30 Days to Make Your Business Better.
Are you struggling to make your mark as an entrepreneur or are you looking for that ‘Red Bull’ buzz to kick start the transformation your business desperately needs? Then this might be the time for a 30-day business challenge.
I bet you have the products, you are delivering the service but something is not right and as captain of the ship, are you sailing in the right direction? Be honest, do you have the skill sets and strategies required to outdo your competition or take your company to the next level in a rapidly changing global market place?
Whether we like it or not, challenges help us to know where we want to go (or not)!
It is difficult sometimes to admit that our business performance seems to be lagging compared to our competitors, but this might be a good time to take a long hard look at the viability of our business future.
Yes, you might be a laid back leader but by going with the flow, are your decisions: -
Strengthening your business position and progress?
Eroding value?
Reducing your environmental impact and meeting your social goals
Increasing the focus on social responsibility and sustainability
At this point, are you asking yourself, is committing to challenges necessary?
Most definitely.
The good thing about challenges is it makes us step out of our comfort zone. It is a good opportunity to rethink what area of the business or life, we want to focus on and how we intend to prioritise intentional change.
Whether its five days – 30 days – 90 days or five years, committing to a formal challenge that requires accountability, means that you gain greater clarity and you are determined to develop and grow in that particular area.
We know that unleashing our potential is easier said than done, so it makes sense to be part of a challenge programme for greater accountability. 30 day challenges, not only gives you the support you need, but removes the boredom and procrastinating habits that can often creep in.
By committing to a challenge does not mean it’s all business.
You can be looking to become healthier, more mindful, develop more fulfilling relationships or improved finances. Whatever your motivation, you are sending a message out to the universe "I am not prepared to quit!"
You are declaring that you willing to face your doubts, insecurities and fears with habitual courage. Yes, you are tapping into your internal superpower. Move over Clark Kent!
If you are still not sure a challenge programme is for you, do the following apply to you?
Are you doing things by yourself?
Believe me, as a leader by doing things by yourself, it will hinder you building a resilient and dynamic company for the future.
Think about it. When envisioning your future, are you examining your leadership style? Are you demonstrating a resistance to change?
Hiding behind an under-performing company could mean you are leading from fear and self-doubt.
"What challenge are you are focused on?"
As leaders, improving your intellectual, spiritual, relationships or performance-related behaviours helps to keep you out of your comfort zone and develop not only mental toughness but matures your perspectives.
By defining your most challenging issues you will be able to set realistic and resilient goals that define what you need and want to do, want more of and more importantly, have less of in your business.
With greater clarity, working towards a challenge means you will be more focused and you will perform with greater confidence, especially during times of adversity and self-doubt.
"Customers are key!"
Take a look at Apple, Bentley or Amazon. They are constantly looking for ways to retain well established and attract new customers through innovative social media and marketing activities. As a small business owner, you have a greater challenge when it comes to consistently satisfying your customers.
Revisit your sales funnel. This task may seem time consuming and daunting, but you have to rise to the challenge. Evolving technology makes it easier to reach out, so find out what channel your ideal customers are on and start interacting.
Don’t be proud. Failures and rejection happen in business. Nevertheless increasing your brand awareness should be a priority for spreading the word and raising your voice about your brand.
Even big companies take their eyes off the ball, so d not be daunted by this task. Look at TM Lewin, Debenhams and Thomas Cook for starters.The most important thing is to know who your ideal customer is and to understand their ‘pain point’ and what solution you provide. By failing to do this, you will be wasting valuable time and resources targeting costly platforms that provide disappointing results.
It is not too late to revisit your digital, PR and marketing strategy. Are you really putting your clients at the forefront of your activities and your tactics? More importantly are your tactics giving you the results you desire.
Learn to reach out. By doing things by yourself you are missing out on the opportunity of working with and learning from talented professionals.
Costs are often cited as a reason not to employ (talented) people to your company but think short term. Have you thought about working with virtual teams?
This is a great way of empowering your business with a diverse range of people so you can stay focused on your core activities. Talent can be hired from platforms like fiverr.com, freelancer etc. and this helps you avoid costly hiring, training and retention costs. Look at it this way, working with virtual people can be the first step in building your long term recruitment pipeline.
Not having a plan
You have to take control of your vision or events will take control of you and that means more stress!
I know it’s easy to recognise all the things that are not going right in your business, but goals allow you to celebrate when things are going right. Your goals do not have to be rigid just realistic.
Remember the Blockbusters video store franchise?
64,000 customers and in excess of 9,000 worldwide locations. The senior leadership team lost touch with the changing needs of its customers and the changing technological market place. It was reported that they even turned down Netflix.
Leadership failed to see the future of the next generation of customers and the importance of streamlining. This lack of forward planning, ideas and senior leadership group-think led to the downfall of this once mighty global company. So, do not get complacent be consistent. There is no excuse not to plan if you want to survive.
Not all of us are good with the numbers, but financial planning is key even with limited resources. Tight budgets simply mean you need to be more innovative in creating processes that keep your business afloat in the long term.
Research shows that many small business fail because they did not manage their cash flow! Stay on top of invoices and bookkeeping.
Time for a skills overhaul
This challenge is particularly acute given that the skills needed today are very different from those needed by the previous generation.
You may have the experience, but is it time to up-skill and access additional professional training? The market place and technology is rapidly changing and traditional models are not keeping pace today especially if you, as a business owner want to disrupt the status quo.
"Do not be afraid of failure."
Change means that you may not get it right in the first instance but that’s fine. Look at a child learning to walk. Up, down, up, down but that child will not give up until they take their first of many steps. We have to be like children when we are about to learn new things. By rising to the challenge, it will transform your mind, perception and performance.
Continuously strive to learn, prepare and practice. If you don’t get the results you expected, move on it is not personal, just be agile and keep going!
Why?
By facing your challenges, you are demonstrating that you are focused on your vision without fear or guilt. You become bolder and braver as you tackle a variety of challenges that come your way.
What’s next?
We can get lost in trying to manage the multiple day to day tasks and it is easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious.
Do not overthink it, everyone needs to be challenged because it can be a great motivator. That is why we are taking it seriously at the NBWN. We have designed a 30 Day Business Challenge to help business owners become more resilient, committed and more importantly motivated towards rather than away from your meaningful goals.
To challenges!
If you found this blog useful then do not forget to comment and share with family, friends and colleagues.
If would like to know where to start with your challenges, then why not contact us and join the NBWN 30 Day Business Challenge!
