Is Growing Supposed to Hurt This Much?
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At what point does the “best kind of problem” turn into a serious issue? This week, we’re talking about growing pains.
For all intents and purposes, let’s start with our own definition:
Growing pain (noun)
: the negative impact on both company and customer through times of increase; a deficiency derived from an increase or change that didn’t exist previously.
In layman’s terms, “Wow. I can’t provide my product or service fast enough because of how much business is coming my way. What a great problem to have!”
Growing is great when it means…
- Your phone ringing with more and more orders.
- Increased number of cars in your bays.
- Taking market share away from your largest competitor.
Growth becomes a serious issue when…
- You can’t provide your product or service as fast as your customers expect it.
- Your technician is too swamped to keep up.
- Your largest competitor takes market share away from you.
Growing pains are a natural part of change and they, well, hurt. But they are one of the best opportunities to improve your business – if you’re keeping your eyes open for them.
So how do you keep a growing pain from becoming a full-blown thorn in your side?
Recognizing issues. Sometimes, they are obvious. Other times, not so much. Welcome the problem, make it known, and create a timeline for easing the hurt.
Managing expectations. From your customer to your internal team, don’t set anyone up for failure. Tell your tech that you appreciate his extra hard work and that you’re bringing in another set of hands by the end of the month. Give your customer a reasonable delivery timeframe. Be transparent with when the pain is going to end.
Get to work. Change and growth require significant decisions and putting a plan in action. Talking about what needs to be done surely isn’t enough, and lack of movement only prolongs the pain and the number of people affected.
Growth hurts. Change hurts. How much, though, is up to you.
What do the Dapper Dan of Reman and Stan the Trans Man have in common? For one, they both wrote this week’s article. And, they also share an understanding of growing pains. Has a growing pain ever been too much for your business? Share with them below, or email Kendrick and Anthony directly.
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