From Surviving to Thriving: Taking Control of Your Business Today!

Brian Dickson

Unlock Your Potential: Shift from Being a Business Operator to a Visionary Leader!

As the owner or leader of your business, are you thriving or just surviving?


As Brandon Dawson, CEO and co-founder of Cardone Ventures, put it, "Are you enslaved to your business, or are you a business leader who makes your business do its job for you?"


I understand this challenge firsthand.


Closely managing driver labor costs was a key focus during a recent job assignment.


Auditing and correctly coding this expense was crucial.


The company's pay practices were complex, and errors could lead to overpayment. 


Therefore, as the GM, I took on payroll duties because I was familiar with our pay rules and coding and could ensure that it was audited closely at the same time.


While all that was true, it distracted me from more critical tasks like growing the business.


Over the years, I have used the metaphor of a ship's bridge and its captain to illustrate an important point to my teams.


The bridge is positioned high on the vessel to give the captain a clear view of the ocean ahead. 


However, if the captain spends most of their time below deck in the engine room, they cannot see any hazards the ship may be about to encounter and change course.


I then set a clear expectation: they must lead and manage their departments instead of allowing the work to manage them. 


Yet, I violated this principle by doing payroll instead of delegating it to another team member.


If you're like many business owners and leaders, you often find the most qualified person to do a task at the lowest possible salary, and that person is usually you. 


After all, who better to trust to do the job?


That may be necessary for a little while, but if this is your current situation, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on why you started your business in the first place. 


Did you launch your company to become mired in the day-to-day, or did you aim to build a vibrant and dynamic organization that positively impacts the lives of your customers, employees, yourself, and your family?


If you work in your business rather than on it, I can help you regain focus. 


I can assess your business in two ways: either through a targeted evaluation to identify valuable opportunities or a comprehensive review to uncover growth potential. 


Then, together, we can set a new course that allows you to lead and manage your organization rather than it managing you.


Contact us today, to get started digging out.

By Brian Dickson February 24, 2025
Previous articles published here can now be found on Substack.
By Brian Dickson February 3, 2025
Recently, I have been asked, "What does a business assessment from Bus Business Consultants involve?" I want to provide a clear and comprehensive explanation. A business assessment is a thorough evaluation of your organization to identify opportunities for improvement and growth. My approach is holistic, carefully analyzing various aspects of the business to pinpoint areas that need support and to develop strategic solutions that promote sustainable development, enhance customer satisfaction, and improve operational efficiency. This evaluation covers several critical components of a company, helping us identify its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats—commonly known as a SWOT analysis. The assessment process typically includes a detailed examination of financial performance, operational effectiveness, employee productivity, market positioning, and compliance with regulatory standards. The primary goal of a business assessment is to provide valuable insights that empower business leaders to make informed decisions. Businesses can thrive in a competitive landscape by improving processes and practices, enhancing profitability, and ensuring alignment with strategic goals. The assessment can cover various vital areas, including accounting practices, human resources policies, maintenance protocols, safety procedures, and sales strategies. Ultimately, this comprehensive evaluation results in actionable recommendations that facilitate meaningful improvements and long-term success. Conducting a business assessment requires immersing myself in your operation for several days. This allows me to experience it as a customer and an employee, observe the facilities and fleet, and meet key team members. Larger or multi-site operations will require additional time. Feel free to reach out if you'd like additional information or to schedule a consultation.
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