In the world of business, it's easy to fall into the trap of doing things simply because "it's the way it’s supposed to be done." You may find yourself following a routine or process that has always been in place, whether it's in service operations, sales, or general administration. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself, Is this the most effective way?

This thought brings me to a parable from Gino Wickman's book, Traction, which can offer valuable insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders alike. In his story about the Thanksgiving ham, a family tradition involves cutting off the end of the ham before cooking it. When the question is asked, "Why do you cut the end off the ham?" the answer is simply, "That's what my mother always did." The chain continues, with each generation citing the same reasoning until, finally, the great-grandmother reveals that she only cut the end off because her pan was too small to fit the whole ham!

This anecdote might sound funny, but it offers a powerful lesson: just because something is done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the best or most efficient way to do it. This is especially true in business, where operations, processes, and even client relationships can get stuck in outdated patterns.

As entrepreneurs, we need to be willing to step back and ask, Is this still the right way to do it? Are we achieving the results we want? Are we just going through the motions because that’s the way it's always been done?

If we stick to doing things the way everyone else does them, we may only achieve the results everyone else gets. But we didn’t start our businesses to be average; we started because we had a unique skill or talent and wanted to offer something special to our clients.

The Importance of Rethinking Your Business Approach

Just like the Thanksgiving ham story, businesses can fall into a cycle of doing things because that’s how it’s always been done, even when it no longer serves the company or its clients well. Whether you’re managing customer service, budgeting, or handling technology operations, it’s crucial to consistently evaluate your processes and ask yourself, Are we achieving the best possible outcomes?

All businesses are unique. Each has its own goals, challenges, and ways of interacting with customers. And just as every person has their own DNA—99.9% of which is the same across humanity—the same can be said about business technology problems. While 90% of these issues can be solved with standard solutions, it's that 10% difference that brings the true value. It's in this difference that innovative, personalized solutions can transform a business.

This is where selecting the right Managed Service Provider (MSP) becomes essential. By thinking critically about the way your business runs and partnering with an MSP that understands your unique needs, you can unlock new opportunities for success.

Three Key Takeaways and Next Steps

As you embark on the journey of selecting an MSP or rethinking your current processes, here are three essential takeaways:

1. Build With Success In Mind
The foundation of any successful business or service is to define success before you establish processes, procedures, and product designs. When you define success first, you are no longer married to the methods but to the end goal. This allows you the flexibility to adapt and optimize as necessary, creating an environment where success is the result of smart, intentional decisions rather than blind adherence to outdated ways.

2. Let Clients Lead
Serving your existing clients well and building long-term relationships should always be the priority. It's far more profitable, enjoyable, and fulfilling to create a business model around nurturing your current clients rather than focusing solely on attracting new ones. A company built on client satisfaction and trust will naturally grow, as loyal clients will become your best advocates.

3. Learn from Shark Ninja
Shark Ninja, the consumer product company, has a unique approach to product development. Their product design teams famously start by reading the worst reviews of category-leading products. Why? Because complaints are often where the best opportunities lie. They then take these insights and build their products to address the very issues that customers have with existing offerings. This approach is something that can be applied to any business, especially when it comes to selecting an MSP. By identifying and addressing complaints or problems head-on, businesses can innovate and improve in ways that truly serve their clients' needs.

Conclusion

When it comes to selecting an MSP or reassessing your business practices, it's important to stop and ask yourself if you're doing things the way they’ve always been done simply because that's the way they’ve always been done. Like the Thanksgiving ham story, many traditions or processes might no longer serve their original purpose.

Instead, focus on designing your business with intentionality—define your success, listen to your clients, and embrace the power of feedback. By doing so, you can not only solve problems but turn them into opportunities for growth and improvement. Just like Shark Ninja, your business can innovate by learning from complaints and turning them into solutions that differentiate you from the competition.

In the end, embracing new ways of doing business and selecting the right MSP can lead to greater success and long-term satisfaction for both you and your clients.