Starting a business is sexy. Running a business is not. Generating ideas is fun. Doing the blocking and tackling every day can become mundane. But it’s the focus and repetition that creates successes.
Les McKeown, author of the bestselling books Predictable Success and The Synergist once said to me that, “Too many entrepreneurs are treating their businesses like a Twitter stream”. I agree. We live in an era where a successful product launch is followed by another shiny new product, instead of building on the success of the existing product. Everyday businesses- ones where individuals go in and execute by producing their goods or providing their services- don’t appear to be glamorous. Execution isn’t nearly as fun and invigorating as coming up with the next new idea or launch. But it’s the difference between lust and love; love can endure, but lust rarely does for any significant period of time.
If you want your business to be as successful as possible, focus on consistency and execution. Focus on treating your customers like kings and queens. Focus on cultivating great culture. Lather, rinse and repeat until the law of diminishing returns kicks in. But, take a break from constant reinvention.
Now, I am not suggesting that you should not innovate or stay ahead of the times and freshen up your products or services, but there is a difference between a small change and complete overhaul. There is also a difference between innovating to stay competitive and running away from your success because you got bored, distracted or even scared.
Before you give in to the temptation to create a new product, re-jigger your business or even start a new one, consider:
-Whether you have done everything that you can with your current product or service offering;
-Whether your brand, product or service tweak supports your current brand and offerings;
-Whether your change of course will confuse current customers
Remember, happily ever after comes from commitment.
