The idea of preparation being crucial in business – the sharpening of the saw being as important as the sawing itself – is not new. Spending time working on the business to ensure that you’ve got the knowledge and understanding you need to help drive progress is never wasted. In fact, it could be the difference between reaching your business goals and not.
Preparation vs. jumping right in
There are all sorts of moral stories and fairytales that look at the difference between the character who just jumps straight in to action and the one who takes the time to prepare. In the context of running a competitive business, going in blind without preparation – or sharpening of the saw – can be ineffective and produce poor results. Instead, it makes much more sense to step back, evaluate the situation, understand the business, keep on top of market developments and then start with a clear plan in mind. Otherwise, you could potentially waste a lot of time and effort on actions that don’t have much direction and don’t yield great results.
Being the best at what you’re about to do
There are many business tools and processes that are involved in managing an enterprise. Some, you may have a sound knowledge and understanding of, others you may not. For example, if you’re investing in expensive software or a CMS for the organisation, taking the time to get trained in how to get the most out of it is sharpening your business saw to ensure that it’s as effective as it can be. Maintaining a focus on the ongoing “sharpness” of your business saw also means keeping an eye out for issues or problems that could indicate optimal performance is not being achieved.
For example, if you notice an issue with the business, such as declining sales or poor social media performance, it makes sense to take some time out to find ways to sharpen these blunt edges once again. Taking that step back, identifying the issue, analysing the potential solution and then investing in ways to deliver this effectively will deliver much more positive results than simply pushing on and hoping for the best.
Management – the toughest business saw to sharpen
For many entrepreneurs becoming a business owner and manager of people is one of the hardest transitions to make. So, when it comes to ensuring the ongoing competitiveness of the business this is one area where some extensive saw sharpening might be required. For most people, being a great manager isn’t something that comes naturally, especially without any previous experience. However, there are lots of sharpening tools available, from courses to mentors, to enable you to ensure that you’re not having a blunted experience.
The idea of sharpening the business saw is really about preparation and taking the time to get things right. Although it may be tempting to forge ahead, whether as a result of panic or enthusiasm, it’s always better to step back and pick up a metaphorical sharpening stone first.
Get in touch with Brian Doubleday for more business tips and advice today.
