Change is good. Overall, anyway. I've noticed that a simple shift of tactics, or a different piece of equipment, or even a new employee, can breathe new life into a business that is stagnating. Here's the thing though- your business is always stagnating if you aren't helping it evolve.
There is no one way to do anything. As life continues and so does business, shades of grey are being added to the spectrum or reality every day. Forgive the metaphorical side note, but it's true! Many businesses that I have worked at before coming to Budget were perpetually stuck. Just stuck in their own ways and habits so deeply, that they were in complete denial when the proof of such errors slapped them in the face.
Business, like anything, can get really boring if nothing is going on. And I don't mean cash transactions, or store activity. What you sell, whether it's a product or a service, is merely a tiny fraction of your total business. The people you employ, the business practices you enforce, the brand of coffee you serve in the break room. It's all part of one entity- it's the most life an intangible concept like "a business" can achieve.
Change what's not broken. Fix what is. Constantly evolve.
Change can be scary, I know. Many people out there are resistant or downright hostile towards the concept of change, but it is merely a base fear triggered by the encounter of something new. Humans fear the unknown, but they are eager to accept changes that make their life better. In that same vein, your employees and yourself are good metrics for new things that you are trying out in business. See how the employees respond. See how you respond. Change is good, but it isn't always the best option.
Don't be afraid to look at your current systems, employees, and equipment with an eye on the future. Is what you are doing working? Don't blame the economy. It could very well be you. And this brings me to my main point. If I can't sell you on change now, I won't ever.
Sometimes, carrying on the same way you have always done can get you in trouble. Especially if you are in a situation where you are trying to do the same old same old to fix a problem that requires a different touch. That fear of change might have saved some businesses here and there. Maybe a change you are unwilling to make is finally accepting help or guidance from others. It's a common fear and a matter of pride that will do nothing but hold you back.
If you are reluctant about changing your business up here and there, start with your own personal life. Do something different, get coffee from a different shop, eat an unusual breakfast, do something different! The more we settle in our ways, the more our business suffers. You work is a reflection of yourself- make sure you recognize your face in the mirror.
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
There is no "Stop"
Business is an ongoing coagulation of success, and struggle. We formulate plans, execute them, record the results, and then base our future decisions on those results. Business is routine. Business is a cycle. It is not for those who give up easily. It is not for those who can't take criticism. It's tough.
But why is that such a discouragement?
Plenty of things in life are difficult. But every day people accomplish tasks, get past obstacles, and find their own path to their unique brand of success or happiness. Maybe happiness is your success. However it is measured, one thing is certain for everyone sooner or later. Anything worth having can only be truly attained and appreciated through hard work. Business is no different, and when things get difficult, people show their true colors in the workplace.
There are people around you that will give up when the going gets tough. They'll throw their hands up and just walk out. They don't care about the task, their responsibilities, or their jobs in general. You'll also get people that will muscle through the hard times, determined to beat the intangible wall that holds them back. And finally, you'll find those who are relentless. Relentless in carrying out their tasks, relentless in their determination. Those are often the people that can stand to be in business for themselves.
The way things are right now weed out anyone who is not willing to survive. Is it right? No. Is it fair? Hell no. But unfortunately, it is the cold and terrible truth. Those who survive in business now are special. They are relentless.
Why do I keep saying relentless? Isn't that a negative adjective? Sure! But just like being cunning, the meaning of the word "relentless" isn't all bad. The tenacity to continue even when nothing matters anymore, when there is nothing to go back to, when all your energy is gone and all you have is time and your own willpower, when all you have. Is something to prove only to yourself. That's what being relentless means in business. Combine this with cunning, and you'll turn yourself into a survivor.
There are times when I want to give up, sure. Work is hard. Especially if you're in business for yourself, so I can understand the need to escape, to just stop caring. Hell, no-one is expecting you to hold out forever. Even when there isn't anyone around to judge you, you are around. When the thought of giving up becomes repulsive, guess what? You've become relentless.
There is no stop in business. Stopping means failure. So if you want to succeed, you must reach within yourself. And I don't mean in a sappy after school special kinda way. No, you must reach inside yourself and bypass your ego, your ideas, you concepts, your notions, and find that one thing that won't let you give up, the irrefutable truth that gives you the power to move past all the negative in your life, driving you towards success. That is what it means to be relentless. When the only thing stopping you from moving forward, is you. When the only person you have to answer to is you. And when you're finally willing not to let yourself down? You're ready to be a business owner.
What are you made of?
But why is that such a discouragement?
Plenty of things in life are difficult. But every day people accomplish tasks, get past obstacles, and find their own path to their unique brand of success or happiness. Maybe happiness is your success. However it is measured, one thing is certain for everyone sooner or later. Anything worth having can only be truly attained and appreciated through hard work. Business is no different, and when things get difficult, people show their true colors in the workplace.
There are people around you that will give up when the going gets tough. They'll throw their hands up and just walk out. They don't care about the task, their responsibilities, or their jobs in general. You'll also get people that will muscle through the hard times, determined to beat the intangible wall that holds them back. And finally, you'll find those who are relentless. Relentless in carrying out their tasks, relentless in their determination. Those are often the people that can stand to be in business for themselves.
The way things are right now weed out anyone who is not willing to survive. Is it right? No. Is it fair? Hell no. But unfortunately, it is the cold and terrible truth. Those who survive in business now are special. They are relentless.
Why do I keep saying relentless? Isn't that a negative adjective? Sure! But just like being cunning, the meaning of the word "relentless" isn't all bad. The tenacity to continue even when nothing matters anymore, when there is nothing to go back to, when all your energy is gone and all you have is time and your own willpower, when all you have. Is something to prove only to yourself. That's what being relentless means in business. Combine this with cunning, and you'll turn yourself into a survivor.
There are times when I want to give up, sure. Work is hard. Especially if you're in business for yourself, so I can understand the need to escape, to just stop caring. Hell, no-one is expecting you to hold out forever. Even when there isn't anyone around to judge you, you are around. When the thought of giving up becomes repulsive, guess what? You've become relentless.
There is no stop in business. Stopping means failure. So if you want to succeed, you must reach within yourself. And I don't mean in a sappy after school special kinda way. No, you must reach inside yourself and bypass your ego, your ideas, you concepts, your notions, and find that one thing that won't let you give up, the irrefutable truth that gives you the power to move past all the negative in your life, driving you towards success. That is what it means to be relentless. When the only thing stopping you from moving forward, is you. When the only person you have to answer to is you. And when you're finally willing not to let yourself down? You're ready to be a business owner.
What are you made of?
Friday, June 21, 2013
Hiring in Today's World
Finding people that fit your team is rough.
Many are hopefuls, some work out, some don't. But things have changed. A lot. And if you're not posting jobs on the Internet, you are far behind schedule. I'm not trying to be harsh, I'm simply telling you the truth. You see, Budget did all the usual stuff a long time ago. Paper ads, signs at laundromats, supermarkets. We'd do background checks on those we would hire, and then they'd work! Life was good.
Nowadays, those signs are almost useless. And I don't mean the quality of person. I mean that they're basically ignored (I know from personal experience). Before I came to Budget, I was a master at online job searches. I could even spot the stupid pyramid scheme "jobs" before I even read the company name. So I knew then, and I know now, that most people are looking online to find gainful employment.
Budget is no stranger to progress, and we also aren't afraid of change. So, we tried it out! First of all, it is best if you try out a free site first. We used/are using Craigslist.com, where you can post a job for free as long as you have a valid e-mail address. The response from this was...pretty damn good I must say.
As you start to explore your options, another online site we tried was Snagajob.com. For roughly 70 bucks a month, this website will help you find hourly workers to swell your ranks. Out of all the applications we got (which weren't many) we hired one person. This person worked out really well fortunately, but it's still just one person out of many applications.
Indeed.com was another avenue that we explored. It is actually Cost per Click, meaning that whenever a prospect clicks on your job "ad" you get charged money- whether they apply for the job or not. Needless to say, this did not work for us, and we didn't get a single. Damn. Applicant from that experience.
As I broadened Budget's search for more good people, I checked out many other job posting sites. It was strange- some were free. Some were not, like to the tune of anywhere between $65 to $215 and up for a listing. Damn again. It's not like we have a money fountain in the back, you know?
Why am I telling you all this? The reason is simple.
Hiring has changed. The world has changed. And the people that survive such things are not ones that completely resist, or go along with change. It's the ones who remain cunning, and take from both sides of time and combine what worked in the past with what works in the present. You see, there are thousands of different angles to approach any problem, but there is only one that works for you. When you hire, don't hide from change. And don't embrace it blindly. Use it, use your hiring process, and find out what works for you, and your business.
It's all just a bunch of trial n' error man. What are you waiting for?
Many are hopefuls, some work out, some don't. But things have changed. A lot. And if you're not posting jobs on the Internet, you are far behind schedule. I'm not trying to be harsh, I'm simply telling you the truth. You see, Budget did all the usual stuff a long time ago. Paper ads, signs at laundromats, supermarkets. We'd do background checks on those we would hire, and then they'd work! Life was good.
Nowadays, those signs are almost useless. And I don't mean the quality of person. I mean that they're basically ignored (I know from personal experience). Before I came to Budget, I was a master at online job searches. I could even spot the stupid pyramid scheme "jobs" before I even read the company name. So I knew then, and I know now, that most people are looking online to find gainful employment.
Budget is no stranger to progress, and we also aren't afraid of change. So, we tried it out! First of all, it is best if you try out a free site first. We used/are using Craigslist.com, where you can post a job for free as long as you have a valid e-mail address. The response from this was...pretty damn good I must say.
As you start to explore your options, another online site we tried was Snagajob.com. For roughly 70 bucks a month, this website will help you find hourly workers to swell your ranks. Out of all the applications we got (which weren't many) we hired one person. This person worked out really well fortunately, but it's still just one person out of many applications.
Indeed.com was another avenue that we explored. It is actually Cost per Click, meaning that whenever a prospect clicks on your job "ad" you get charged money- whether they apply for the job or not. Needless to say, this did not work for us, and we didn't get a single. Damn. Applicant from that experience.
As I broadened Budget's search for more good people, I checked out many other job posting sites. It was strange- some were free. Some were not, like to the tune of anywhere between $65 to $215 and up for a listing. Damn again. It's not like we have a money fountain in the back, you know?
Why am I telling you all this? The reason is simple.
Hiring has changed. The world has changed. And the people that survive such things are not ones that completely resist, or go along with change. It's the ones who remain cunning, and take from both sides of time and combine what worked in the past with what works in the present. You see, there are thousands of different angles to approach any problem, but there is only one that works for you. When you hire, don't hide from change. And don't embrace it blindly. Use it, use your hiring process, and find out what works for you, and your business.
It's all just a bunch of trial n' error man. What are you waiting for?
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