Business Challenge

After 100 episodes we have been pleased to tackle a variety of challenges on the show.  We get the enviable position of people emailing us and even phoning in the challenges they are facing.

Since we just did an anniversary show in Episode 90, we thought instead of highlights we would share some of the common challenges that are components to the issues we have tackled on the show.  While we have tackled many specific items on the show, we have found that there are common themes to the challenges.

Yes there are differences in each businesses, but the problems each one faces are more often the same than most would want you to believe! Listen in and read on to find out more about the top 5 common challenges we faced to see how tackling these can help you reach the success you deserve:

Key Items

1. Business does not have Documented Systems - Many people start their own companies or even new divisions within larger companies because they are tired of how “things” are being done.  They want to blaze a new trail, grow the business, and they will do whatever it takes to get that growth.  This is good, however, that enthusiasm can often translate to working hard but avoiding processes that will help for long term growth and efficiency.  While you don’t want to have documentation for documentation’s sake, having well defined processes from instructional guides to process maps will help you keep quality high and your company growing.


2. Relying on One Marketing System – All too often we see a good business running off of one marketing system.  That system might be a dealer network making sales, word of mouth advertising, or even paid search…but relying on one marketing system is where we see businesses susceptible to changes in the economy.  With only one system running businesses can often get stuck in survival mode. Be where you need to be as cost effectively as you possibly can.


3. Being Goal Oriented instead of Process Oriented – A close relative of not embracing process is focusing too much on the goals.  For example in an environment where sales are driven by in-person meetings staff can get discouraged if they don’t make a sale on a meeting.  While the sale is the goal, the process to embrace is booking more appointments!  Yes you want to have a high conversion rate, but focusing too much on the end result will leave you discouraged when you go on a bad run.


4. Not really being open to Change – People want their business to be better, they want growth, but when asked to make changes we get answers like “we have tried that before, it didn’t work” or “we have always done it that way”.  If you want to get to the next level you will have to embrace true change.  Be open to trying a new method, possibly letting go a “favorite” employee or even ditching a product line.  The more open to change you truly become the greater growth you will enjoy.


5. Not Maximizing People or Systems - It often takes an outsider to see what is really going on.  For example if you have an employee that you love, that you think is doing great, and they tell you the best they can do is 20 calls a week (for appointments, bookings, etc.) then you likely accept that that really is the best, especially if everything else is working.  But what happens we diagnosed their schedule and found they could 60 calls a week?  And that 60 calls would triple your revenue…what would you say then?  We see that both in people and in systems that the business isn’t being pushed as far as it could go.  This can mean in pay per click raising the budget to 4x normal or it could mean challenging that go-to employee to do 2x as much activity in the same time.

Sponsors

• Perry Marshall – As the co-author of the Ultimate Guide to Google Adwords, creator of the Adwords Bootcamp and one who has developed ninja level marketing programs you are sure to find a marketing strategies and tactics that will help your business get to the next level.


• Email Autoresponders – Staying connected with existing customers and prospects can be a challenge when you are relying on only your own activity.  Implementing an email autoresponder sequence will help you to engage prospects over time until they are ready to do business with you and keep existing customers thrilled that you are staying in touch.  Find out more about the solutions that can help your business today.

Want Your Challenge Featured?

With each challenge we tackle, we look to not only solve the problem we look to shed light on new opportunities for our listeners.  We invite you listen to a couple of the business owners who shared their challenges and to submit your own today!