Time can be spent or time can be invested – a lot like money in our economy. By investing time, I’m not necessarily talking about being busy. Rather, what I’m talking about is investing your time valuably in your behavior or a specific activity. Becoming less busy and more valuable - that’s the goal.
When we get tied up in managing a business, it can be sometimes difficult to understand the difference.
A few years ago, I learned the importance of considering projects and opportunities in terms of their TIME commitment - and thinking about daytime versus nighttime hours, as well as how much weekend time I’d need to invest in the project / client. For me, the most valuable time is family time with my kids, so rather than looking at a project just in terms of dollars, it’s important for me to consider the impact of time, as well. I am lucky to be able to make a choice, so I will.
For you and your franchisees, the point is this: be sure you’re spending your time on important and truly valuable things such as working ON your business instead of just simply working IN your business. When franchisees tell me they’re “too busy” to get to their brand’s franchise convention, for example, I reply, “If that’s true, then you should SELL to someone who can...”
It’s just an excuse, and a lame one, too. If you’re really going to succeed as an owner, you need to focus on doing the most VALUABLE and IMPORTANT things, such as calling and sharing with headquarters, talking to and sharing with other franchisees, reviewing your goals and results, staff performance and working on more accountable and valuable “owner’s actions.” After all, that’s not busy work…that’s cheap time!!! And no one will do it for you...that’s why you’re the owner.
Speaking of valuable and important activities, Seva Beauty invited me to speak earlier this month at their Franchisee Leadership conference in Puerto Rico. It was great to have the opportunity to attend and speak with their franchisees again this year.
Last year when I spoke at their conference, I projected that they’d hit “hockey stick” growth. Now, a year later, they are seeing that and expanding into new locations, developing systems and opportunities further and are full of potential. The Franchisor owner Vas has a refreshing commitment to excellence and accountability that I believe will help this organization continue its momentum and growth well into the future. He knows the difference between busy and valuable - and the results are impressive!