Wearing Too Many Hats Bad For Business

Too many hats is a very common problem of many small businesses. They're afraid to focus too much because they think it will make them look too small. Does that sound like you?

In fact, the opposite is true. Focusing actually helps you see better, work better and find the right target market.

Garland Coulson, "The E-Business Tutor" started a discussion on this very same topic recently at his Internet Marketing Tools Network. He suggests:

1. Stop acquiring new hats - stop taking on anything new. Remember that if you say "yes" to something, you have to say "no" to something else. If you are already overloaded you have to stop adding more opportunities and volunteering.

2. Find the right hat and wear it! I'm sorry, but I don't think I want to take my broken arm to Bob's Surgery, Auto Body, Tattoo, and Hardware Emporium. Choose the right opportunity and focus on that.

3. Learn to "work less - make more." Over time, you need to learn to stop trading your time for money and learn how to develop products/services to sell that don't tie up your time after you sell them.

4. Set up systems to reach the right audience with the right message about the right products on a regular basis. You can easily do this for a single product line and single audience but it is nearly impossible when you are chasing everyone with everything.

I think he's right on target. What about you? Leave me a comment with your opinion.