Are you continually adding features to your product or service? It’s easy to do. And it may seem like a smart move.
It’s a classical formula: Adding More = Better
But does it? Is adding more really better… Or is it overwhelming?
As you work on your products and services, are you including more and more stuff logically? Or are you just adding stuff to add it? Maybe, you’re including more in the sales conversation to help overcome objections. Maybe you’re trying to reach a larger audience by offering more options. Or maybe you want to add more functionality for your current clients. Whatever you’re doing, you must painstakingly watch out for feature creep.
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Now, I’m all for being an entrepreneur. I’ve been one for nearly 12 years. And, I’ll assume since you’re reading this blog you’re either an entrepreneur or seriously considering it.
But, I want to caution you. There’s a lot of talk in recent years about how easy it is to become an entrepreneur. Well, yes. It’s never been easier to start a business. That is true. But, no one ever tells you the rest of that statement. It’s also never been harder to succeed.
As Carol Roth in her brilliant book, The Entrepreneur Equation, says, “Many people ask themselves, could I be an entrepreneur? The real question is should I be an entrepreneur?”
The reality is…
There are over 30 million businesses in America. That’s basically one business for every 10 Americans.
You can start a business today on less than a shoestring budget. In fact, depending on the business, you could legitimately have only one expense (business entity cost) to get started. That means everyone has the exact same opportunity.
While one could look at the above statements as a sign of opportunity, they are also a sign of great challenge. So how do you overcome these challenges?
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As I travel around the country, today is day 198, and work with and speak to small business owners, by in large, I’m hearing the same thing.
Entrepreneur after entrepreneur is sharing with me their struggles. Most are even panicked and filled with uncertainty. Many are hanging on as best they can.
Here’s the reality…the ways in which we do business today are accelerating at a pace few can keep up with.
Here’s the other reality…adapt or die! The decision is yours.
“In times of change, the learners inherit the earth. While the learned find themselves beautifully equipped for a world that no longer exists.” ~Eric Hoffer
Since early 2008 I’ve been saying this very same thing. I must sound like a broken record. It’s not that I”m trying to scare people. It’s not that I’m panicked. It’s just what American business owners need to hear.
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Most employees suck. Yes, it needs to be said. Mediocre, uninspired and incompetent employees are leeches of your valuable time & resources.
However, most businesses can finally manage without W2′s. Technology and a changing business atmosphere has allowed smart entrepreneurs to create systems and partnerships to eliminate the need to hire full-time employees.
Unfortunately for some folks though, staffing full-time employees implies quality.
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During my one and only job interview in the corporate world, I was asked the go-to question:
“What is your biggest flaw?”
And while I’m not sure how others respond when asked this, I replied:
“I have a crippling problem with perfectionism.”
But looking back at that answer, is this really a problem?
I once thought it was my flaw. A sort of OCD I developed over time. I re-read everything I write over and over. I am compulsive about how & where I keep my possessions. And anything I do or buy needs to be Googled to ensure I’m making the right choice.
This all takes an excessive amount of time… But is it a problem?
The Perfectionist Entrepreneur
So let’s explore this. Does striving for that little extra create a problem within your life, relationships and business building efforts?
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