With two weeks left in 2011, many of us are getting distracted from the back office by the goings-on up front: parties. Special WODs. Deals, offers, promotions for January. Funny costumes.....
Historically, though, the last days before the Winter Solstice were saved for reflection. Buried deep in the cave, literally or metaphorically, we turn our gaze inward and consider ourselves. Many cultures embrace this period of reflection as part of the natural cycle of annual rebirth. Our culture enjoys the party, but doesn't worry itself with the deeper process anymore.
Our business culture runs the same risk: enjoy the new recruits, keep as many as possible, and maintain the status quo. "Fingers crossed" isn't a business strategy, though, and so I humbly offer this process of back-office self-reflection:
- Considering your overarching High-Level Goals, complete a simple chart. On one axis, write all of the potential target markets that exist in your area (for example: pregnant women / new mothers / homeschoolers / off-season child athletes / bearded ladies.) On the other axis, write your list of services offered (for example, CrossFit classes / OnRamp / Personal Training / CrossFit Kids / Ignite.)
- At each intersection of your graph, add colour: green for a service that is already making good revenue; yellow for a program that SHOULD make money, but may not be living up to its potential; red for a service that's LOSING money. This is slightly different than the graph I linked to earlier.
- Consider your colours:
GREEN: can you do it with less effort, and still make the same revenue?
YELLOW: can you make it GREEN with one month of solid, focused effort?
RED: can you make it YELLOW before January 31?
Write a big "Y" or "N" on EVERY square. You should be left with a variety of red, green, and yellow Ys and Ns - like a Rubic's Cube.
4. Now, your responses:
GREEN: yes - you're working too hard. Spend less time, automate the process, and work on YELLOWs more.
no - Keep it up, but search for ways to make it easier. Automate the process by the end of March.
YELLOW: Yes - choose ONE of the yellow squares with a Y on it. Focus on developing ONLY that yellow square until March 1. If the yellow square isn't green by March 1, consider discontinuing the program.
No - Consider discontinuing the program.
RED - Consider discontinuing the program.
You should be left with a maximum of three priorities to work on for 2012: either streamlining and automating your GREENs, or improving your YELLOWs.
When you read this, it may not sink in. However, going through th mechanics, as rote as they may seem, has a clarifying effect.
Critics of our website (rightly) say that it's too 'busy.' We do too many things. We're excited by much, and we contain multitudes of passions. After a 30-minute exercise in colouring boxes this morning, we've identified three key priorities for the next three months; we'll put the others on hold until then. How can focusing harder help YOUR business?
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