Business Changing

Profit and Growth Specialist

BUSINESS COACHING – Be more successful – Just do it!

by Leave a Comment

[I wrote this article for “M2 Magazine”, December 2010 edition]

How often do you take time out to think about where your life or your business is at? You might personally do a new years resolution and within a couple of weeks have forgotten about it. Various University studies show less than 20% of people actually achieve their new years resolution. Many businesses are like this too, the business plan sits in the bottom drawer gathering dust… Why do few succeed when we think we have all the answers and rate ourselves, right up there, as a fantastic performer?

Over the coming months we will look at different aspects of how to make a successful business. Some might be “so obvious”, other aspects might be “oh that is a good point, I should have thought more about that before!”. If you don’t own your own business (about 10% of Kiwis do, so there is a big 90% out there who are working for somebody!), have you considered how the “bits” that make up a successful business can be equally applied to your own career (ok make that your life!).

So where to start? There are many “Harvard Business School” proven methods for a business to be successful… Some of what you hear in this column in the coming months might even be something that Harvard would recommend? Some will be different though! Based on talking with many like business people, sportsmen and coaches plus with many years real life experience at some interesting and successful businesses, I think there are 7 main areas that a business (and you as an individual) need to focus on, master and conquer to be successful…

PLAN TO SUCCEED AND HAVE A LIVING PLAN : Pretty obvious that one! Do you take time out to smell the roses? How many plans are set but then there is no follow up and accountability for realising the plan? You need to refer to your plan at least once a month, and preferably weekly! Be open to advice from others too.

CASH IS KING : Ouch it hurts when you cannot pay your bills… Most businesses (and most of us personally!) do not plan out how the next several months cash-flow is looking… Ok it might show bad news but hey, wouldn’t you rather know now so you can do whatever you can about it rather than just curl up and die when you are hit in the face with tough times?

MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS : It is amazing how many businesses have little idea of where they are sitting today and what will happen tomorrow… They have a bit of an idea of how they went yesterday thanks to monthly accounts, but that is like trying to drive your car forward whilst only looking in the rear vision mirror – a challenge! There is more info in your business (or your life!) you can learn from, you just need to take the time to look for it.

WALK THE TALK : I wonder what % of people are hypocrites? Isn’t there nothing worse than your boss not doing what they want you to do. Or your partner. Or you, yourself! Enough said… Another related tip is “management by walking around” – be it your own business, or you as a team leader, get away from your desk and talk, observe, learn, put improvements in place…

ACCOUNTABILITY : Perhaps there is no bigger thing in life and business! Do you blame others or your environment? It is up to you, full stop. Stop looking for excuses… The only way you can be accountable is to real time, measure yourself, your team, your business. Do you have transparent KPIs in place (key performance indicators). When you or team know what they are accountable for, watch job satisfaction fly! Think hard, are there any grey areas? Two people cannot be accountable for something, it has to be one!

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DIFFERENTIATION : We all know without customers, we do not earn money! How few companies are truly customer-centric. I would love to hear any stories you have of good or not so good service. Did you know that most companies do not ask their customers what they could improve on. They are too scared – that is just plain stupid. Do you actually put on the other hat regularly and look at your business or your own job performance from how a customer (external or internal) might see it? If you do not, I suggest you do… Why should a customer choose you over anybody else – do you really know??

BE A GOOD WORKPLACE : It is proven “scientifically” that if you create a great place to work you will have better productivity, happier staff, better customer service, all ultimately leading to more sales and higher profitability. Same for you as a manager, totally applies to how you run your team. Is your work culture written down? Is it “motivating”? Is it followed? Are you passionate and enthusiastic about something?

I look forward to expanding on my main 7 points for business success in the coming months…

zac@businesschanging.co.nz

www.businesschanging.co.nz

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • "Zac has given myself and the business a real sense of clarity, and a better sense of day-to-day achievement for myself and the team. Zac’s ability to ask questions that are relative and beneficial have helped me grow the business and my self-awareness and create a more enjoyable workplace. Give Zac an inch and he’ll take you a mile!”
    Mathew Phelan, New World Churton Park
  • "The business planning workshop run by Zac is a great opportunity to challenge existing thinking in your business and take results to the next level. The workshop was well thought out and provided a structured environment to channel ideas and ambitions. Zac has the perfect presenting style allowing for plenty of interaction amongst your team and networking with other business from a variety of backgrounds. Highly recommended"
    Gray Borell, Novii
  • "Zac is incredibly insightful, inspiring and has been absolutely vital in contributing to the growth of my business. He's made me think beyond my goals and really given me the push my business has strived for."
    Bex Riley, Tosca Salome
  • "Great two-day workshop that gives you a chance to reflect on your business, and focus on key points that need to be addressed to maximize your effectiveness and outcomes. The workshop was both entertaining and informative and really helped us to think about how we might navigate Covid / post-Covid, and plan out our next few years to guide the direction of the business. Food and hospitality was also great. Highly recommended!"
    Nelson Raynor, Isle of Eden
  • "Zac’s business workshop totally exceeded my expectations. The two days are well planned out to ensure your thought process takes you through the various stages needed to question why you are in business, where your business currently is at and where you want your business to be. Provoking questions, explanations, stories, presentations from successful entrepreneurs and of course Zac’s personal attention ensure you walk away with a clear and dynamic business plan. The venue was perfect, the lunch and refreshments sublime."
    Rachel Kann, IQ Property Management
  • "Zac has also become a key enabler and contributor to us working towards the development of both our employee engagement and customer experience roadmaps. Kotahi is a new and fast-paced environment and it has been great to have Zac as a trusted advisor to both myself and the CEO. He has a no-nonsense and solid experience-based approach to his consulting style. I have enjoyed working with Zac and look forward to continuing on our engagement journey with the support of Business Changing”
    Jay Padden, HR General Manager, Kotahi
  • "Transformational… Revolutionary… Awesome… Take your pick! Our business looks nothing like it did just three months ago – our brand is visible in the market, there’s a buzz about what we are doing, doors are opening and our heads are in the game. Business Changing changes business for the better… I’m very very thankful we met – my only regret is that we didn’t seek you out sooner!"
    Nick Brown, Huffman Sauces