Find out whether you have that laser beam focus that leads to small business success
Small business success depends in large part on the strategic focus of the entrepreneurs or owners who run the business. Many entrepreneurs are scattered between too many things and do not have the focus they need. There are two important areas of focus. One is strategic focus for the business. The other is the ability of the business owner himself or herself to obtain and maintain focus. This inventory tells you how focused you and your business really are.
Please complete all items. Rate each item on a scale of 1-5. Please choose one number and do not write a decimal, such as 3.5. Select the answer that best represents your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors regarding your strategic business focus. Choose how true each statement is for you.
| I do not know exactly the mission of my business so I find that it doesn't come up in my business' day to day operations. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I often find it difficult to make a decision and then stick to that decision like glue. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| Others have told me that I have a hard time keeping focused on by business's purpose. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I am a person who becomes easily diverted and then does not have time to take care of important issues. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| My business associates sometimes appear frustrated with me because I do not have good follow-through. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I frequently feel bad because I do not feel able to balance the needs of all the shareholders (investors, employees, personal supports, etc.) of the business. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I do not typically spend much time planning how the pieces of the puzzle fit into the bigger picture. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| My business strategy can be best described as 'spur-of-the-moment,' 'unstructured,' or 'spontaneous.' |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| It is a common experience to for me to feel frazzled, as if I am coming apart at the seams. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I am someone who finds so many things interesting and compelling that it is hard to settle on one. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| My business's slow growth so far may be due to a lack of strategic direction for the company. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I often feel like I am running in multiple directions at once. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I have been told that I need to 'slow down,' 'take a deep breath,' 'stop and think' or 'not do everything at once' on several occasions. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I find that I am always thinking of great new ideas, but that they do not often get implemented or carried through to completion. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I feel like I have to constantly juggle many tasks and I do not think I am a good juggler. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| My business has not really been performing optimally in its strategic niche. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| When I know the best direction for a business decision, I sometimes have difficulty implementing the decision after it has been made. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| It is typical for me to think, 'what is wrong with me that I am doing so many things but so few things really well?!' |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I can see that there are important opportunities for my business, but I have not organized efforts to pursue them. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I sometimes do not understand why it is so hard for me to be determined and committed to specific areas of the business. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| When I think about my greatest challenges, one of the first things that comes to mind is my difficulty with maintaining attention and enthusiasm over the long-term. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I would very much like to be able to feel centered and calm in my business more often. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| My work associates have hinted that I should concentrate on either less tasks or a more important goal rather than spreading myself thin. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| There have been several times lately when I found myself procrastinating or putting off the important activities that I needed to do. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I can become easily overwhelmed and I worry that this can make my employees, customers, or business associates feel stressed. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| My business could be better differentiated from our competitors if we directed our efforts strategically at fewer goals or target markets. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I know that I would be a better leader if I modeled focus and direction for my employees. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| If I had my choice, I would make myself be able to sustain attention and energy for longer periods of time. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I can see how the business could be more successful if I were better able to provide clear direction for the company and keep everyone focused on achieving those goals. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
| I tend to get enthusiastic about new projects or business opportunities frequently but have difficulty maintaining that enthusiasm over the long term, especially if things do not seem to be happening as quickly as I want. |
| Less True - 1 2 3 4 5 - More True |
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