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Two Questions to Ask Before You Make a Change In Your Business
The fun part about running a business is that there are always things that can be changed. The not-so-fun part about running a business is that there are always things that can be changed.
And, all too often, we make some changes without really thinking through why we're making them.
Here are two basic questions to keep in mind when you're contemplating making a change:
Does the change benefit my customers?
Does the change benefit my business?
If you get a No to both of them, then recognize that you're changing for change's sake. Get a hair cut - it's cheaper and introduces novelty without the complexity and headaches.
If you get a Yes to the first question and a No to the second, go back to the drawing board. How can you make it a win for both of you?
If you get a Yes to the second question a No to the first, be very careful. There's a good chance that you're over-reacting or over-compensating. Changes in this zone generate short-term wins when effective and destroy trust and momentum rapidly when they're ineffective. (Disregard this caution if it's a mere internal process; buying cheaper envelopes that get the job done just as well aren't a cause for concern.)
When you get a Yes to both questions, then it makes sense to make the change. Remember that you don't have to change everything right away.
Dig a little deeper than just saying Yes or No to each question. Why does the proposed change benefit or not benefit the customer or your business?
People love the benefits of change but not the process of it. Make sure you're clear that the juice is worth the squeeze before you make the change.