Think this over even if you have never built your own house from the ground up.
Let’s follow the process. You have a dream of a house you just know is your dream house. You wouldn’t just build this house anywhere so you begin to look around at geographically where do you want to live in your dream house. You then need to determine which neighborhood, street and lot location, based upon availability.
No arguments so far, right?
You might begin to look for the right architect or builder or both at this point. You might get into the permitting and zoning process or have an attorney start to get into the process with you, your architect and your builder.
Would you begin to buy your tile floor for the kitchen right now or the couch you envision in the family room? I doubt it!
Some of the discussions with the architect and builder include the plans, the materials you will use for the framework, the windows, doors, exterior, decks, roof, style of home and more. The experts may steer you convincingly toward other options you didn’t consider and maybe do not even need or want.
Are you purchasing lighting fixtures for the Master Bathroom right now while you are having these discussions?
There is much more to this story and maybe I will continue on one day in the near future. The point of the story up until this point is does the thought process make sense and seem sound to you? Let’s see how this might relate to your business and how you think and what you do in your business shall we?
Your dream house might be compared to your dream for your business. The geography and where you locate your business might be similar to your niche and the street you choose to live on might be compared to the ideal client you determine you work with. Are you following along?
The permitting and zoning process might be similar to your need to legally establish your business by Inc. or LLC or similar and other legal and tax registrations.
It is at this point one might start being tempted to purchase trick systems or the famous bright shiney objects. This is why I ask the question would you buy the tile floor for your kitchen?
For the house you hired your architect and your builder. For your business these might be your web developer, graphic designer or copywriter. Do you clearly have a vision of what you want for your business and a plan, as you would for your house, or are you being sold some items you do not really need? Does it makes sense to spend $10k on your website and membership programs when you do not have one single customer?
Hopefully this analogy provides you with a wake up call of sorts for where you are in your business and what you might consider waiting to do versus what you are doing right now and why?
September 30, 2010 by
Sound advice for business owners of all levels! Get clear, then move forward…otherwise, you’ll be re-doing a lot of work (and losing time, money, etc in the process.)
Carmen, You are right there with me. I enjoy telling stories and utilizing analogies. Many of my clients tend to be ‘right’ brained thinkers and idea generators and I tend to be more ‘left’ brain oriented. I have found the use of stories and analogies helps to solidify the message. Thanks for stopping in! Mitch
Mitch,
Like the analogy of building your dream business to building your dream house. So many details and important aspects to consider. Thanks!
Kiyla Fenell
http://www.dreamteamhire.com
Mitch – this is brilliant – your analogy are perfect. I really enjoyed this and it gives me food for thought ….
Trudy
Having built two houses, I know EXACTLY what you mean. Plans and materials and costs – all of those are the name of the game. As it is in biz building, too!
Sue P.
Mitch,
There are so many intricate details when it comes to builidng a business where you’ll really feel at home. Loved the analogies.
Thanks so much for the food for thought.
Write on!~
Lisa
Great analogy, Mitch! XO, Katherine.
What? foundational work first?!? 😉
Thanks for this, Mitch. I look forward to hearing more from you.
Grace
Love the article Mitch. Building a business foundation is so analogous to building a foundation for your new home. It’s just a matter of knowing what the steps are and following the “plans”.
Robin
It really is about having a solid foundation and building up from there.
The foundation of a business is clarity, customers, and channels for connecting that includes money.
Thanks for keeping me on track Mitch!