While I was hard at work last week, an everyday drama was
playing out in a hospital room in the next town. My niece was
working on presenting me with a new great nephew. Tyler James
came into the world Thursday afternoon, mother and child are
both doing well. Naturally, I am able to discern at this early
stage that the child is adorably cute, remarkably bright, and
very advanced for his age. Takes after his Great Aunt, I'm sure.
Now, watch how I turn this blessed, private family event into a
small business parable--hopefully the child didn't inherit my
one track mind.
Young Tyler received the pre-birth gifts of two pairs of baby
shoes. Then, he was born with big puppy feet. Already he has
outgrown at least one pair of his new shoes. By the end of the
week, I suspect the other pair will be much too snug as well.
Two things are sure with babies and small businesses, Growth
Happens and Change is Inevitable. Your infant soon becomes a
toddler who soon becomes an adolescent. Each stage of growth
brings different challenges and opportunities.
The key is to anticipate the growth before it happens and
prepare for the challenges before they develop. Tyler, like your
business, will grow. His needs will change and his parents will
need to change with him. Many of the challenges to be faced are
not anticipate-able. But many are.
When you start your business, your main concern is survival.
Often small businesses don't make it through the first year and
by year four many more have succumbed to the pressures and harsh
realities of the small business climate. It is classic
Darwinism--survival of the fittest at its most basic level.
Businesses that are well capitalized, well run, serving
flourishing markets, and executing a solid business plan have
the best chance of survival.
And then there is the rest of us. Struggling along, trying to
figure things out as we go. Anticipating the changes makes the
trip much easier, and makes for successful businesses. My own
business has taken just such a trip over the years. And yes, I
have many "if only's". If only I had done this then, how much
farther along my business would be. If only I hadn't handled
that situation like that, how much better my business would have
run. Sometimes the "if only's" outweigh the successes.
Consider the stage your business is at. Is it a newborn needing
protection and nurturing? Is it struggling to stand on its own
feet? Is it rocked by rapid fire changes and needing a firm
foundation? What can you do to help your business through
whatever stage it is in? What can you do to prepare your
business for its next phase of life?
Your business and my nephew will go through predictable growth
stages. Business owners and parents each start out with the
wonder and excitement of new birth, struggle through the early
work-intensive years, seek balance during the intermediate
years, get tossed about by the turbulence of adolescence, and
someday, through the grace of God, are able to stand back and
say, "My work has paid me handsomely."
About the author:
Caroline Jordan, MBA helps self employed professionals build
successful businesses, attract clients they enjoy working with,
improve cash flow, and develop additional sources of revenue. To
find out how visit:
http://www.TheJordanResult.com
