Businesses Break Up All The Time – Not Always for The Right Reasons
There are some get-togethers of which I’m partial to.
But, unless the invitation is from nearest and dearest, sometimes there can be a palaver of what bottle to take (are these folks wine buffs…?). For those I know better I’m usually safe in the knowledge that providing the label looks interesting, never mind the contents (don’t judge me) and, therefore the opportunity to reconnect at a family gathering is usually safer ground….. Auntie Sue can always be relied on to admonish Uncle Joe for one-too-many beers (in her unique one-too-many wines way)…. and there’s always a younger family member providing general distracting entertainment in demonstrating the latest `how to wriggle away’ from Auntie Sue’s lipstick enhanced hugs.
Over time there’s been a noticeable change synonymous with some gatherings.
There seems to have been less proud moments of proffering re-introduction to offspring last seen in a pushchair and now sporting full exhibit for Movember, and more (when enquiring about other halves) looking to the floor, feet shuffling and announcing ‘…. we’re separated/separating’. Any awkward moments of bringing the wrong bottle or giving flowers to an allergy sufferer are insignificant by comparison to these cues.
A breakdown isn’t always obvious.
Much the same process as a business’s breakdown, when connections no longer work, visible signs aren’t automatically noticeable. Broken connections in long-term life relationships have a commonality with businesses breaking down, easily going unnoticed amongst other pressures, communication is the first to be let go of. Only last week I spoke with a business manager who hasn’t seen the businesses owner on the premises for over two years! With no obvious reason, the manager concluded (and I agree) the ‘relationship’ between owner and business was over (also manifesting as ‘relationship’ with owner and staff straining at the seams).
It’s a shock.
Any business owner drifting away from a ‘relationship’ with their business is like leaving a baby unattended – in short, risk is left unmanaged. A symptom of realisation is anger. And, just as someone might be prepared to spend time looking at the situation, the ball has started rolling. They might be ready to take action but quicker than expected, third parties have entered. Realisation’s anger is fuelled by a compounding realisation of the reduction in informed decision making prospects. Adding frustration fuel to anger, the unwanted third party intervention is necessary as damage limitation, both parties want to take decisions but the anger often gives out confusing and conflicting information. With increased animosity…. a vicious circle starts, to which the only benefactor is ironically all too often the cause: Wasted time.
Is the end is inevitable?
With compromises, adjustments have in their core unsettling processes; some people come through their experience tired, others stronger. Much as looking to the floor, feet shuffling and announcing ‘…. we’re separated/separating’ can be followed by pointing to a baby covered in lipstick kisses ‘and that’s our new offspring!’ The business owner might be re-affirmed that being an employee isn’t an option.
Mitigating the blow.
We’ve all had shocks of one form or another which in hindsight can sound easier to have come through than it actually was. But, by acting upon the realisation of something not working, the blow can be lessened, leaving time for revival. A conclusion usually starts with re-evaluation (and wound licking) – No matter how awful the realisation is that either a relationship within a business is breaking down, or that the relationship with a business is breaking down, the sooner it is acted upon the sooner the effects can be mitigated.
Carry on or act upon the realisation.
Connections in the breakdown of long-term life relationships have a commonality with businesses breaking down.
Image credit: NinaZed Article credit: Copyright SUF © 2013