Business accountability means owning up to your actions and becoming committed to achieving the result that you want. We set ourselves goals and tasks in order to achieve this, which, in turn, should see our business profit.
This means we have to limit the distractions, and not get bogged down in the minutiae in order to remain focused on achieving our goals in a timely and efficient manner. Our goals, of course, should always go hand in hand with profitability.
If you can hold yourself accountable to your goals, then you will inspire your employees and customers to do the same.
On paper this looks easy, but in practice it can be very hard!
You start each day with good intentions but the mountain of jobs to be done is an easy distraction. Calls with clients, suppliers, staff problems, social media, and personal issues can make that to-do list longer and longer.
But, as with profit, accountability should be at the forefront of everything we do. It needs to be second nature and not an afterthought.
So…. the big question… How do we become more accountable?
Firstly, you need to be really clear on your goals and what you’re trying to achieve. Make sure it’s written down and available to all your team (if you have one). This ensures everyone is on the same page. It also gives your business a defined ethos and sets the tone and culture within.
Next, be mindful that you cannot do everything. Learn how to delegate and prioritise. Delegation can be the hardest skill to master, but if done correctly it can bring the best rewards. Make sure the person you are delegating to is up to the task.
Thirdly, make time in your day to review your goals. Are you achieving what you’ve set out to achieve? If not, why not? Review and prioritise tasks accordingly.
Set deadlines for all tasks but make them realistic. Don’t put extra stress on yourself by setting unrealistic deadlines that are too tight.
Lastly, find someone who can hold you accountable to your goals. This could be an accountant or business coach. You’re more likely to keep on track if you have to ‘check in’ each week with progress reports.
Accountability is often the difference between success and failure.
Contact us today to see how we can help you achieve your goals.
