Today I was reading about a homeless man who received a free makeover from a hair and grooming salon.  They offered him a new look as well as new clothes.  This man, who at 55 years old homeless for 25 years, went from looking homeless to looking like a hipster.  The locals who knew him did not recognize him and his confidence has soared.  His story has inspired people to help him and now he is off the streets.
I love seeing makeovers.  In magazines and on TV, whether it is an individual  or someone’s house going through a rehab they are especially fun to see.  But, one of my all time favorites are business makeovers.  The best ones are the ones for which is I get to do the makeover.  The only thing more fun than seeing a makeover is doing a makeover.
Clients come to me with businesses that are stagnant, shrinking, unprofitable, or just not growing the way they should. I get to analyze the problem and come up with strategies that turn things around.  How great is that?
You too can turn the corner if your company is not where you want it want to be and make it  a successful and sustainable business.
The first step is to be honest with yourself and own up to what the problems are.  There are solutions to every problem but only if you know what challenges you have.  If you’re not sure, talk with your employees, customers, and vendors.  Get their take.   Come from a positive place.  The worst thing is to tell people your business is in trouble.  Rather say:  “I want to take your business to the next level, what ideas do you have to help take it there?”   Be open to feedback.  You don’t have to agree with everything said, but if you are defensive and closed off it won’t get you anywhere.
Then you need a plan to institute the strategies to execute your makeover. It’s never easy but it is very doable.