Want to succeed? Start with basics
In times of uncertainty, focus on being great at the basics.
As a college baseball athlete, most of the hard work was done in the offseason. Hundreds of repetitions throwing the ball, swinging the bat, and focusing on mechanics. Doing the same motion over and over so muscle memory takes over and the body executes without thinking.
During the offseason you push your body to ensure you have the right conditioning to stay healthy and strong during the season. The best athletes understand most of the hard work is done during that time when nobody is looking.
In the world of business, it’s similar: You become a top performer by being really good at the basics. Business owners must focus on the basics of their business when things are quiet during their offseason.
Some businesses are feeling economic pressure. Tt is extremely important to have you and your team focusing on the areas where you can have the most impact for your business, and that involves being great at the basics.
Here are seven areas that can help your business be great , no matter what industry you are in. Put them into practice and watch your business thrive:
Clear direction. In our company, bringing Latin-inspired foods to our local communities is our guiding start as well as living our company values of teamwork, accountability and kindness. Everything we do must be with that in mind. Any time we deviate from that, we often feel the turbulence. Believe me, it’s not fun and it takes a lot of time and effort to regain the focus.
Build strong teams. Build a strong foundation that will allow you and your business to fulfill your mission, vision and values. It is one of the hardest challenges you face as a business owner. However, it is something you need to work on every day. You must be intentional at building and keeping your team strong.
Serve better. Provide the best service to your customer each day. When you and your team members make the customers a priority, they return (people go where they feel appreciated). Consistency around great service is key.
Sell more. Look at your performance and ask yourself how you and your team can improve by educating existing and potential customers about your products and services. The key here is to teach your team members to be consistent. When you figure out how to provide consistent good service and a consistent good product, your company will be bullet-proof, even when the economy goes a little south.
Spend less. Identify where the biggest expenditures are and address them by controlling cost and waste. Teach team members to minimize waste and control costs to give your company a positive edge long term.
Marketing. Remind existing customers of the great value your products and service provide. Increase the number of potential new customers who may not be aware of the products and services your company offers. Show them how they can benefit from giving your company a try. Be consistent.
Execute. Consistent execution of the previous six points will set your business apart. Sounds simple, yet it is very difficult to consistently execute. That’s why it is so important to have the right team in place so you can consistently be great at the basics. Focus on execution.
Being great at the basics requires tremendous amount of effort from everyone in your organization. Once you build a company that focuses and consistently executes the basics, you must ensure everyone is rowing in the same direction to enjoy long-term success. If it was easy, everyone can do it. Execute. Wish you continued success.