I enjoy drama, action and suspense when I watch a movie to relax and let my mind and emotions wander. However, I don’t find heroics and craziness entertaining or useful in business. In fact, my goal with entrepreneurs and business owners is to build a boring business based on systems, processes and execution that produces consistent cash flow.
That sounds reasonable, but often it goes against the programming and nature of the owner operators that believe charisma and heroics has won the day. I get it. We like superheroes and long to be one.
Emergencies pop up and uncertainty continually deals a hand here and there. When I see volatility or repeatable drama, then my conclusion is that something foundational is not working.
If you ever have gone on factory tours of large manufacturers of cars, electronics or packaged goods, you don’t see chaos and frenetic energy. You see systems that drive output. The systems are there to drive towards a singular result. It’s a boring business and it works to get goods into the hands of customers. The goal is making the customer happy and drive revenue.
But well-run businesses do not simply appear overnight. There’s thought around how materials, information and talent flow. Systems work well with focused results by removing the crises, variables and gotcha’s that snare lesser performing operations.
The boring business happens because of strong leadership and a commitment to not repeat insanity from continual failure. This not only includes project management or operations but in how the business cares about and manages client relationships, grows revenue via a continuous pipeline and continually innovates. These are all parts of a business that can be creatively systematized. The energy and creativity for a boring business can be put in the design and execution of processes that stay ahead of chaos.
Sure, you can spend time getting lost in details and putting out daily fires. But when you step back and take a look at anything that repeatedly pops up and slows down the main event – making your customer happy – have you really solved the root problem of poor systems? Is a lack of commitment to process simply leaving the door open for problems later?
Perhaps team members need regular training and testing of their knowledge and skills. Or you may need a knowledge base and repository to keep information so you don’t have to keep reminding people how business should be done.
In many cases, you might simply need to notice the repeatability and frequency of problems. Do you like heroics simply because it appeals to the ego or makes you feel like you are working on something?
I like drama to stay at the box office or in my recreational fun going up or down mountains. When it’s completely possible to keep a business focused on delivering value and driving revenue, no thanks. Give me the boring business instead and leave the adventures for other parts of life where it belongs. #nodrama
Reblogged this on Dalrymple Group and commented:
Many people think “boring” is bad.
But there are many things we do throughout the day that really are considered boring: grooming, driving, washing dishes, etc. Sure, you can find ways to make them interesting, but as tasks, they really are meant to just make other opportunities possible.
We can think of a well-run business like that. If it is “boring” – meaning that it’s cash-flowing easily, no drama, no headaches, no stress – it can free you up for other opportunities. Things that are exciting and important to you in life like creative projects, loved ones, adventure and travel.
This article highlights a few different ideas to help you take stock and move towards having that streamlined “boring” business:
– How do materials, information and talent flow?
– Do you have strong leadership?
– How do you manage client relationships?
– Do you have systems that help grow a continuous pipeline and nurture creative innovation?
– Do you have a knowledge base that team members can easily reference?
What would you do if you had a boring business? (hint: many of our clients have one and so have started more!)