I had to make a long drive this weekend. Shortly after I left, I noticed my car was pulling hard to the left. I had to turn the wheel to the right and hold it firm to stay in my lane and not drift across the road. I stopped to check and found my front left tire was a little low. Unfortunately, I was in a remote area and it was many miles to a service station where I could add air to my tire. By the time I go there, I was already tired from fighting the car to keep it on course and I still had most of my trip ahead of me. Once I filled the tire, the rest of my trip was much easier and more comfortable.
When our car is properly maintained and when all the tires are in balance, it runs much more smoothly and with less effort and stress than when we neglect it.
The same is true in business. A business runs best and with the least amount of effort and stress when all aspects of the business are properly maintained. When we neglect any one key area, it puts additional stress the rest of the business and we have to work much harder to stay on course.
If you neglect your marketing, you’ll soon find it’s tough to keep bringing in new business.
If you neglect customer service, you’ll have unhappy customers—and yes, they will talk.
If you neglect your finances, you’ll soon find yourself in the red or, worse yet, in trouble with the IRS.
So, how do you keep your business firmly on track and running smoothly on all cylinders?
You need scheduled maintenance. Just as scheduled maintenance for your car keeps it running well, scheduling proper maintenance for your business will also keep it running well.
As part of your work routine, you need to schedule time for the critical aspects of your business, including marketing, customer service, finance, product development, along with other tasks that may be integral to your business success.
Some of your tasks may be delegated to an employee or assistant; others might be tasks you must complete yourself. If you aren’t yet ready for outsourcing, you will need to develop self-discipline—and a calendaring system—to complete even those essential tasks that you don’t particularly enjoy.
Whether you delegate the tasks or do it all yourself, you need to work out a system that allows you to devote the necessary time and effort to your critical tasks. Figure out how much time you need to spend on each of your business’ critical task and then set aside appropriate blocks of time on a regular basis. If your critical tasks are taking more than the amount of time you need to work, or if they are cutting into your profitability, then it is probably time to consider what you can outsource. If there is a task you find yourself putting it off because you either hate it or dread it, that is the first thing you should outsource.
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, unexpected problems can crop up, just as they do in cars from time to time. And just as tending to that funny noise under the hood right away can forestall an expensive auto repair, so can dealing promptly with business problems keep them from turning into a business-damaging crisis.
Taking a road trip in a properly-maintained car is much more fun than traveling in a broken-down jalopy. Riding to success in a well-maintained business is also more enjoyable than bumping along from crisis to crisis.
Which type of business are you driving?
Most times I feel as if I have Premium gas my the tank, Marie. But I admit there are days when I could use some performance additive …
Sharon O’Day recently posted..Anatomy of the New Entrepreneur
Great analogies in this post! I never thought of approaching car maintenance with running a business! We do need to have everything working correctly to run an effective business.
Mandy Edwards recently posted..Social Media Q&A, Episode 6: How Make a Blog More Interesting
Marie,
I think your post is right on point. It’s all about balance! In our business and personal lives, balance reigns supreme. Thanks for the reminder.
Amy recently posted..Best Laid Plans, Blueprints and Babies
Hi Marie
I had found myself doing all the wrong things and putting energy where it was useless. Making a list of things that were actually important and realizing I can’t do it all has helped me focus on the right stuff. Once I get a good routine down it will come easier and will be able to accomplish more in a day. Things get thrown in the way of progress such as we had to purchase a new computer the other day. That always means a slow down of producing as it needs to be installed with new programs,etc…
Thanks for the post.
Mary
Mary Stephenson recently posted..Dreams That Happen
You make an important point. I’ve made a schedule for myself
Catherine Doucette recently posted..Have You Made a Mistake?
I am struggling to keep it all going but I just don’t know if I’m going get ahead ! LOL Oh Well we shall see ! I intend to eat this elephant one bite at the time !
elizabeth Maness recently posted..Measuring Social Influence: The Klout Phenomenon
I have to get more help or I am going to crumple under all the stress. I have a good VA that is really helping me get the some important things taken care of and I hope to get more help so I can do the business side of it all!
elizabeth recently posted..3 Secrets in Finding a loving Relationship
I totally understand where you’re coming from, Liz. Some days I wonder if my little business is held together with duct tape and bailing wire, just like some of my old cars. But hang in there. One day at a time, one step at a time and we’ll all make our way down the road to success. Want to carpool?
This is great, Marie. until I got the right help I was spinning my wheels. I like this post! It’s fun to stop by and see what you are going to say next !
Barbara J Peters (@CouplesAuthor) recently posted..Relationship tips: You’re Never Too Old For Romance!
Timely post. My business is evolving this Summer.I have chosen to take a lot of time off to get a laser focus on where I am heading and to do lots of research…I will bookmark this for future reference
Anita recently posted..Women’s Business Leadership and The Wealthy Mindset
Thanks Marie for the great way of bringing to us how important it is to get everything work together smoothly; it is a fact that when we have it all in place, we feel so much better, because we can rest and know that everything is at work for our own benefit!
Olga Hermans recently posted..How To Train Your Children To Make The Right Choices
Marie, this is such a timely post for me! I am setting up better systems for tracking in my business. Love the analogy of the car and keeping balance in your life. Right on!
Sherie recently posted..Relationship Tip #1: Laughter is the Best Medicine for your Relationship
Great post Marie! Most people don’t realize how many moving parts there are to keeping business running. I love the analogy of scheduled maintenance… I know enough to do it for the car; still need the odd reminder to do it for my business too. Thanks!
Helena Bowers recently posted..I Don’t Know What To Say! Six Ideas for Finding Something To Tweet About
I can relate, Helena. I have to admit, especially as the owner of old cars, I am very diligent about car maintenance, but not always as diligent as I need to be on business maintenance.
I love what you do, Marie! When I get caught up with everything, I’ll be in touch!
Great point that we need to over all aspects of our business. It is easy to become overwhelmed when there is so much to do, so your post is a great reminder to keep all areas running smoothly.
Cathy | Treatment Talk recently posted..The Anonymous People
Marie, I love the analogy of the car! “A business runs best and with the least amount of effort and stress when all aspects of the business are properly maintained.” This is so true! Thanks for sharing such great info as always!
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“If you neglect your marketing, you’ll soon find it’s tough to keep bringing in new business.” Very wise counsel. You should create an infographic and spread that all over the web… (-_-) Thanks for a great article, Marie! NormaDoiron.NET
Norma Doiron@Where Aspiring/Budding Business Owners Start, Grow & Strenghten Their Online Business recently posted..Using WordPress to Rocket Your Social Media Marketing Hub
Great idea, Norma. I think I need to make a little car infographic. I am always finding little car analogies for my business–does that mean I’m spending too much time in it?
I am just beginning to understand how our group works and am reposting with the correct website address. Just trying to pay attention to all those business aspects you refer to.
With over 40 years in business and even an old out of date “how to be successful in business” book…….I couldn’t agree with you more. You are so right on point. Many authors do not realize that when they publish their book it is just the beginning of building a business in that field. Takes time and devotion to all aspects of the business.
Oh my gosh, you are SO right!! How many times have I thanked my lucky stars that my VA was handling tasks that I would never have time to do. And how many times, in the beginning, did I wake up and think “uh oh, I forgot all about (you name it!)” Once you get all the parts working together, it’s just a matter of maintaining. I love the analogy of the car! Thanks!
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