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	GET FOCUSED. GET CONTROL. GET GROWING.
	Monthly Business e-Tips	Vol 4 Issue 5

Getting Your Business to Blossom

“Timing is everything - for this reason, patience is a vital ingredient in success planning. Patience will give you keys to the kingdom!"

Jill Devine

Taking walks and bike rides in the spring makes me think about how waiting through the winter brings such beauty and wonder. Then I begin seeing analogies between the blooming flowers and trees and growing businesses. In business you plant many seeds, nurture them and soon the fruits of your labor begin show.

Unlike in nature which knows that everything happens in time, the business world is so focused on immediate results. Business people ask the following questions: How soon will there be a return on my investment? If I hire that new salesperson, how quickly will our revenues increase? If I collaborate with this new strategic partnership, will I know in three months whether or not this relationship is working?

Often business leaders look for quick fixes and immediate results but this approach is short-sighted. Sometimes you just have to guide people, ideas, processes, etc. until they are ready to bud. Don’t pull the plug too soon.

Here are some aspects of business that need time to develop before you can reap the benefits:

Hiring or promoting staff. People need time to adjust to the company or the position. Employees need direction, mentoring, training and coaching for their new positions. Support is needed during this transition period, not impatience.

Developing new customers. Many people give up too soon when attempting to acquire new business. Selling products and services requires building relationships over time. Businesses that work at earning trust before closing deals are the ones that have long-term customers.

Selecting new markets to enter. Opening opportunities in new markets does not happen overnight. You need to do your homework and test the interest, fit and message of your offering to that industry. Get some exposure through marketing to obtain your initial customers. Often companies, thinking their plans aren’t working and desert a new initiative too soon. Instead, map out a marketing plan and give it enough time to bring in results.

Developing new partnerships or vendor relationships. The first few joint assignments or orders may not go as smoothly as you like but give them time and attention. Identify underlying problems and work out solutions. It’s less about the issues and more about how the parties resolve them that is indicative of the success of the relationship.

Making decisions. Often, business owners second-guess their decisions and change course prematurely. Be thorough in assessing the options before making a decision and give the idea the back up it needs to be successful.

Planting seeds in the garden or in your business does not guarantee blossoms. Even with great care and patience the plant may not take. The message here is not to stick with something forever if it’s not working. Rather, it’s that good things come to those who have the patience to wait. Putting in the effort and working on good ideas and people will more often than not end up with positive results. So enjoy the beauty of spring, nurture the seeds you have planted and savor what you reap. Patience is a virtue, even in business.