Common Small Business Mistakes
Written by admin on May 13, 2011 – 9:17 pm -I have company visiting and one of the things they like to do when in Florida, is go out for breakfast. I decided to take them to a local place, not fancy, good food, close by. I was certain they’d be happy with my choice. I was wrong.
We three hungry people sat down, began to scan the menu, when the waitress came by to tell us “breakfast is no longer being served, sorry you’ll have to order lunch.” Now, it wasn’t early in the morning but it wasn’t that late either, it was squarely late morning. With few customers in the restaurant and several omelet choices on the menu, it was puzzling, why an owner would set this as policy.
We looked at each other and without saying a word, we knew what we were going to do. The decision was made quickly, pleasantly but affirmatively, we were leaving. We’re adults, we’ve each owned businesses, we understand what customer service is. We don’t have to speak, we respond as one does when they feel they aren’t being treated well. We left, and I’m fairly certain we won’t be returning.
We drive a little further, find another place, order breakfast. The waitress is cheery, takes our rather large breakfast order (by now we are really starving). It is good food, not fancy, still close by and I can assure you, is now where I will take friends and clients for a breakfast of champions.
Maybe it’s because I’ve owned businesses or maybe it’s because I facilitate the Peer2Peer Small Business Owners Forum. However, more than my frustration at not receiving the service I wanted, I want to speak to that owner…..before he goes out of business. What bothers me and what I know he isn’t seeing, is why he’s losing customers, why he’s losing staff (a waitress can’t make it without tips)or even why he had to close his doors when that day most assuredly will come.
He’ll blame the economy, bad help, poor tourist season, etc., etc. but I doubt he’ll understand that it was this decision and probably other similar decisions, that did not reflect the customers needs and wants, that was the beginning of the end of his small business. I’ve owned businesses, I know how easy it is to make mistakes, how easy it is to be inside your own head and not see the elephant in the room.
That’s why I began the Peer2Peer Group for small business owners. We help each other solve problems, we help each other see things differently, we help each other get out of the trenches, take action, avoid costly mistakes…that’s our responsibility and value to each other.
There are many places for owners to network, focus on sales, get information but there are few places where you can go for help with the nuts and bolts and ups and downs of running a small business. As this example shows, it is just too easy to make the mistake that can cost you greatly or even put you out of business.
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