One of St. Patrick’s legendary feats is that he chased the snakes off the island. Although all evidence suggests that post-glacial Ireland never had snakes, the symbolic nature of this historic account can be equally applied to your small business.
Every business has its snakes. Those barriers, big or small which are preventing it from reaching the next level, from gaining more market share, reaching more potential customers, strengthening brand and recognition. These are the things that, for one reason or another, prevent you from following through on your plans/goals and reaching your maximum potential.
You can chase out your own snakes by following these simple steps:
1) Decide you are ready to get rid of them: This sounds like a no brainer, huh? Why wouldn’t you want to remove barriers to your success? That is not a rhetorical question…why wouldn’t YOU want to remove the barriers to your success? This might be a hard one for you to answer, but really needs to be analyzed before you venture forward. You might not be ready, you might be scared, you might not have a strong enough foundation or plan to continue to grow/improve. These are all justifiable reasons. Always be confident that you are ready to change before you try to or you will only create more barriers and potholes. If you aren’t ready to chase the snakes, they will chase you.
2) Figure out which barriers are real and which are imagined. Think about that….
3) Prioritize your snakes. Most likely there is a “Lead” snake. Figure out which snake this is, he is the one that is blocking the way for the other snakes to exit. He needs to be removed first and after he leaves others will probably follow organically. Pick out which snakes are the poisionous ones…remove them with caution and an antivenom kit nearby
4) After removal make the needed adjustments to prevent them from coming back.
What are the snakes in your business? How are you going to go about chasing them off your island? I’d love to have a conversation among business owners here to help each other brainstorm the answers to the questions posed above.
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[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
You are right. One of the easiest ways to chase the snakes away is with a business plan. And before that, to create an ideal client profile… so that your plan (and all communications thereafter) are geared to your ideal clients.
I use a simple plan. Called the One Page Business Plan(R) it helps put the boss back into your business by holding the business owner accountable; and it provides the focus we need to keep on … keeping on.
Great advice Maria!
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]
[...] Are there snakes in your business plan? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business a while, here’s how to get rid of them for good. Flying Pig Communications [...]