When It's Time to Take Drastic Action: Lessons in Business from a Tooth Extraction

Three weeks ago, I broke a tooth. Like many people, I ignored it. A busy schedule, a bit of discomfort but nothing unbearable?—?I convinced myself it would get better or at least not get worse. But ignoring a problem rarely makes it go away.

Fast forward to last night, and there I was, sitting in an emergency NHS dentist’s chair, finally getting that tooth taken out. It had to be done. What struck me most about the experience was how quick, efficient, and well-handled it was by the NHS. The team was fantastic, and within a short time, I felt relief. However, the truth is, I could have avoided a lot of pain if I had dealt with it sooner.

It got me thinking about the parallels in business and marketing. We’ve all had situations where something feels “off” in our strategy, but we let it slide. We hope the issue will resolve itself, or that with time, it will somehow be fine. But just like my tooth, problems in business don’t typically go away without intervention. Sometimes, they need drastic action.

Ignoring the Problem Won’t Fix?It

When I first broke my tooth, I was aware of the problem but kept pushing it to the back of my mind. It wasn’t that bad, I thought. After all, who wants to sit in a dentist’s chair when they don’t have to? But as the days passed, the discomfort grew. I found myself trying to chew differently, avoiding cold drinks, and generally getting by with the problem instead of solving it.

In marketing, we often see the same pattern. A campaign isn’t quite hitting the numbers we want. A product launch is underwhelming, or our customer engagement has plateaued. But we persist, tweaking things here and there without addressing the root cause.

Ignoring the signs won’t make the problem disappear. Often, it just gets worse. In the end, it costs us more?—?whether it’s in terms of customer retention, brand reputation, or financial loss.

Recognising When Action is?Needed

One of the hardest things in business, and perhaps in life in general, is recognising when we need to act. As much as we like to think that problems will correct themselves, they often don’t. If something isn’t working?—?whether it’s a broken tooth or a broken marketing strategy?—?it’s crucial to address it head-on.

For weeks, I put off going to the dentist. It wasn’t until the pain became unbearable that I was forced to take action. In business, this would be akin to waiting until our profits nosedive or we lose a major client before making the necessary changes. By that point, we’ve likely missed out on opportunities and caused more damage than if we had acted sooner.

So, how do you know when drastic action is needed? Here are a few signs:

1. Stagnation: If your marketing efforts are no longer yielding the results they once did, it may be time for a major overhaul.
2. Customer Feedback: When your customers are consistently providing negative feedback or expressing dissatisfaction, it’s a red flag that something needs to change.
3. Decreasing ROI: If your return on investment is dwindling and no small tweaks seem to be working, more drastic measures might be required.
4. Gut Feeling: Sometimes, you just know. If something doesn’t feel right, trust that instinct. Address the issue sooner rather than later.

Drastic Measures: Why They Can Be a Good?Thing

When I finally booked my emergency appointment, the dentist didn’t mess around. After examining my tooth, it was clear that extraction was the best course of action. While it wasn’t the most comfortable procedure, it was necessary, and by the time I left the clinic, I felt a wave of relief.

In business, taking drastic action can feel just as daunting. Whether it’s overhauling your entire marketing strategy, dropping a product line, or rebranding your business, these decisions are big. They’re uncomfortable, and they often come with a level of risk. But when they’re necessary, they can also bring immense relief and clear the way for growth.

Think of brands that have made major shifts to stay relevant?—?whether it’s a complete rebranding like Burberry in the early 2000s or a company like Netflix moving from DVD rentals to streaming. These businesses recognised that to stay relevant and thrive, they had to take bold action.

It’s easy to play it safe, but sometimes the most significant growth comes from making the toughest decisions.

The Relief of Solving the?Problem

Once my tooth was out, the relief was almost instant. Sure, there’s a bit of recovery, but the nagging pain and worry are gone. The same is true for businesses that tackle their problems head-on. While there may be some short-term discomfort?—?like the cost of rebranding or the temporary dip in sales as you restructure?—?the long-term benefits are worth it.

The key is to understand that inaction can often lead to more significant problems. If something is broken, whether it’s a marketing strategy, a sales funnel, or even a product offering, addressing it sooner rather than later is always the best course of action.

Think about it: when was the last time you ignored a business problem and it magically resolved itself? It doesn’t happen. If anything, it gets worse.

Quick Action and the Role of?Support

What made my experience so positive last night was the incredible efficiency of the NHS team. They didn’t waste time. From the moment I walked in, everything was handled with care and professionalism. They knew I was in pain, and they acted swiftly to resolve the issue.

This is an important lesson for businesses. When you identify a problem, act quickly. Don’t allow it to fester. More importantly, surround yourself with the right team or support network to help you through the process. Whether it’s a marketing team that can execute a new strategy or a business consultant who can help you identify the root cause, having the right people around you is crucial.

No one does it alone, and in business, just as in healthcare, the right support can make all the difference.

Prevention Is Better Than?Cure

If I could go back three weeks, I would have booked that dental appointment the moment I noticed the problem. I would have saved myself weeks of discomfort and a last-minute dash to the emergency dentist.

In business, the same principle applies. It’s far easier to prevent a major issue than to fix one after it’s become a full-blown crisis. Regularly evaluate your marketing strategies, your customer engagement, and your product offerings. Stay ahead of the game by being proactive rather than reactive.

Look for small signs that something isn’t working and address them early. Schedule time every month to review your KPIs and customer feedback. Make adjustments as you go so that you don’t find yourself needing to take drastic action down the line.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait for the?Pain

There’s an old saying: “Don’t wait for the toothache before you see the dentist.” This applies to both oral health and business strategy.

If something feels off in your business, don’t ignore it. Whether it’s a marketing campaign that’s underperforming, a product that’s not selling, or a customer base that’s disengaging?—?act now. Don’t wait until you’re in crisis mode to make the necessary changes. Sometimes, drastic measures are the best course of action, and while they may be uncomfortable in the short term, the long-term benefits far outweigh the temporary pain.

So, what business problem have you been avoiding? It’s time to book that appointment and get it sorted.