Business Strategy - Page 8

This month we've discussed Spring Cleaning in your business including why spring cleaning matters, a spring cleaning checklist, and the ability to let go of projects. This week we want to focus on sprucing up the organization of your technology with a sample checklist. Again, this checklist is meant to be customized. We encourage you to make it your own.

Our thoughts: We see business owners hold on to work and stock pile projects, because putting a project to rest feels like a disappointment or even a failure. This leads to clutter, overwhelm, and can lead you to wasting time on projects/tasks that are not your true priorities. As an entrepreneur, you will always see ways to improve and innovate your business. There will always be a need to strategize solutions to maximize time and capacity. It's okay to stop a project and to clean it off your to do list without considering it a failure. We challenge you to take a look at your to do list and clean it up. Are those tasks/projects really a priority? Are you hanging on to something, because you don't want to call it quits? Free up your time and your mind for what will truly move your business forward.

Last week we discussed the impact that Spring Cleaning can have on your business and this week we're jumping right into the heart of that matter with a sample Spring Cleaning Checklist. We encourage you to make this list your own. Add to it, tailor it, and adjust it to make sure that your business has what it needs to be organized, focused, and you have what you need to build a business of value.

When people discuss Spring Cleaning, they typically do so in regards to cleaning their garage or sometimes even their office. It's typically about cleaning a physical space; reducing clutter, creating order, and making your physical space look better. Guess what - there is opportunity in the clutter that inspires spring cleaning! Think about it...those piles exist because most small businesses get weighed down in the day-to-day of the business. They get so busy working in it, that they don't have time to work on the business. Now you might be thinking, "How in the world is Spring Cleaning going to help me work on my business?"

As business development experts we are systems junkies! There is nothing we love more than working with our clients to design a new system or getting to the bottom of why an existing system doesn't work and then helping to redesign it. Ideally, businesses are full of documented work systems and people are using those systems to achieve predictable consistent results. This might lead one to think that when all systems are in place the business is set, right? That would be true only if businesses are stagnate. But as you know businesses are not stagnate... they are dynamic... they are constantly changing. 

 "Your system is perfectly designed to give you the results you're getting." W. Edwards Deming

Last week we started exploring systems beyond the electronic programs and applications your business relies on. We expanded your point of view that your business is run on different kinds of systems. Everything that happens in your business is based on a system. This week we want to challenge you to explore the degree to which your business is at risk as a result of not owning the systems being used to achieve results. 

This month we are setting you up to be refer-able. We looked at why you want to be pro-active in planning a referral strategy. Also, we shared ideas to implement a better, consistent experience to your customers. Basically, setting the groundwork so your business is refer-able. Finally this month we want to discuss what to do after a customer refers yo

"Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends."  ~Walt Disney

Last week we explained the necessity in having a referral strategy. We also introduced you to three reasons a customer refers your business to others. And, we challenged you to think like your customers and experience why you would refer your business to others. The next step, and what we are covering this week, is starting to make the necessary changes so you are more referable.