As I work with businesses, the management, their staff and even individuals such as Realtors, there is a classic problem of how and when to improve many businesses (and this includes the self-employed).
When times are good, TIME for improvement is usually not available.
When times are not so good, MONEY for improvement is usually not available.
But the key here is this... what is meant by "not available?" And what do I mean by "improvement?" Let's start with the latter.
"Improvement" can be investment in training and/or technology, developing better processes and the supporting documentation, increased marketing efforts and a host of other efforts. Things that will help a business grow, survive, service and/or thrive.
So when do you as an individual or a company work to improve? I submit that the most successful businesses and business people make improvement continually. Now that may or may not mean a huge project every day or even every month. But it means that improvement is part of the ongoing business operation regardless of the cycle of the economy.
But you have to plan for improvement as part of your business plan. And you have to budget for it with time and money. Naturally, there is some eb-and-flow based on many external factors and we always want to stay customer focused. But I contend that being a better business is, in the long term, exceptionally customer focused.
Now I know there are those that are saying, "I don't have time or money to work on improvements, I'm just trying to survive!" My thoughts when I hear this is typically, "By not improving earlier, you are in a bigger survival hole now... you may have waited too long." or "If you survive, will you then work to improve to avoid this problem in the future? Promises made in storms are often forgotten in the calm seas."
I also contend that if you do not include business improvement as part of your business philosophy, then you will eventually be left behind those that do.
We all know of success stories that burst on to the scene locally and nationally, only to crash and burn a few years later. Many of these successes stories believed they had found success, so no need to improve. Eventually, the smart competitors adapted, improved and survived.
So, what are you doing to improve? And is it random shots in the dark or part of an ongoing, strategic plan?
Thanks for the input. I agree with you totally. I am improving my website and my internet presence as we speak.
Nate Rowe Homes in Richmond
Thanks for the post, I subscribed to your blog so that I can glean some more helpful advice.
Thanks for the pep talk -- your remarks are timely.
Nate Rowe-Homes in Richmond VA (Oakstone Properties) Nate, great to hear you working on new things to help now and as the market adjusts. Smart move! G
Li Read at Sea to Sky Premier Properties Thanks Li! G
Steven Wright~Home Real Estate~720-989-5283 (Home Real Estate) Hi Steven, I appreciate it and I hope my posts will be useful! Thanks! G
Glenn: Thank you! We all know what is necessary. The key is are we doing it with a longer-term strategy in mind? I would hope that is the case. It is the key to success1
Glenn, making time to plan for improvement in small bits is the only way to grow. The other problem with not making plans to improve is that it causes the pain of change to be even that much more stressful. The one thing that is constant about our system of enterprise is that money is the manifestation of how well one plans for changes and the ability to address those changes.
Your post is appropriate and timely.
Thanks
Bo
btw, I got your email and will respond tomorrow afternoon. Sorry for the delay
Paul McFadden Mortgage Loan Originator Renton Washington Mortgage Loans (Exact Financial Group) Yes Paul, long term thinking... and you can't start that thinking only when things are bad... it has to be ongoing. Good point! G
Bo Hussung/ National Title Agent (Cogent Closing Associates) Hi Bo, yes, money is the measuring stick... and some measure up better than others! Talk tomorrow! G