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Are you drowning or swimming?

Written by: Nicholas Fraser

Article Overview: Are you drowning or swimming. In business things keep you afloat and other things drag you under To assist you in assessing your state I would suggest using the concept of a balanced scorecard. Here you list out all the attributes that affect your business both positively and negatively and then score them out of 10 (or more if they are important and less if they not) even to negative scores if they are really dragging you down. I set out a framework for you to use and customise below. I hope it helps

Are you drowning or swimming?

Are you drowning or swimming?



It’s a difficult for me at times. My business has been built on calling business people up and listening to them and being ready to help when necessary. I call and now preface my request as follows

“How’s business? I ask nervously!”

That’s because at the moment you just do not know what you are going to find out when you ask.

The responses have been quite varied with a few (and I mean a few) rushed off their feet with business. So much so, that they cannot cope with the volume of work. Another set are doing OK (ish). Then some more who are gripping on tightly and really are in quite a bit of pain. Cutting back and back, leaving themselves with hardly any room for manoeuvre. And lastly I have spoken to 5 businesses that have either gone bust or been pre-pack administrated to another company. It’s quite interesting to analyse, that of these sets of people who are the happiest. Funnily enough my conclusion is that those who have “failed” seemed happier. Why? Well at least they know where they are (or aren’t!).

But as you gathered the majority are probably like you – just surviving. And that reminded me of an image I experienced from a course I was on a few years ago as part of my Counselling Studies. It was entitled “The Drowning Person” and it described personal attributes that kept one afloat and those that weighed/dragged you down to below the surface. I have redrafted it for the Business frame and would see some common topics from my articles over the past three years would tend to fall into place. I can suggest you go to my website (see the link in the bio) and you will find the image on the front page.

To assist you in assessing your state I would suggest using the concept of a balanced scorecard. Here you list out all the attributes that affect your business both positively and negatively and then score them out of 10 (or more if they are important and less if they not) even to negative scores if they are really dragging you down. I set out a framework for you to use and customise below. I hope it helps

Balloons	Positive Score +
Objectives and vision
Understand market
Clear plans
Good leadership
Team together
Partnerships
Sales & Profits up
Strong cash flow
Supportive Family
Total +

Weights	Negative Score -
Lack of focus
Not listening to market
Overdraft/Borrowings
Poor Communications
Slow order book??
Overleveraged personally
Unsupportive bank and/or suppliers
Disputes in team?
Personal priorities?
Total -

Grand Total +/- ?

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