While I was hard at work last week, an everyday drama was playing out in a hospital room in the next town. My niece was working on presenting me with a new great nephew. Tyler James came into the world Thursday afternoon, mother and child are both doing well. Naturally, I am able to discern at this early stage that the child is adorably cute, remarkably bright, and very advanced for his age. Takes after his Great Aunt, I'm sure.
Now, watch how I turn this blessed, private family event into a small business parable-hopefully the child didn't inherit my one track mind.
Young Tyler received the pre-birth gifts of two pairs of baby shoes. Then, he was born with big puppy feet. Already he has outgrown at least one pair of his new shoes. By the end of the week, I suspect the other pair will be much too snug as well. Two things are sure with babies and small businesses, Growth Happens and Change is Inevitable. Your infant soon becomes a toddler who soon becomes an adolescent. Each stage of growth brings different challenges and opportunities.
The key is to anticipate the growth before it happens and prepare for the challenges before they develop. Tyler, like your business, will grow. His needs will change and his parents will need to change with him. Many of the challenges to be faced are not anticipate-able. But many are.
When you start your business, your main concern is survival. Often small businesses don't make it through the first year and by year four many more have succumbed to the pressures and harsh realities of the small business climate. It is classic Darwinism--survival of the fittest at its most basic level. Businesses that are well capitalized, well run, serving flourishing markets, and executing a solid business plan have the best chance of survival.
And then there is the rest of us. Struggling along, trying to figure things out as we go. Anticipating the changes makes the trip much easier, and makes for successful businesses. My own business has taken just such a trip over the years. And yes, I have many "if only's". If only I had done this then, how much farther along my business would be. If only I hadn't handled that situation like that, how much better my business would have run. Sometimes the "if only's" outweigh the successes.
Consider the stage your business is at. Is it a newborn needing protection and nurturing? Is it struggling to stand on its own feet? Is it rocked by rapid fire changes and needing a firm foundation? What can you do to help your business through whatever stage it is in? What can you do to prepare your business for its next phase of life?
Your business and my nephew will go through predictable growth stages. Business owners and parents each start out with the wonder and excitement of new birth, struggle through the early work-intensive years, seek balance during the intermediate years, get tossed about by the turbulence of adolescence, and someday, through the grace of God, are able to stand back and say, "My work has paid me handsomely."
Caroline Jordan, MBA helps self employed professionals navigate the trials and perils of raising a small business. For more tips and strategies to create a successful business without losing your mind visit http://www.thejordanresult.com
shuttle from O'Hare Brocton .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThe efficiency of debt collection is the difference between a... Read More
If you run a pressure washing company in a rural... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission is upgrading the franchise law and... Read More
Who is responsible for maintaining the business relationship?Nurturing a business... Read More
Everyone loves a good story. Whether it's the story of... Read More
If you're serious about wanting to start a business, the... Read More
At one point or another, almost every business runs short... Read More
In the Truck Washing Business every single type of vehicle... Read More
Are the promoters and consultants destroying the market for Reverse... Read More
On June 8, 2004, the world witnessed what no one... Read More
Should you buy a business opportunity or Franchise if you... Read More
Why does a good business relationship rely on having some... Read More
What is Business Valuation? The term business valuation is the... Read More
In these days of insecurity and uncertain futures, the tendency... Read More
Data. Most people think it is a term relegated to... Read More
It's Monday morning and Connie the Consultant sits in her... Read More
You only have so much time in a day right?So... Read More
There have been many great points raised on both sides... Read More
Entrepreneurs are hardy stock. But sometimes hardiness can get you... Read More
Franchising Corporations need to maintain an iron fist when it... Read More
As a business owner, you already know how important it... Read More
What image do you and your people portray to your... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
Do you have all the customers your business can use?The... Read More
Incorporation in Nevada has become an attractive option for savvy... Read More
Chicago charter limousine service Hickory Hills ..Business checks are available in many styles and varieties. They... Read More
Many years ago, I had warned the carwash industry of... Read More
Here's why 'WHY' is such a profit-making marketing trigger."Stop taking... Read More
Database Problems in MarketingI have been working on a direct... Read More
There are many potential niches for pressure washing companies that... Read More
Just as you are about to say "good-bye" to your... Read More
In franchising an individual desirous of their own business will... Read More
How many "get rich schemes" have you joined? Or have... Read More
Here are a few tips on how to hand out... Read More
Essentially there are 5 tremendously powerful methods to make money... Read More
Have Some Time to Yourself One of the most important... Read More
Traditional advertising methods are still being used for almost 90%... Read More
Winning small and home based businesses today must continually shake... Read More
Attorneys and Lawyers are ruining the franchise industry. It is... Read More
I only have to point to the 555 plus failed... Read More
"If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't... Read More
There are many choices when thinking about a small business... Read More
Why give freebies?We have all seen freebies at trade shows... Read More
If you own a Pressure Washing Company and wish to... Read More
Over regulation of small business is so intense it is... Read More
Paper Shredding Business Opportunities are blossoming up everywhere because in... Read More
As stability emerges in the Middle East there will be... Read More
There is much competition in the mobile auto detailing business.... Read More
People will always stress that having a well researched business... Read More
Everyone loves a good story. Whether it's the story of... Read More
Small Business |