I’m stunned sometimes by how often the basics get overlooked and then bite your business in the most painful way.
Founders are often visionaries. We have a dream of what we want to build. We have strategies. Purpose. Missions.
Challenge is that the business needs to be continually fuelled while we build. And often, that fuelling process isn’t as robust as it needs to be.
I run short, sharp diagnostics with my digital agency clients to identify tangible ways to build the business. It rapidly covers everything from vision and values through to ops and sales.
BUT… It starts with 3 critical areas. Because if you’re not on top of these, then all work on purpose or values or strategy will come tumbling down around you.
First – is your accountant giving you a cashflow projection at least monthly? You need to see if there’s a crunch coming before you have salaries to pay without the cash in the bank to do it.
Second – are your projects under control? And are forecasts based on the best of all possible worlds, or on what you know and expect to happen? Are you storing up an issue with work you may not get paid for? That \*will\* create a cash crunch in the mid term.
Third – is your sales pipeline accurately projected and healthy? How far away is the cliff, and is it getting further or closer? Do you need to apply more focus, effort and creativity to secure your future?
If you have all those in place, then talk mission, vision, values, leadership and all the rest. Otherwise you’re building a mansion on cardboard foundations.
If you lead a tech / digital agency or consultancy, and think a drains up diagnostic would be useful, send me an email, or contact us via the website.
How we can support you
- Join us on a workshop on how to scale your company; create time to focus on the bigger picture; and keep values and purpose core to your company. For max 5 CEOs of companies with revenues between £1.5m and £15m.
- Subscribe to our Bite-Sized Business Tips - thought snippets for values-centred business leaders. Every few days, a short focussed read on a specific topic of how to lead a company that values both profit and purpose.
- Talk to us to explore how we can help you scale your company in the direction you want to take it.