I tend to think of things in terms of “which problem is the better problem to have?” If my business is growing “too fast” and I’m stressing over how to best use the rush of capital and brand awareness, I consider that a good problem. That’s the problem I want to have. If my business is lagging behind in sales and I’m debating which corners to cut, which employee positions to downsize, and how not to look desperate in front of my clients, I consider that a terrible problem. I don’t ever want to have that problem.
Now all that being said, there are strategies you can implement to get the most out of your growth. Here are 3 strategies I use in my own business every day.
1. Hire in anticipation of growth.Think of where you want your business to be six months or so down the line. How many employees will you need then? Which positions? Once you kow the answer, start hiring those people today.
Now you might look at that and think, “What will I have those people do for the next six months? Isn’t that a waste of money?” Again, this is a better problem to have than the alternative. The alternative is that you hit that six-month mark and meet or exceed your growth plans, but then your growth fizzles out because you don’t have enough people to sustain it. That’s a bad problem to have.
2. Delegate to the right people. While hiring, focus on getting people who share your mindset. This is the one area of hiring where you should not accept “good enough.” You can train skills, but you’re in for a bad time if you try to rewire a person’s attitude. Be selective. Hire people who work hard because they love working hard. Hire people who are ready for a tough journey but optimistic about the outcome. And if you have anyone who’s underperforming, get rid of them. Now. Before they can sabotage your growth.
3. Always be selling. Let’s be brutally honest here: if you’re main concern is whether your team will feel comfortable with your rate of growth, you’re not thinking like a CEO. You’re thinking like a middle manager, and not a good one. Your duty as a CEO is to always be selling. Always promise more to your clients, and always push your team to achieve more. Your job is vision, not comfort. Great leaders charge past expectations, and great teams find ways to turn the vision into reality.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
0
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
