Target your business problems specifically! Use these 3 steps to find out!

There are many reasons why a business is not moving forward. It can be an internal issue or from an external influence.

Usually, during such uncertainties, business owners might not identify the problem and resolve it before it turns worse. 

Hence, here are three simples steps to diagnose and bring forth awareness in specifics that you might miss out on. We also propose ways to help you make a positive change! 

1) Process

2) Information

3) People

This is the foundation of WE Development's PIP model.

1) Process

A good process allows you to use the least input to maximize the most output, as seen below;

input > process > output

Suppose you start to put in large resources and see no visible progress, you may want to diagnose your situation to see if continuing is the right choice.

Knowing where and when a process went wrong allows you to resolve it before it turns worst quickly.

The definition of a process can be;

- Standard procedures

- Step by step

- Common practices that people used to drive growth but undocumented

How do I diagnose?

If you have not identified the key processes of your company workflow, it would be good to write them down. And visually, you can then ask yourself these questions;

- Have your work processes change recently or a few months ago? Where has gone wrong?

- Is this because someone has left the company and caused the processes to be executed less effectively?

- Do you have new implementations, and your people are confused?

- Has the market shifted, and old processes are not working?

You must decide whether if altering or getting a new process is useful to generate growth. Otherwise, your resources will deplete very fast. If someone has left the company and thus causing the process to slow down, you have to start hiring, if not, conduct proper training for your existing employees.

Most importantly, you need to have information on what is happening, and the following shall discuss.

2) Information

Good information gives us clarity and certainty on;

i) Our current business situation

ii) Market situation

iii) Insights to make a decision

This information must be governed with a logical flow and are feasible for viable implementation.

The types of information include;

- Data

- Market review

- Knowledge of a situation

- How to implement something

- What to look out for

- What the market likes and dislikes

How do I diagnose?

Lacking information is often causing us to be blinded by the path we believed in. It is important that we are always open to new information, and the sources are usually from;

- People

- Articles

- Podcast

- News

- Data provider

- Market research provider

- Personal experiences

- Current processes

The most useful information is usually from people.

As such, it is always important to meet new people, chat with your staffs, experience key processes in your business and identify information that can drive growth to your business.

3) People

People are the essential first step to our business because they can provide information that drives effective processes. Here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself;

i) Do you have the correct people who can identify

- Market changes

- Market demands

- Market gaps

Does this include are you the right person who knows this information?

ii) Do you have someone who can propose rational strategies that you can adopt?

iii) Recall someone who has recommended strategies, and you put them down? You might have just missed out on an opportunity!

iv) Are there resistance and conflicts among your employees or even with you? Resistance prevents the flow of positive feedback that drives growth.

How do I diagnose?

- People closest to the processes that have gone wrong often can see flaws and identify ways to improve it.

- This also includes people who are managing the processes and your personal experiences as the business owner.

- By combining both insights from the management, people on the ground, and your personal experiences, you can then plan with a full picture. So, start talking to these people!

- If you meet people who have past experiences in the issue you are facing or are closest to knowing the market needs, grab them immediately so this can help you drive growth! This may mean paying them to give you information if necessary.

Another important thing you should take note of is being approachable.

Why being approachable is important?

Being approachable allows people to feel comfortable to share and help you.

However, we may often portray frustration due to past experiences with people who have advised wrongly. This caused us to become defensive against similar people.

If you wish to change, here are 5 ways you need to know;

i) The way you speak – Tone, Non-Verbal cues, Type of words used

ii) The way you question – Seek answers and this will clarify your doubts

iii) The way you react – Showing frustration is simply a form of disrespect

iv) The way you ignore – Imagine you offered help and someone do not appreciate you and ignored you, not a nice feeling right? Will the person propose next time? Of course not!

v) Never stereotype and assume someone is not capable

With the correct people who can give you the right information to drive effective processes, the final thing will be your discipline to diligently follow through and repeat them until you see growth.

Gentle Note

If you wish to know more about how PIP model can help you, book a consultation with us here today!