> having a 'third person' set of eyes is super important, but that's a role that consultants rarely play
I think there's a tendency of not trusting outsiders, especially when it comes to small/medium family-owned businesses. The prevailing wisdom being: you don't understand how this business works, I have been nurturing it, I know my customers and market. Why change things if it has been working for years? It must be the creditors and competitors who are screwing me up.
Perhaps the best piece of advice for business owners is not to tie success or failure with your self-worth, and to always have an emergency exit plan for yourself even if you feel your business can endure for ages.
I think there's a tendency of not trusting outsiders, especially when it comes to small/medium family-owned businesses. The prevailing wisdom being: you don't understand how this business works, I have been nurturing it, I know my customers and market. Why change things if it has been working for years? It must be the creditors and competitors who are screwing me up.
Perhaps the best piece of advice for business owners is not to tie success or failure with your self-worth, and to always have an emergency exit plan for yourself even if you feel your business can endure for ages.