Had an underwhelming quarter? Team not turning out the volume you think they could? Perhaps the problem isn’t any one person or department, but a general need for change in the way you operate. Today, let’s look at a few areas that might be slowing you down and impeding growth at the rate you anticipated.
Responsibility and control
In business, we often see these two types of people. One can seem shiftless at times, works all over the place, and hesitates to take credit for projects or demonstrate adequate initiative. This is common among new hires who were brought on during hectic times, although it does happen to employees who’ve been shifted around a company.
The other is someone who handles everything themselves. All of their energy is dedicated to staying on top of as many projects as they can at one time. They think, “If I want this done right, I have to do it myself.” Frequently, this is an attitude observable in managers and owners.
Both of these working styles are ineffective, primarily because they do not fit into the scheme of teamwork. Begin getting results fast by clarifying everyone’s role within the organization. Once everyone is certain of their specific responsibilities, they will be settled more confidently within the team. This means they know exactly who to report to, are always aware of deadlines, and know who to go to if they have a gap that needs filling in.
If work styles need a drastic update or are deeply ingrained in the staff you want to keep, implementation consultants may help.
Identity Crises
Take an in-depth look at what definitely isn’t working, and you may notice that your core values aren’t clearly identified. Perhaps you need to go back to the drawing board and narrow your focus just a bit. This way, you can recalibrate your expectations to something more attainable for your business.
This isn’t a rare occurrence; many businesses get off the ground and experience an exciting bit of growth. Sometimes this triggers them to promptly expand their scope of work in anticipation of acquiring even more business.
Remind yourself of who your target audience is (“everyone” isn’t the proper answer). This is the demographic you work hardest to serve, so refocus your business strategy around them. And never promise more than you actually are capable of delivering.
Lack of automation
It’s possible that you’re moving slowly because you haven’t kept up with the times. Make a list of all daily tasks carried out in your business by humans. From there, identify which tasks can actually be automated, such as emails, scheduling, training, and inventory.
It may be that your best investment would be in management software and other automation solutions. Pare down human tasks gradually until staff are performing only what requires human attention and interaction.
How great was your business plan when you began? No matter what you had in mind then, it can always use revisiting. When you identify roles within the business, your target customer, and ways in which you can automate, it’s an automatic upgrade for your business.