Effective shop owners and managers use these three rules

First, acknowledge that the owner/manager of the shop is an actual position within the business and this position must be held accountable to the business just like any other position within the business. Let’s also acknowledge we have a tendency to overcomplicate our day-to-day function as we examine every task, which in turn can lead to a stressed, unprofitable business.

Have you ever noticed that it appears the longer you are actually in business these days, the messier, more cluttered your personal day becomes? I hear from shop owners who have been in business more than 5 years things like, “I’m personally just too busy,” or, “there is so much that I must do,” or, “I’ve got so much on my plate.”

This happens to every business owner/manager at some point in time, especially when the shop is understaffed, no matter how good the business seems to appear on the outside.

Concentrate first on obtaining the right staffing levels for the business from the back shop to the back office to the front counter. Bring those areas to the proper levels to insure quality and service are in place for the shop clients.

Now you are ready to move on to effectively utilizing YOUR time properly.

Once staffing levels are right, start to deal with this too busy situation by revisiting two important words that are repeated time and time again, but they are truly ignored by so many: “Slow down!!” This phrase is critical for you to work with to becoming effective in your position in the company.

Consider making a big sign with the below points and displaying it in your office where you are forced to view it constantly:

NOTHING SHOULD BE DONE IN MY BUSINESS BY ME UNLESS:

1. It makes a significant contribution to achieving worthwhile business goals;

2. It pays for itself in a reasonable and predictable time;

3. It can be explained simply and completely to those that have to make it work.

Think about the clarity those three statements bring to the table.

“If it were only that simple,” you say. Well consider putting it to the test with everything you do. When you keep these three items top of mind and answer all three points honestly, it allows you to evaluate everything you personally handle and do in proper perspective to your particular function within the business. If what you are doing as an owner/manager doesn’t fit those rules, then you either explain and delegate it to someone else to do and hold them accountable, or throw it out and don’t waste your time with it.

Too many owners/managers get caught in the trap that they are the only ones who can perform a task properly for the business. I respectfully disagree. Every task in a business is trainable, but I believe a very big issue is simply that you must be willing to let go. When you finally let go and start trusting the people that you have on your team, your time is used to a greater value and benefit to your shop. Everyone wins when the owner or manager is effective at their position.

Consider that now is the time to focus on what really counts — that is, get yourself into a daily routine. Entering December and January traditionally frees up time for the owner or manager to get refocused. I recommend that this exercise becomes a main focus for you during these two months as it will dramatically make a difference in your stress levels as well as enhance the business profitability for 2019. 

Maximizing your efforts to enhance your business profits — that`s the purpose here and after all, that’s your job.