Avoiding Small Business Fires: The Tough Decision Every Owner Must Make

You can run but you cannot hide. When you don’t make that tough decision, it will sometimes be done for you without your permission.?

Your difficult employee will quit and not on your preferred timeline.?

Your business sales will take an unexpected turn for the worst even after such a successful few years of progress.?

Your hair, skin, and sleep will break out in hives from the stress of putting out fires day in and day out.?

These are only a few of the “fires” that many say are common in running a small business. It’s the pattern I hear all the time by the time business owners come knocking on my door / hopping onto my calendar for the first time.?

However, if a business owner takes the time to make this one tough decision at least once a year following their ten-year mark, then they can avoid these fires and be more proactive with their business.?

What is that tough decision that needs to be made sooner rather than later??

The decision I am writing about in this article here is the decision to think about your business. Sounds so simple and yet it is the action that many small business owners avoid. Who could blame them? When every day and for some, every hour, feels like another crisis to solve, fix, put out, or ignore, it can be easy to say, “tomorrow” or “soon” or “next time.”

"

If we could have a system where we figured out how much to buy and when with data not all willy nilly, then maybe we wouldn’t have to pull from savings each month. (staff calls, someone has called in sick) Ahh, no time. I need to go in today. I’ll think about that system tomorrow.

"

It would be so great if I could establish a culture in my store, then people would not be quitting all the time (phone rings, call from the accountant) Ahhhh, tomorrow - I’ll think about that culture schmulture then.

"

I really need to align on a budget for my manager to use for our membership. If only he would work things in this way. Ah, got to wait for next week.

"

Thinking about your business may seem like a luxury pastime that you do not have time for, but in reality, it is a necessity. Sometimes, you may even decide to put it on someone else’s plate - another staff member to handle the dirty work of organizing your business. Unfortunately, that staff person, at least with the retail and restaurant clients I work with, is also dealing with their own fires. They are feeling the pressure as much as you are.?They need a leader and that is you.

What you really should not have time for, stress levels for, or heart attacks for are these little fires everywhere. And what better way to put out fires than with some water.

W.A.T.E.R. is one of our five step processes that you can take to be more proactive about your business, experience more control around what is happening, and stop seeing fires everywhere.?

Here is how you can implement it for your business starting now:

1. Write - For one week, jot down all the “I need to”s that come up. One week is enough time to experience everything you need to jog your memory of all the processes you want to define or redefine for your business.
2. Areas - Categorize these needs in terms of your business areas which include finances, staff management, inventory, and marketing. Depending on your industry, you may have more or less categories.
3. Time - Choose at least three sequential half-days (5-hour blocks) where you will do nothing but take the time to brainstorm. It’s helpful if you could do this with your business advisor, mentor, or business coach who will help guide you through the questions and thoughts you need to ensure you are making clear, impactful, and profitable decisions.?
4. Everyone - Select an all-hands team meeting day and time. It is absolutely vital that you communicate all the processes and expectations you will outline. Everyone must be on the same page to ensure a smooth business operation.?
5. Relax - Change takes time especially with all the additional layers that a small business brings including people and the past. Stick to what you outlined and defined, continue communicating and adopting these changes, and the only fires you’ll have to deal with are the political and economic fires you really cannot control.

As the leader and the founder, chances are you already have a vision for how you want things to change and improve. The excuse that you have been using that “they” (e.g. your staff) should already know “this” - “this” meaning something you have not shared is not an excuse. No one can read your mind, and though you may have a team that cares about your business' success, no one cares as much as you.?

For your legacy, for your self-respect, and for your grandchildren, choose to not wait for the next emergency.

Instead, be proactive. Choose to take the time to think. Choose to ensure the little daily annoying fires never spark again.?

—

Vanessa Zamy, The Business Defibrillator?, is emboldening women nationwide to lead prosperous community enterprises. She shares business growth techniques, tools, and tips so business owners can experience immediate improvements in their cash flow and stress levels. A Consultant, a Professor, a Speaker, and Bestselling Author, Vanessa Zamy’s background includes a Management Science and Engineering Degree from Stanford University, and strategic leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies.

To schedule a complimentary 15-minute consult, visit here: https://power.vzamy.com/