Making the wrong business choice can be Grimm
Many SME leaders face tough decisions about how to improve their businesses. Here’s a cautionary tale—with a twist
Once upon a time there were three bears – Father Bear, Mother Bear and Younger Bear.
Since arriving in the UK ten years ago as refugees, they’d established a home and business on the edge of the forest.
Woodland Products Ltd was a successful enterprise, profitable and with a good market share in the surrounding area but they wanted to be better.
Father Bear Wants It All
On their walk home from work one day, they were discussing the various ways they could improve the business. Someone, they didn’t know who, had left a bunch of brochures about business improvement on their dining table near the three bowls they used at mealtimes.
‘I want it all,’ said Father Bear. ‘I want badges, certificates, belts, training courses. I want some of that Lean stuff, loads of Sigma and a big dollop of TQM alongside a bucket of ISO. I want consultants and their helpers; I want conferences and prize giving dinners. I want big!’
Mother Bear sighed. ‘What is it you think all of that will do for our little business dear? We are always careful about costs and that does sound very expensive’
DIY Isn’t Always Smart
‘Don’t have to do that.’ said Younger Bear. ‘I’ve read all about that stuff and I can do it all on my own. It’s easy. Just gimme a bit of money and I’ll sort it out in a fortnight’
Once again Mother Bear briefly closed her eyes and said, ‘Maybe you can sweetheart but perhaps we should finish paying for the new machine we had to buy after you stripped down and repaired the old one.’ He grunted and if bears had pockets, he’d have shoved his paws deep into them.
Mother Bear Gets It Right
‘I wonder if we should work out what we want to improve and why.’ she continued. ‘Perhaps there are people who could work out what’s right for us, at a cost that wouldn’t break the Bank and help train us on how to do it for ourselves in the future.’
Father Bear gave a bear like ‘harumph’ and replied ‘I don’t imagine there’s such a thing. But feel free to search it up and when you can’t find anyone, I’ll get the big boys in.’
You know Mother Bears are always right, right?
Meanwhile, Goldilocks, who was a bit of a traditionalist, muttered, ‘What on earth was that all about, I thought they were supposed to argue about porridge.’
Obviously, speak with UK Business Advisors who can actually do that stuff. Be more Mother Bear. (More stories and nonsense from Ian Crocombe. Leading and coaching productivity, service and operations improvement.)