The Difference Between Working "On" vs. "In" Your Business and Why it Matters to Your Long-Term Success
The Difference Between Working "On" vs. "In" Your Business and Why it Matters to Your Long-Term Success

The Importance of Working "On" vs. "In" Your Business

Published on February 27, 2023

Did you know that the most successful business owners think analytically, are well-organized, and keep detailed records?

As an entrepreneur, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of working in your business. This can hold you back from focusing on your business's long-term growth.

What many people don't realize is that if they want to succeed at running a business, they'll need to shift from working "IN" their business to working "ON" their business. But it can be challenging to know how to do this.

To help you out, we've created this guide that explains everything you need to know about working "on" vs "in" your business. Keep reading if you want to find out more.



Working "On" vs Working "In" Your Business

As a business owner, it's important to understand the difference between working on and in your business. Working on your business means taking a step back to focus on the big picture and strategic planning.

This involves setting long-term goals, analyzing your business's performance, and finding ways to improve processes and systems to reach those goals. It's also about taking a proactive approach to growing and scaling your business.

On the other hand, working in your business means being hands-on and involved in the day-to-day operations and tasks. This involves executing the work that needs to be done in order to keep the business running smoothly.

While both approaches are important, it's crucial to find a balance between the two. But keep in mind that you will need to spend more time working on your business if you want to promote its long-term success.



Working "On" Your Business: What It Looks Like

Working on your business often involves activities such as scaling your business and setting business goals. You also might need to conduct a business performance evaluation.

These are all proactive approaches to growing and improving your business. You may work on your business by identifying new opportunities to increase revenue and by setting specific targets for your business's growth.

Working on your business also involves regularly reviewing your business's performance to see where you can make improvements.



Working "In" Your Business: What It Looks Like

Working in your business means being hands-on and involved in the day-to-day tasks and operations. This could include tasks such as marketing your business, managing finances, and handling customer inquiries.

For example, you may work in your business by setting up a marketing campaign for a directory website, handling accounting and financial tasks, or responding to customer inquiries and complaints.



If You Want to Scale Your Business, Work "On" Your Business

If your goal is long-term success for your business, it's better to focus on working on your business rather than in it. Here are three reasons why this is true.

1. You Can Focus on the Big Picture

By working on your business, you can take a step back and focus on your business goals and vision. This includes setting strategies, analyzing performance, and finding ways to improve processes and systems.

This proactive approach can help you stay ahead of the competition and set your business up for long-term growth.


2. Free Up Your Time to Work on More Important Aspects of Your Business  

When you're working in your business, you may find that you're constantly putting out fires and reacting to the needs of the day.

By working on your business, you can delegate tasks and free up your time to focus on more important tasks. This might include strategic planning and building relationships with clients and partners.


3. Stay Ahead of the Competition

By focusing on working on your business, you can stay ahead of industry trends and changes. This can help you stay competitive in the long run.

This can include things like conducting market research, identifying new opportunities, and implementing new technologies or processes. It will also become easier for you to manage your business leader responsibilities.



Strategies for Working "On" Your Business

If you want to scale your business, it is essential that you spend more time working on your business. Here are several of the most important strategies that will help you to accomplish your long-term business goals.

• Frequently Evaluate Your Business's Performance

To work on your business, it's important to regularly evaluate its performance. This means looking at financial reports, analyzing data, and gathering feedback from customers and team members.

By doing this, you'll be able to identify areas of strength and weaknesses. You'll also be able to find opportunities for growth and improvement.

To get started, consider setting up regular performance review meetings with your team. During these meetings, you can discuss key metrics and gather feedback on how the business is performing.

You can also review financial reports and analyze data to identify trends and patterns.


• Create a Clear Vision

Being clear with your vision means knowing where you want your business to go and what you want it to achieve. It's important to have a clear vision. This will give you a roadmap to follow. It will also help you stay focused.

To develop your vision, consider asking yourself several questions.

For starters, you should ask yourself what the long-term goals are for your business? You'll then need to figure out what you want your business to look like in 5, 10, or 20 years.

Lastly, ask yourself what impact you want to have on your industry, community, or the world.


• Focus On Developing Your Business

Developing your business involves identifying areas for growth and improvement. You'll also need to take proactive steps to make those improvements.

It could mean investing in new technology, expanding your product or service offering, or improving your marketing efforts.

To get started, start setting aside time each week to work on business development. This could be a dedicated business development meeting.

You could also set aside a few hours each week to focus on developing your business. By making business development a priority, you'll be better equipped to achieve your long-term goals.


• Invest in Yourself

To work on your business, it's important to also invest in yourself. This means taking the time to learn new skills, network with other entrepreneurs, and stay up-to-date on industry trends.

By investing in yourself, you'll be better equipped to lead your business to success.

To get started, consider setting aside time each week to invest in your own development. This could mean taking a course, attending a workshop, or simply reading industry-related articles.


• Treat Yourself Like Your Most Loyal Client

Treating yourself like your most loyal client means taking care of yourself and making sure that you have the resources and support you need to succeed.

It could involve hiring a coach or mentor, investing in a work-life balance, or simply taking breaks to recharge. By treating yourself like your most loyal client, you'll be better equipped to lead your business to success.

To get started, consider setting aside time each week to focus on self-care. This could be as simple as taking a walk or setting aside time for meditation.


• Find Ways to Delegate Tasks and Responsibilities

By identifying areas of your business that can be handled by others, you'll be able to free up your time to focus on working on your business.

One way to find areas of your business that you can delegate is to make a list of all the tasks you currently handle. This will help you see where your time is being spent and identify areas where you can delegate tasks.

You can also consider automating certain tasks, such as data entry or social media scheduling, to free up your time.

Another option is to hire a team to help with the day-to-day tasks of your business. This can include things like customer service, marketing, and finances.

If you don't have the budget to hire a full-time team, you can also consider outsourcing tasks to freelancers. It is easier to hire freelancers than most people realize.



Start Working “On” Your Business and Reach Your Goals Faster

If you've been trying to figure out how to start focusing on running a business instead of dealing with everyday business tasks, it is important to know about the differences between working on vs in your business.

Once you start working on your business, it will become easier to set it up for long-term success.
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