Tough times bear greater results or do they?
Jacqueline Allschwang, guide quality manager from Sandton-based business Raizcorp realised that South African entrepreneurs have it rough. In a 2019 research study on South African entrepreneurs shewed that some of the reasons quoted for these tough business conditions were: digitisation and keeping up with technology; shrinking demand and consequently less buying; rising operating costs; unreliable resources and services; strikes; and labour laws.
Allschwang said that while she knows that entrepreneurship is one of the most challenging endeavours that anyone can undertake, it requires tremendous amounts of guts, grit, determination and resilience.
She cautioned entrepreneurs against using the ‘it’s-tough-out-there’ story as an excuse for non-action. “If you find this type of narrative informing your daily behaviour or giving you “permission” to not take the important and necessary business-building steps you need to improve your long-term success, you may find yourself in a bit of trouble,” she said.
She also warned about it’s-tough-out-there narrative making its way into it’s-tough-in-here scenario. “A deflating inner mood will make it so much more difficult to harness and focus the resources and drive you to need to get things done. Building your customer base and growing your business should be the focus.”
She advised those who are in the middle of the debilitating it’s-tough-out-there narrative, “A useful way to change your story is to turn down the volume on that negative voice inside your own head. Open your mind to potential possibilities by getting playful, curious and creative.”
To do this, Allschwang said you should ask yourself empowering questions such as:
- Can I write a new script that will empower me or serve me better right now?
- What new opportunities could I explore today?
- Where could I go that might reveal my next big opportunity?
- Who could I speak to who may know about a new opportunity I could explore?
- What can I do today that will result in me securing a new client?
- How and where can I show up that could attract and welcome new opportunities?
- What can I try today that I’ve never done before?
Write your new story and progress your business.
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