A "framework" is a single point on a continuum of perspectives on a single issue. The two ends of this continuum are "I provide all the answers for my clients all the time," and "My clients provide all the answers." As you can see, the answer lies between these two points of the continuum. Solopreneurs who operate their businesses solidly from "The Answer is Somewhere" achieve the success they envision quicker than solopreneurs who operate from either of the continuum endpoints. If you think of yourself as the go-to answer-person for all of your clients, or if you rely on your clients to provide all the answers, making a shift toward operating from the point-of-view that The Answer is Somewhere can be challenging, but very rewarding.
If you currently believe that you must provide all the answers: What would change in your business if you shifted from having to have all the answers to your clients' questions to having processes that would uncover and find the answers for you when they were needed? Here are some of the changes my clients like you have experienced in their businesses:
- Movement from a heirarchical relationship with your clients (whereby your clients are dependent upon you) into a collaborative relationship with them.
- Paradoxically, perceived increase in your value.
- Relief from having to be right all the time.
- More energy and more joy in running your business.
- More time to focus on what you do best -- which results in increased revenues, improved client relationships, and enhanced effectiveness.
Want these changes? Start by taking these small steps in moving toward The Answer is Somewhere:
- Find an easy, low-risk time to tell a client "I don't know; how can we find out?" or "I don't know, but I'll look into it." Saying that first "I don't know" can be a major hurdle for you to jump. Be sure to reward yourself for taking this step!
- Learn to be okay with taking the time to find options and alternatives. You might learn about new processes and methods that can update your business and help your clients as well.
- Develop a system for "just-in-time answer creation." Use a checklist that includes your reference library, collaborative professionals, favorite websites, and competitors where you can find answers.
If you currently believe that your clients must provide all the answers: As solopreneurs our clients hire us to use our special skills, talents and expertise to create or improve something for them. It's our responsibility to provide the knowledge and expertise we have to our clients' benefit. If you've been relying on your clients to provide all the answers, your business is, at best, stagnate. Here are some of the changes my clients like you have experienced by moving into operating their businesses from this framework:
- Movement from a heirarchical relationship with your clients (whereby you are fully dependent on your clients) into a collaborative relationship with them.
- Perceived increase in your value -- which results in follow-on work, referrals, and incrased revenues over time.
- More self-confidence and an enhanced business-/self-image.
Want these changes? Start by taking these small steps in :
- Find an easy, low-risk situation for which you can ask your client if you can research possible answers. Say something like: "I don't know what the best answer is, but I'd like to take a little time to find out. Will that work for you?" Be sure to reward yourself for taking this step!
- Learn to be okay with presenting options and alternatives to your clients.
- Develop a system for "just-in-time answer creation." Use a checklist that includes your reference library, collaborative professionals, favorite websites, and competitors where you can find answers.
As a successful solopreneur, learn to rely on your resources and clients to help provide answers. And learn to be as okay when you don't know the answer as you are when you do know the answer!
