You also know that I believe in “taking action”.

The combination of taking action and using good data to guide decisions are the two most important keys to success… in anything you do in life. It's that simple.

Do you employ those keys to success?

My observation is that most people approach business….or their life like they are playing the party game, “Hit the Pinata”. You know, the game where a blind folded, stick wielding, participant swings at a candy filled Papier-mache object dangling from a branch. The goal is to hit the object , break open the item and then dive-in to get the candy. Its amusing to stand back and watch the ”victim” flail and swing and miss, time after time. Eventually they connect and the poor papier-mâché object succumbs to the bashing.

It seems that a lot of companies conduct their business as if they are playing “Hit the Pinata” . They act as if they have a blindfold on and only by swinging harder and faster they will achieve greater efficiency. The activity is good, but not in itself enough.

I say… in your business, take the blindfold off. Why? Because when you do playing “Hit the Pinata” becomes so much easier. You hit the mark every time….and, get the candy.

Getting the right data, using proven processes and statistical analysis is “taking off” the blindfold. Add the right action and you'll be guaranteed success. And the success will come faster and easier.

Are you swinging blindly? Do you have the data you need to be able to see the target clearly and know how to get there?

If not, set up some procedures that allow you to do things in two different ways with the same measure. Start gathering some data so you can find the right way.

An even better way than the above (which is often called split testing) is to gather data from your competitors. Analyze their public data and you'll be able to get an answer even faster.