While driving by a construction site the other day, I noticed a framing crew hard at work creating the skeleton of a new house.

Once a foundation is built, the framing process takes just a few days to shape the new house.  The owner sees dramatic results in a short period of time.  However, when the framing is completed the detailed finishing process seems to move slower than a wall clock in an elementary school.

The trades that follow framing like drywall, trimming and cabinet installation, move slowly with results taking much more time to appear.   When the framing contractor has done a sub standard job, time almost stops.  Sloppy work like walls out of plumb, floors that aren’t level and kitchen soffits that are undersized, lead to constant frustration and “fix it” techniques by all of the trades finishing the house.  The lack of a good framework creates a lifetime of patch jobs, jury rigging and tolerations.

Patch jobs, jury rigging and tolerations -sounds like the way some businesseses operate, doesn’t it?

No doubt your business’s foundation, your core values, are sound.  But, if you are struggling with parts of your business, could it be a result of your framing job?

I know your business isn’t 2×4’s, plywood and trusses, but it will serve you best if it is framed with:

• A three year vision and one year goal
• A financial plan
• Adequate time dedicated to planning and review each week
• Leadership by you as owner
• Customer service for your students, clients and their horses
• Your sales program
• Your methodical marketing program
• A balanced life that includes rest and play for you

If you feel like things are shaky, take a look at the framework you’ve created and do something about it instead of attempting to prop it, cover it over or accept less than you should from it.

When a skilled and experienced framer is made aware of a mistake like a window opening framed in the wrong wall, a warped floor joist or a door jamb out of plumb, he simply fixes it.  He understands his business is providing a sound framework for everything that follows.

Level with yourself-what are you tolerating in your business framework that is the cause of squeaks, groans and pops?

Contributor Doug Emerson writes “The Profitable Horseman” the only weekly newsletter exclusively devoted to how to make more money in your horse business!