Growing Pains...

It is a wonderful thing for a business to step from start-up into the threshold of growth…but often this is a pivotal moment for many businesses.   I have a saying or mantra that I refer to when working with business owners and students, “It isn’t what happens to you that counts the most, but rather how you respond to what happens.”  This is very true when it comes to organizational change.  If you don’t respond well, it can be the deal breaker for your business and before you know it things are spiraling out of control, and possibly be at risk of circling the drain.

As you prepare for growth or enter into it, consider some of these strategies or best practices to help your business or organization deal with change in a constructive way that will result in a stronger and more dynamic company that will be creating energy and positive cash-flow as it grows.

1)       Know your vision, clarify your vision and share your vision.  Your team, partners and stakeholders all need to know where you see your company going and the steps you anticipate to get there.  This will help everyone to take the journey with you.  We naturally are uncomfortable when we are uncertain…do everything you can to share what you do know.

2)      Ask for help!  Do this at the earliest possible moment you see a surge in your business.  Many times, owners and leaders wait too long before asking a mentor or consultant to work with them on guiding them or advising them when they experience new growth.  You want to show that you realize when you need the assistance of others.  This will be an example to your team to do the same thing when they face a difficult situation.

3)      Allow everyone on your team to be their best selves.  Are your employees in the position or job that is best suited to their skill set and to what makes them happy?  If they are not happy, they will not be doing the best possible job to benefit the company.  Learn about them, ask them what they want to do and give them the opportunity to do it better than anyone else.

4)      Encourage everyone around you to be aware and appreciative of what the members of the team do.  It is important for one employee to know what another employee is doing.  We naturally have the desire to be in the know about things, and it helps when it comes to respecting the role of a coworker, supervisor or subordinate.  Maybe have each member of your team post to an online company forum each day with their plans, tasks and objectives for that day and be sure that everyone is accessing and reading this information.

5)      Be prepared for the unexpected by having strong systems in place.  It may seem crazy to prepare for something that isn’t even a reality yet, but if you have the procedure developed and ready for action… it will be there when you need it.  Remember those fire drills when we were kids in grade school?  Same concept; know what you will do when your sales triple in a short amount of time or you get some positive press that brings in an entirely new customer base.  Planning for the future will allow your team to feel more secure and confident when they have to make decisions quickly because they trust the system behind it.

6)      Meetings, Meetings, and more Meetings.  DON’T DO THIS!  Only have a meeting if it is necessary and there is a clear reason for having it.  Often organizations get too bogged down by too many meetings that eventually there is way too much talking about doing something than there is time spent actually doing it.  If you feel that you must meet with a group be sure that you have enough key players involved to make it valid and that there is a clear time limit as well as an agenda that can be met.

7)      Keep the customers happy and never let them see you grow.  Remember that customers want to feel like they are important and that they are heard.  Although managing growth can take your attention from one focus to another very quickly, you must have a plan to keep the communication and the care for your current and new customers at the forefront of your efforts.  Never sacrifice this.  If people are hearing great things about your company, your products and/or services they want to give it a “try” so that they can be part of the excitement.  You have to be sure that their experience is all they are expecting and maybe even more!

8)      Understand how your team members deal with stress.  Each person on your team will deal with the “crazy” in your organization differently.  Some people thrive on it and others allow themselves to get lost in it and frustrated by it.  You need to have a very good grasp on the individual coping methods of each person on your team and encourage them to understand this about each other.  The more you know, the better you can be at delegating and assigning roles as your business grows and especially in those moments of crisis.

9)      Acceptance is powerful.  Remember, not everything will go as planned.  Not everyone will perform at the level you want.  Not all customers will respond they way you want them to.  You must accept how the course is developing.  When you are angry or upset, it only creates negative energy and nothing will hinder growth quicker than disappointment and defeat.  Accept the challenges and invite the opportunities that go along with each one.

10)   Celebrate the small things.  Don’t forget to do this with your group.  As you grow, you might not be able to keep track of everything the way you once did, but be sure that you are still rewarding, recognizing and celebrating when the simple moments lead to success.  These are often the times that bring a team together and keep them motivated.  Compliment your team and praise them when they take significant steps (not just monumental ones) toward successful growth!

Growth is GOOD!  Be ready for it and be in a place where you can enjoy it and be proud of it.  You want people to admire you for your ability to handle those opportunities!