In my study of the decorating and design business, I have discovered that there are six main reasons that will prevent your ultimate success. If your company is skilled in a few of the six reasons, but not all, you will reign in your company from achieving its goals. Therefore, to attain the status of a world-class organization, you must strive to understand and overcome these six areas that could potentially destroy your dreams.
1) Misguided Leadership
A state where the leader has not developed the competencies necessary to effectively run an organization. This is evident when the leader does not seek out feedback on his/her behavior. He is insensitive to the feelings of his staff and his clients and is unwilling to remedy any weakness that will be detrimental to the organization.
2) Uncooperative Teamwork
Whether your company is a one-person operation or has dozens of people on the payroll, your business must operate as a team. Does your team distrust each another and act to protect one's own interest? Is there constant fighting and name calling? Do your plans and ideas go unfulfilled? Are there individuals who look out for number one and not the team? It is a serious problem when the team works in an unharmonious state.
3) Haphazard Marketing
Many times I have seen money thrown at advertising as if it would magically encourage appointments. This is an ineffective attempt to generate leads through misappropriation of resources. What ends up happening is paying an extraordinary amount for a lead.
4) Amateur Selling
Selling without a plan or system leaves the designer working in a confused state. At times you may be selling on price, and sometimes on value. The design team has not established a position in the mind of the consumer, and projects no clear value-message.
