If yo;re a fan of reality TV business makeover shows, i-s a formula you see all the time, from Gordon Ramsay to Tabatha Coffey, conducting a full review of your business is essential to understanding where things have gone wrong and where the opportunity lies for turning things around.
This is, of course,
easier said than done when you are living and breathing this stuff each day, but here are some tips that can help you stand back from your day-to-day business and build a plan for a successful turn-around.
1. As the Owner and Manager, It all Starts
With You
Be
honest, are you running your business as it should be run- holistically, with an eye on strategy and a finger on oversight, but without being buried in the day-to-day minutiae?
This
is a toughie, especially if you are new to business or have experienced sudden growth. Running a business is not like having a job, unless you provide a very niche service to a small group of clientele, i's rare that you can do
everything yourself.
If
this is you - try to step back and understand where you need help, whether i's with accounting, marketing, building a better business Web site, or empowering your team, do it, i's worth the investment. If you ca't afford help in these areas, consider outsourcing certain functions.
2. Embrace, rather than Retreat from Market Forces
Understanding
and keeping a finger on the pulse of your industry is fundamental. Ask yourself' has the industry changed, do you still have a full grasp of the market and goals in place to go after that market? What is the competition doing? If they are doing well, take a hard look at what it is that you think your business is doing wrong, in the light of what your competition across town is doing right.Next find a way to re-connect with your target market using those lessons learned - whether it's diversifying your products or correcting your price points. Embrace, rather than retreat from market forces.
3. Give Your Customers What they Want
