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State of The Network 2021

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The Andreea Birthday Bash

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The Action VR Ariana Music Bash

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Breaking Old Work/Family Life Balance Habits

The struggle to achieve a balance between family and business life is not a new one. It’s very beautifully documented in one of the all-time great modern Christmas stories, A Christmas Carol, by one of the greatest storytellers of all time. A Christmas Carol is a novel by Charles Dickens, first published in London on 19 December 1843.

Robert James and James Home Services: A Christmas Carol tells the story of a bitter old miser named Ebenezer Scrooge, and his transformation into a gentler, kindlier man. Ebenezer’s transformation begins with a visit from his former business partner Jacob Marley, followed by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. The novel has been made and remade many times into a movie by Hollywood.

That was 1843; we are now 174 years down the road into ‘yet to come’. The advances we have in technology today could never have been imagined back in Charles Dickens’s day. Those advances have certainly made our daily lives much easier and more comfortable. But the irony of it is, we still struggle with the daily decisions about where our priorities should be in order to get the right balance in our lives. (Maybe we need an app to make the decisions and help to measure where our focus is on an hourly basis. You could check on your phone to see if you should be playing with your kids, giving your partner a compliment, or perhaps doing a bit of work!)

Confronting your own ghosts

I have a challenge for you; it should be a bit of fun and create some self-awareness all in one. I want you to borrow from Charles Dickens and have a chat with your spirits of past, present and future. Imagine you are sitting down with your own self; do you have a message for you about your life balance? Don’t do it out loud where others can hear you; they might think you have lost the plot all together.

Let’s say your Spirit Past is you from five years ago. Your Spirit Past turns up at your office for a meeting, with an urgent message for you. What would your Spirit Past say to you? What would he/she warn you about? What would he/she congratulate you on? What limitations would he/she argue for? For example:

‘You were lucky to get this far.’

‘You are not really educated enough to have gotten as far as you have.’

‘How can you be a great parent? You can’t even look after your goldfish or potted plant – they always die.’

Write down the message in two or three paragraphs. Do it now. I mean right now – don’t read on until you do the exercise.

Next, pretend Spirit Present is your next appointment. Spirit Present is more up to date, and claims the message is even more vital and urgent. Again, what would your Spirit Presentsay to you? What would he/she warn you about? What would he/she congratulate you on? What limitations would he/she argue for? They could be different, or still some of the ‘old chestnuts’. But would he/she disagree withSpirit Past? Maybe Spirit Present believes you made your own luck and has evidence to prove it.

Again, write down the message in two or three paragraphs. Don’t read on until you do this. If you take time to challenge the spirits in your own head, it goes a long way to giving clarity on where your Spirit Future will lead you, your business and your family. Either way, your mind believes your imagination, so if you imagine a successful business and family life, your mind goes to work on making it happen. If Spirit Past still has the power to influence the decisions of today, it will take control of yourSpirit Future.

So, I know this is going to come as a shock, but your next appointment is with your Spirit Future. He/she says, ‘My message is the most import- ant; it’s what you now have the power to create.’ Spirit Future has a very positive and pragmatic attitude, and knows that without the other two, there is no Spirit Future.

He/she knows your job is to understand and learn from Spirit Past andSpirit Present. He/she also knows he/she doesn’t have to be limited by their opinions. He/she knows opinions can and will change with time. Again, what would your Spirit Future say to you? What would he/she warn you about? What would he/she congratulate you on? What limitations would he/she totally remove from your thinking? This time the message is co-authored, by you and your Spirit Future.

Write down the message in two or three paragraphs. Do it right now. Read on only after you have gone through this exercise.

Escaping the past can be tough

I have seen all too often how the ghosts of the past can take control of people’s futures. One of the most inspiring examples of beating those ‘Spirits Past’ is Denise. When I first meet Denise, she was 50 years of age, Mum to three beautiful teenage children, and married long-term to Gordon (an accountant). Denise had had a rewarding lifelong career in nursing, and she had a very friendly, caring and likeable nature.

Unfortunately, change was forced upon their family. Gordon, who had always been the main income earner, was made redundant. But instead of seeing this as a problem, they decided to take the opportunity to go into business together. Denise and Gordon became one of our very early regional master franchisees in James Home Services.

They had what seemed to be a very practical plan. Gordon would use his accountant background to manage the finances of the business and coach the franchisees. Denise clearly related beautifully with people, and she would start on an exciting new career as the salesperson in the business and also recruit the new franchisees. She had spent a lifetime dealing with people. How hard could it be? she though. James Home Services had very detailed, thorough, proven and professional recruitment processes for master franchisees to use to recruit new franchisees. The logic was that if Denise used the systems combined with her natural flair for dealing with people she would make an awesome success of her new role.

Well, things didn’t go to plan. Denise had lots of franchise enquiries, she knew the processes, she dressed in our uniform and looked the part, but no-one would join her team. Our sales manager John spent time with her. He observed her out with clients. He couldn’t help her to achieve any improvement. His only observation was that, ‘Denise just didn’t stop taking at all!’ Denise appeared to be very flushed and certainly didn’t project the confidence that was needed to lead new franchisees to join her business. And John’s involvement seemed to make her even worse.

Time progressed. Nothing improved. I took over the mentoring role with Denise. I felt with my experience perhaps I could work out why Denise was failing, but I too was bewildered about where the strong, positive woman I had first met had vanished to. I really couldn’t answer why she was transforming into this nervous, excessively talkative and at times vague person.

Over a series of coaching sessions, we found that the problem tracked back to two ‘Spirits’ of her past. Firstly, Denise saw herself as a nurse. She came from an environment where salespeople were dishonest, manipulative and uncaring. Denise was none of these things and was terrified about being thought of as such. Secondly, Gordon was always the main breadwinner. How could Denise bring in more income than her husband? It seemed to conflict with her work life expectations. The structure of her whole family was built around these beliefs.

These restricting beliefs from her past clearly were controlling her present results. These illogical beliefs were very much in play every day. People around her argued for the Denise of old. Friends confirmed that she was a nurse. Nurses are caring, friendly and nice people. ‘Sales- people’ were not, according to Denise’s friends. Denise just didn’t have what it took to be one of them! Unfortunately, my sales manager John believed the same. His recommendation was to move Denise and Gordon out of the system.

I personally didn’t agree, but it was now a year into the business and Denise’s results were still very poor. I had to consider that maybe Denise and Gordon should sell their business and move on. So, with their approval, I put the business on the market, and very quickly I found a potential buyer. It was a Friday afternoon. I rushed to their home with a signed agreement for the sale of their master franchise business. It was a good offer; they would have made a good profit. I was quite excited, thinking this was a good result for everyone concerned. I happily placed the offer in front of Denise and Gordon. I said, ‘I think it’s a good deal. What do you think?’ Gordon had the biggest smile I ever saw.

Robert James and James Home Services: I was thinking they would grab it with both hands and open a bottle of something to celebrate. (I think Gordon was already heading for the fridge.) To my surprise and Gordon’s shock, Denise answered, ‘I want to think about it over the weekend.’ At this moment, Gordon nearly passed out. I was lost for words, but I agreed to come back Monday morning.

Monday morning arrived. We met at their home to hear their decision. Denise said, ‘We don’t want to sell’. I was surprised – to say the least. I even pointed out that down the track if things didn’t improve there was no guarantee I could get an offer as good as the one on the table. They both understood that. The decision to persevere was made.

I asked Denise why she decided to reject the offer. In her answer came the ‘Empowering Spirit’ of her past. She answered, ‘I have never failed at anything in my life – this is not going to be the first time!’ And from that day on, everything changed for Denise. She became a true sales professional. She learnt everything she needed to learn, her skills developed, her attitude changed, and she got the results.

Denise was in that business for over 15 years. As a master franchisee she sold the most franchises in the history of the network. The family business got the kids through university and set them up for retirement. The ‘Positive Ghost’ reminding her that she never failed was right.

Success in one area of your past can fuel your future. Unfortunately, the Spirits Past with the scariest stories seem to have the loudest voices. But no matter how loud they are, it doesn’t mean you have to give them power.

You have to face up to any arguments or limitations from your Spirit Past before you sit down with your Spirit Future. Dealing with the ‘Spirits’, whether in demon or hero form, that float around in your head is a very real challenge, even though they only live in your imagination.

Too learn more "Balance:How to Make Your Business and Family Life Work Together"

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Why is Franchising in Australia on the Decline?

Australia was a world leader in franchising in the 1990s, what happened?

Robert James and James Home Services: What has trigger the decline the Franchising Industry in Australia? Why is Australia's largest franchisor, Retail Food Group, losing franchisees faster than they can recruit new ones? Where will it end?

But the writing has been on the wall for some time.

#1 There is a Sharp Decline in Australian Families Buying Franchises

Australian's are choosing to go it alone as independents small business owners as a more attractive alternative to investing in franchise systems.

There is a small business revolution going on!

There are more home-based family businesses than ever before, but they are not seeing the value for their money in being a franchisee.

The Retail Food Group(RFG) currently resources getting all the headlines, their recent results should be terrifying to all those in franchising in our c country. Consider, in March 2018, Retail Food Group stocks hit 10-year low on $88m loss and 200 stores to be closed in 2019.  The company blamed unsustainable rent, declining shopping centre performance and a sharp decline amongst domestic franchise sales and renewals as the main reasons for it's disappointing performance.

Our largest franchisor can't sell franchise!

They have huge financial resources and the largest marketing budgets of any Australian franchisor, they are planning to close 200 franchises in the next 12 months, what chances do the lessor lights have.

Australian Franchisors are reliant on new franchisee's buying into their business. In the most part they are Families' who invest in franchises. This just isn't happening at the same rate as in the 90s and 00s.

Secondly, but very tellingly, even long term successful franchisees are choosing not to resign their "renewal agreements". They are choosing to be rebrand from the network, rebrand in their own name and carry on without paying those annoying franchise fees.

The world has changed, but it appears that most Australian franchisors are still Partying like it is 1999, but most family small businesses are deciding it is better to go it alone.

Australian's aren't buying franchises like they did in the good old days of 1999 and they aren't signing up for renewal of their second term, even if they were successful.

#2 Australia is Oversaturated with franchisors.

The Franchise Council of Australia, FCA, has some key insights to what is happening in the Australia Franchising.

The "Franchising Australia 2016 Report", comply by the Griffith University's Professor Lorrelle Frazer, sponsored by the Franchising Council of Australia is the last detailed industry report directly from Australian Franchisors'

This is a valid, up to date report that is based on information supplied by Australia's Franchisors, If anything this report is most likely to be franchisor friendly?

To quote the report:

Griffith University is proud to endorse the tenth biennial Franchising Australia survey sponsored by the Franchise Council of Australia. Representing the only reliable and systematic data collected on the Australian franchise sector, the Franchising Australia 2016 report provides an up-to-date profile of the sector.

One of the most telling facts in this report , To quote the report

Continuing the trend that began in 2010, the number of franchise brands operating in Australia has declined.

In 2014 the number of franchise brands was 1124; in 2016 there were 1089 brands — reflecting a net decrease of 3.1 percent. (Given that several franchise brands operate multiple franchise concepts the population of franchise systems is estimated to be 1120.) A gradual decline in the number of franchise brands is anticipated as the sector continues to mature.

Putting this into perspective, the USA has approximately twice the number of franchise brands as Australia servicing 13 times the population

Simply: Australia is oversaturated with franchisors, there are 650% more franchisors to ratio of population than the USA, the home of franchising!

Franchise brands are vanishing each year and the FCA expects this to continue into the near future.

On these numbers, Australian Franchisors are an endangered species. We have to lose around 800 brands to be on par with the USA?

It will be survival of the fittest. The strongest and long term ethically sound businesses will be around in the next 5 to 10 years.

In 2018, Master franchising in a market as small as Australia is an outdated concept.

The internet has more useful tools available to manage, educate, support and market franchisee's businesses. The Master Franchisor model adds an extra level of unnecessary cost for both the Franchisee and the Franchisor.

It is true, that if Franchisors do go out of business, then some franchisees may go with them, but successful franchisees can still trade on with their own sign above the door.

#3 The Internet has Changed the World and Most Australian Franchisors Haven't Caught Up.

Many Franchisors are overcharging to compensate for the decline in sales.

In every franchise system there are 3 keys systems areas that are the foundations on their intellectual property.

Training,

Marketing.

Support.

In the 1990s to early 2000s, it wasn't easier for the average small business owner to get access to these tools or education. In 2018, it is a very different world.

Training:  

Everyone has access training in everything needed to run a successful small business. There are qualified trainers all around the world.

Marketing:

It has never been easier for small business owners to market their businesses. They can hire your own Marketing Guru to build their local brand for a fraction of the franchise fees. Just check out Upwork.  

Support;

There are a huge range of business coaching and support options. The selection of specialist business coaches is never ending.

The reality is that the business coach that a small business owner can now employ on-line is more qualified than any employees of the franchisor or a master franchisor who bought his/her way into the business.

There is plentiful supply of information, education and business systems online.

If franchisors are asking new business owners to spend for a $30,000 for initial fees they have to offer greater value than the other suppliers that are available on the internet.

For many franchisors, they are offering no intellectual property that the average family cannot be buy elsewhere on the internet for a fraction of the price they are asking them to pay.

There is a simple an answer.

Franchisors have to offer a better product for family business than what is available online!

Simply, the elite franchise systems will continue to grow and prosper. The strong credible brands will be the survivors, McDonalds is here to stay.

Robert James and James Home Services: The franchise systems who can demonstrate they are true value for money, compared with starting up as an independent business owner, will get Australian families to investments in their franchise.

In the 1990s franchising in Australia was cutting edge business stuff, it truly empowered small business owners to succeed and prosper. But the reality is that in many systems there will be in a continuous negative growth over the next five to ten years.

For many franchise systems the internet is the catalysts to the beginning of the end.

In 2018, there is a small business revolution around the world, more families than ever are choosing to work from home .

The vast majority are choosing to go it as independents with help from experts found on-line.

The internet changed the game for franchising in Australia, but most Franchisors are living in the good old days of 1999, before the internet came along.

This is a time of great opportunity for pragmatic Franchisors who embrace the changes ,evolve their business systems and to add the extra value to the franchisees business.

If you want to learn more follow us on Balance Enterprises

Originally Posted: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-franchising-australia-decline-robert-james/

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How to Avoid Common Traps for New Players

You running your own business and it is actually succeeding,Now what?

You have done the start up hard yards and things are really happening.

Robert James and James Home Services: You have got this game nailed or have you?

You probably know what you know, and you may even know about some things that you don’t know.

But the real problem when trying to manage your business and your family is usually what you don’t realise that you don’t know!

With this in mind, it’s time to think about some of the most common ‘traps’ for new players in the game of growing a successful business and successfully growing your family. I am attempting to raise your awareness of some of the possible traps (and I mean just some of the possible traps).

So, let’s get into it.

Some of the common traps for new players are:

Thinking you have already arrived: At 29. I was ‘the man’. It is only a matter of time before this one jumps up and bites you. The danger is that this attitude stops you from going any further. It blinds you to opportunities and threats.

I’m the master of my universe, right?

Not accepting there will be growing pains: Growth requires change, and change can be painful to accept both on the business and on the family front. A growing business requires change, but so does a growing family. Not accepting the reality of this can sneak up on you.

Are you still pretending?

Not buying into the big dream: If you truly haven’t bought into the plans to take your business to the next level, or the idea of truly balancing your family commitments, you haven’t fully bought into your ‘big dream’. You will be undermining yourself.

Do you really believe it will happen?

Listening to the wrong people: In the uncertainty of growth and change, you have to be pragmatic enough to understand that not everyone wants you to have a happy ending. So, be careful whose advice you take, but be patient with those who give it. Listen for the intent. Some family members, lawyers, anyone selling advertising and some accountants have their own ‘axe to grind’.

Do your advisers really have your long-term best interests at heart?

Understanding your own self-image: The day I became a Dad was the most amazing awakening of my life. I really love being a Dad. From that day on, I saw this as ‘the basis of how I saw me’,everything else came after my role as a Dad.

I have had to change my own self-image on a ‘business front’ on many occasions, and each and every time it is a challenge.

Strangely, other people seem to want to ‘keep me in a box’ of what they think I should be. Ignore those who are arguing for the old-school you. I have learnt to understand the change, and to embrace the new self-image on all fronts.

How do you see yourself?

Staying in your own comfort zones: We all get comfortable doing things a particular way, but you are in an ever-changing environment, both with your business and your family! It’s time to get uncomfortable.

Focus on one of your ‘comfort zones’.

Does it have value to you? What is that value?

Underrating the journey: On the business front, this is underrating what resources will be needed to take your business to the next level.

On the family front, being a parent is the only job you work 24/7 with no pay, have no holidays, and rarely hear ‘thank you’!

Any person attempting to do both can feel very overwhelmed.

If you are felling that way, maybe it’s time to take a timeout?

Overrating the journey: It is very easy to become caught up in the potential problems. No-one said it would be easy, but sometimes the problems are all we can see, so we just stay the same.

Robert James and James Home Services: Many people delay starting their family because they are waiting for the ‘right time’ – but anytime is the right time. You will adapt.

If you get too caught up in all the challenges, you freeze and do nothing! Does it all seem overwhelming to you?

Not investing in your own education: The single most important investment you will ever make is in your education. Become a professional student; it is the only way to become a master.

The parenting gig is the same: children don’t come with manuals. No two kids are the same. Being a parent is a work in progress, and your spouse’s job is just as demanding as yours. When I first started down this road as a 27 year old, I was given some very pragmatic advice: ‘All you have to do is improve half a percent every week, and you can be anywhere you want in just five years.’

Are you investing enough in your education?

Not knowing what you don’t know: This is the stuff you can’t see coming. If you have no awareness, you just can’t deal with it. This can blindside you at 11.28 am on a very ordinary Saturday morning.

Are you prepared?

There are countless issues in life that we are unaware of, and it can be impossible to really know what the future holds. We should all slow down and evaluate whether or not we have stumbled into any of these traps.

I have worked with over 2000 small business owners over the last 25 years. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that in most cases issues that need dealing with are straightforward.

The solution could be more marketing, an improved sales process, or increasing profitability per sale.

The biggest challenges in business and life are actually the ones you could never possibly have dreamed would happen to you.

Both good and bad!

It’s the things you don’t know, you don’t know, that  usually get you !

If you want to learn more? Read Balance: How to make your business and family life work together.

Originally Posted: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-avoid-common-traps-new-players-robert-james?

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Stop the Business Free Fall, Start Your Business Adventure

Do you feel your business is running you ,more than you are running your business? Does it feel like your business is requiring more of you as it grows?

When you started your business, it took a major leap of faith.

It took a generous helping of true courage to chase your dream, and to convince yourself to start your business. As a business owner, you are in the very brave group of individuals that have done what the majority of the population is too fearful to even attempt: you started your own business.

Robert James and James Home Services: If your business is actually growing and succeeding, you are in an even more elite group. Did you know that 95% of small businesses in Australia fail and that only 1 in 20 make it to the 5-year mark? If your business is succeeding then you have beaten the odds.

Starting your business probably felt like you had just jumped out of a plane and found yourself in an exciting free fall.

If you are like me, you may feel as though you are addicted to the exciting, fear-based adrenaline rush. If you love the rush from free fall, it could be time to take control of that feeling and enjoy the adventure.

I see it like evolving into the professional skydiver who can do amazing moves that the novice never even dreamed were achievable. If you want to be able to enjoy your adventure on all levels, there is a 9-step proven frame work that can let you take

Take Time Out to Evaluate

Do you sometimes get so busy that when the day ends, you have no idea where the time disappeared to? Monday turns into Friday and you think, where did the week go?You were very busy but not sure if the important stuff actually got done. It is vital for your business, your family and yourself that you starting taking some “Time Out”.

I’m not talking about useless goofing off, like checking Facebook, reading emails or watching videos on YouTube. I mean real downtime, to help you evaluate how you are investing your time and to help you focus on the direction in which you are heading. “I don’t have time, I’m too busy.” I hear you saying. Diarise your Time Outs. Every day, give yourself at least 20 minutes to yourself, to focus on where you are investing your time and energy – make it a habit.

Before you start your work each day, find a quiet spot.

Take a fresh attitude, a note book and a diary. You are now ready for the effective Time Out to get you on the right track for the day. I evaluate, “yesterday, plan the day ahead”. This is before the urgent issues of the day attempt to start calling the shots on the direction my attention will be focused.

Taking yourself and your partner away for the big picture Time Out, where you can both focus on where you want to head, is both fun and inspiring as well. In the James Home Services Group, we had an annual general meeting. A conference that was meant to reward the top franchisees and educate the group. Every year, it ended with a celebration for all. As the leader, I used this weekend as an annual trigger for me to evaluate the year past and refocus on the year ahead. Give yourself consistent Time Out to think.

When you are always in the reactive mode, the fires that turn up in your day will eventually burn you out.

The Real Plan

I don’t mean the formal business plan, although they are also very useful. I’m talking about a plan for your future, family, business, and all things that are important to you. Where is your adventure heading? What is it going to look like when you get there? Throw in every single detail that comes to mind. I mean everything you plan to achieve on this cool, exciting adventure.

Then evaluate again. If you don’t really want that new house on the water or the Rolex, draw a line through it. The things you take off your list will help give you clarity as to what direction you don’t want to go. Don’t make it what other people think you should do or be.

This is not a “wish list” but a plan for your future.

Make a Definite Decision

What is the difference between a definite decision and a normal decision? The definition of definite tells the story. According to the Oxford Dictionary:Definite – Clearly stated or decided; not vague or doubtful.

It makes all the difference in the world. You may look at the menu when you go out to dinner and decide on the steak. Then, by the time the waiter gets to your table to take your order, you see the seafood platter and decide on that instead. Some decisions in your life aren’t “definite” and that is fine.

The decisions that form the foundations of your life’s work have to be definite decisions.  

Your Why

Ask yourself the question “why am I going this?” Find the spark that sets your soul on fire; the emotional drive that makes you keep going when things don’t go to plan. What keeps you moving when you hit the wall and you can’t see a way through? The reason you will not give up when you are faced with huge obstacles that mere mortals have not even considered attempting to defeat. The “why” that will give you the courage to face your greatest fears and take them on.

It is the same why that drives you to make time for the important family stuff, like shooting hoops with your 12-year-old son or jumping on the trampoline with your 9-year-old. Or, making time in your day to have lunch one-on-one with your wife.

As I write this paragraph, I look up at photos of the five people who have always been my why. My awesome children – Hayden, Cameron, Nadine, Rohan and Luke. I have always done my very best to be their inspiration, to show them first hand, how to be brave enough to chase their dreams.

“Your Why” is your personal true north, you find it and stay true to it, especially under pressure”

The Inventory

You have assets in your business and in your family life. Some are in both. It does sound very clinical even contradictory after Your Why. The pragmatic evaluation of the assets, weaknesses, threats and opportunities in your business and family life, is key to building an effective strategy to balance both parts of your life. It may even show you very clearly why you are out of balance.

If you are married to someone you really shouldn’t be, it will make it impossible to get your balance right. You will be spending more time at work to deliberately avoid the person at home, who you don’t want to be spending your life with. A divorce is terrible thing to go through, but staying married to someone you should have divorced is a lot more painful (believe me, I know).

If you have employees that are assets, then recognize them as such. If you have employees that are liabilities, then they should be dealt with as soon as possible.

Laying Down Your Foundations

Every great adventure requires a compelling mission.

The more compelling the mission, the more exciting the adventure will be. If you chase your dream and are brave on all fronts, you will create your own luck. Fortune does favor the brave and you do get a bigger rush this way. Your mission should have clear foundations on all fronts.

The foundation for your “family” mission is the first foundation to address. Create a clear picture of your personal ethic. What do you believe it means to be a true parent, spouse, friend, brother or sister, son or daughter? This is a big question, these are the foundations you will use when you make decisions.

Robert James and James Home Services: The business foundations have to be consistent with your foundations at home. You can’t be honest, caring, loving, and pragmatic at home, then turn into lying, selfish, hateful and back-stabbing the moment you walk into the office. The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde thing will blow up in your face.

I have dealt with many people who think they can play both sides to the middle and “play people” to suit themselves. They will even argue they are different at work but, they are not. The business person who cheats at work, will also cheat at home.

You may think you’re smart enough to get away with it. Let me tell you, you are not. The people around you get to know you and although they will probably not call you out, someone will. The man in the mirror, he knows for sure.

If you deliver on your mission, you have every right to demand the same from those in your life.

If you are a loving, supportive, fun, caring, honest, faithful, hardworking, and giving spouse, you shouldn’t expect, or accept anything less from your partner.

Document your family and business mission based on your personal foundations – be clear, definite and long term focused.

Robert James : Best Selling Author of Balance: How To Make Your Business Work For Your Family

Originally Posted: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stop-business-free-fall-start-your-adventure-robert-james/

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Is Family More Important Then Business?

“Of course they are!”

I hear you all proclaim!

But are you really walking your talk?

What did you do today, that put your family life ahead of your business life? What little step did you take that was consistent with developing a true work/family life balance ?

The little steps each day decide the long-term balance .

Robert James and James Home Services: If the direction has been decided, the foundations laid, and the team is in place? Now, its time to walk the talk. To achieve success your actions, have to be congruent with your long-term desired outcome. It starts with the little things that you do every single day. You have to do what you said you would do.

Creating your Balance

If your son or daughter is having their first day at school, be there to experience the journey. Book your family into your diary first, then the accountant. It’s the little steps each day that create your balance.

Some of those decisions will take time to become clear, but if you stay in free-fall mode you will constantly find yourself going full speed but with no direction.

If you have made a definite decision, then your daily actions have to reflect that decision. If you plan to expand into a new market, do it – don’t just think about it. If you have to remove an employee, act now.

Your actions speak louder than any words, although words are also very important. Create daily habits that are congruent with the balance you are heading towards. If you have to make changes, make them today.

As the leader of the business and family, the responsibility to be the example to those around you is at times an honour and at times a burden, and sometimes both. Your children see what you do, the good and bad. You are their example of how a person should behave. They will copy or react to your example. This parent gig comes with no manual and a heap of responsibility.

Setting the example at home

As a parent, I strive to be the example of the character traits that I wish for my children to adopt. It does not always go to plan.

When I make a mistake, I always make it a point to take the time to explain that what I did was wrong and discuss with them what I should have done instead.

I recall very clearly one time, back when I was a single Dad raising my three eldest kids, when Hayden was 10, Cameron 9 and Nadine 5. I had not been separated from their mother very long. We were all still getting used to the new routine. It was a typical Monday morning. Monday mornings just always seem to be a challenge; three young kids all dragging their feet to get ready for school.

I was really feeling the pressure to keep the balance of the business and family. The two boys were not being very cooperative this particular morning – neither of them really ever showed a lot of enthusiasm for school. This day they both seemed more focused on annoying each other than anything else. On top of this, of course we were running late. I said to them both many times, ‘Please stop – we are running late. I need both of you to just get ready to go to school.’ I managed to get myself and Nadine prepared to leave, but the boys were still not ready, and, even better, were still arguing with each other.

That was it; I lost it! I yelled in the loudest, angriest voice I think they had ever heard from me. They both jumped up, ran to their rooms in fear, and got themselves ready in what had to have been world record time. It is interesting how kids seem to know exactly how to push a parent to the edge of the line, but also know when they’ve crossed it.

Sure, I finally got them to cooperate, but at what cost? As we were driving to school there was dead silence in the car. I felt terrible. My own awareness was screaming in my ear that losing it was not a good way to behave. So, I pulled over, even though we are already running late for school. I apologised for losing it and explained why I needed them to cooperate when getting ready for school, especially on Mondays.

I explained that I was doing my best as a Dad to get everything done, and that it was really hard for me. I told them that I would get better at it, but I needed their help. We talked about why I should not have lost my temper, and how they shouldn’t lose their temper either.

I pointed out to them how on weekends, when we were going to the horse events, they were always great and worked as a team to get us there on time, with no problems at all. I said I needed them to work together the same way on school days. They all agreed they would do their best to get ready for school each morning.

From that day on, no more school morning problems. They all responded to the honesty.

Setting the example at work

The same mentality needs to be carried into your business culture.When you walk into the office, bring your A-game.

If you want an enthusiastic, pragmatic, motivated and professional team, you need to walk the talk of an enthusiastic, pragmatic, motivated and professional leader.

Even if you find yourself dealing with some heavy family challenges, it is not an excuse to unload emotionally on your staff.

Robert James and James Home Services: If you find yourself dealing with the tough family stuff – sick kids, divorce, or health issues for yourself or a family member – take the time to leave those things outside the office door. That way, you can focus on the team and tasks that can take your business to the other side. And if you’re having a really bad day you can certainly delegate tasks to team members to lighten your load.

I actually found work became my ‘time out’ period when I was dealing with the tough family stuff. You will find it can actually be mentally refreshing to be 100% focused on the business at these times.

If you truly plan to grow a business that is in balance with your family needs, you should have the same attitude towards your team.

Be flexible enough to allow your team to balance their own work and family responsibilities. We had a service business where over 80% of the office staff were women. The majority of them were mothers with school-age kids and were very committed to their work and to their families. When their families needed them, we worked it out. I recall many school holidays when our boardroom became a pop-up child care centre.

It is the little steps each day that decide the long-term balance.

Walk the talk! Read Amazon Best seller Balance: How to Make Your Business Work for Your Family.

Originally Posted: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/family-more-important-business-robert-james/