Injecting 'newness' into your small business

With almost 20 years in the HR industry, SME owner René Sickle knows what it takes to not only establish and manage a small business, but also how to keep things fresh and roll with the times. She provides us with some sound advice.

Managing a small business requires flexibility, stamina, courage and consistency. One other ingredient is creativity. Often, as small business owners we become so internally focused on the production of goods and services that we forget to take time out to inject newness into our businesses.

As a small business owner, you are the business, so the newness needs to be created inside of you.

Using the analogy of a parent and child relationship – if that parent spent no time at all facilitating stimulating activities with that child, there would be very little opportunity for that child to grow up and become a dynamic individual, unless by default they have other people around to take up this role. Experiencing newness creates, energy, experience, excitement and stimulates growth and the thought process. 

Similarly owning a small business is like raising a child. You always have to inject newness into the business to support the dynamic and flexible growth process. Often, due to the pressure of running a small business, this factor is not top of mind so I suggest scheduling it into your daily routine. 

Lesson: Running a small business is challenging, with pressing timelines, varied and broad responsibly. This process of survival could impact your bottom-line and creativity.  My suggestion is to set aside at least a half an hour in your diary daily to search the web, read an article, write an article, listen to a motivational CD or just go for a walk, breathing in some fresh air and focusing your mind on thoughts of creativity or the beauty around you. 

This daily practice takes discipline and whatever practice you choose, I guarantee you that this half an hour of disciplined focus on creativity, will help to lift your energy and create newness that you in turn inject into your business. Implement this new practice and it will make the world of difference to where you are.

Find blessings and freshness in the newness you create today!

Coaching question: What practice can you commit to this month to inject energy into your business?

My personal practice: I start my morning listening to either a motivational CD or a meditational CD. I also leave a different CD in my car which I listen to every morning on my way to the office. After a week or two of focused discipline it has become a habit in my daily routine. I call it the daily treat to myself!

Must Do - Networking: Attend a network function monthly.

Rene Sickle spent 10 years in business and people management after which she moved into Organisational Development taking up the role of Group Custodian of Coaching, Mentoring and People Change for Absa. Her experience spans across HR, sales, marketing and operations, and is an avid writer on Human Resources best practice topics focused to corporate and SMME’s. René established her own business, OutsourcedHR (Pty) Ltd in 2007.