My friend and mentor Ali Brown was in Nashville this week to address the Glazier Kennedy audience. It was great to listen in on her speech and then sit down to catch up afterward at one of the restaurants in the huge Gaylord Opryland Center. The points that Ali made are good ones for any small business owner, not just the information marketers who usually attend this event.
I often sit down with a business owner who needs help becoming more profitable, reaching a larger customer base, or restructuring the mix of products and services they are offering. We go through everything. Ali simplified this culling through for me when she said in her speech that a business owner should be looking at four things:
- Time
- Systems
- Money
- Team.
I thought about that for a minute and realized that no matter what issue I’m discussing with a client, it will fall into one of these 4 broad areas. I like that simple structure.
The next time you have an issue to solve in your business, ask yourself which of these 4 areas it falls into. This simple question can help you gain clarity and focus down on the specifics quickly. I believe that some issues will fall into more than one of these categories, but if you can assign a primary category, you’ll be on your way to creating a solution quickly.
Finding solutions for stick issues is what I love to help business owners do. This week, on November 13th, I’m hosting an open call about social media “Is Social Media Driving You Nuts?” It’s free, and you’re welcome to join in with your successes and failures. To register for the call go to this link.
Trudy Scott, Food Mood Expert and Nutritionist says
November 26, 2012 at 5:41 pmSimple, easy and powerful! thanks Sue
PS Lovely to hear about Ali – I really miss hearing her at events – I do hope another SHINE is being planned!
GetOrganizedWithCarmen says
November 19, 2012 at 2:59 pmI never thought of this! Makes it easy to set up reviews to evaluate what’s working and what’s not … thanks! Carmen
Sue Painter says
November 19, 2012 at 4:09 pmHi Carmen,
Yes, it does. It cuts right to the chase.
Sue
Jennifer Bourn says
November 19, 2012 at 10:48 amSue – These four areas are so critical and I agree, Ali nailed it! She has a great gift to simplify things down to their most basic forms.
Mitch Tublin says
November 19, 2012 at 7:34 amSue,
These are fundamental points for any business owner who is serious to master.
Lisa Manyon says
November 18, 2012 at 9:08 pmSue,
Great post! Those are four key areas and it’s so COOL that you and Bill were able to catch up with Ali and Molly. Great to see all of your smiling faces.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
Bill Painter says
November 17, 2012 at 10:14 pmThanks for boiling it down to these four points
@MagneticSilvia says
November 17, 2012 at 3:17 pmHey Sue! Sorry to have missed you at this conference. Looks like you still managed to have a good time đ I love the simplicity of the above four points. There’s more that makes the business outstanding and successful, but that sure makes a good start.
Sue Painter says
November 17, 2012 at 3:47 pmYes, I’m sorry we missed each other, too, Silvia.
Sue
Mary Ellen Miller says
November 14, 2012 at 9:46 pmSue, this is so simple but brilliant. Time, Systems, Money, Team. I am going to remember those!
Sue Painter says
November 14, 2012 at 10:18 pmCool beans, Mary Ellen, glad it is helping.
Katherine C. H. E. says
November 13, 2012 at 11:21 amGreat! YES, most everything can be boiled do to simple essentials. We do like to make things seem complicated, but things seldom truly are complicated. Love, Katherine.
Heidi says
November 12, 2012 at 10:02 pmGreat tips Sue – simplicity and chunking the complex down simply has always been one of yours and Ali’s strengths – awesome!
Tiffany deSilva says
November 12, 2012 at 5:36 pmGreat pic, Sue–looks like you had an awesome time. Ali’s four areas are critical to a healthy business, so it makes sense to look at these areas to diagnose and resolve any ailments. It’s a fabulous way to simply evaluate your business.
Sue Painter says
November 12, 2012 at 5:43 pmHi Tiffany,
Yes, sometimes simple is the fastest and best.
Sue