Why Ignoring Business or Personal Constraints Can Cripple Your Business
Businesses are built on opportunity. If you own or lead a business, you probably are convinced that there are additional opportunities that your company can take advantage of. So why aren’t more companies successful at doing that? As the old saying goes, “If it was easy, everybody would do it!” The fact of the matter is that businesses often face constraints that hold them back. Let’s take a quick look at why ignoring personal or business constraints can cripple your business.
Business Constraints Defined
Dr. George Friedman from the University of Southern California has developed a theory that a business constraint is anything that interferes with the profitability of a company or business endeavor. Seems pretty obvious, right? Friedman goes on to postulate that the key to improving a business’s profitability lies in removing or reducing those constraints. He then identifies certain common business constraints such as time, financial issues, management styles, and company regulations.
How Do You Identify and Define Constraints in Your Company?
When you’re inside the company, it can be hard to see these constraints. In fact, you’re more likely to look at them in terms of, “This is simply how we do business.” Things that look normal to you, could be keeping your company from growing, and in some cases can cripple it. That’s why it’s so helpful to have a regular review of how your company functions. But how can you get an honest evaluation of things you may not even see?
The Importance of an Impartial Observer
This is where a great business coach can help. As an impartial observer, he or she can look at how you operate without having to conform to the constraints that are there. A great business coach gets “under the hood” of your business and takes an objective look at how you handle time, money, management, and systems. A good business coach isn’t looking to assign blame or push an agenda. But because your coach “doesn’t have a horse in the race,” he or she is free to point out things that may be holding you back. A coach can do this systematically and impartially—with the sole goal of improving processes.
Some Constraints Are Personal
It’s not uncommon to hear businesses say, “Our people are our greatest asset!” That’s probably true in many cases, but it’s often equally true that your people may also be your biggest obstacle to success. Personal constraints can severely limit how far your company can go. Many of us—even in leadership positions— have conscious or unconscious behaviors that keep us (and our businesses) from moving forward.
If you think about it, you can probably identify people within your organization (and it might even be you!) who possesses great talents, abilities, or gifts. But somehow when opportunities present themselves, very little seems to happen.
That’s why it’s so important for a leader to understand the people for whom he or she is responsible. As a business coach, I use specific tools from the Flippen Group and DISC to get a better picture of who the people in a company’s leadership positions are and why they operate and act the way they do. When I do that, we have a basis for identifying and eliminating personal constraints that can hold a business back.
Can I Help You Eliminate Business and Personal Constraints?
If you’re interested in identifying and eliminating the business and personal constraints that are keeping your company from taking advantage of opportunities and growing, let’s talk to see if how I work fits your needs. Click on the Are We a Good Fit button to schedule a call so we can see if what I have to offer fits your needs.
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Need help growing your business? With over 35 years of experience and thousands of companies assisted, Chuck Kocher and The Transformation Company can help you scale your business into a truly exceptional business capable of high growth strategies. Businesses are always changing, don’t let yours be left behind. Stand out with our business and executive leadership programs – designed to challenge and improve your business. Your business will thank you for it. Contact me today for a free consultation! 719-339-9505