Don’t stop learning

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.

Don’t stop learning

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Holding a senior position doesn’t mean you have nothing more to learn. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. As a leader, it’s even more vital that you continue to develop your knowledge and skillset, so you can make better decisions, adapt to the changing wants of your customers and instruct those around you more productively.

You must accept that there are:

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Known knowns – Things have a thorough knowledge of and have full confidence in.?

Known unknowns – Aspects of your business in which you are less assured, but you know this to be the case.

Unknown unknowns – Unidentified gaps in your know-how, which you have never considered.

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If you are looking to improve your organisation, first focus on what you do know. Then, regard the known unknowns, as they will bolster your skillset. Big, successful companies have dedicated research and development departments to attend to unknown and unknowns. This may not be an option for you, but think about spending some time researching or speak to a specialist outside your business for a more objective perspective.

What underpins all this is a cultivating a learning culture in your business. In this article I will be outlining some methods for achieving this…

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A limiting mindset – Muddling through

Encourage your employees to broaden their knowledge and expertise.

I understand that sometimes work can seem so hectic that it’s up to everyone to just get the job done. However, when the opportunity arises for your employees to explore new ways of working, I would advocate you allow this. There is the potential that your most frantic periods could be partly alleviated with new thinking and more efficient processes.

By demonstrating that you are keen on developing people in your company, it stands to reason that your organisation becomes a much more desirable place to work. Devoting yourself to status quo only risks stagnation and is likely to result in a far higher turnover of staff. Don’t let your business become a stepping stone.

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A missing element – Internal bias

Sometimes it is necessary to employ someone because they have specific skillset you need. An alternative to this is assessing the people you already have and gauging whether one (or a number) of them could fill this role, by developing their existing talents.

Showing your workforce that you favour promoting from within, rather than onboarding someone new, is likely to cultivate a culture of ambition and instil greater engagement.

The benefits of this internal bias are:

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1.?Alignment – They are already part of your business, so understand its values and processes.

2.?Cost – It will cost less both in terms of recruitment spend and training hours to onboard them.

3.?Loyalty – Promotion naturally encourages loyalty, both to you and your company.

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Finding a solution from what you already have is not always possible, but for the reasons above I would certainly give it some thought.

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A different perspective – No blame, more gain

Rules and systems are present for a reason. They prevent unpredictable outcomes and maximise efficiency that could be created from more a reactive approach. Simply, you cannot play everything by ear.

Despite this, there is a big difference between having a playbook of ideal actions and unimaginative bureaucracy. If your employees think they are simply a mindless cog in the machine, it’s likely that they will feel disengaged and consequently produce substandard results. Therefore, give them the license to try new methods and don’t berate them if they don’t work.

Of course, it’s worth saying that completely rewriting the rulebook is probably a mistake. If one of your employees wants to try something new, it’s probably best they receive the approval of someone senior.

Giving your staff the scope to find better solutions has the potential to fill some of the unknown unknown gaps that you had never imagined. As well as this, they are probably so well versed in the existing systems that they’re now a particular expert in this field. Trust that they can discover another way.

Businesses that encourage learning are often the most successful. It’s important that your employees know this, but additionally, they see that you are embodying this philosophy too.

It is an overused, but relevant phrase: ‘everyday’s a school day.’?

If you know anyone might benefit from the content of this article, please share it with them and encourage them to subscribe to the newsletter. My aim is to help as many people create the businesses they have always wanted.?

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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