Being a Business Owner Can be Lonely. You Might Wonder: Who’s Got Your Six?

Being successful in business isn't just about looking ahead; it's also about being aware of what might be coming up behind you. If you don't keep an eye on your Six*, you might get caught off guard by problems that you could've avoided.

Building a business is hard. You need big ideas, you need to be dedicated, and you need to be able to adapt when things keep changing. But keeping that business running and growing it sustainably is an even greater challenge. Markets change, competitors adapt, and new players come in. Disruptive innovations, like AI, can transform industries overnight.

If you don't stay on top of these changes, your business might end up out of touch with the market. At the end of the day, it all comes down to one thing: keeping a healthy profit margin by keeping revenues strong and costs in check.

Why Fight Alone? Mentoring may be Right for You.

As an entrepreneur, it can feel like you're fighting this battle alone. But you don't have to do it by yourself. The FredRenoth Mentoring Program was created to help business owners like you protect their "six" - the six essential areas of your business that determine whether you thrive or stagnate.

Think of it as a six-month boot camp for your business. Each chapter focuses on one key element, giving you a deep dive with actionable strategies to strengthen your foundation. It'll help you find profit leaks, make sure your products stay relevant and in demand, and build a stronger, leaner, and more profitable business.

Turbocharge Your Profits

Let's start with the basics: profits. A lot of businesses lose money because of little, hidden problems that add up to big losses over time. Maybe it's overspending on unnecessary software subscriptions or not properly pricing your products and services. Ignoring these leaks can cost you big time, potentially tens of thousands of dollars each year. But, if you go over your books with a fine-tooth comb, tighten up your margins, and boost your profitability, you'll free up resources to reinvest in growth.

Boost Marketing and Sales

Marketing is another area where a lot of businesses don't measure up. If you don't have a clear strategy, you're probably spending money on campaigns that aren't making you any money. Even worse, you might be attracting the wrong kind of customers - the ones who cost you more than they're worth in time, effort, or resources. So, how do you turn this around? It's all about being clear on who your ideal customers are, where to find them, and how to turn them into your biggest fans. When done right, effective marketing and sales can add six figures to your annual revenue.

Update Your Service Offerings

Staying relevant means staying ahead of the curve. If you're selling products, services, or a combo, what worked last year might not work tomorrow. Customers' needs change, and businesses that don't adapt quickly fall behind. The most successful companies are the ones that keep up with changing demand. And that doesn't mean a total overhaul - it might just be something small, like tweaking your pricing model, adding complementary services, or adding new features that make your products stand out.

Lean Your Organization

Efficiency is often overlooked, but it's a game changer. Think about all the extra steps in your workflows or the time wasted on manual tasks that could be automated. These inefficiencies aren't just costing you money, they're also draining morale, productivity, and growth. Streamlining your processes can save thousands of dollars a year and create a workplace where employees feel empowered and focused on meaningful work.

Align Your Strategy

One of the main reasons businesses have a hard time is because they're not on the same page. If your team isn't all going in the same direction, you're wasting energy and resources. It's not just about setting clear goals, it's about making sure every department gets how their work fits into the big picture. When your strategy is clear and your team is on the same page, you'll see a noticeable boost in productivity and faster progress toward your goals.

Return to Growth

At this point, it's time to think about growing. Growth is exciting, but it's also where a lot of businesses stumble. If you expand too fast, you might overextend yourself financially or operationally. If you expand too slowly, you might miss out on opportunities. The key to sustainable scaling is finding the right balance: growing at a pace that lets you keep up quality, keep your best people, and protect your profit margins.

So, how do you get there? You've got to focus on all six areas - your "six" - and make sure they're all solid.

Let’s Bring This to Life

Let's look at Maia. She owns a mid-sized agency, and she felt like her business had hit a ceiling. Her margins were tight, her team was overwhelmed, and she was having a hard time attracting high-value clients. After joining the FredRenoth Mentoring Program, she found $25,000 in hidden profit leaks, revamped her service offerings to match client needs, and streamlined her operations to save her team 15 hours a week. Six months later, her business was more profitable and positioned for sustainable growth.

Now, let me tell you about Bruno. He ran a manufacturing company that was facing some tough competition. Through the program, he figured out that his production line was costing him $50,000 a year. He figured out how to save that money and get his team more productive by using automation.

These stories aren't just exceptions — they're proof that if you take the time to "watch your six," you can achieve incredible results.

Your Next Steps

Ready to take charge of your business? Here's your five-point action plan:

1. Take a look at your finances. See if there are any hidden profit leaks and ways to improve your margins.

2. Clarify your ideal customer: Then, tweak your marketing strategy to attract and convert the right prospects.

3. Reassess your offerings: Make sure your products or services are in line with what customers want.

4. Audit your processes: See if there are any inefficiencies and streamline operations to save time and money.

5. Align your vision: Come up with a unified strategy that gets your team on the same page and sets you up for long-term growth.

If you want to build a better business, you've got to protect your "six." Check out our full blog post for more actionable insights, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Conclusion

Running a business means always looking to the future, but it also means keeping an eye on what's behind you. If you ignore inefficiencies, outdated strategies, or misaligned goals, it can cost you more than you think.

The FredRenoth Mentoring Program helps you tackle these challenges head-on, making sure every part of your business is set up for success. Keep your eyes peeled, and you'll stay ahead of the pack.

Want to Take it a Step Further?

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* What's "The Six" ?

"Watch your Six" is an idiom that means "Watch your Back". It comes from the positioning of a clock: if you are standing in the center of an analog clock, facing the 12, the 6 is at your back. The phrase is associated with the police and military, but is also used by civilians.