The Great Ikea Escape
Stick to your list!
My family and I took a trip to Ikea on Saturday. I always think that going to Ikea dangerous thing to do. There are so many great things that you can buy at bargain prices, and you go in in the belief that they are going to make your house looked wonderful when you buy them all. It is so important to go with a list or least to know exactly what you’re looking because the odd knickknack or ornament always squeezes into the basket without you really noticing and you come out spending huge amounts on things you don’t need.
It got me thinking about the similarities between business purchases and going on an Ikea shopping trip! There are so many amazing things that can solve all your business problems. I don’t know about you, but I am constantly presented on social media with the best planner, the best business coach, the best course, the best app, the list goes on. You can go ahead and invest in the lot but if you want your business to be profitable you have to be far more focussed. Make sure you have your list and know exactly what you need, which offerings will help your business succeed.
Before you buy that latest gadget make sure that what you're spending on your business is actually going to give you a return from that spend. That return may be additional sales, a cost saving, a time saving or even improved compliance. Whatever that benefit is, make sure there is one otherwise you will end up with all sorts of expenses that may not add any value to your business at all.
When you invest in a something, make sure you use it. Complete that training course and use the training to make improvements, set up that app and get it operating and benefit from the purchase, listen to what your business coach is saying.
We came out of Ikea relatively unscathed. We went in to buy a desk, a few pictures for my son’s bedroom and a bedside table. We came out with a desk, a few pictures for my son’s bedroom and a pair bedside tables (it was sold as a box of 2) but also coat hangers, a stool, 3 desk tidies and a lamp. So, we fulfilled our list and spent a bit extra! I suppose that was inevitable and without our list it could certainly have been a lot worse. Without our (relative) focus, my 3 children would have had a field day and we wouldn’t have been able to fit all our purchases in the car!
