Has your business hit the wall?
By Neil Thiessen, Senior Consultant, Able Business Consulting

Many times the barriers to business stability and growth lie within current business resources – both human and financial. In fact, as I reflect on my career, I realize how critical the human resource element is, and how often it played second fiddle to the financials. Having gone through business growth, decline, and everything in between – in large and small companies – I have learned to see the signs that lead inevitably to the “wall”.

As a business owner you know you have hit the wall when growth is stagnant, employees are unmotivated, performance is not meeting expectations, key people are working harder and longer, and profits are suffering. Frustration grows as you see opportunities pass you by and you wonder why your business was not able to capitalize on them. Frustration leads to negativity and negativity permeates the business and its employees. Companies that do not find ways to get over or around the wall often fail or struggle for years.

One thing to keep in mind as you ponder your company’s future is that you don’t have to try to do it alone. Good companies don’t become great companies without help – just as sports teams don’t become champions without great coaching. If your objectives include growing your business and shifting to a paradigm of success, you may need a little help along the way. Remember, you’re not alone

Perhaps the greatest single resource available to companies today is information. Great volumes of business literature are available on such topics as business management, sales, strategic planning, business processes, and leadership. There are also courses and training seminars available at colleges and private institutions that help develop technical and leadership skills. Unfortunately, this wealth of information is much like a maze – we’re not sure which direction to go and not entirely sure where it leads. It can be quite daunting.

One potential way through this maze is to work with business professionals who have been through what you are facing, and can distill the many resources that are available, in a way that makes sense to you and your situation. Leveraging the experience of people who have been there before is a critical success factor in many businesses looking to empower employees, break the hold of stagnant growth, and deliver value to customers.

Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. Are you ready for change?