Are All of the Sacrifices Really Worth It? Absolutely They Are!
So far this summer I’ve had the pleasure of not traveling too much and it’s given me some terrific time with my family. I have two young girls, 8 and 6, and a wonderful and supportive wife. We’ve enjoyed some summer trips and simple weekends at home together. It’s been great, but my business travels have begun again, which is why my blogging has re-emerged (sorry AB.com team for my absence). I do my best posts while sitting on a plane.
As you may know, I’m an entrepreneur too. My company celebrates its sixth birthday in October and I wouldn’t trade the highs and lows for anything. So, why the post, you’re wondering? Good question!
As I was getting ready to leave this morning, my younger one gave me a big hug and said, “Daddy, I wish you never had to leave on a business trip again and can always stay home with us.” After swallowing my guilt and telling her I’ll be home soon, I started to wonder why am I going away? I mean, really why?It got me thinking about all of the sacrifices fellow entrepreneurs and franchisees make to succeed every day. Not everyone is traveling constantly, but they do work long hours and miss recitals, they miss having breakfast with their kids, reading them bedtime stories, and enjoying date night with their spouses. So why?
The easy answer is to earn a living, but you can do that without all of the sacrifices. OK, so to earn a really great living and control your own destiny. That’s getting closer, but isn’t it really to accomplish something bigger than yourself? Personally, I think that is closer to my reason, and I assume the reason for many other small business owners.
We assume the risk to achieve a goal that is greater than money itself. The greatest achievements I’ve had in my life have been things that took me out of my comfort zone. Whether is was getting married, having children, getting a new account, starting a new job, and especially starting a new business.
Franchisees are taking these leaps nearly every day across the U.S. It might be more infrequent than during the franchise sales bubble of a couple of years ago, but these risks -- or better yet challenges -- are really exciting and scary at the same time.
With that in mind, I’ve jotted down some thoughts, tips and questions that help me minimize my sacrifices, while driving my business (and clients’ businesses) forward. These only recently came to me this year. During the first five years, I was a mess.
Do you REALLY need to go to that meeting, trip, etc.? Can one of the team members handle it? This all comes down to the team you have in your office, store, warehouse, etc. (See my earlier post on April 13). If you don’t have an alternative, focus on finding one. Great companies only become great with a team approach.
Have you chosen a team/project leader? Identify a team leader other than yourself. Whenever we’re fortunate to add a new partner or earn a new project, I always (at least most of the time) make sure I pick an account/project leader immediately. They are involved in all steps. Additionally, they are introduced to the client as the lead -- not me. Believe me, I’m very involved, but someone else must be responsible for running things.
Be patient and think before you act. This one is a tough one. As business owners, we want to act on everything immediately. Patience is not part of our DNA. We are wired to be decisive and to move the business forward rapidly. However, I’ve found patience allows team members to shine and it serves as quiet empowerment. Empowerment is good.
Are you leading or doing? This one I learned recently from a fellow entrepreneur I know. He and I are members of the Entrepreneur’s Organization in South Florida and he attended a Harvard University program recently on how to be a better entrepreneur. One of his main takeaways from the course was that being a successful business owner is about leadership. Leadership is extremely hard! A true leader is one that inspires those around him or her to execute the business plan.
The last one I’m still working on and I’m not sure it’s one you’re ever truly done working on, but if you focus on the first three areas, the fourth may surprise you on how quickly it may begin to take affect.
Back to my young daughter’s question this morning. In hindsight I should’ve said, “Honey, Daddy has to go on this trip to help provide a better life for Mom and you and your sister, while helping achieve something even bigger than myself.” Or I could’ve just said, “If you’re good for Mom, I’ll bring home some Silly Bandz.” That always works.
Good luck!
Lorne Fisher, CFE, is CEO/Managing Partner of Fish Consulting, a national PR & marketing firm specializing in serving mature and emerging franchise companies. He speaks frequently at various franchise conferences and serves as an instructor at the International Institute for Franchise Education at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Entrepreneurship in South Florida. Learn more at Fish’s Web site or Fish on Franchising blog. Contact Lorne via email or Twitter anytime.
