Established business owners often become complacent, forgetting the importance of growing their success.
The simple truth is that as business owners, we are often averse to change. When the word, change, surfaces in conversation, first reactions include resistance. Fear. Concern. Perhaps even nausea. As business owners, these feelings are more than common. After all, if business is running smoothly, there is no reason to rock the boat. Is there? Here is an idea. What if we all altered our outlook on change. Just for a moment consider this – continued growth cannot happen without change. Seems obvious, but it kind of switches the perspective, doesn’t it? In shifting the perception of change, we can better use it to our advantage. Replace your fear with excitement. Embrace. Encourage. And take some antacids, need be.
Change is the root of growth
Change. There is that word again. Nobody claims it is easy. Especially when you are immersed in your business. Content? Possibly…unmotivated? Bored? Think you can coast on your wave of placation? Well, you could. But think back to when you started your business. As if that was not tough enough, finding success and maintaining that success is equally as challenging. Change can be uncomfortable because it’s associated with self-examination. But associate it with possibility, progress, and improvement and you are on your way!
Don’t keep them guessing
Company growth is dependent on the progress of your employees and it is up to you to reset your expectations of their production. There is nothing harder for an employee to guess than what is expected of them. Inconsistency is bred by inconsistency, so if you as the business owner are not expressing or switching around your expectations too much, your employees will be inconsistent with the work they are doing. Inconsistency also leads to frustration among everyone involved and frustration leads to anger. Communication from the start of your re-growth between yourself and your employees is one of the main keys to an ever-growing business.
Cut from the bottom up
One of the toughest decisions that you have to make to keep your business growing is to pinpoint who and where your anchors are.
Tough as it may be to have to let someone go, having an under-productive employee or employees is detrimental not only to the company revenue but also to your other employees.
There is nothing more demotivating than your hardworking producers, those who are there on time, work hard while they are there and have positive goals for themselves to see other employees who get away with doing little to nothing. That is where performance reviews are especially helpful. Some suggest consistently cutting the bottom ten percent of your employees. This will not only motivate others to put forth their very best but will also remind them who is in charge – you. Your employees want autonomy but also the reassurance that you are leading the company with strength and perseverance.
Some additional ways to help your business continue to progress are include attending networking events, new client interactions, talking with new business owners for some fresh ideas and keeping your technology current. When thinking about the ongoing success of your company, don’t be afraid to grow. After all, change is the only constant.
