We all want our business to be a success. Photo (CC) by Bruce Berrien on Flickr.
People going into business want to be successful.
Lots of tips about success can be found online and in writing. Yet one tip is consistently seen and offers a great track record – Make good decisions, and do it consistently.
It may seem obvious that successful business owners are good decision makers. In reality, though, being a consistent good decision maker is not always the case.
So how can a small-business owner be a better decision maker again and again?
The literature on developing a small business provides tips on how to make good decisions on a regular basis.
Probably the first key is to do your research.
If you don’t know the options or even fully understand the problem, you are taking a chance in making a decision. It isn’t efficient or even possible to know all of the options, but you certainly need to have determined what many of them might be.
This key is tricky because some owners get stuck right here, thinking that without finding all of the information, they can’t move. This just means deadlock, which maybe the worst decision of all.
Balance between too much and too little information is tricky to find. It’s a skill that comes with time.
Another key is being open to the full range of options. Don’t prescreen or be selective in those options you like or think will work. This is a great time to have someone take an opposite view on every option. Have a good, honest discussion so you do not leave out one you personally might not like but that might be the best route to take.
We always tell small-business owners that they need a mentor. But remember, a good mentor is willing to not always agree with you. Mentors need to be willing to take and defend an opposite view.
You also must think long term. Ever decision made puts you on a certain path. Do some future thinking about where that path might lead and future decisions that may result.
A final tip is to remember that a past good decision may not be a good decision now. The situation is never the same. Time, along with internal and external factors, changes the scope. So do not necessarily go back and repeat past decisions.
Past decisions are a great resource. But repeating them may cause substantial damage to your firm if you haven’t considered the situation and the information available today, and haven’t projected future consequences.
Long-term strong businesses are built on solid decisions. As the owner, you know you will not always make the right decision. What is crucial, though, is that you avoid decisions that may slow or even hurt your business.
Glenn Muske is the Rural and Agribusiness Enterprise Development Specialist at the North Dakota State University Extension Service – Center for Community Vitality. Follow Glenn on Twitter: @gmuske
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Glenn Muske is an independent expert on rural small business, working as GM Consulting – Your partner in achieving small business success. He provides consulting, and writes articles for county extension agents and newspapers across North Dakota. Previously, he was the Rural and Agribusiness Enterprise Development Specialist at the North Dakota State University Extension Service – Center for Community Vitality.
This does not only apply to business decisions. Every decision that you make everyday like something as simple as sleeping another hour or showing up can really impact your business.
You are right. (And I like my sleep).