How to fix your biggest challenge THIS week

Robert Gerrish

One of the questions we set our 1,770 respondents in our Understanding Micro Business survey, had to do with the three biggest challenges being faced in business. Here’s what we discovered, along with my solution.

The number one challenge in the last 12 months was ‘finding clients and customers’. In other words, the thorny old issue of business development and marketing.

At number two came ‘wearing too many hats’, narrowly beating ‘not enough hours in the day.’

Hmmm, who thinks numbers two and three are related? Yep, me too.

Now here’s the thing. If we had run the survey in March 2007 do you suppose anything would be different? I doubt it and what’s depressing is I suspect the same people would have the same major challenges. Ouch!

In my humble opinion, the biggest cause of the biggest challenge – any challenge - comes from a failure to dedicate time and focus to solving the problem.

Let me ask you this: If finding customers and clients is your biggest challenge, how is that reflected in your use of time this week? How many hours have you put aside this week to focus wholeheartedly on the issue?

Too often, I fear we spend a bit of time here and there on things, but rarely enough dedicated time on the issues that really matter.

We can block out time in our diaries; we can put our phones on divert; we can ignore our email for a day; we can reach out to others for support.

This week if you do nothing else, I implore you to put your greatest challenge at the top of your list.

You can start by making a commitment here for the whole world to see.

Until next week.

Love your work,

Robert Gerrish is Flying Solo’s managing director and founder and works as a business coach, professional speaker, business commentator and consultant. He’s the co-author of Flying Solo – How to go it alone in business.

26 comments | Add your own 1 2 3 4 5 | Next» View all»

Robert,
I fortunately do not have issues finding customers; I do however have time pressures. For example, it took me about 2 months to narrow down and select insurance suitable for the business. Perhaps this is because the policies are too generic or they are not suited to micro businesses? Perhaps we read the fine print and micro manage these areas.
I got quotes from an insurance broker – the policy came out to be about 10% of my turnover, I got quotes from those who were recommended to me – the policy excluded major elements of my work – including all consulting and training work (not actually sure what that policy covered). I eventually found a policy that was cost effective, and yes I read the fine print, and it suited my business model.
There is no fall guy to blame if I get this stuff wrong. Heather Smith from BRISBANE | Read my articles
I really like these articles that bring your focus back to the things that matter. It's not that I'm always learning new things by reading the flying solo articles - though often I am, but more that it highlights things that need more attention. There are many things that can distract me from solving important issues and I'll be aiming to allocate my time accordingly this week! Thanks for a great article. Clint Paton from Sydney
I'm an independent real estate agent who is always looking for new clients and business. I am looking for people who would like to list their properties for sale in the Hills District of Sydney. As a "Soloist" I am able to provide a thoroughly specialised service to all my clients, no expensive overheads, no interoffice politics to distract me and the highest possible prices achieved. See, even reading your article is not a waste of time! Like the others above, I enjoy the stimulation of reading your tips and advice. Anne Whiley from The Hills District, Sydney
My focus on finding new clients who want to improve their revenues/margins is currently via promoting my book to corporate CEO's.
These days small companies don't so much seem to need my services - in fact, many of them don't want to increase sales simply because they don't want the extra taxation penalties.
Others just think more sales equals more work and would prefer to focus on their non-work, life-balance issues
C'est la vie !! Grant Hyman from Sydney | Read my articles
I have recently joined my husband in our business. My focus is entirely on business growth & strategy & marketing. In the month that I've been on board we have experienced fantastic results in a variety of areas. However without an "office" & with a flexible work day it requires lots of goal setting & most importantly the action behind it. As someone else mentioned, your newsletter often draws attention to certain areas for me & then it's up to me to take action! Thanks again. Helen from Newport, Sydney
Hi Robert.
I am a florist ( specialising in Fresh and Silk wedding flowers) and a wedding planner operating from our home property, WE are actually regarded as residing in a rural area ( 5 acres) . I find the getting of clients at times difficult, despite my advertising with Sensis yellow pages on line, a select few magazines and my web site. Other wise, I distribute my brochures and pamphlets in nearby shops/ notice boards.
I do set time each week to update my website- www.aparacidas.com.au to upload new products I have designed for the bridal industry clients.
A real challenge at times. Particularly with a minimum budget. Anyone else have other ideas?
Kind Regards
Jo-Anne M McNamara Jo-Anne M McNamara from Orton Road Oakford Western Australia

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