After ten years in business, I hear the same quote from peers and clients; “You have the perfect business." I’ve tried to explain that a perfect business is a dream, and that owning a successful business is much like training for a marathon.
For your first marathon your goal should be to finish and to be able to walk afterwards, but that’s only your first goal. Once you have achieved it, there is always another milestone...a personal record, an ultra, a relay race, an over-night run and even trail running. Some of these races may seem impossible, but similar to running, owning your own business means you’ll never be totally done...and the dream of a perfect business is exactly what it is - a dream!
If we only had something similar to a running calculator for our business with a suggested pace, time to warm up, when to kick into fast paced repetitions, and to know what days to take off for mental and physical recovery, I am sure there would be many more successful businesses. Since such a device does not exist, I’ve equated training for a marathon to a few simple principles for those venturing into owning or simply improving their business.
Do Not Forget Nutrition
What works well for some businesses and people will not work for others. Have the 'nutrition' of your business in place before race day so you don’t bonk. Don’t judge the success of your business by the money you have in the bank. Plan for each race day by reviewing your financial forecasts, listening to customer feedback and evaluating employee morale.
Focus. Focus. Focus.
Consistently force yourself to focus on the few critical, proactive activities that produce exponential results. Minutia can be draining on any business. Too much email anyone?
Cross Train
Find partners and team members who are strong where you are weak. Too often, owners preach this statement but don’t act on it.
Last But Not Least...HAVE FUN!
Celebrate your victories. It's too easy and very common to move on to your next goal without realizing or appreciating the win. After all, what's the point of being in business if you can't enjoy it.
The Perfect Business - What a Dream. Love it!!