Yves Preissler is the founder of YP Business Consulting. Yves is leading a team of professionals bringing a wealth of global expertise in providing fitness turn key solutions for commercial, residential, hotel and large scale home gyms. The YP team guides investors, developers and business owners through all the stages required in a successful project: Market / competitive studies
Every single problem in your business is an internal issue that you haven't solved. Stop blaming external factors for why things aren't how you want them, and start looking inside.
Fixing internal problems for external success
As business owners, we are often tempted to point the finger at external factors when things go wrong. It's easy to blame the market, the competition, or even the economy when we hit a stumbling block.
But the hard truth is this: every single problem in your business is an internal issue that you haven't solved.
Stop looking outside for excuses and start looking within. This shift in mindset is what separates successful business leaders from those who remain stuck in mediocrity.
I've been in the trenches myself, as both a business consultant and a business owner. Over the years, I've come to a simple yet profound realization: I must address everything correctly in my business. It may sound harsh, but embracing this philosophy is a turning point that allows you to grow, evolve, and drive your business forward.
The illusion of external blame
Blaming external factors is seductive because it removes the burden of responsibility from our shoulders. When things go wrong, you might feel justified in blaming a lousy economy or changing customer preferences. Yet these are not the real reasons your business isn't thriving.
The real reasons are always internal. Maybe it's a broken system, a lack of accountability, a failure to innovate, or being blind to market shifts and new customer demands, etc.
Whatever it is, the solution begins and ends with you. Owning to this reality is the first step toward creating a resilient, agile business that can navigate any external storm.
Most business owners faced significant downturns at least once during their businesses' build-up or during challenging economic periods.
At first, everyone is quick to attribute it to market conditions, but deep down, you must own it and realize you may have done the work to create an adaptable business model or set up systems that could withstand fluctuations. Once you are open to this realization, you must stop blaming the world and start rethinking your internal processes. The market is never the problem–you are not studying and observing the market.
Systems, processes and continuous fine-tuning in business
A business is only as strong as its systems and processes. In the early stages, you might get by on passion and effort alone, but that won't sustain you. To grow, you must set up structures that allow your business to function smoothly without constant firefighting or you being in the business 24/7/365.
If the business requires you always to be there, you have created another job – not a company!
Here are some examples:
You might have an amazing product or service, but you'll lose clients if your customer service processes are chaotic. Or, if your hiring process is flawed, you'll end up with employees who are not the right fit for your business, dragging down productivity.
The key here is to focus on continuous fine-tuning. Systems and processes aren't "set it and forget it." They require constant attention, especially in the beginning stages. Every month, every week, and sometimes every day, you should be evaluating what's working and what isn't.
Ask yourself:
Where are the bottlenecks in my workflow?
Are my employees equipped with the tools they need to succeed?
Is my customer feedback loop effective?
Am I tracking the right metrics to measure success?
The answers to these questions are clues to the internal issues that need fixing. And here's the trick: as you refine and optimize these internal systems, the external factors that once seemed insurmountable challenges will fade into the background.
The role of leadership
As the owner, you set the tone for how your business operates. If there's a cultural issue, such as low morale or poor communication, you must address it. If there's a strategic misstep, that's on you, too. Leadership isn't just about making high-level decisions; it's about being involved in the nitty-gritty details that influence the bigger picture.
A key aspect of leadership is being proactive rather than reactive. If you only deal with problems when they arise, you always play catch-up. Instead, anticipate potential issues before they become crises. This requires a deep understanding of your business's internal workings–from how information flows between departments to how customers interact with your product.
When you start to see every challenge as an internal issue, you can approach problems with curiosity instead of frustration.
You'll ask, "What can we do better?" rather than, "Why is this happening to us?"
Start with small fixes and build momentum
One misconception about fixing internal issues is that it requires an overwhelming overhaul of your entire operation. This is not true. Start with small, impactful changes and build momentum from there.
Your onboarding process for new employees needs improvement. Fix that. Or maybe your inventory management system needs to be updated, causing unnecessary delays. Start there. By tackling small problems, you'll create a ripple effect of positive changes throughout your business.
Small wins add up over time and create a culture of continuous improvement. And that's where real progress happens. It's not about grand gestures or sweeping changes. It's about consistently improving the systems, processes, and people in your business—day by day, bit by bit.
Own the problem, own the outcome
Your business is a reflection of you.
If things are going differently than you want, don't look for external reasons to explain away the problem. Look inside. Every issue you face is an opportunity to improve something in your business–your systems, processes, leadership, or mindset.
Owning the problem is the only way to own the outcome. When you take full responsibility for everything in your business, you also take control of your destiny. You're no longer at the mercy of external forces. You are in the driver's seat, steering your business toward success.
Business ownership isn't for the faint of heart. It's demanding, challenging, and, at times, overwhelming. But it's also one of the most rewarding experiences, provided you're willing to own the responsibility that comes with it. And remember, the more you focus on fixing internal issues, the more prepared you'll be to face external challenges. Ultimately, you'll realize the power to shape your business's future is in your hands.
“Own the problem to own the outcome; acta non verba” – Yves Preissler
Yves Preissler, Founder & CEO YP Business Consulting
Yves Preissler is the founder of YP Business Consulting. Yves is leading a team of professionals bringing a wealth of global expertise in providing fitness turn key solutions for commercial, residential, hotel and large scale home gyms. The YP team guides investors, developers and business owners through all the stages required in a successful project: Market / competitive studies, feasibility analysis, detailed financials, location sourcing, concept design, design/ project development, project management, recruitment, sales, marketing and operations.
