding and accompanying liability. In this scenario dropping the idea and finding a new cause with a better effect might best serve you.
What that means is your business should have strategic planning that will enable you to move forward having looked at your actions from multiple angles. Only then should you make a decision based on that information.
This whole article boils down to the old adage, "A failure to plan is a plan to fail."