Running the Business or Is the Business Running You?

5 Tips to Gain More Control.

 

Business is Tough

Being a restaurant, gastro pub or independent hotel operator. You know that creating a business from scratch and turning it into a profitable operation is one of the most difficult things you will ever do.  Or indeed if you have been in the game for a long time the challenges seem never ending. I know how it feels.

I set up my business in 2009 right in the middle of the worst recession the world has ever known. I remember being called a whole host of names from friends and family. I am far too polite to share the short four five and six letter words that were used.

In fairness to them there were only trying to protect me from what they considered to be the biggest mistake of my life. There were times over the last 7 Years where I looked at how things were going and started to feel perhaps they were right. But I have a wonderful wife and some great people in my life that always helped me get a real perspective of the situation and got me back on the horse to improve things. But business is not for the faint of heart.

Made to Look Easy

Let me tell you a story about Jim. Jim owns and operates an 85-seater restaurant and pub. Jim makes running a business look easy, even though it is quite complex. Jim does the marketing when he can. He looks after all the costs and he manages his team. His people are ok. Some are great, some are good, some he wonders how he ever hired them and would love to get rid of them. Jim is married to Mary and they have 2 young adult Children that work with him in the business and he hopes that someday they will take it over from them.

Family Time

The children however have a different point of view and only work in the premises because if they don’t they never see Jim. Jim to the outside world looks like he has it made. He has a pretty successful business, decent turnover, decent profit and a decent income. He drives a very nice car. So, to the outside world everything is hunky dory. The only downside is Jim spends 60 plus hours per week in work. When he is not working, he is thinking about work. Things like “Will this person show up; will they do the job right”? “I should be there” is his constant thought pattern. Even when he takes a night off and tries to spend time with his family he is there physically but that’s about it.

The Real Picture

The industry all though looks simple is quite complex. Jim makes it hard on himself as he feels he needs to do everything himself for it to be done right. He puts out all the fires only for them to start again a few days or weeks later. Everything is in his head so the stress levels are very high along with the frustration.

Sadly, Jim’s story is all too Familiar

Of course, it does not have to be like this. Yet even with all these challenges and more there are still hundreds  of independent owners in the sector doing extremely well in a financial sense of the word and a quality of life sense.

Change Is Possible – Change Can Be Wonderful

So, what did Jim do to improve his business and life? The first step was he got some mental space (we facilitated). Some time to think on what was important to him from both a business, personal and family point of view. He re-connected with his family. He spent actual uninterrupted time with them. Something he had not done in years

Figure Out What’s Important

He gained clarity. Clarity on what he wanted his business and life to look like and built a plan to achieve that end. Was it easy? Of course, not. Was it worth it? Well you decide.

His New Reality

He now take’s 2 weeks off together with his family every year and has 1 weekend break with Mary every couple of months. Before he went through the process it had been 2 and a half years since he last had a night away with Mary.  He spends more time with his family. His business has grown by 17% in revenue and profit has had double digit growth. In short, he got his life back. The business is now running like clockwork and his stress is almost non-existent.

Everyone One Is Different. Everyone Wants More Control.

Each business is different and each business owner has different challenges. But in the main, these challenges are similar and very fixable once you go at in the right way.

Here are 5 steps to get a better handle on business and life.

Step 1 – Make Mental Space

The first thing is we need to get the mental space to think to take stock of our lives. We always must get clear on why we are doing things and why we want to, or need to succeed and who relies on us.

Step 2 – Identify the Perfect Outcome

The Second thing is we must be clearly able to identify what we want our life and business to look like. What will the perfect outcome be? How will it feel when its achieved? Most people never get clear on what they want. Some can even be too scared to even ask themselves on what they want because they don’t believe it is possible or that they deserve it. (I have an exercise that I share with clients to help them get clear on what’s truly important click here to get your copy)

Step 3 – Confirm the Real Reality

The Third thing is we need to be brutally honest on what is the current situation like right now? What is clearly not working? What needs to change so we get back on track to have what we want? Have a wart’s and all approach. Don’t sugar coat it. I know the truth can hurt but is can also set you free.

Step 4 – Identify Obstacles & Opportunities

The fourth thing is what are our constraints our road blocks. What are the opportunities that are open to us right now? What things are likely to happen when we change and what can we figure out to overcome these obstacles in advance. What can we do to be ready for the opportunities so we don’t miss the boat when it comes in?

What relationships need our attention most now?

 

Step 5 – Focus, Action & Accountable

The fifth thing is you need to identify the low hanging fruit. What are the main things we need to start working on now? We need to stay focused on the most important things and keep ourselves accountable.

Many people have difficulty identifying their reality. Identifying what’s possible or identifying where they should start first and how to manage that change. That’s what we help with.

Gain More Control

I hate to see people struggle when they don’t have too. All they need sometimes is a gentle push in the right direction.

We all need to know where we are going and need some plan as to how we are going to get there. Schedule some space for yourself and work on it. Book a Control Kickstart Session with me click here

CONTROL KICKSTART

On this call, we are going to take roughly 15-20 minutes where you leave that call with a clarity around the 12 month results you want to achieve and 3 key actions to kick start the control you have in your life and business within the next 90 days.

If this has piqued your interest don’t delay – I have only five control kick start session available each month. If you feel it would benefit you, click here  and schedule a time that works for you or

 

P.S. Remember nothing changes until we change.