Prepared to grow

In my experience, business has been like parenthood. Having had an idea for starting a business, creating a business plan, implementing it - and then nurturing the company for 17 years - has run parallel with my father-role... supporting my children from conception through weaning, nursing, caring, instructing, protecting - and ultimately letting go of three young adults who hopefully have been well prepared for adult life.

I had precious little preparation myself for either role, so any lumps or bumps in the business or in my children are probably down to my shortcomings - and would have been far more serious if it were not for my fine wife, or the talented people that I have employed around me. 

Both roles, those of father and businessman, have been an eventful and enjoyable experience. And as I look back, I can see how much has changed in my life and in their lives. Life has not always been comfortable, and in truth, it has been the more testing times that have brought about the highest proportion of growth - albeit sometimes a reluctance to change has perhaps made progress more difficult.

Lobsters and crabs shed their shells once a year to cope with their growth - if only this pattern were as distinct with us humans. But casting aside our old cloak, like outgrown clothing, is essential if we are to progress into maturity. Possibly, despite everything, teenagers have it easy - with puberty forced upon them. For businesses, growth requires a more measured, intentional attitude to change.