“The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.”
– Helmut Schmidt
Do you remember when you got your 1st job? I do! I was excited when I saw the cubicle I was assigned. I had an end unit with three sides. In my mind, I was sitting in my first office. I was satisfied with my workspace until I noticed my supervisor had an office. She could close her door! I resolved, right then and there, that I would work to get an office like my supervisor. And I did!
I was satisfied there until I noticed my new supervisor’s office was not only bigger than mine, her office had a window. I knew it would take me a few years, but I was determined that my next career move would lead me to an office with a window. And it did.
I thought I was satisfied until I noticed that my supervisor had the flexibility to arrive at work at times that was convenient for him, had meetings all day that took him away from his desk and out of his office, sometimes not returning until the next day. I thought that must be the coolest job to have. I was determined to work my way up to get a job like my supervisor. I did!
Now I was satisfied. Until one day, I interviewed a vendor for the work my organization needed. I was blown away when I realized she had her own business! I decided right then and there that someday, I would own my own business! And I do!
I am an expert at business process improvement. While speaking with small business owners about their day-to-day challenges, I immediately recognize ways to improve my position. Other business owners are satisfied with their business operations, leaving missed opportunities on the table. Still, other business owners see the need to improve but look for cheap alternatives that only create Band-aid solutions. Band-Aids usually come off, exposing what is underneath. These solutions leave their business owners to see that their business operations are going fine until they discover they aren’t. Why?
These business owners failed to pause to look around and ask the questions,
“What can I improve?”
“Why is my competitor receiving better customer reviews?”
“What can I do to improve the service I provide so that I can give my value to my client?”
“If I can’t make it into the office, will operations continue to run smoothly?”
“If my key employee resigns today, will operations continue as smoothly as they have been?”
“Do I have essential operations documented to ensure a smooth transition from one employee to another?”
Stop being satisfied with where you are! While it may not be greener on the other side, there is always room for improvement.
Posted by Dr. Drena Valentine to LinkedIn on April 28, 2021
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