Back to School
Yellow buses clog the streets. Campus stadiums vibrate with a collective roar every weekend. Graduate students sit slumped over library desks, trying not to snore too loudly. Yes, it’s Back to School time, meaning that across the nation young (and not-so-young) people are kick-starting their brains back into action after a summer of mental hibernation.
What about us business owners? Are we content to mark the passing of another season and continue with the daily routine, or could we benefit from some education ourselves? This might be an excellent time to put your thinking cap on, grade your current performance, and school yourself on how to do a better job. Allow me to suggest a few basic questions to help you improve your average:
Has your industry changed? Can you really afford to run your business the same way you ran it just one or two years ago? Economic upheavals, technological advances, and other variables call for constant, ongoing review of our business environment. Small businesses have the advantage over large ones, of course, because they can move more quickly to adapt and evolve. But are you taking whatever steps you can to keep up with your world? Are there classes you should be taking, informational resources you need to build, or certifications you need to earn? Has your competition gotten the upper hand in the knowledge wars?
Have your customers’ needs changed? Maybe those little clients you took on as startups aren’t so little anymore. Maybe they’ve changed brands or headed off in a different direction. Have you kept yourself in the loop as to their current needs? Is it time to get reacquainted so you can continue to serve those needs properly?
Have your needs changed? Your company grows and changes just as your clients’ companies do. Does your business plan still make sense, or does it require tweaking? Do you need to make a shift in your brand or target market? Are you growing too quickly or slowly for comfort? Would you benefit from streamlining your product line or operations for maximum efficiency? It’s easy to let little things slip out of our control while we’re dealing with short-term situations. Is it time to regain that control?
I know I’ll be reviewing and re-thinking various aspects of my own business to make sure I’m on course for a strong 2010. There’s always something new to learn about our industries, our clients, or ourselves, so let’s all get to boosting our business smarts. See you on the honor roll!
