Are you thinking BIG enough?

In my previous work as a business coach, I often worked with clients on "getting out of their smallness," which, I think, is a rampant problem for business owners.

Are you thinking big enough? Don't get me wrong, I don't want you thinking that you'll take on Microsoft or the other HUGE corporations (unless that is realistic for your company), but any business, if you have solid products and services, has to think bigger than they currently are in order to grow. If you continue to think "small," you'll get what you focus on. When I hear people describe their "small" businesses, I automatically know they are limiting the potential they have in their businesses.

Thinking big can be difficult if you're faced with an overstretched budget, overworked employees and a backlog of work. But NOT thinking big will keep you in the same place you are now. Status quo in business is close to a death sentence. Why? Because your competitors will start to innovate and take over your spot in the market. Don't believe me? Ask the founder of Wang computer, ask any gym owner (then compare that gym to a Curves - the fastest growing fitness chain in America! They're growing faster than Krispy Kreme!).

Here's a great exercise to think big (bigger is NOT always better), so notice how I carefully select the words below:
Ask yourself or your staff these five questions:
1.) If it were possible for us to take on the number 1 position in our industry/profession, how would we do it?
2.) How can we get our customers to absolutley RAVE about what we do?
3.) If there were no constraints, what would we do?
4.) If we could exceed the expectations of every customer we ever have, how would we do it?
5.) What do our customers really want from us? (not how to improve what we already do - but what do they really want?)

We're asking ourselves these questions right now. And if you're a training or meeting facilitation company, my advice to you is to WATCH OUT. :)

Side note: When we ask our customers how we can meet their expectations, they are often surprised because none of their other vendors ask. Guess what happens when we ask how we can exceed their expectations?

Hit us back on the comments below.

Comments

[Thadd]

Nice thought! People say I always think too big and need to focus on the small details. What can I do to focus my big start-up/idea to be successful? Great company mission!

[Bruce Ziebarth]

Many people think too small. Not only for their businesses but for their personal lives as well. They accept where they are at, or one to two steps above their current position, as their "destiny".

Here is a personal example. I decided at 14 I was going to be a millionaire by 30. I am now 27, although I am far from a millionaire, I have achieved several other milestones:
1) I hold a position with the State Dept of Health that requires a college degree. I don't have one, yet.
2) I have went into "trouble" departments for three companies and turned them around within 90 days. Achieving productivity gains ranging from 100 to 300%.
3) I was instrumental in taking one company 98% paperless and am now helping to do this within the department of health.
4) I recently was offered the director of our county Medical Reserve Corps.

I say this not to blow my own horn. I say this as an example to anyone who has ever heard "You have too much ambition". This was a comment I have heard hundreds of times in the last nine years. Now I hear "How have you done this?" and "You must have political connections?" If you ever hear these statements than it is likely your hard work is paying off.

Always remember "Shoot for the moon and you will land among the stars."