In the consultancy businesses we see all types of companies, large and small, start-ups and those that are decades old. One of the most common issues that is facing business owners today is the complacency factor. Many of our clients started a business with strong entrepreneurial spirit, took the plunge, accepted the financial risk and have battled their way to a very attractive lifestyle for themselves and their immediate family. What’s wrong with that? Nothing really, except in most cases it is not sustainable for many different reasons. The most glaring is the fact that when the owner is not focused on growing the business, then the resource commitment (people and money) are not priority. This doesn’t bode well for employees that are seeking career opportunities. As soon as your “A” level employees realize that the business is really in a “cruise” mode rather than focused on profitability and future growth, this usually means their earnings potential is capped. Then the question becomes, your comfortable lifestyle versus the hard work and capital commitment to grow the business. When you choose you…the “A” team will leave and you will only have the “B and C” players, who will not challenge anything within the organization, status quo is fine and are glad to have a job. This will create a negative company culture and is not sustainable in the future. Don’t be a settler.