Small Business Tips – It's Never The Perfect Time
Small Business Tips – It's Never The Perfect Time
In business they wait to take action on things they need to do to grow their business until they have their strategic plan in place, until staff turnover settles down, until they stop being so busy, until they get a few more clients. They really want to get around to taking the actions they need to do to grow their business … but the time just isn’t right.
When managing people they really want to tackle the poor performer, the rude staff member, the tardy employee. They want to give recognition to the high performing team member and take time out to plan their team’s projects or tasks… but the time just isn’t right.
Are you seeing any patterns?
Waiting for the right conditions is another name for procrastination which is an excuse for not achieving your goals. By waiting for the “right” time before acting - people accept mediocrity.
People often procrastinate because of fear – fear that they won’t be able to handle the results of their action (either good or bad). They may be afraid that if they have that hard conversation at work the person may cry (or resign). They worry they may not make a difference at work if they try and change things or they may go broke and cause embarrassment to themselves and their family.
They end up paralysing themselves into place, numbing themselves into inactivity.
So if you recognise yourself in these patterns what can you do about it?
… Start from wherever you are.
By that I mean, look at one just thing that immediately needs doing and start there. Don’t try and change the world … just do one small thing which, in the process, will also help you to clarify your direction and goals.
In business, if you need to revamp your brand for business cards … start there. A great graphic designer will ask lots of questions to help you clarify your business direction and goals before they put pen to paper. The act of re-designing your brand will in the hands of a skilled designer, help you to focus on your business goals (and if it doesn’t – find another designer – I know a few great ones!).
If you need to manage staff performance … start there. Part of managing performance is having clear and open discussions about future directions and objectives. The outcome of those discussions is greater and shared clarity about your business direction and goals.
If you need to get some direct mail or marketing out there to draw in customers … start there. A good writer will place your writing in the context of your business direction and will help you to articulate precisely what that direction is.
If you need to get a handle on your finances … start there. A good accountant or book-keeper will do more than process your accounts; they will help you work out your financial goals and targets.
If you need to change a bad habit … start there. Bad habits come about from a past response to a usually stressful situation. The habit was helpful at the time as a way of helping you deal with the circumstances. Changing the habit needs to be seen in the context of your broader life goals and direction.
To start from wherever you are, sometimes you need a hand to help you get moving.
The easiest way is to always surround yourself with people who will help you to take that step up and get a helicopter view of your situation – bigger than waiting for everything to be just right.
Find yourself business mentors, coaches, consultants, friends or executive teams who will tell you when you are procrastinating … then who nudge you off your self imposed limitations. People who won’t join in on the “feeling of being stuck”, but who will prompt you to see the actions and the choices available to you that you maybe didn’t see before.
A great support team that gets you moving is one of the best predictors of success for any business owner.
You don’t need perfect situations to get started. You just need the courage to take the first step (even if it isn’t a big one or perfectly executed!) or the right support team around you to help you run.
Small Business Tips Its Never The Perfect Time - To learn more about this author, visit Ingrid Cliff's Website.
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Many people wait for things to be “perfect” before they pursue their dreams and goals. They wait for the perfect conditions, the perfect attitude, and the perfect time of year. They really want to achieve their goals … but the time just isn’t right.
In business they wait to take action on things they need to do to grow their business until they have their strategic plan in place, until staff turnover settles down, until they stop being so busy, until they get a few more clients. They really want to get around to taking the actions they need to do to grow their business … but the time just isn’t right.
When managing people they really want to tackle the poor performer, the rude staff member, the tardy employee. They want to give recognition to the high performing team member and take time out to plan their team’s projects or tasks… but the time just isn’t right.
Are you seeing any patterns?
Waiting for the right conditions is another name for procrastination which is an excuse for not achieving your goals. By waiting for the “right” time before acting - people accept mediocrity.
People often procrastinate because of fear – fear that they won’t be able to handle the results of their action (either good or bad). They may be afraid that if they have that hard conversation at work the person may cry (or resign). They worry they may not make a difference at work if they try and change things or they may go broke and cause embarrassment to themselves and their family.
They end up paralysing themselves into place, numbing themselves into inactivity.
So if you recognise yourself in these patterns what can you do about it?
… Start from wherever you are.
By that I mean, look at one just thing that immediately needs doing and start there. Don’t try and change the world … just do one small thing which, in the process, will also help you to clarify your direction and goals.
In business, if you need to revamp your brand for business cards … start there. A great graphic designer will ask lots of questions to help you clarify your business direction and goals before they put pen to paper. The act of re-designing your brand will in the hands of a skilled designer, help you to focus on your business goals (and if it doesn’t – find another designer – I know a few great ones!).
If you need to manage staff performance … start there. Part of managing performance is having clear and open discussions about future directions and objectives. The outcome of those discussions is greater and shared clarity about your business direction and goals.
If you need to get some direct mail or marketing out there to draw in customers … start there. A good writer will place your writing in the context of your business direction and will help you to articulate precisely what that direction is.
If you need to get a handle on your finances … start there. A good accountant or book-keeper will do more than process your accounts; they will help you work out your financial goals and targets.
If you need to change a bad habit … start there. Bad habits come about from a past response to a usually stressful situation. The habit was helpful at the time as a way of helping you deal with the circumstances. Changing the habit needs to be seen in the context of your broader life goals and direction.
To start from wherever you are, sometimes you need a hand to help you get moving.
The easiest way is to always surround yourself with people who will help you to take that step up and get a helicopter view of your situation – bigger than waiting for everything to be just right.
Find yourself business mentors, coaches, consultants, friends or executive teams who will tell you when you are procrastinating … then who nudge you off your self imposed limitations. People who won’t join in on the “feeling of being stuck”, but who will prompt you to see the actions and the choices available to you that you maybe didn’t see before.
A great support team that gets you moving is one of the best predictors of success for any business owner.
You don’t need perfect situations to get started. You just need the courage to take the first step (even if it isn’t a big one or perfectly executed!) or the right support team around you to help you run.
Small Business Tips Its Never The Perfect Time - To learn more about this author, visit Ingrid Cliff's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
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John PowerJohn Power, founder of Biltmore Franchise Consulting, has extensive experience developing and marketing franchises and business opportunities. He has been in and around franchising for over twenty years. From 1980 through 1990 he conceptualized, organized, and developed the American Video Association. He grew AVA to 2,000 national members, before selling the company it 1990. It was later merged into another home video marketing company. From 2000 to 2005 he worked as a contract marketing and human resources consultant to several local and national companies. In 2005 Mr. Power began working as a franchise development consultant on a full-time basis. Since that time he has helped more than three dozen companies initiate and develop their franchising program. He notes that there are many companies interested in developing a franchise program, and who need his specialized assistance. Mr. Power is a “hands-on” franchise consultant. He said, “I am the ‘nuts and bolts’ person who tends to the details for my clients.” Mr. Power holds a B.S. degree with a major in Marketing. See: www.biltmorefranchise.com You may contact Mr. Power at: jpower@biltmorefranchise.co - Visit John Power's Website |
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George LudwigGeorge Ludwig is a recognized authority on sales strategy and peak performance psychology. An international speaker, trainer, and corporate consultant, he helps clients like Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, Northwestern Mutual, CIGNA, and numerous others improve sales force effectiveness and performance. Though it's George's strategies and processes that help corporations increase productivity and performance, it's his tremendous energy and dynamism that spark the transformation. Again and again, clients remark on his amazing ability to unleash human capacity and inspire men and women to break out of their comfort zones. The result is a whole new type of salesperson. His customized presentations teach achievers to make stunning advances in their lives. From helping salespeople realize cherished dreams to helping corporations exponentially accelerate revenue streams, George Ludwig leaves audiences and individuals empowered, emboldened, and clamoring for more. George is the best-selling author of Power Selling: Seven Strategies for Cracking the Sales Code and Wise Moves: 60 Quick Tips to Improve Your Position in Life & Business. - Visit George Ludwig's Website |
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Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
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David BarrDavid Barr is the President of Venture Opportunities, Inc. David has been a professional business broker/intermediary since 1980 focusing on General Business Brokerage and Mergers and Acquisitions representing client transaction value from $400,000 to $20,000,000. Mr. Barr has handled the sale of over four hundred and fifty companies. David earned a university degree from the State University of New York majoring in economics and business. David holds the Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary and the Certified Business Intermediary designations from the International Business Brokers Association. He is also a Senior Business Analyst and a Texas licensed Real Estate Agent. For more information about David and Venture Opportunities, visit www.bizdealmaker.com. - Visit David Barr's Website |
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Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
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