Last week we explored how sometimes we just need to be able to identify what we’re frustrated at in order to begin addressing it. When there are consistent frustrations in a business, we can usually address them but putting systems in place that minimize inconsistencies and produce more of the results we’re really looking for.
It’s another one of those no-duh, no brainers that may not appear like much until those frustrations build to the point of blinding us from the most direct solutions.
But we now want to articulate the impact of that frustration on our business condition. How does this thing impact you? What results aren’t you getting? What’s happening? What’s not happening that you want to happen, or don’t want to happen?
We don’t want to be working on anything that doesn’t really matter. If you’re frustrated because your partner starts their day later than you do, does it really matter as long as the work is getting done? But if that lateness means missing calls from earlier time zones, that could have an impact, yes?
So it’s one thing to name a frustration, and it’s another to know exactly what that frustration translates into toward your bottom line. You’ve got to probe, measure, and quantify that frustration. You might find at the end of the day, you’re really getting bothered over something trivial—or you could find that your frustrations are indeed warranted.
If you have a complex system you’re looking at, this process can take months. So how about a more simple formula?
“The real problem in my business is the absence …” It could be a system that will cost-effectively generate leads rather than be a costly guessing game every time. Or a system that staff can follow consistently rather than doing it their own way each time, producing mediocre or inconsistent results. Or it could be the absence of a system for strategic planning rather than primarily responding to a competitor’s moves.
It’s just a generic way of focusing. You’re not actually formulating a system yet. What you’ll find is some of these things that you describe can actually be purchased as software programs, or you can easily hire consultants who do them much better than you would. But once you’ve figured out what the problem actually is, reformulating starts to become easier.
“The real problem in my business is the absence of a system that will …” Fill in the blank with that generic system solution and then write down your original frustrating condition.
You should start to feel a shift in your energy in terms of some of these things that are frustrating you. The question that you simply have to ask now is: Is this frustration worth fixing? Is this frustration that you named—if it’s not stemming from within you—something you have to address quickly or is it lower on the priority scale?
Do you really want to remedy this frustrating condition or would you rather just live with it? That’s the question that you have to answer.
What do you think? What are some frustrating aspects of running a business that you’ve encountered, and how did you remedy them? Did you find value in naming and understanding the impact of those frustrations? Were some of them really nothing? We want to hear from you!!!
Thank you Harv. Your book and your blog have made have created a small company with big expectations. But above all, has changed the mindset.Greetings from Andorra
Josep Tomas
Harv. The way you treat topics is always out of the ordinary, uncovering hidden fact in exciting ways. Thanks
Chris Nwankwonta
My frustration was trying to wear too many hats and subsequently not achieving the best results over many project requirements. My solution was to focus on only those things that required immediate attention and do them until they were complete. The rest could wait for another day or be delegated to someone else. Prioritise and then focus until done. That's my new motto.
My frustration is when clients book an appointment, a confirmation notice is sent out 48 hours prior and they confirm but at the last minute they don't show up. They sometimes don't even bother to call.
Sometimes if they don't confirm I call to explain someone else requires the appointment space if they don't but I still get no answer.
A few clients periodically show up but decide they don't want to do the appointment of which I have booked an allocated space and turned other clients away.
I am thinking of introducing a booking fee to secure the appointment and if they confirm and don't show up to charge a cancellation fee.
Does anyone else have this frustration. I need clients to take me seriously.
My frustration is consistency, i will start business get to a point i will start saying i am making it before you know it i will be at the bottom of the business.
Raising capital has never been my problem, starting has never been my problem, seeing good results has never been my problem but sustenance has been my major problem.
In fact, i am frustrated about that now. though i can say that T. Harv have given me clue to the solution in his book “the secret of the millionaire mind.
I don't know how professional and streamline your business is, if you have assistants or a secretary, however you need to operate your “professional office” like a doctor's office. If the patient does not call to cancel at least 24 hours in advance a (whatever your minimum charge is $50-250, pick a number ) will be still be charged. Then make sure to have a 1. Sign on the main desk for people to see this. 2. On the bottom of their appointment cards. 3. On the recorded message for the 48 hour reminder phonecall you send to them.
Then if they don't show up…..charge them! They will qu8ckly realize you need to be respected completely. If they get mad, offer them a 1-time refund……however thy will never not show up or at least not call at least 24 hours in advance to cancel or reschedule.
I've really found that the remedy to “frustrations” is setting up systems. My first priority in any business is to get it running by itself. The better the systems, the less i have to be there and think about how it is doing. Also I have found that the better the systems the more money we earn because it is running more efficiently.
Go to the library and take out a little book entitled “The Dip” by Seth Godin. It is a tiny 76 page book that explains . . . and helps you to correct . . . exactly the problem you are experiencing.
this is a great advice 4 people who really r frustrated
I know this problem very well – because i love starting new businesses, too, but have a lack of persistance. But persistance is the thing that makes a business successful! So I developed a “trick” to get it further: i am paying a consultant to build the business together with me, and important for me is that we work together – in one room. So i'm more motivated and can outsource most of the work to the consultant. Wish you all the best!
the real problem in my business is the absence of my personal drive to get it done. I have great ideas and do not follow through on them. I tried having a web partner, but she was as slow as I was. so far, my only answer is to accept myself and just build the business slowly.
Thank you very much! I realize that my frustration is my bad relationships with my husband. But the real cause of this is my doubts that I am not following my destination and my life-course. I know now that I am on the right way!!!
Thank You so much Marge, for your support I will organise the procedures as well as start believing in myself.
From Patricia at Dermal Essence
This is pretty easy to solve… just overbook and will never run out of customers. Should everybody show up at a given points, proceeds with plan b for the exceeding clients. Pretty fair?
Putting systems in place, helping colleagues to understand why and how to conform to them and just following up that everyone concerned is doing their part makes a HUGE difference in better workflow, less frustrations, etc etc.