Mind the Gap!
MIND THE GAP!
One of things that people in business quickly come to realise is just how much we don't know...
We don't let that stop us, of course; we make mistakes, pick ourselves up and learn on the run, rubbing our bruised bits as we go!
But, energetic and motivated as we are (most of the time anyway), we simply can't do it all. In the course of running a training business, I've mastered things I never thought I would like producing animated PowerPoint slides and dealing with very difficult clients. On the other hand, I know my limitations and they apply to very technical things like building websites, balancing accounts and putting air in my car tyres...
If we're responsible for the success of the business, it's worth taking the time to step back and look at the skills we need to achieve that success. That's not just about investing money; it's much more about defining clearly where the skills gaps are and looking for the best way to fill them.
For example, say you have a great product but the word's not getting out there; you're not making the sales you need. You have a number of choices for filling the gap:
- You learn about marketing for yourself, by signing up for a course, or working with a coach or mentor
- You hand the marketing and sales over to a consultant, or other specialist to do the job for you
- You train a member of staff to focus on marketing and sales
- You do nothing.
Remember not to base your decision on cost alone - you have to take into account the best and most appropriate use of your time and skills. In my case I love helpoing people develop new skills, but I happily pay my accountant to do the VAT returns. That buys me time to develop new training courses, which I do well, and lets me off doing hard sums which I'm very bad at!
I have to go: my VAT return is due in next week - time to get those receipts stuffed in that envelope....
For help in identifying the skills gaps in your business contact us on 07834 706553 or email us on info@devatraining.co.uk