The 3 most important consultants you have….your employees, your customers, your suppliers and you are probably not listening to what they have to say.

Its called many things, but the first word I will use to describe this vitally important issue is ego. So many entrepreneurs are so wrapped up in their own lives, their business which is their dream come true, their product or service, which is their passion, that they fail to be able to see the trees from the woods.

They believe their own propaganda and buy into their own perspective 100%. They are in perfection, can do no wrong and no one can tell them otherwise. A completely intractable position that defies any level of logic or analysis and is a common a reason for a downfall.

We have all witnessed this phenomenon and many of us have even attempted to talk sense into someone controlled by their ego, and its a one way conversation akin to talking to a tree.

So while I probably cannot change this frequently repeated course of action, I can recommend three consulting exercises that if committed to prior to the time ones ego sets its teeth into your brain and destroys your ability to think logically, and if you agree now that this makes sense and will provide valuable feedback which should be taken into consideration and acted upon not because your ego is mistaken, that could never happen.

Because its a program you have decided to implement and follow in a sane moment when your ego may not be in control, it is possible ones ego may be balanced by these valuable consultations and they may possibly prevail, win out and provide a very important option, an alternative view worthy of consideration.

First consultation…with your employees, from the lowest to the highest, the people doing the job and working in your system and environment, those that know what works and what does not work, the people closest to the work product, management, and your clients, you should ask for their opinions and advice. Your employees. They are,  Toyota says,  the most valuable source of important information and insight that you can tap.

Ask them, what works and what doesn’t, ask them what they need and what they do not need, ask them every question imaginable and then listen very carefully as they will teach you more then you asked and the information will be valuable and insightful, even if they take a stand against your ego’s position. Ask them and follow their advice. You will benefit dramatically.

Second consultation, Ask your customers, via survey or any creative method you may devise to create a question and answer situation. Bona fide feedback from the ultimate judge of your service or widget…your customer base, ask them what worked what did not, you could not ask for more important or valuable a point of view, no matter how much effort and money you spend in gaining this important information, find a way to ask your clients what they think and know about your  implementation of your program and then listen carefully and follow their direction…they paid for your service, listen to them, they have a unique and important as well as a valid point of view, possibly more valid then your own opinion.

Ask, listen and implement the changes they suggest. You cannot go wrong.

The third consultation, your vendors, suppliers, service providers, even your accountant and lawyer, everyone who does business with you no matter how large or how small, how important or how frequent, ask them, survey them, solicit them for feedback and then again listen very carefully to what they say and implement their recommendations.

Thus with customer, employee and vendor opinions in hand, all telling you probably similar opinions, how can you go wrong if you follow their lead? Ignore your ego because you know these three groups know better, intellectually you know this to be the truth, so understanding that now allows you to make a pact to inquire, listen and implement as reported…irrespective of how great your ego is telling you, you are doing, you cannot go wrong by listening and doing what these three consultations tell you to do… just do it.

Thus we have a potential cure for a runaway ego in control of your business not allowing you to make the changes required and the adjustments you need to maximize your business opportunity. Listen to your consultants.

Do it, it works. It could save your business. Call for help 413-549-2966.