Being small is a very good thing when it comes to doing your Thing.
If your business is just you then you've only got yourself to consult when it comes to decisions. There's a lot to be said for that (if you can make a decision, of course!).
Some of my client's have 'Things' that help bigger organisations communicate better, and be more effective in their meetings which tells you what it's like when you get big. It's easy to be effective when it's just you. So don't do yourself a disservice and discuss things over and over in your head—just decide and do.
There's a lot that you can do if you're small:
- You can launch a new product or service when you fancy
- You can decide how much you want to charge—your prices are your decision
- If you don't want to work on Wednesdays (or any other day), then don't
- When you want a talent or expertise, you can hire it in as and when you need it (you don't need anyone on the payroll if you don't want them to be—contractors are cool!)
- You decide where you work—and if that's the spare room or your local café, then that's where it is
- No suits required (unless you like them!)
- Take your holidays when you like (tomorrow if you want to)
- Say no to clients that don't fit (because it is a choice you know!)
- Simplify everything! Oh yes, you can!
- Never hold a meeting ever. If you are the decision maker, gather the information you need—sure, but then make the decision.
- You can be disruptive (in a good way)
Here's why I think being disruptive is the best thing about being small: if you know you have some-thing that makes people and other (bigger) businesses think differently or do things differently, then you get to be disruptive. No business grows when it does the same thing over and over and it's disruption that leads to discoveries and expansion (of course disruption can also be a disaster but I'm assuming you're only going to disrupt for growth).
Being small you can slip in under the radar. As a coach or consultant, being an expert or influencer—you can do your Thing, showing the people and businesses you work with a different way of doing and being. It's delicious—you don't have to worry about the politics or the protocol as you have permission to come in from 'outside' and do your Thing. It's a lot easier to make BIG change happen when you are small.
Celebrate being small, sneak into those tight spots that others can't, and do your Thing in a positively disruptive way. The world will thank you for it :)
Want to talk more about this?
Deal Lucy, it is always a pleasure and adelight to read you. I totally agree on being small and disruptive and I would add that a great balance into it in the business is what will make the business grow without being overwhelmed.
It’s always good to be able to ‘see’ what others can’t that can seem small but make a BIG difference. Especially when we’ve been the BIG company before and know how it all works :)