Every successful business owner should be asking the question, “How would I know I’m not ready to grow?” If one of your primary goals for being in business isn’t to make money, then consider going to work for someone else–or add someone to your team with the goal to “make money.”

After all, that is the gold standard for business SUCCESS…make money…

As a child building a sandcastle was a simple decision, but today as I build my business I’m making a decision that’s a little (much) more intentional.  I want to have a strong structure in place that’s built to withstand any storm (or sand castle destroying waves for that matter).  The number one storm threatening the growth of small businesses is their ability to weather the business they already have.

This is because…

Growth DEMANDS That You Can First Handle The Business You Have

You might know you can’t handle the business you have when:

1. When communication gets sidelined because everyone’s too busy to stop long enough to talk and coordinate…you know you aren’t ready to grow.
2. When micro managing roles and not trusting the team in place to better distribute responsibilities describes your style…you know you aren’t ready to grow.
3. When you are too busy to stop and train new hires to disperse the work flow….you know you aren’t ready to grow.
4. When expenses are greater than income, selling more gives a sense of false security…you know you aren’t ready to grow.

 

Instead, Start With The End In Mind..

Sustainable growth of a company happens when the FOUNDATION for growth is strong. People are a company’s greatest asset or greatest liability. You know you ARE ready to grow when you have first resolved all the reasons “You AREN’T Ready To Grow.”

It is like rolling down a hill, once you start gravity takes over and propels you all the way down the hill.  Best of all those strategic, surgical cuts to get your business expenses and income back in alignment are the priority before growth can effectively happen.  Don’t buy into the myth more sells alone will reverse the fall, start with the end in mind.

After you take action, THEN you can begin to work with your business coach to set the priorities for growth. The priority has to be getting every person on your team to perform at optimal levels while growing the strength and endurance of team. Communication will improve and trust grows by accomplishing this one priority.

Now It’s Your Turn

Look closely and realistically at your business and ask the hard questions before you try to grow.  Are you ready for the growth you want?

Wrapping Up

Every business owner WANTS to grow. Keep first things first. Build a strong foundation for sustainable growth, then your business will stand the test of any storm.