Business not busyness

Would you like to take your business to the next level, but are unsure how best to do this?

If you want some fresh ideas and tested frameworks that can help you improve your company for the future, I have created this newsletter for you.

It is often the case that you cannot move beyond your current targets, because your methodology has not changed. What got you here most probably won’t get you there. Therefore, I encourage ambitious leaders to rethink their growth, so they can explore exciting new possibilities.

This isn’t about quick fixes. I want to guide you towards sustainable success, but to do this you have to get better before you can get bigger.

Business not busyness

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Being overwhelmed is a feeling that many leaders will be familiar with.

The trouble with having too many disparate focuses is that this can become an ongoing cycle that is difficult to escape. A multitude of tasks, means other necessary actions tend to be pushed back, continually condensing your timetable. As well as this, without the essential down periods, you will have no room to determine more efficient ways of functioning.

Therefore, there has to be a cut-off point. If you’re feeling overwhelmed it’s up to you to say ‘no’ and take some proactive steps, otherwise you will likely be stuck in this situation for the foreseeable future…

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A limiting mindset – Operations focus

It’s probably true that when your business was younger, you were involved in a range of different tasks across your organisation. This is understandable, as you would have had less staff to fill these roles and leading by example was important to properly establish your systems. However, as your company matures you must relinquish some of these duties, which may well feel unnatural.

The trouble with spreading yourself too thinly across the various operational processes is that your most valuable contribution is being wasted. Fighting fires is sometimes necessary, but if that’s all you do then there’s something inherently wrong with the infrastructure of your business.

Successful companies have a long-term focus, preparing the ground for future endeavours well in advance. Dotting yourself around from customer service to finance, from production to technical support might seem like diligence, but actually indicates a deficiency of skillsets in your organisation. Look to promote your colleagues who demonstrate particular expertise, or hire suitable people to fill these roles.

Share the load.

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A missing element – Urgency vs importance

To best lead your business requires effective time management, not only in terms of instructing others, but vitally, by ensuring your own schedule is utilised.

Take a look at the diagram below, which suggests some ways to prioritise your work with regard to urgency and importance.

It’s no surprise that you should be dedicating your time predominantly to box 1, where the processes are simultaneously time sensitive and essential. Next, you should consider delegating the activities with increasingly imminent deadlines, but limited complexity (box 3). Tasks like those in box 2 will become more pressing as they approach, so be aware they will be important later on. Finally, decide what actions are not worth pursuing; this might sound simple, but sometimes gauging what these actions are can cause some head scratching (box 4).

As part of my coaching, I encourage my clients to rate activities using these numbers; this provides them with a more assured plan of action.

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A different perspective – Broaden your focus

During my time as a business owner, I was frequently overwhelmed. At the time however, I had no clarity on why this was. Looking back, I found dedicating my time to everyday, operational tasks reassuring, as I knew comprehensively what I was doing. This meant I neglected more long-term, strategic thinking, which truthfully intimidated me.

Do not be scared of strategy.

It might sound like you’re engaging in a military exercise, but strategy simply means looking ahead. It’s not always quick, but use your previous and current experience to determine what a successful path ahead might look like. Having this sense of direction will most likely make your actions better considered and consequently, your outcomes more desirable.

Like all things, practice makes perfect and switching to this future focus can be challenging at first. Create some space in your timetable; assess where your company is and where you want to be; direct your efforts in line with this target.

Follow these steps and you can swap overwhelm for fulfilment. It’s your choice…

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Hello, I’m Nick Cramp. I’ve been working as business owner and coach now for around three decades.

During this time, it often occurred to me that many leaders feel unfulfilled by their work, which seemed a pity given the amount of time and effort they have invested. I wanted to change this, so have created and collected a selection of the best strategies for business improvement.

My main mantra is that an organisation must get better before bigger. The reason for this is that without the optimal people, processes and systems, you have no springboard to reach that next level and cope.

In 2021, I published my book Better before Bigger – Rethinking Business Success, which alongside my coaching and courses, outlines a holistic approach to running a thriving company.

I want to guide ambitious leaders towards the best practices and results, so their reality can align with their ambitions.

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Book a FREE, no commitment Introductory Call with me if you are interested in discussing whether I may have the solutions to your challenges. ?

Check out my website if you would like to find out more about me and the services I offer.

Take the Next Level Scorecard for a more insightful perspective of your company, to inform future decision-making.

Follow this link to my book if you are interested in finding a practical guide to taking your business to the next level.

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