Need some solid advice. Business may be growing too fast...

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Need some solid advice. Business may be growing too fast...

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jkdbjj

posts: 76

Jan 11, 2008 9:25 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hey SUN, as some of you know I run a large format printing company and we mak signs, vehicle graphics, and many other advertising devices. We have 2 years under our belt. We have always been in the black. However, this year starting Jan 1, we have seen tremendous growth. So much that we are asking contractors to come in and help, and we are asking employees to stay later. The things that have changed is I have been acting as full times sales, and our reputation is growing like crasy. Other sign shops in the area have a bad history it seems, so we seem to be a bit of fresh air.

I don;t want to become like them though. Part of the problem I think is our system of quoting and invoicing could be a lot smoother. We are using Quick Books to do both. Our pricing is not very standardised either. Because we do a lot of custom work it is tough to do that.

Most recently, I have been asked to come into large venue like the local NBA and NFL teams to consult on projects they are doing. These will be well paying jobs, but resource intensive.

Anyone an expert on growing too fast? Anyone have a proven track record dealing with these issues? I am looking for what other have done to overcome and balance growth.

My partner says it is a good problem to have but, I don;t like what I am seeing.

LiveWise

posts: 89

Jan 11, 2008 10:59 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Growing is a good problem! Congrats on a great business that is thriving when the economists are saying that the economy is slow.

What I would do is to get more people trained. Growth only means that there needs to be more people to offer the services. You may need two or three sales people instead of just you. Maybe you should handle the the larger accounts and leave the newer sales people to the smaller accounts. Don`t feel that you have to do everything. You need to hire people that will get the job done without you standing over them. If you feel the need to control everything, you will be overwhelmed.

Keep up the great service that you are providing. Don`t neglect the personal touch. Make sure the employees are rewarded for their long hours and extra efforts. It is worth it to keep them happy becuase you can`t afford to lose any of them. Give them a gift certificate to a dinner out with the spouse, a gift certificate to the spa for a massage, manicure, a bonus, etc. Do this intermittently so they know you recognize their hard work.

I hope that more people have this problem.

-------------------------

Natalie Berrett
Part of the largest and fastest growing bookstore franchises in the world!
100% Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
www.MyBookWise.com/LiveWise
FREE Preferred Customer Membership.
Save up to 42% on books, CDs, DVDs, and college textbooks. Video games are coming soon.
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houseofjerkyjanie

posts: 1150

Jan 12, 2008 7:30 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Yes, growth is a good problem to have. But it can be overwhelming, and I understand the concern for keeping up the same level of customer service. Financial growth should make it easier to hire qualified employees. Maybe you can find someone that`s expert in the field of estimating your customised jobs or find a good secretary for invoicing and office work. Because of the recent growth in our website business, we have to make some changes too. Needing employees changes the whole scope of your business, but you have the choice of growing your company with your excellent reputation or losing business and not being able to complete jobs in a timely manner, and risking that reputation. Some other company may come to town and be happy to take the jobs that you can`t handle.

Good luck, let us know what you do! Maybe an expert will answer now.

Janie

SecurityProfessional

posts: 56

Jan 13, 2008 10:33 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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As you grow, don`t forget what made you successful in the first place.

-------------------------

Michael A. Silva
Silva Consultants

www.silvaconsultants.com

topseekrit

posts: 6

Jan 14, 2008 2:34 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Process, Process, Process. Continue to tweak your processes and continue to build systems in place so they can be repeatable and used as training for new employees or existing employees who have more responsibilities. In addition to optimizing your business processes/systems, consider researching CRM tools that could definitely improve your efficiency and productivity.

Good luck!

Kimmoy
Ideapreneur!

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If you`re about to launch your small/med. business or have an existing business that needs CHANGE, schedule a FREE 30 minute consultation with me, and I GUARANTEE you will immediately see VALUE in what I can bring to your table.
*Serious inquiries only*

RosannaTussey

posts: 63

Feb 04, 2008 2:18 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Absolutely. There is no time like the present to really take a look at your processes and systems and identify ways that you can make them more efficient. Your employees may be able to give you some great feedback about what works well and what doesn`t.

-------------------------

Rosanna Tussey
Owner
New Mexico Candle Co.
http://www.nmcandleco.com

Markaatn

posts: 1

Feb 04, 2008 9:06 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I just read your post and if I may inject some help here. Growth is good but unless you have a system in place to create stability in that growth, it will become problematic. I would suggest looking at creating a simple closed loop management system to plan, do check and act.

Some of you here may recognize that method, its a standardized method of conducting business on a day to day basis that works for you and your business. It may include establishing simple procedures or instructions that your entire staff can reference that will create a consistent daily operation.

The first steps include meeting with staff to create a standardized method on each process, whether it be interaction with the customer, training new employee`s or building the product for the customer. Simplifying each process down to a map or instruction and making it a daily behavior will solve the majority of the issues. It will also make it easier to assimilate new employee`s and reduce the training time and the waste of daily tasks.

Standardizing your processes into pictorial or written form with expected outcomes that serve the customer externally and internally will help you know whats being done daily. The next part to this equation is to create a review process within your organization that can check the results daily or weekly and adjust if needed.

The above puts you in more control of what is happening. The end result allows for better decision making and less anxiety.

This aspect applies to ALL business, regardless of what your outputs are to the customer..

Let me know if I can assist further with suggestions.

Mark Williams
Master Trainer
International Quality Standards (ISO 9001, TS 16949, TL 9000, AS9100, ISO 13485-All ISO based Closed Loop Management Systems Training/Coaching)
Lean Manufacturing/Lean Service/Lean Hospital & Health
www.aatn.us.com

jwilson1

posts: 2

Feb 26, 2008 11:50 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Growth is a good thing. Growing to fast can be a nightmare.

The first thing most business owners want is more sales. And in a lot of cases more sales will put them out of business. You need to have the infrastructure in place to handle the increase in not just sales, but things like inventory, customer service...

What systems do you have, or can you put in place that would allow you to sustain and most importantly properly handle the growth you are experiencing?

I would recommend buying Michael Gerber`s E-Myth Revisited. Some people may not agree with everything in there, I do think though it does a great job of explaining systems. It costs about $10 if you buy it and $10,000,000 if you don`t.

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