Blue Elevator Blog

Business process consulting – the key to entrepreneurial success.

I was an auditor for Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers).  Back in the late 80’s, I witnessed the world’s largest “Big 8” firms dramatically expand their business model to include business process consulting.  Traditionally, these firms focused on the staples of their business: audit and tax.  These firms recognized the need to pursue business process consulting to their traditional lines of business.  You see, the staples of their business focused on “history.”  That is, reporting on what happened (e.g. financial statements and tax returns).  There was a big need to help shape the future.  The need: to help businesses get better.  The solution: business process consulting.

What is the best predictor of entrepreneurial success?

Indirectly, I was asked by a client if I had noted a pattern for predicting business success.  I did answer the question.  Since my answer was somewhat long-winded and multi-faceted, I thought I would share it with you. In the article to follow, I will outline some key items for you to consider.  I will outline what I believe to be key components for entrepreneurial success.  I alternately may discuss some impediments to success.  In any case, business process consulting can help the burgeoning entrepreneur get and stay on the path of success.  So, with that being said, let’s buckle up and head out on the road.

Business process consulting: coaching in action

Speaking about getting out on the road, let’s talk about that.  By coachability, I am not referring to your ability to coach others (although that is a great skill set to have).  I am referring to your ability to receive coaching.  If I happen to be out driving, with my wife, I become the benefactor of “input” from my wife.  I have to admit that it has taken me about 25 years to transition from someone who resents the input to someone who appreciates the input.  Thank God, I can say that because of her input, I have avoided countless tickets and accidents.  Today, I appreciate her input – whereas formerly I resented it.  As an entrepreneur, you have to be willing to receive coaching.  Business process consulting is the means by which coaching becomes manifest in you and your business.

Business process consulting: a complimentary skill set

For purposes of identifying entrepreneurial skills, for simplicity, we will break these into three broad categories: technical or operational expertise, sales ability, and business process management.  I have found that most entrepreneurs are either really good in some technical area or they are particularly good in sales.  I have found that most, are not, good at designing and implementing business processes.  That’s just it.  That’s what I have found.  If you are going to start a company, well, you need to start a company.  Usually, this happens because someone finds a better way to do something.  Or, someone identifies a much needed service, etc.  Entrepreneurs are risk takers.  They tend to start things.  They don’t tend to be business process consulting experts.

Additionally, let’s face it, most people do what they like and they like what they are good at.  Make sense?  That is why people pick up hobbies that they enjoy not what they dread.  If you are good at sales, then you will spend your time selling – because you enjoy it.  If you enjoy designing software, chances are it is because you are good at it – and that is where you will spend the bulk of your time.  Consequently, most entrepreneurs need business process consulting because they spend their time doing everything but that.  The wise entrepreneur will seek and employ business process consulting to help compliment his or  her skill set.

Business process consulting eliminates blind spots

As I alluded to earlier, the skill set you need to start a company is not necessarily the best one to manage the company.  I can’t tell you how many times I have seen entrepreneur’s “outplaced” from their own companies.  Consider that you have invested all kinds of time, talent, and treasure, only to have someone recommend that you “step aside” from that which you created.  Why is that?  Well it could happen for a number of reasons.  Most of those reasons are discussed herein.  When someone starts a company, it is usually someone that has the “ooompf ” to start a company.  As we have also discussed, this important strength can also be a weakness.  How does it become a weakness?  It can become a weakness if the individual is either unwilling or unable to employ business process consulting.  Business process consulting is a means by which to create both a balance and an adequate infra-structure to support the growth of the business.  Often times, the entrepreneur that started a company can actually become an impediment to growth because of his or her unwillingness to receive coaching or accept a “wing man.”

Let’s face it, we all have blind spots.  That is why experienced fighter pilots have a “wing man.”  Could it be that the two are better than one?  The experienced pilot must have laser focus.  This focus precludes one from being able to keep an eye out for “bogeys” that can blow you out of the sky.  Every single one of us has blind spots.  To be effective, we need people that we know and trust to speak into our lives and reveal the things that we need to improve upon.  Business process consulting is the means by which we can keep “bogeys” out of our business.

Be a willing participant in your own success

With over 25 years of professional experience and involvement with countless companies, I have seen a theme.  Most business owners (if you asked them how they were doing) would say: “I’m doing good.”  The truth is, most of them would (if asked by their most trusted advisor) would also be willing to admit that there is something that they struggle with or something that could be better.  Often times, the excuse for not engaging business process consulting would be, “I can’t afford it.”  The reality is, most find it subconsciously easier to live with the status quo rather than step outside their comfort zone and risk going from good to going to great.

In fact, we all may even know some entrepreneurs who have been diligently working in their companies year after year: doing ok – but maybe just getting by.  Maybe that person is you.  The reason is, most people continue to do the same thing day in and day out.  The wise owner will employ business process consulting to convert the same effort into better results.  Thus, business process consulting helps create a company that works for the owner rather than an owner that works for the company.

Business process consulting, through Blue Elevator, is affordable.  The excuse is gone!

At this start of this article, I mentioned that business process consulting has mostly been a benefit to the Fortune 500 and the ultra-wealthy.  That has been the case – until now.  Blue Elevator is pleased to be able to bring business process consulting to business owners at every level.  No longer do you have the excuse “I cannot afford it.”  So now you are faced with the real question: Do I or don’t I?  The choice is yours.  When you are ready to step out and step up to a brighter future, we are just a click away.  Let us design a custom engagement just for you.  We even work with start-ups.  We invite you to contact us today.  Are you ready?  If so, just click here: Contact Blue Elevator.

Here’s a great, informative, and fun article to read: Success Blog.

For other information related to business process consulting, please visit the Blue Elevator blog.