Get Yoda's Wisdom

At the end of the day, who holds you accountable? Probably just the person looking back at you in the mirror. And how honest are you with that person?

Few small business owners focus on value while planning and growing their business. It's growing your business and building value that provides a return on your investment. So how do you focus on building value?

As the owner of your business, do a majority of the problems or issues, either in your organization or with customers, seem to end up on your desk?

You're not alone.

We often use the same terms in business that are used on the sports field when we describe what is necessary to succeed. Intensity. Passion. The will-to-win. Yet, what may be missing is a critical emotion. Fun!

Do you really listen to your customers? Does your ego or your inattentiveness just make you “tone deaf” when it comes to listening to what your customers are really saying to you?

The last 3 years I've battled an enemy I couldn't see but could surely feel. Cancer is a scary word. Like most scary situations, you deal with them or they deal with you. The lessons learned changed me and can help small business owners.

You can't grow if you don't change. What worked to get you success, won't necessarily work in continuing that success.  Status quo is the enemy of growth. You have to keep your business from getting "fat, dumb and happy."

Quality has plummeted, customer service calls have escalated, and neither you nor any of your managers seem to know why. Who has the responsibility to get the product out the door?

Revenue, and the associated profit from that revenue, is at the foundation of creating value. If the revenue is not driving profit, you really are just running in place.

Having a business coach or advisor can be an effective way to grow your business. But it's not for everybody, but when it is, it shouldn't come with a “cookie-cutter” solution.