Every successful business is built on strong foundations. Yet many entrepreneurs get so caught up in daily operations that they neglect the core principles that drive sustainable growth. In this article, we’ll explore three critical foundations for business success: celebrating small wins, working ON your business (not just IN it), and mastering time management.
The Power of Small Wins
Psychological research confirms what successful business owners have long known: celebrating small wins creates momentum that leads to big results. When teams recognize and appreciate incremental progress, they build confidence, motivation, and a culture of achievement.
Why small wins matter:
They provide measurable proof of progress
They boost team morale and engagement
They create stepping stones toward larger goals
How to implement this foundation:
Create a “wins board” (physical or digital) where team members can post successes
Start meetings by sharing recent wins
Set milestones that break big goals into smaller, achievable steps
At ActionCOACH Exeter, we’ve seen clients transform their businesses simply by making success visible. One local retailer increased staff productivity by 22% after implementing a weekly wins recognition system.
Working ON Your Business vs. IN Your Business
Michael Gerber’s classic “E-Myth” concept remains one of the most powerful yet overlooked foundations for business success. Most entrepreneurs start working IN their business (doing the work) but never transition to working ON it (building systems and strategy).
Signs you’re stuck working IN your business:
You’re the first to arrive and last to leave
Operations would collapse without your daily involvement
You haven’t reviewed your business plan in months
How to shift to working ON your business:
Schedule dedicated “ON the business” time (start with 2 hours weekly)
Delegate or systemize one operational task each week
Use our free “Business Owner’s Time Audit” to identify where your hours go
A recent client, a Exeter-based marketing agency owner, reclaimed 15 hours per week by implementing this approach – time she now spends on client acquisition and service development.
Mastering Time Management
Time is the most precious resource for any business owner. Our research shows that entrepreneurs who implement structured time management systems grow 3x faster than those who don’t.
5 habits that save time (from our free guide):
The 80/20 Rule: Focus on the 20% of activities that drive 80% of results
Time Blocking: Schedule deep work periods for strategic priorities
Meeting Discipline: Implement stand-up meetings with strict time limits
Email Management: Check email just 2-3 times daily at set times
Automation Audit: Identify one process to automate each quarter
One Exeter client saved 8 hours weekly just by implementing our email management system – time he reinvested in business development.
Building Your Foundations
These three pillars – celebrating wins, working strategically, and managing time effectively – form the foundation upon which all other business success is built. Like constructing a building, you can’t add the upper floors until the foundation is solid.
Action steps to strengthen your foundations this month:
Implement one wins recognition practice with your team
Schedule and protect 2 hours of “ON the business” time weekly
Download and implement one strategy from our “5 Time-Saving Habits” guide
At ActionCOACH Exeter, we specialise in helping business owners strengthen these foundations through our proven coaching frameworks. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, getting these fundamentals right will position you for sustainable growth.
Ready to build unshakable foundations for your business success? Contact us today for a complimentary consultation:
01392 325225
andrewdegroot@actioncoach.co.uk
