Making BIG Decisions in a Small Business

This week’s episode is about making big decisions in small businesses. First, a quick update on Aura Landscapes, the business I run with my husband, Mike. We've been doing this for 14 years now, and, as many of you know, it’s been quite a journey. Recently, we've added a skilled landscaper and a new in-house garden designer, also named Mike. We've also taken on a couple of apprentices. However, not all changes have gone smoothly. We hired another team member who didn't stay long, so Mike had to pick up the extra work. This meant he was working full-time on the tools and often away from home, which affected family time and left him very tired. It all came to a head recently when Mike said he was fed up with the lack of time to work on the business, spend time with the family, or enjoy his personal interests. He was thinking about cancelling a long-term contract to free up his time. This contract has been a reliable source of income, so his suggestion was quite serious. I advised him to consider all options before making such a big decision. We thought about different solutions, such as rescheduling jobs to allow for more breaks, sharing work among team members, and focusing on closer projects to reduce travel time. It was important to look at all these options rather than make a quick decision. We've noticed that growth in our business tends to follow a cycle. It’s like a rollercoaster, both in terms of success and the personal toll it takes. These cycles repeat, often bringing the same challenges until we address the root problems. For us, many of these challenges relate to systems and processes. We’re currently working with Nicola De Piazzi, a systemologist, to put effective systems and processes in place. The goal is to separate ourselves from daily operations, allowing the business to run smoothly without our constant involvement. This shift will enable us to focus more on planning and strategy, which is essential for long-term growth. We've also learned from past experiences, like our recent attempt to expand our hard landscaping teams. We quickly realised that adding more teams wasn’t the right move at the time. Instead, we decided to focus on improving our current teams and possibly expanding our soft landscaping team, where we see more potential for manageable growth. HR and health and safety have also been areas of focus. Outsourcing these aspects to Annmaree has made our hiring process easier and ensured compliance, making growth more manageable. One of my favourite recent initiatives has been setting KPIs and closely monitoring our numbers. This approach has provided valuable insights into how we can increase efficiency and profitability. Our new garden designer, Mike, has also contributed fresh ideas for improving our systems and processes. Lastly, I encourage all of you to think about your role within your business and how you can delegate tasks you dislike. This delegation can revive your passion and free up time for strategic planning. Whether you love site visits, like one of my clients, or prefer project management, like my husband, it’s about structuring your business to suit your strengths and interests. Remember, being a small business owner is incredibly rewarding despite the challenges. You have the power to create the life you want, make impactful decisions quickly, and adapt as needed. The Landscaper’s Coach & Podcast Call us on: 02381 800 102 Email: [email protected] Send us a DM on Instagram with any questions you might have @thelimitlesslandscaperspodcast. Follow TLC on Instagram: @TheLandscapersCoach Follow our Podcast on Instagram: @thelimitlesslandscaperspodcast Follow me! Paula Warman on Instagram: @warmanpaula Website: https://www.thelandscaperscoach.co.uk