Business Unstuck

I’m Craig Garber, and I help business owners identify what’s getting in the way when part of their business isn’t working the way it should, and they can't seem to pinpoint why. 

 

Within 30 days of starting our work together, you’ll have a clear diagnosis of what’s causing the problems, practical options for remediating them, and a prioritized plan for moving forward. 

 

Here are some situations owners bring me in to help them fix:

 

• Your marketing is producing activity, but not enough qualified clients

• Revenue looks healthy, but cash flow or profitability doesn’t

• Too many decisions and issues continue requiring your involvement

• A process that once worked well is no longer producing the same results

• Certain clients, services, or employees are creating a disproportionate amount of difficulty... poor returns... or flat-out incompatibility with the services you want your business to provide most often

• You know, or strongly suspect, what the dilemma is, but you aren’t sure what to change or what to address first

 

Bottom line is, I’m most effective when you know something in the business is off, but you can’t clearly see what’s causing it or what needs to change.

Often, the underlying cause lies somewhere other than where its effects first appear. For example:

 

• What looks like a lack of demand, or a market that simply isn't interested... may actually begin with your offer or your call to action

• Difficult clients may point to poor qualification or a mismatch between the client and the service 

• What looks like too much dependence on the owner may begin with unclear boundaries, unofficial employee authority, or a business model that requires, or merely feels like it requires you to touch everything

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I look across these connections to diagnose the circumstances creating unnecessary drag or complexity… or are quietly working against your end goals. Working together, I'll then recommend sensible changes that can remove the friction, improve the economics of your business, and reduce the unnecessary stress it's creating.

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These issues aren’t always obvious from inside the business, which makes them difficult to pin down.  

My business is built around a lesson I've learned repeatedly: “If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.”
 

And that’s because unnecessary complexity, recurring complications, and decisions that never produce an adequate return quickly become expensive - financially and emotionally.

I’ve witnessed this firsthand from my own experiences running various businesses, and consulting with more than 300 clients across 120 different industries.

Sometimes the source of the problem is difficult to determine from inside the business. Other times, you know, or strongly suspect, what the mix-up is - but you're struggling to put your finger on a reasonable way to change it, without creating another setback. And occasionally, you want an objective diagnosis to confirm whether the apparent cause is the real one. 

In each case, my role is to help you determine what’s actually going on… and identify a feasible way of moving forward.  

Left unresolved, these issues can begin following you home at night, in the form of stress… constant telephone triage with your staff and clients… sleepless nights, and lost time with family and friends. And most importantly, time you no longer have for yourself.

Ultimately, a business should support your life - not consume it. Addressing these situations generally makes the business easier to operate and more enjoyable to run.  

And if you’re thinking… "Oh, so you're a consultant?"

 
Yes, consultant is probably the closest label. The important distinction is that I don’t begin with a predetermined framework, program, or solution that I’m hoping your situation will fit into. I start by understanding what's actually going on.

My approach is this: 

 

1. First, let's figure out what’s truly causing the problem

2. Next, determine the most reasonable options for fixing or minimizing it 

3. Then prioritize what should change first, what can wait, and what may not need to change at all

 

It’s similar to visiting a good doctor. You might arrive believing you have one particular condition causing your symptoms. But the questions, examination, and testing may reveal a completely different one. In a similar way… I identify and validate what’s actually happening before recommending what you should do about it.

Over the last three decades of operating and consulting with businesses, I've learned to recognize patterns by asking the right questions… following up with more specific questions based on your responses... listening attentively, and paying close attention to how and where information flows - especially where the dots aren’t connecting. 

This helps me identify where things have quietly drifted off course.

 
Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you have a question, use the Contact form below. And if you think I may be able to help with something  you're dealing with, complete the Need Help form. 

Whichever way we connect, we’ll have a straightforward, relaxed conversation. No pressure and no sales routine - ever. 

All the best, Craig