Duct Tape or Master Builder?
building your business by design?
Far too often, business owners are prisoners to the tyranny of the urgent. With a heavy load on their shoulders and endless tasks and responsibilities, they get caught reacting to the crises that happen regularly in their business (both big and small). Feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, and frustrated, often an owner is looking for “quick fixes” to the business challenges staring them down on a daily basis.
Given the fast pace their business demands, the temptation to apply “duct tape” problem-solving methodologies is strong. To clarify, duct tape problem-solving is a quick-fix, band-aid approach. In other words, just stop the bleeding and hold things together until the next crisis. We all know how many things duct tape can fix in short order around our home, but most of us are wise enough to know that it isn’t meant to be a long-term solution. Eventually, the issue at hand must be addressed with a more permanent solution in mind.
Don’t get me wrong! There are definitely times in life and business where the duct-tape approach is necessary! It is the triage required to keep operations running and revenues flowing. But triage is by its very nature a temporary measure until a more comprehensive examination and accompanying treatment can be applied. It’s the same with your business!
A wise leader knows the difference between triage and building by design. While the duct tape approach may address some of the pain you are feeling in your business in the short-term, it will not help you build a robust business that grows by design over the long haul. A master builder has a plan, a vision of the future, and executes that plan on a daily basis. Where the duct-tape approach is called for, a longer term solution often follows.
What about you? Are you a duct-tape problem-solver, or a master builder? How are you addressing the challenges in your business? Do you find yourself revisiting the same issues over and over again? Are you looking for a quick fix or focused on a long-term strategy? Do you seek to placate your conscience or transform your organization? Are you simply applying a band-aid on a business “boo-boo” or positioning for long-term growth? Remember…
Isn’t it about time you changed the game? Build your business by design, and leave the duct tape approach behind.
Eric Deschamps | Business Coach, Ottawa
Founder/President of Breakthrough Coach
“Helping others succeed has always been my passion. There is no greater feeling in the world than coming alongside someone and empowering them to achieve their goals and dreams.” I work with individuals with a single and simple purpose: to help them define and attain their goals, one step at a time. Through the coaching relationship, I help business owners and professionals achieve more by delivering world-class growth strategies, tools and advice individually tailored to each owner and his/her business.
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