Celebrating Seven Years of Business: Seven Lessons Learned

This month we’re celebrating seven years of Westway IT, over that time I have learnt many lessons, here are 7 lessons for 7 years.

1. Peer Groups
Being a business owner can often feel isolating, but joining a peer group has been an incredible source of support and encouragement. These groups provide a network of like-minded individuals who understand the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Sharing experiences and insights helps us all grow and become better.

If possible find a peer group for your industry or create one, when you competitors become collaborators you raise each other higher together.

2. Move Forwards or Backwards, There is No Standing Still
In business, stagnation is not an option. Everything around us is constantly evolving, and if we are not actively developing our business, we risk falling behind. This is particularly for me where technology is advancing rapidly. Continuous improvement is essential to stay ahead of the curve.

3. Have Structure in Your Week
Creating a structured weekly schedule is vital for productivity and balance. Allocating specific times for tasks, meetings, and personal activities ensures that every aspect of life gets the attention it deserves. A well-planned week reduces stress and keeps the business running smoothly, an empty calendar or a super long unstructured to do list can be demotivating and paralysing.

4. Always Work on Improvements
No process is ever perfect. There is always room for improvement through tweaks, adopting new technologies, or delegating tasks. Embracing an attitude of continuous improvement allows for incremental gains that can significantly enhance efficiency and outcomes.

This where peer groups are fantastic places to generate improvement ideas, and AI can also help look at your data for pattens you can improve.

5. Bad Clients Hurt You More Than You Realise
Dealing with bad clients can drain your time and energy, leading to stress and burnout. It's crucial to qualify prospects are the right fit properly before they become clients. Not all income is worth the trouble; focusing on positive and productive relationships is far more beneficial in the long run.

6. You Can’t Grow a Business When Wearing All the Hats
Attempting to manage every aspect of the business alone is unsustainable. Bringing in people to help which can be virtual assistants, consultants, or specialists allows you to focus on your strengths that only you can do and drive growth.

7. Networking
Networking is one of those cornerstone marketing activities however to make them work you need to show up and be valuable. Consistent networking is key to establishing a strong presence, you must be present and give. Those who are infrequent and just try to sell/take will not get the benefits of a strong network.

John Fisher

Meet John Fisher, founder of Westway IT, passionate about helping businesses thrive with technology. With a BSc in Computer Science, he values integrity, education, and quality relationships. Active in The Tech Tribe and CompTIA, John simplifies IT and creates scalable strategies. Connect with him on LinkedIn.