Yesterday, I compared the first snow of the winter in Kansas City to your business. Specifically I related the first snow as the unofficial signal of the arrival of winter to moments in your business signaling change.
I had more thoughts as I wrote. In particular, recognizing a signal that your business needs to go through change is only the first step of a sometimes hard process.
I have outlined 5 steps your business, photography or life go need to go through when changing seasons.
1. Recognize key signals.
I wrote an entire article on this concept yesterday. Find that post on recognizing key signals of impending change here.
The most important thing to remember in this step is to be aware. Be cognizant of your staff, clients and self. Each may be giving off signals that you need to begin introducing change.
2. Identify key area(s).
Change will do you or your business no good if you change the wrong thing(s). Before you dive headlong into change, analyze closely what the problem is.
If your clients are leaving the sales session unhappy it could be signaling several things. They could be unhappy with images. They could be unhappy with prices. They could be unhappy with the sales process. They could be unhappy with the sales person (even if it’s you).
You will need to do a little investigative work to find out what their core issue is. You also need to analyze if this is a one time occurence or a long-term issue which needs addressed.
3. Decide if this is a major or minor shift.
Going back to the change of season analogy, the shift from summer to winter is greater than the change from fall to winter.
Sometimes you know that a major overhaul is necessary to keep up your business, but many times small adjustments are a better option. Small adjustments are easier to carry out, and you can check how the changes are affecting the problem area.
If you are bored with your photography, it may be better to find new sets, locations or lighting options than jumping directly into a brand new category of sessions (i.e. adding seniors to a children’s studio).
In the end the major change may be needed, but see if a minor fix is the answer first.
4. List key needs.
Whether the change is large or small you will probably have a few needs. They may be as small as a few new pieces of equipment to budget for, or they may mean adding new staff.
No matter what the needs are, it’s best to list them out so you can…
5. Develop a timeline.
I’ve found with any change in my business, it’s best to create a projected timeline. I might start with my ideal end date, or simply make a list of steps and the amount of time needed for each step.
Chances are the timeline will be wrong. You may be ahead of schedule, but most likely you’ll fall behind. None-the-less you have something to shoot for and an external goal to push you forward.
6. Execute the plan.
The hardest step of all is the doing. By doing, I mean the starting and completing of the project.
There is no try…
In the end, we are talking about change. Change to what feeds you. Change isn’t easy. It’s scary.
Don’t allow yourself to hide behind the planning instead of simply doing.
Michael Hyatt wrote a great post the other day about the difference between trying and doing. He referred to the famous line in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, where Yoda says:
No. Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.
Whether it’s a major or minor change. Whether it feels easy or hard. Whether you want to or not, do it. Change what needs changed.
Try not. Do.
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