But there is a second aspect to business success that is often overlooked – effectiveness of person running show. Businesses are a reflection of people who run them. If those people are ‘too busy’, stressed, or poorly organised, then these characteristics are reflected back in business. The underlying behaviour and values of business owner drive how much control they need, how they will delegate and how they use their time.

If business is to grow, then owner has to take necessary time to learn new roles and skills that a growing business will demand. Imagine for one moment where you would like your business to be in 5 years time. Then ask yourself: “Is it possible that I can be exactly same person in 5 years that I am today and fulfil that growth strategy for my business? The answer has to be no.

Business owners need to be prepared for new learning and taking on new, different, and bigger responsibilities - without fear or hesitation. The reality is owner is usually limiting factor in growth - business can only grow to extent to which owner grows.

When owners feel out of sorts, overworked, and like they are running faster and faster, it is almost always because they have fallen victim to reactive "let's go faster" management approach. They are forced to live from problem to problem, and may fail to see their own (lack of) self-management as part of problem.

There are four reasons why business owners don’t manage themselves better: •Being comfortable - we all do what we are comfortable with – it’s human nature. So we keep doing what we have always done •Not knowing what else is possible •Not knowing that there are other ways to do what they are doing •Actually getting energy (and maybe some identity) from being stressed and overworked

There are 5 steps to take in road to better self-management:

1. Adopt Philosophy of “Givers Gain."

In 2003, members of Business Network International (BNI) passed over 2 million referrals to each other. Founded by CEO Ivan Misner, BNI is a business and professional networking organization that offers members opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, referrals. Misner founded BNI based on philosophy of “Givers Gain,” which is belief that in order to get business, it is important to first give business. One of critical factors in achieving success rests in ability to develop reciprocal relationships where two parties naturally refer business to each other on a consistent basis. “It’s not what you know but who you know” has never been so true as it is in today’s competitive world of business. For more information on Ivan Misner and his philosophy of “Giver’s Gain,” access this interview with Misner here.

2. Focus on Soft Innovations

In today’s competitive marketplace, old equation of spending more on advertising to increase profits it not working as it once did. In his latest book, Free Prize Inside, author Seth Godin, makes a strong case for using soft innovations as a way to get noticed in this crowded and noisy world. Soft innovations are small yet insightful ideas that can take your product or service from good to remarkable. They are often hidden, and they usually solve a problem that is “ peripheral to what your product is ostensibly about.” At first glance, you think soft innovation does not mean much, but once you have it in place, it becomes an essential part of your product or service. Examples of soft innovations include Starbuck’s Cards, Dinosaur-shaped pasta for kids, and Amazon.com cutting its ad spend and offering free shipping with money saved. For more information, read an interview with Seth Godin in Today’s Coach here.

3. Re-Groove!

How do you operate when heat is on? How do you respond to chaos? When new skills or new behaviors are needed, how do you respond? Knowing what to do and how to do it is one thing but being able to respond effectively and to keep your cool under pressure and on a consistent basis is a very different ballgame. As leaders in today’s world, it is crucial to learn how to work differently and how to be able to shift and bend to meet expectations which here one day and gone next. The half-life of a great idea or a new product or service has never been shorter, and it is up to you as a business owner to become masterful with reshaping strategies, adding new perks to old products, and to stay on top of your game in face of dramatically changing circumstances. You may find that your strength of achievement was required to get your company up and running but that same strength is now squelching creativity of your team. It’s time to Re-Groove! It’s time to unlock incredible potential that is inside of you that is required to get job done under present day demands. If you are dedicated to re-grooving (getting past old worn out grooves of your past conditioning and rut that we often get into,) it is essential to work with a coach or trainer who can coach you through new behaviors quickly and in real time. By learning to re-groove, you will be able to create incredible opportunities for your company and for yourself with lightning speed.

4. Make Your Brand a “State of Mind."

Are you winning when it comes to style, a smart and accessible mix of products and services, and first rate customer service? If so, Bravo! However, this is just a part of equation of what it takes to truly succeed. In order to create a brand that is truly memorable, it is crucial for you to live an inspired life and to make your brand a “state of mind” for your customers. This state of mind could be a feeling of trust and confidence, a sense of well being, or a state of knowing that you are buying from a company who has your best interests at heart. This state of mind cannot develop behind confines of walls of your business. It grows and develops when you are in middle of your potential buyers…in restaurants, traveling, checking out competition, playing sports, tinkering with a hobby, having fun and lots of it! If you are living fully and in relationship with others, you will be re-energized every day and you will give your customers a vision of what an inspired life actually looks like, because you are living one! Your brand will become much more than your trimmings...it will become connection that others feel when they think of you as a valued person in their lives.

5. Become Masterful at Mobilizing Resources.