How is your Business doing?

Do you feel like you are working like a dog and not getting anywhere while others just seem to be on auto pilot?

Well let's change that right now. Are you ready? Ok here are some steps to take to get it under control.

#1. You have got to know your numbers.

 You need to make a list of the 10 key metrics that are make or break in your business. I know this sounds like a lot of work. but you must know the numbers. Knowing your numbers tells you what is working and what is not. Helps you focus on the efforts that are building your business and helps you decide how to change the things that are not working. Also it helps you move or take actions quickly and in a logical way. You have proof of what is working and if it continues to work.

#2 Get Things DONE! GET ER DONE BOY!

  How many projects have you started and not completed? It is so easy to get all excited about a new project but sometime down the line it just never gets completed. Initiative is great but getting these processes and projects completed will help your business run more smoothly. 

Pick a few of these unfinished projects and give yourself a timeline to get them done, 14-30 days. So if getting your numbers under control, start getting it done Hoss. These are the things that will make your business run more smoothly and keep on track.

#3 Are you part of the fire department. Spending all your time putting out fires. You end up being reactive instead of proactive.

  Everything in your business should have a process and a procedure that is documented.Everytime you come up against an issue that needs to be solved. There should be a documented process that is created and then followed. Many small businesses do not do this process. It becomes the achilles of the business. 

If every time a person wants to return or refund and you handle it differently. The customers get confused and so do the employees and how it should be handled. Keep it clear and simple. The whole goal is to have these processes in place so that when you are not there things run smoothly and keep on track.

  Many people do not do this. They feel that their business is so small and family run. We don't need this and it is really too much work for what we will get out of it. Well this is why they will stay a small business. Remember that if you have to handle everything and your business can not run without you there. You do not own a business, it OWNS YOU!

#4 Is your business built around you?

  You have started it, you run it and you control it all and without you it will stop. You have created a monster not a business. You have to get step #3 down so that you can really get this part down. You need to be able to organize and let up on the controls.So that when you take a vacation, yeah i know. Sounds like a dream concept right. A vacation!. your business is still running. Many business owners do not take time off because the cash flow stops as soon as they leave. But how different would it feel to be sitting and relaxing on your dream vacation and get a notification of deposits still coming into your account and you have not been there for a week.

To do this. You need to start a process where others can start taking control of the business. You need to be able to help develop the employees skills and determine their strengths and weaknesses. So that you can have a powerful workforce that can run your business while you're away.

#5 This one is really to help you with #4. Create a process to hire and develop a world class team. This is what's going to really let you create more freedom and flexibility into your company. If you can not walk away, then you do not own a business. It OWNS YOU!