Development 4 Managers.com

Managing Vision and Growth

Managing Company Growth Can be Difficult Without a Clear Vision

A small mental health agency with 3 owners is struggling. Only one owner is working the business full time. The others have other full time jobs, and can only dedicate some hour to the company. Meanwhile, they are facing growth, and struggle figuring out how to move forward.

Back to the drawing-board. Dust your business plan, sit down with your partners, and start reviewing it.

Why? Simple, you can do only what you can do... and what you are willing to do...Not more, not less.

In practical terms, in a situation like this you are looking at either adding people (part-time or full time), partnering with another group, limiting the scope of your services, using technology, changing job schedules, refusing new clients, a combination of the above, or none of the above, other.... In the end, you need to sit down and start making decisions about what you want the business to be, and how you are going to manage growth.

Here is where your company's vision becomes so important. Your vision is your guide, your beacon shining back at you and illuminating the way ahead. As it shows you the, it also tells you what kind of obstacles and sacrifices you will face moving ahead.As you plan towards that vision, you also need to set realistic steps adn goals inbetween you and your ultimate goal.

I recommend to use the GROW Model. It will help you remember to be realistic about your situation. You may end up having to make some tough decisions. Or, you may find ways to use technology or other assets to assist you.

You don't have to implement you rvision alone. Many organizations are not aware of the fact that there are Business Process Outsourcing services or BPO's. There may be one in your area that could help with the administrative burden of running an office (check online or in your yellow pages). They ussually take on admin functions (phone answering, making copies, sending faxes, etc.) for you.

Whatever you decide to do, when you first meet with your team,start with the vision of your company and identify what it is you want out of your business. What really excites you about it. If that vision is calling you, then you will find it easier to make the hard decisions you know you need to make.