What do you do when you have the wrong tool for the job? For example, if you need to tighten a screw and you have a flathead screw driver, but the screw head has that ‘x’ which means you need the Phillips Head screw driver, do you just try to use the wrong screw driver, and then you find you stripped the head of the screw and now you have a larger problem?
Many business owners will invest their time, effort and money in a number of tools for their business before they actually have a written business plan, written business mission and goals. Isn’t this similar to purchasing tires for a car that you have not purchased yet, and you are not even certain what type of car you will be buying?
This is not to say that tools to work with, to build a successful business, are not important. What is critical is that the right tools are being utilized the right way, and for the right purpose.
For Example: Is it more important to have an email list of 30,000 names or to have an email list size of 3,000 names, which are all raving fans of your business and have bought products or services from you before or are current customers? The answer to this question may be different depending upon the business direction and ultimate goals for the business.
Another example to consider is the use of social media such as facebook or twitter in the successful marketing of our businesses. These are tools to be utilized for a purpose. The purpose is to build relationships. The foundational elements of marketing are not new. There are fundamental business practices. There are fundamental marketing practices. These do evolve over time. They cross over to all types of business and marketing. The tools which are utilized and how they are utilized is what changes depending upon the type of business or the type of marketing required.
We should always begin with the business objectives in mind. What is the ultimate mission and vision for the business? A tremendous amount of time, effort and money will be saved by thinking in this manner instead of obtaining and using tools by not taking this into consideration.
In summary, the assessment of business objectives and the timeline to achieve them must be in the front of decisions on purchasing and utilizing tools, to be utilized by the business.
Mitch Tublin will show you the way to creating your business mission, vision, and objective statements. Do you have them already? Mitch will show you how to update and create your revised versions for your business growth, info@thementorguy.com.
Mitch
Great advice. Glad you mentioned numbers…for me quality is more important than quantity! so good relationships with fewer people is key
Trudy
Trudy,
Totally with you there. It is not to say which is right or wrong. Some folks feel they must have 100,000 names on their list. I feel 5,000 raving fans of mine is a better choice.
Mitch
I love the screw driver analogy, Mitch, because, yes, sometimes I’ll try to use the flat head instead of the Phillips…takes longer and sometimes I break a nail!
Much better to use the right tool for the job.
Hi Mitch,
Mission and vision are so important to helping distinguish which tools will help you reach your business goals. Without clarity here most businesses will likely stay stuck.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
Great advice Mitch especially for those who are buying product after product and wondering why their business isn’t moving forward. Assessment of needs first results in a much better plan of action and outcome.
I love tools. I love knowing I have the tools I need in my toolkit and knowing which one will work for me in a particular situation. I believe we attract the right tools as we are ready to learn to use them. So, pay attention to what tools (and teachers of tools) are appearing in your life right now… they are EXACTLY what you are telling the Universe you need! 🙂 THANKS, Mitch! <3 Katherine
Hey Mitch,
You are speaking my language! As a S.M.A.R.T. Business Expert, I know that Mission, Vision, clear goals and objectives are ESSENTIAL. So many business owners either don’t know how to identify clear goals and objective or they simply don’t because its not sexy. Love your tool box analogy. Maybe we should team up with our passion for business and create a great tool box for entrepreneurs and small business owners… Just Sayin’
Hugs
Gail