When you run a small business, it’s easy to start thinking about all of the things you could be doing. The thoughts go something like…

“What if I started adding this service to my client?”

“What if I began selling this, too?”

“My business could be useful to basically everyone!”

“If I started posting more on social media, I think things would really kick up!”

“I should think about expanding to the next city!”

These thoughts normally come from one of two places – things are either going really well, or things aren’t going well at all.

When business is booming, it’s tempting to think that everything you touch turns to gold. And the reality is – it might!

You might be a business guru that knows how to turn profitable business machines. If that’s the case for you – and you have margin in your life where all of these businesses and ideas can run without your involvement for a two-week vacation – then good for you. Keep up the great work, and don’t forget to give back to your community.

More often, though – booming, unfocused businesses are like tall Jenga towers. Clients aren’t properly served, and employees are worn thin. Time will expose that you are using too many critical blocks for non-critical activities. Sadly, in the meantime, you will feel like you are building something impressive. Soon enough, prospective customers don’t know what you do or what you stand for. The collapse – or at least the decline – is inevitable.

If you feel that your business is booming but unfocused, or things aren’t going very well, then it’s likely time that you step back and work on your business. Here are some starter questions to ask yourself:

Does my business have an easily discernible theme?

Am I doing things that don’t drive profit – now or in the future?

Do I have systems in place to make my work easier?

Which of my clients get the best of me – and which get the rest?

What do my clients rave about?

What part of my business has the biggest potential for growth?

What part of my business could be taken over by automation or computer programming?

Take the time to consider what aspects of your business are cruising, and what is more work than it’s worth.

In the right hands, focus can be an amazing tool. Focused businesses stand out in the crowd – even if they are small. And, focused business owners have the margin they need to do good work for their clients.

We’d love to learn more about your business and share ways in which marketing can help. If you’d like to discuss increasing focus in your business, contact us. We are happy to help you consider the major components that could help you stay focused and profitable.