Attitude is Everything
12th April, 2009 | 9:14 pm | By Graham Crombie - Audit and Assurance Services, Partner and Chief Executive

I am writing this blog sitting at Christchurch airport on my way from Blenheim to Queenstown.  I was lucky enough this weekend to take part in “the graperide” which is a bike event starting and finishing at the Forest Estate vineyard in Blenheim.  In between is a 101km ride up to Picton, though the sounds to Havelock and back to the vineyard.  A field of 2500 take part.

My contribution to the field was likely to win the prize golfers talk about as “most golf”.  It was however a beautiful day and a great ride.  These events are all about having a go and the people you meet – this came through at the prize giving.  The speed bunnies (professionals) were circulating around the course in about 2 ½ hours. The rest of us were somewhat slower.  There was a group of slightly mad riders who completed five rounds (505 km).  One rider set out to raise some money and rode 1000km, in the process raising $40,000.  While he didn’t exactly sprint to the stage his efforts received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Just as impressive were the Vet 3 riders (in their 60’s and 70’s) who were not too far of the top times of people 40 years younger than them.  Mixed in with them were the weekend warriors who were out on the course for more than five hours and getting just as much satisfaction as they crossed the line.

What came through strongly to me at the prize giving was the attitude of all these people.  There was a really supportive feeling and a base attitude of giving it your best shot and celebrating your achievement.  No doubt in my mind that everybody performs better in this sort of environment.  I know I did with the support I received climbing the hills out of Picton.

As I have written about before I am focusing on the financial environment we are operating in to a large extent at present.  There are some real challenges out there at present.  Again however I am seeing that the attitude people bring to the problem is more than half the battle.  Many firms are facing up to hard issues and dealing with them.  This is not easy but necessary.  They are managing the short term issues but not losing sight of the long term opportunities for their business.

For my sins I spend a lot of time in hotel rooms.  I usually end up watching a news channel – often CNN.  It has been fascinating for me to watch them change their attitude.  Up to about a month ago they were running a strap line at the bottom of most of their items of “financial crisis” or “credit crunch”.  Now their strap line is “road to recovery”.  The stories they are running are still covering the issues but often putting a positive lens on the issue. 

It seems to me that we need more of us to have the attitude of those 70 year old riders and CNN and tackle the challenges in front of us with a positive attitude.

As always would love to hear from you on graham.crombie@ph.co.nz.  I have really enjoyed your feedback.

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Last updated: 12th April, 2009 | 10:55 am