With Christmas day almost upon us, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect, count our blessings, and think about the reason we do the work we do.
In coaching small business owners, my team and I typically work with the person who’s the heart, soul and centre of their business. The person who’s the reason a business exists. Regardless of your role in the business, we all have something that motivates us, that makes us happy – And as a business owner, it’s usually the reason you went into business in the first place. As an employee, it could be the reason you work in your job or the reason you work for an income. We all have different things that motivate us but when you own your own business, remembering what motivates you and why your business makes you happy is an important part of your ongoing success.
Take time to remember why you’re here
In my 20’s I started a business, a fish shop, and as you would assume there were several times in the year when we were run off our feet – one of those times being Christmas. The lead up to Christmas for me was incredibly intense, filled with long days until I finally got that much-needed day off on 25th December. By Christmas day, I could not have been more tired. The hard work paid off but then there’s holiday pay and overtime to budget for as well as penalty rates for the public holidays if we were open for trade.
Christmas came and went in a flash for me during that period of my life. So much so that I didn’t take a lot of time to think about the effort my team put in or how we contributed to our customers’ Christmas bliss by working so hard. I had little time to reflect but through my shop, I was helping other people make their Christmas a special time of year, enabling their family’s seafood traditions and sharing some of the Christmas-rush profit with my hardworking team. It was a great time of year and something I have fond memories of now, but at the time did I consider the impact it had on others or share my happiness with my customers and my team? Probably not as much as I should have.
If I can give you one tip to make this time of year more prosperous for you, in both your turnover and in your own mental well being – take a moment to reflect on the reason you do what you do, your “why”. Bask in your own busyness, be of service and enjoy your own Christmas Season. If you don’t work in retail, and things are slower than usual, it’s a great time of year to get in front of your clients or referral partners to thank them and to remind them why you enjoy working together.
The impact of Small Business on a community
One of the things overlooked in Small Business is how we contribute to a community. You don’t realise the impact your “local” has on a community until it’s no longer there. There’re some great shop local initiatives through various NSW Councils, and the NSW Government are encouraging people to buy regional from small business owners who’re affected by drought this season. These wonderful initiatives are worth getting behind in support of the Small Business Community this Christmas. Regardless of your business you’re providing a service that ultimately helps another person or makes their life easier by solving a problem for them. It’s certainly worth acknowledging.
Likewise, when working within a community, remember your “why”, remember the reason you wake up each day and work hard to deliver on your promises. Share your reason and your passion with your customers and your team. Happiness is contagious and with the thousands of Small Business Coaching clients who come through our door each year, those who are most successful are those who remember their “why”, who reflect on what they give, and who share their reasons with their team as their culture, and with their customers through great service.
Working in Small Business is one of the greatest things you can do in your life. Small Business owners allow people the chance to connect to the human being in a business. We bring communities together and we are an integral part of the business ecosystem. When caught up in the Christmas rush, remember each other and remember why you love what you do, for that will make all the difference to your team, to your customers, and to your business success.
Buy Regional This Christmas
https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/regional-nsw/buy-regional-this-christmas/