Are You Putting the Brakes on Your Business?

Do you remember The Flintstones cartoon? Their vehicle was powered by their own feet sticking out of the bottom for ‘horsepower’. Unless you’re a lot younger than me, which is entirely possible, I’m sure you have that mental picture of Fred and Barney in the Flintstones ‘car’. Now, do your remember how they applied the brakes? Yup, they just dragged their feet. Complete stop.

Did you know that ‘dragging your feet’ can stop your business from moving forward just as effectively as Fred and Barney in their log car? Its true. I love my job and I have the best clients in the world, but in several instances I’ve come across some major ‘foot dragging’ when it came to their businesses. I recently had a conversation with a friend/business associate who was complaining about the struggle to stay afloat in this economy. As we talked I asked five questions.

1.Do you have a website and is it working for you?

Answer: Well, we have a website. Anyway, I think it’s still there.

2. Are you marketing on the Internet or via e-mail?

Answer: What do you mean, how do you market on the Internet?

3. Do you have a business blog?

Answer: Aren’t those just online diaries?

4. Have you considered social media?

Answer: Social what?

5. Have you considered turning the classes you’re teaching into an e-course or e-book?

Answer: I prefer in person teaching to make contacts and potential clients.

And my friend wonders why he’s struggling to keep his business afloat? They’ve got their feet buried deep as they drag them and it’s in danger of bringing the business to a grinding halt. As a business owner, part of maintaining your business is staying abreast of the business world. If you’re content to just continue doing things the way you’ve always done them, you’re just like Fred and Barney in that log car.

If you’re business is slowing down, take a good hard look. Are you dragging your feet?