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2009-03-12T21:12:13-07:00
<p>A “One Man Band” might describe a lot of small business owners. We do fine solos but the scores are often limited and lack those satisfying harmonies. I’ve been a one man band as the sole proprietor of an equine business for ten years. Events in 2007 brought me face to face with the serious need to change the solo act. I was breaking ice on 15 water buckets every morning whilst all my records were done in long hand with the promise to computerize “next year”. My frustration level was increasing as I felt unable to present my ideas in a professional manner let alone manage the work load. The final blow was literally to my head. Bringing in a pony on a frozen evening I must have taken a fall, for my helmet was shattered and I had lost 3 hours of memory. My family gave me 100% support in the decision to expand to a partnership, because riding alone was no longer an option.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Whilst donating time in a non profit I had found my soul mate. She shared my love of horses and the desire for continuous improvement. She had expertise that complemented my business and so we explored the idea of a duet. “Don’t do it” we were told. “Friends can’t be business partners.” We ignored them all and the first notes of our new song were starting but could we sing in tune?<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>For me, the challenge was learning to get out of my own way. Accepting my limitations and letting my partner use her strengths should have been easy but it was not! Our first adventure was remodeling the tack room. I had grand schemes but she wondered about the details. Which wall for the bridles and how much space to give them? How many saddles do we actually need? Her questions came barreling along, and with it our first conflict. We both walked away from the entire project for some time to think and to choose. Would we cling to defensiveness and personal agendas, or accept each other's strengths and weaknesses? We chose harmony which brought about our efficient tack room saving work every day and reminding us that we do better together.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Learning to be a back up singer didn’t happen immediately. When she whipped out a spread sheet showing our projected profit/loss, my brain wanted to climb into a corner and call myself a loser. I had to switch my thinking to “Wow, what a talented partner, doing in minutes what would have taken me hours!” But when she won the area division for a show series on one of my horses, then I experienced the joy of the shared win. It was her ribbon but it also felt like mine. I had found her win was my win! It is a fact that a pair of horses in harness can pull more than double what a solo horse can. My business has shown the same results with increased clients, updated accounting, improved communications, reduced work loads, improved equestrian skills, and satisfied customers. Our favorite duet is found in the Japanese phrase “kaizen” which means continuous improvement on a daily basis. This has become our joy, the music every day with all who come to Kaizen Farm. <br /></p><p> </p>
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2009-08-13T21:45:25-07:00
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Solo or duet?
2009-08-13T21:45:25-07:00
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Kaizen
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