Business legends about successful companies today often start with a story
about how the business was created in a garage. More than likely you have heard
stories of businesses like Hewlett Packard, Amazon, Apple, Mag-Lite and Dell claiming
garages as their place of birth on their commercial resumes.
The
garage has been the first factory or office for many more businesses in the last
75 years than can possibly be counted. Perhaps your business was born in a garage
or created on a kitchen table and then moved to the family garage. Undeniably,
the garage is North America’s first choice for a low cost business incubator.
Over the years, I’ve rented some very low cost garage space (low cost
equals: a roof, four walls and a door) to guys like Tony, Todd, Shane, Nick and
John. Each one started as a generalist in his business and evolved into a specialist
within a self selected niche. I’ve observed that garage businesses are incredibly
simple and flexible. The business owner operates with the luxury of being able
to make changes quickly because the formal departments of business, which are
a by-product of success and time, don’t yet exist in the garage to cripple innovation.
Consider the absence of HR, Sales, Marketing, Finance and Customer Service
departments in a garage business. There is nothing to get in the way of implementation.
If the prototype doesn’t work, tear it apart and start over; no permission
is required from others.
Reinventing or improving your business from
within an existing business structure may be the fast route to slow progress.
Perhaps, the best location to develop your new product or craft your new service
is in a separate building free from conventional thinking and restraints.
If your established business is a “full service this” or a “generalistic
that” and specialization appears to be your path of choice for the future
of the business, find a place for development other than the traditional work
environment. Too much structure and comfort stifles creativity and expediency
every time.
Creating and developing a new niche in your business may
require a “Garage Warrior” mindset to override the forces of tradition
and corporate culture.
Don’t forget to put on your coveralls before you
start building.
The
business of building a business can go more smoothly with my 8 simple strategies
for success. Want to learn more? click
here
