Partner Article

Business stuck in a rut? It's still good to talk

Every day I come across business owners who want the same thing - growth.

One of the biggest traps that they fall into however is the day job. So often business owners get into a rhythm of processing orders, delivering services sending out invoices, that actions become habits and routines. Once these routines take hold days become weeks, weeks become months and months turn to years. Before they know it the business is several years down the line and has enjoyed very minimal growth.

As an outsider there are signs when people are stuck in this kind of rhythm. Firstly there is a lack of direction. The owner may be looking for growth but when I ask they often struggle to articulate how they will deliver it. Body language is a tell-tale sign as well as a tone of frustration. Like many other life problems it takes an outsider to point this out.

Recently I visited a building contractors firm to offer marketing support. The business was small and had its own offices. In the offices everything was very tired looking, furniture, décor etc. That is not to say this is a representation of the business but it set a tone. When I walked into the back offices I saw in the region of 100 Lever Arch files, over pouring with paper work and invoices on shelves from the floor to the ceiling.

I’d been referred to the managing director of the business and when I asked what kind of marketing support he wanted his response was vague, in fact it went along the lines of, “Marketing support really, perhaps someone to make a database of potential clients.” That was the limit of the response, which had little thought into what the company wanted to achieve. The response, the premises and the business owner just all seemed a little fed up.

Being inquisitive I asked about trade and he really struggled to get excited about the business that he’d built. It became very clear that although he’d sought help because he wanted growth it seemed more like he wanted a silver bullet. It was then I asked about the business plan but there was no business plan. The company was going week to week taking on whatever work it could get hold of to get by. This guy was fed up.

Together we worked through his business to identify what he wanted the business to become, how he would be able to drive the business forward and what steps he could take to make this happen. The conversation, the clarity of the thinking and the identification of his values meant we could create an action plan to get the business back on track. It wasn’t the business that needed reinvigorating, it was the owner.

The rise in commercial coaching means that it easier than ever before to take a step outside your business, or your career and work with someone who can help provide a bird’s eye view of your present situation. Through pertinent & challenging questions the relationship can work to help reinvigorate you to start making focussed steps in the right direction. My advice for anyone stuck in a business or career rut? It’s good to talk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lancaster ICV .