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How to get your business out of Whitewater

How to Get Your Business out of Whitewater

January 28, 2020 by Scott Ritzheimer

For the first time in a long time, the growth seems to be slowing. Executing on decisions feels more like struggling through a muddy swamp than the perpetual march forward you used to have. Things seem complicated and confusing. What was once a well-oiled machine is slowly, painfully grinding to a halt. Here's how you can fix it.

If your business is in Whitewater, you may not have the language, but you certainly know how it feels. 

For the first time in a long time, the growth seems to be slowing. Executing on decisions feels more like struggling through a muddy swamp than the perpetual march forward you used to have. Things seem complicated and confusing. What was once a well-oiled machine is slowly, painfully grinding to a halt.

At first, you think it is only a few isolated incidents. However, those isolated events turn into trends, and you come face to face with the inevitability that is Whitewater. There are three possible outcomes. 

1. You wonder if you really have what it takes

Many owners consider selling. The business isn’t growing as it should. It isn’t as fun as it used to be, and you start to question whether you’ve done your part and taken it as far as you can. You may also wonder if this is the team that will take you to the next level. The answer to both of these concerns is yes and no. 

Nine times out of 10, Whitewater is not a question of competence; it is a question of construct. You (singular) can’t get through Whitewater into the pinnacle phase of your business’ capacity to scale, Predictable Success, by doing what you’ve always done. Your management style will likely need to change from decision-maker to visionary leader.

You can't get through Whitewater into the pinnacle phase of your business' capacity to scale, Predictable Success, by doing what you've always done. Click To Tweet

However, you (singular) can lead your team into a new form of decision making that leverages the combined strength of your whole team and lets you share the burden of moving the entire organization into Predictable Success.

The same is true for your team. More often than not, your team’s competence is not in the way. However, your culture probably is. In particular, the “heroes” of your business need give way to systems and processes that ensure repeatable, high-quality execution. This can be exceptionally difficult for some, and it is not uncommon for a business to lose some of its key players simply because they are not willing to make the switch.

Let me assure you, you and most (though hopefully all) of your leaders can get to Predictable Success given the right roadmap and the right commitment to change and growth.

2. You decide to go back to the way things were

Fill in the blank: “Things were so much simpler before _______.” Once your business hits Whitewater, it seems like EVERYTHING becomes complicated and unclear. It is natural to look backward to the last time things weren’t so complicated and to want that again. 

Sometimes a step back into Fun is 100% the right decision to make.

The problem is, we often only take a half step back. We undo that one big complicating decision, and things get back to normal. Then, eventually, but inevitably, we find ourselves back in this same position. The complexity sneaks back in, and we find ourselves dropping the ball all over again. 

Why?

Because we didn’t make the decision not to scale. Stepping back to Fun is perfect if you are willing to slow your growth indefinitely. If you want to grow, the price of Predictable Success is to make the difficult changes necessary to get through Whitewater.

3. You decide that the reward is worth it and push ahead

The road through Whitewater isn’t an easy one, and those organizations that can endure it and make it through to the other side find that is was worth it. In Predictable Success, when you put your foot on the gas, the organization moves forward. You are no longer growing; you are scaling. Impact, revenue, and profitability all leap forward. 

In Predictable Success, there is a grace in the organization you thought you had in Fun, but now realize it was only a shadow of what you can now accomplish. There is high alignment across the organization. Your culture reaches a new depth of meaning, having stood the test of time. And, there is energy, enthusiasm, balance, poise, and execution. It’s a remarkable time with impressive results.

How do you get through Whitewater?

Assuming you’ve made the decision to move forward, given up any hope of going back, and are ready to do what it takes, what do you do?

If we zoom out, we can see that the major growing pains with the organization are two-fold. The way you made decisions in the past won’t work anymore, and the way you executed on those decisions won’t work anymore.

Decision making

Decision making needs to become an organization-wide endeavor, not merely the will of the most senior executive. (MSE). To do this, you need to develop a strong leadership team with a balance of Visionary, Operator AND Processor voices. Real data must replace anecdotes and stories. Commitment to decisions must be unwavering. And individuals throughout the organization need clarity on what is happening, where the organization is going, how they need to respond, and who they need to work more closely with to see the organization succeed.

Decision-making will invariably slow down. It’s painful, but it’s necessary, as it allows time and space needed for you to build the muscles to execute consistently and effectively. The good news is with time, the ability to make decisions, and the ability to implement those decisions will increase and speed up.

Decision execution

You can make the best decisions ever, but it doesn’t mean a thing until you get it done. We all know this, but Whitewater is proof that we haven’t quite figured it out yet. The complication is this. In the early stages, those who make the decisions are primarily responsible for executing them as well. While the organization grows, new (and appropriate) layers are added, and eventually, the decision-makers are a separate group from the decision doers. How decisions are made and executed needs to change. Tactical decisions need to be pushed lower in the organization. Leadership needs to focus on mission, vision, values, goals, and strategy and then communicate over-communicate them to those who will be seeing out the actual execution.

To make better decisions and to better execute on those decisions and to ultimately get out of Whitewater, you need the right systems and processes. With those systems and processes in place, decision making and execution will start to improve, and you’ll find yourself in Predictable Success!

If you need help navigating these waters, we’re just a call or click away!

Prev 1 of 1 Next
  • How to get your business out of Whitewater

    How to get your business out of Whitewater

    If you’re ready to take your business to the next level but don’t know how to take the right steps to get there, I’ve got good news for you. There’s a proven system that can help you do exactly that. The Predictable Success model will give you and your team the language and the knowledge you need to succeed.
    In the Predictable Success model, one of the most challenging phases is Whitewater. It’s a problematic time where an organization can feel like it is stalled or failing when they are actually right on the verge of a breakthrough.
    You don’t want to hang out in Whitewater for long, and to get out quickly, there are 2 things you need to focus on. Decision-making and decision execution.
    Decision-making needs to become an organization-wide endeavor, not merely the will of the founder or CEO. To do this, you need to develop a strong leadership team with a balance of Visionary, Operator, AND Processor leadership styles.
    Once you have a great team in place, you can make the best decisions ever, but it won’t mean a thing until you get it done. To make better decisions AND to better execute those decisions and to ultimately get out of Whitewater, you need the right systems and processes in place. With those systems and processes, decision-making and execution will start to improve, and soon enough, you'll find yourself in Predictable Success!

    Read the Article: https://bit.ly/3umXkjb

    Take the Free Business Lifecycle Quiz https://bit.ly/3umHWTX

    #business #entrepreneur #focus #people #businessowner #businesstips #businessquotes #businessgrowth #businessgoals #coach

    Like what you see? You can find more great content from Scale Architects here!

    Website: https://www.scalearchitects.com
    Blog: https://www.scalearchitects.com/blog
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/achitectscale
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scalearchitects
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChLj9yjac5P7UMFxoWuG8Zw/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/architectscale/
    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/scale_architect
  • What is Whitewater?

    What is Whitewater?

    If your business is in Whitewater, you may not have the language, but you certainly know how it feels.
    For the first time in a long time, the growth seems to be slowing. Executing on decisions feels more like struggling through a muddy swamp than perpetual march forward used to have. Things seem complicated and confusing. What was once a well-oiled machine is slowly, painfully grinding to a halt.
    At first, you think it is only a few isolated incidents. However, those isolated events turn into trends, and you come face to face with the inevitability that is Whitewater. There are three possible outcomes.
    1. You wonder if you really have what it takes. Have I lead this organization as far as I can?
    2. You decide to go back to the way things were. I remember when fill in the blank. Let’s go back to that.
    3. You decide that the reward is worth it and push ahead
    If you push ahead you will eventually find yourself in Predictable Success. And when you put your foot on the gas, your whole business will move forward. You are no longer growing; you are scaling. Impact, revenue, and profitability all leap forward.

    Read the Article: https://bit.ly/3umXkjb

    Take the Free Business Lifecycle Quiz https://bit.ly/3umHWTX

    #business #entrepreneur #focus #people #businessowner #businesstips #businessquotes #businessgrowth #businessgoals #coach

    Like what you see? You can find more great content from Scale Architects here!

    Website: https://www.scalearchitects.com
    Blog: https://www.scalearchitects.com/blog
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/achitectscale
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scalearchitects
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChLj9yjac5P7UMFxoWuG8Zw/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/architectscale/
    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/scale_architect
  • Do you have what it takes?

    Do you have what it takes?

    Every successful business will eventually and inevitably find itself one day deep in Whitewater. It’s a painful time for the staff, but it’s even more painful for the owner who started the business. Many, if not most, begin to wonder, “Do I really have what it takes to take this business to the next level.”
    Now, when they ask this question, they are usually asking it in terms of competence. However, 9 times out of 10 Whitewater is not a question of competence; it is a question of construct and commitment. You as the leader can't get through Whitewater into the pinnacle phase of your business' capacity to scale, Predictable Success, by doing what you've always done. Your management style will likely need to change from chief decision-maker to visionary leader.
    If you still have a passion for your business and a vision for it to become even greater, then I want you to hear this, “Yes, you have what it takes.”
    With the right team and the right systems in place, you can lead your company to greater success than ever.

    Read the Article: https://bit.ly/3umXkjb

    Take the Free Business Lifecycle Quiz https://bit.ly/3umHWTX

    #business #entrepreneur #focus #people #businessowner #businesstips #businessquotes #businessgrowth #businessgoals #coach

    Like what you see? You can find more great content from Scale Architects here!

    Website: https://www.scalearchitects.com
    Blog: https://www.scalearchitects.com/blog
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/achitectscale
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scalearchitects
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChLj9yjac5P7UMFxoWuG8Zw/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/architectscale/
    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/scale_architect
Prev 1 of 1 Next
Category: Focused Structure

About Scott Ritzheimer

Scott is passionate about helping businesses scale and achieve Predictable Success. Having helped start nearly 20,000 new businesses and nonprofits and with his business partner started and led their multimillion-dollar business through an exceptional and extended growth phase (over 10 years of double-digit growth) all before he turned 35.

Today, he’s on a mission to help train and equip coaches, consultants, and internal advisors so they can help architect incredible organizations and personally enjoy immensely rewarding careers!

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