The Struggle Finding Clarity in Your Business

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In this episode of Struggles, hosts Chris Inman and Josh Muller discuss the critical theme of clarity in business. They delve into common struggles faced by business owners who are uncertain about their identity and the value they provide. Josh highlights that many entrepreneurs initially take on various tasks to survive but often find themselves muddled in inefficiencies and dissatisfaction. The discussion emphasizes the importance of aligning what business owners are good at, what they enjoy, and what can generate income. They further explore how understanding and effectively communicating one's unique value proposition can lead to better client relationships and raving fans. The episode provides insight into identifying ideal clients and maintaining focus on one's strengths for a healthier, more successful business.

Time Stamps:
- Business Clarity and Its Importance [0:45]
- Balancing Passion and Profit [1:29]
- Determining Market Needs [2:53]
- Effective Communication Strategies [3:56]
- Gaining Customer Awareness [3:56]
- Building Raving Fans [8:12]
- Signs of a Jumbled Business [8:29]
- Networking Tips and Red Flags [9:52]
- Expertise vs. Generalization [10:25]

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Chapters

• 4:27 Listen, understand needs, solve genuine problems effectively.
• 6:58 Create raving fans through exceptional service and follow-up.
• 10:25 Focus on strengths, excel, create raving fans.

Transcript

0:01

So, have you ever found yourself walking around as a business owner and feeling like you're stepping in mud or you're stuck up to your waste in mud because you're not clear about who you are and what you provide? I think it's time to pull over and let's talk about it. Welcome to another episode of Struggles presented by NCBI, the podcast where we navigate challenges together. Hey, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Struggles presented by NCBI. I'm Chris Inman with idea Cleveland. And I'm Josh Muller with Maple Creek coaching. So today we're going to talk about clarity. Clarity in your business and your services and how you help your clients. So, Josh, expand on that a little. Yeah, I would just say that a lot of people, when they get going into their business, they did a thing, someone paid them for it, and so they did it again. And they did it again and they did it again. You know, repetition, lots of reps put in, and then they find themselves down the road somewhere and they're like, I'm doing a lot of things for a lot of people, but I don't know necessarily what I should be doing. That's the most effective thing. What. What is the most clear thing that I do well that I should provide to everyone or to the people that need me? It's not always about what you do well. It's what you also enjoy doing. Yeah, there's brings you life as well because you don't want to own a business that's draining you, for sure. Yeah. A lot of people can do things that they hate for a while. Right. But the reality is it's probably three different things. It's usually clarity around, like, what are you good at? Number one, does it give you life? Does it not take your life? And does it make you money? Because we all have bills to pay. Right. I would say those are the three things to be super clear on is, you know, does it serve somebody? Does it actually do something for someone that someone would want? And do you enjoy providing that service that it gives you life, not take your life? And can you make money doing it? And can you live well because of it? Yes. And, well, is all personal. We won't get into that. But, like, if you provide a service, just stick with services. Sure. Just for the simplicity of this, what is it that. How painful is that for the outside world? Like, what are the pain points that people are willing to pay for you to take that off their plate? I think that's something that's really important, too, because there's a lot of different services out there in the world. I can't compete against vas that are making 15,$20 per hour doing a lot of things that take a. But if I'm trying to do that, but I'm charging 50, $60 per hour. Yes, I can make money technically at it, but it is at the level that I want. Because you have to think about those outside sources. Right. That are doing the same thing. Yeah. And you really have to weigh what space do you occupy and maybe who are some competitors or who are some things that you're competing against? Sometimes you're not competing against other providers. Sometimes you're competing against the people not having something to serve them. Right. Like, some people choose to put up with things way too long because they don't know they have an option. And so a lot of it's around, you know, if I just got my voice out there regularly enough, people would know that there's another option, that they don't have to put up with that thing any longer and that they can have some resolution or something in their life that solves that issue. A lot of people just aren't aware. So how do you build that awareness that there's another option or that there's a better thing that they could do? And how do you communicate that to people in a way that isn't salesy or greasy or grimy, but is more of a guidance thing for people, guiding them in the way they should go and making them have a hero moment? Not. Not you acting as, like, I've got all the things that you need come to me and I'll give you everything you've ever asked and more. You know, like a knife salesman. I'm not dogging on knife salesman, but a knife is a knife. It's not a chainsaw. It's not, you know, it's not a spoon. So. So there's. There's limitations to the service you can provide, but really knowing who you are and what you provide and how you do it well will actually make you come across better to people and. And solve their issues. So when you finding people out there with a pain point, it's first listening to understand, are they in pain, or is this just a thing they're talking about a little bit? Are they really in pain, or do they just notice that you do something? So it's really like listening for clarity around, can I actually help this person, or am I just shooting in the dark? And so I think that's a big part of it, is you really have to be aware of what the needs of these people are and ask the right questions and know what questions to ask. And also don't make up stuff that isn't a problem for them. Right. Just solve that problem for them initially and you'll have more wins. And ask, ask those people, the people that are your ideal clients. So if I asked my wife, like, hey, do you think someone would pay $4.99 for podcast editing? She would say no every time because that's not something she needs. That's not a pain point in her life. And she thinks, oh, my gosh, that price is insane. Then I talk to somebody else that actually is trying to manage a podcast, they go, that's a very fair price. So when you start getting into the clarity and everything and you're asking these questions, make sure you ask the right people about their opinions on it. Yeah. And a big part of it is if you know yourself and you know what you're capable of offering and providing, then it's just finding your people, finding the right people. You know, not everybody needs your service. I mean, your wife is that perfect example. You know, there's other things she doesn't need from you, too. Like, you know, anyway, but. But there are a lot of things that another person would be like, I need that exact thing, and you'll provide it for that. And what else? You know what? Tell me how that works. You know, so they're really engaged with you about finding out how you can provide a solution to them, whereas, you know, if they're not the right fit or they don't even care about it, it's not the right conversation to have with them. Right. Talk about the Browns or some other thing or some other sports team that's doing well, yes. Any other team does better. But I think that the idea is this whole clarity thing is going in and knowing who you want to work for. Right. What do you want to provide for them? What do you need to make out of? What makes it comfortable for you? What makes it a healthy experience? Both directions, both ways. So then when you're saying, hey, when I doing this service for you, I'm making money, you're getting what you want out of. It's a mutual relationship where both people feel like they're getting a good deal on the trade. Yeah. The other thing is, too, in the end, we're all looking for raving fans, right? I mean, we want to have people come away with a great experience from what we're doing. And if what you're providing and the value that you're giving is not worth that person's time. They're not going to leave you a good resulting, they're not going to leave you a good Google review, they're not going to talk nicely of you in the wilds. And so it's really important to have clear expectations provided out to the person that's taking part in your service and then also follow up with them to say, how was that? Is there anything that we could do better? I think people over time will become raving fans if they're not immediately raving fans and telling your story for you, being that evangelist of the wild of oh, you should see how people ask about how did that podcast go down and how did it all come together? Be like, oh, it was so easy. I worked with this guy, he produced everything, cut it, put it out there. And that right there is a great blanket statement to those friends that might be asking, how did you do that? Just because they said it was easy, it was not stressful. Think what that speaks volumes for you and your business. Whereas if you don't leave them as a raving fan, it does the opposite. Right? So getting really clear on what you can provide, how well you can do it, what you need to get out of it, what you need them to get out of it, it makes all the difference in the interaction. So when you're out at networking events, what's the number one sign where you go this person needs some clarity. Their business is just a jumbled mess? Well, I actually was just talking about this with a friend. I feel like there are a lot of people that don't know who they are, don't know what they bring a value. The person that brings themselves to the networking space and has about 30 offerings, that's also a good sign that they have no clue what they do really well. You know, I was a builder carpenter for a long time and I know the trades really well. If you ask a plumber to do electrical, they can do it, but, or they can figure it out, but they're not probably the person you should trust with it. So I think, you know, if you can get someone who's really sharing what they specifically can do, or at least one element of what they do well, but you can see the people out there that don't do anything well but do a whole lot of things, you probably aren't going to trust them to do it. I mean, in general, that's what I see is if someone shows up and they just have a full truckload of opportunities with you. It's a little bit sneak. Oil salesman like, right. I've got this for you. This and this. Whatever ails you, I got it to fix it. And, you know, I've been in the past, there's, there's a pretty in what I do with coaching. There are some people that show up like that where they're there to. They can fix anything. And it's okay to have those conversations around those things, but to speak as an authority around something, it's more important to know what you're really good at and do that well and tell people, this is what I really do well and make that a differentiator. You might be nervous to share that because they might pinhole you into something, but the reality is if you can do that well for them, there might be other things they ask you to do and you'll say, I can do that, but maybe I'm not the best at it, you know, I just think it's better to figure out what you do well, do it well and make raving fans of it. That's awesome. Well, thanks for joining me, Josh. Yeah, thanks for having me. And thank you for listening to struggles presented by NCBI. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Struggles presented by NCBI, where we navigate challenges together. Dont forget to subscribe, listen, and share this podcast with others who might benefit. Wed love to hear about the struggles youre facing or have overcome. And wed be thrilled to have you as a guest on a future episode. Lets continue this journey together.