Preventative Maintenance for the Forgotten Asset:
Business owners regularly use preventive maintenance to avoid possible malfunctions of their equipment, computers, vehicles, etc. The means a company uses to insure minimizing expensive breakdowns is varied. Some companies contract with outside companies to regularly inspect their equipment, while other companies design internal processes to accomplish the same outcome with their own employees. Regardless of how they do it, most owners would agree that having a consistent schedule of regular maintenance is worthwhile and contributes to the company's profitability. They may also see it as a way to protect their assets. Using preventive maintenance for equipment as an analogy, consider another of your business's assets - an asset critical to the company's success and profitability... YOU. If you were to design a preventive maintenance schedule for yourself, what would it look like? The purpose of this schedule would be to provide you with time away from the business to breathe deeply, consider the direction your company is going and revitalize your enthusiasm. Would you take a half-day or a whole day? How often, once a year, once a month, once a week? Where would you go? What resources would you need? The list of questions can go on and on. The most critical question is "would you do it on a regular basis"? During the many years I've worked with business owners, the answer is usually NO. So here's a reality check. You are given an opportunity to spend one day each month interacting with business peers, analyzing variables affecting your business, brainstorming new markets or products, solving employee issues, etc. The only requirement is that you commit to come every month for a year. What is your first thought? "Take an entire day away from the business? I can't imagine being able to do that!" OK, try this one. Take two weeks off every quarter throughout year - "absolutely impossible!". Regardless of your reaction to either of these suggestions, there are valuable insights to be gained from this exercise. First, get past the reaction that it is not even imaginable and consider what would it take for you to do either. What would you need to do or have in place to be comfortable with a day's retreat once a month or two weeks off each quarter? The answers may provide you with ideas of doing things differently: training key employees, setting priorities or revising procedures and policies. Consistently, owners put themselves at the bottom of the list. The business, employees and family members' needs are often met first, sometimes leaving very little time for "preventive maintenance". The long and short of it is that you are a key asset in the company and if your health or energy or creativity bottoms out, then a very unique and vital element of the business is off line and getting a replacement is not likely. ©2000-present Flight Unlimited - All Rights Reserved |
