One of the challenges of working with small business operators is finding a way to encourage and support sensible growth without curbing enthusiasm.
People are always surprise to know that it’s my job to talk people out of things as much as it is to encourage them to pursue their dreams. I play the bad cop, the voice of reason, the person who asks the dumb questions, the one who dares to ask ‘but why’? and ‘why now’?
Entrepreneurs are, and need to be optimistic, enthusiastic and passionate in order to succeed, and I get that. They also have to be grounded in the reality of business, which is that generally a good business will take more time and require more resources that we can imagine at the outset.
Only extraordinary timing and luck combined can create a different journey.
Studies have shown us that ground breaking business concepts will sound like a bad idea at the time. This can work to both frustrate and excite an entrepreneur at the same time. It tends to mean that no-one in the market is doing it yet and it would take them a while to catch-up with you.
Most of us do not have world changing or industry disruptive business ideas when we start-out. We have a passion, a skill, a desire. We see a gap in the market and we want to start something that will generate enough income to make us comfortable and happy.
Deep down we may want world domination and to fulfil our fear of success. And while it pays to have big dreams, success comes from paying attention to the small stuff (as boring as that may seem!).
If you have limited resources, it also means being prepared to grow slowly, re-investing in the business as you go. Getting what works tweaked before moving on to the next thing. Even if you have a wealth of resources at your disposable, the same rules apply.
And while this may be frustrating for you now, your mistakes will be minimised and your business will be stronger for it.
Learn as you go and grow as you do.
