Business growth requires preparation, investment, and a willingness to adapt. Many business advisors frequently see companies with strategies to expand, and in nearly every case, success hinges on the business owner’s readiness to embrace change and allocate resources—both time and money—to scale effectively.
The Psychology of Business Growth
A business owner’s mindset plays a critical role in their ability to grow. Some owners, driven by confidence in their abilities, may overestimate their capabilities, convincing themselves they can handle everything—including marketing—without external help. This approach often leads to missed opportunities and stagnation, as they fail to recognize their limitations or the value of specialized expertise.
The Role of Professional Services and Business Owners
Professional service providers generate new opportunities for their clients. However, it falls to the business owner to convert these leads into tangible results. Consider a seasonal business that thrives during peak months but struggles in the off-season, losing ground to competitors. The owner may have ambitious ideas and claim they can handle specialized tasks like marketing themselves—if only they had the time. This raises concerns: specialized functions require expertise, not just spare hours.
Business consultants often prepare concise reports to help companies grow, requiring only minimal time to review and discuss. The goal is to provide actionable insights tailored to specific industries. However, when business owners claim they are “too busy” to review professional recommendations, they may spend more time explaining their busyness than it would take to evaluate potential solutions to their business challenges.
Recognizing the “Too Busy” Trap
This scenario highlights a common issue: some business owners use “busyness” as an excuse to avoid addressing critical growth opportunities. While their time is valuable, dismissing professional advice or insights without consideration can hinder progress. Such resistance often suggests a deeper reluctance to change or a lack of prioritization.
Moving Forward
Business owners should schedule regular time to evaluate growth opportunities away from daily operations, while both owners and service providers benefit most when working with partners who share a genuine commitment to growth and change.
(An informative article from the Chamber’s Small Business Council member Deynoodt Marketing.)