Business growth depends on adaptation and that can mean letting go of the way things have “always been done.” 

As we near the end of the year, it’s a good time to reflect on what’s happened in your business over the last 12 months. It’s also a good time to assess if some activities should be discontinued, delegated or outsourced. Use these four questions to identify things you should stop doing.

Has the business outgrown your skills?
Like people, businesses grow and change. Sometimes this means a business has outgrown the skills of its owner. One clue is that you no longer enjoy going to work each day. Another is that the business has stalled. Is it time to stop trying to do it all and enlist talented people who have skills you may not? 

What administrative tasks could be delegated so you can focus on high-value activities?
Don’t overload yourself or employees with administrative tasks by thinking you can’t afford another employee. You don’t necessarily need an employee. Virtual assistants (VAs) can handle many tasks, including activities such as scheduling social media posts. Some VAs specialize in more advanced work like budgeting and preparing presentations. Assess what you can delegate so you can focus on higher-value activities. Consider what you might turn over to a VA.

Are you doing things because it’s the way they’ve always been done?
The comfort of doing things the way they’ve always been done can put your business at a competitive disadvantage. Is there new technology that could boost your effectiveness and productivity? Are there new best practices in your industry that should be adopted? Your toughest competitors already know the answers to these questions. Is it time to drop resistance to change?

Is your culture thriving?
If your organizational culture isn’t supporting staff in such a way that they feel valued and engaged, it’s time to assess what would make their work experience more rewarding. Meaningful conversations with staff will help guide decisions about eliminating factors that create disconnects and adopting practices that build a stronger, more cohesive team. What needs to stop happening to make your organization a place where people want to work?

An honest assessment of what you should stop doing can be challenging. Consider hiring a coach or bringing in new talent to help so your business can reach its fullest potential.

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