Start with what you have
By Michelle Post
Start with what you have. This saying reminds me of the movie, “Apollo 13,” based on the true story of the 1970 Apollo 13 mission to the moon. The rocket carrying astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert encountered a critical failure en route to the moon. As the crew systematically went through procedures to correct the issue, they soon realized landing on the moon was no longer the mission, but survival was.
In a scene from the movie, the top engineers of NASA gather in a conference room to brainstorm over possible solutions, when one engineer carries in all the same components from both the command module and the lunar module. The flight director tells the engineers to use what they have and come up with a solution. The NASA engineers used what they had and did design a solution that helped the Apollo 13 crew to return safely home.
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
– Theodore Roosevelt
Running a business is very much the same. Start with what you have, especially with existing technology, software, and resources. First, make a list of all electronics for your business (i.e., cellphone, computer, printer, office equipment). Second, make a list of all apps and software you have and the function of each. Third, make a list of all the digital assets you have (i.e., Facebook, LinkedIn, email, website, third party sites). Fourth, make a list of all the “human” resources you have (i.e., family support, friends, vendors, contractors, chamber membership, and member organizations).
I think you will be pleasantly surprised when you see all that you have. After identifying what you have, think of the goals for your business. Align what you have to your goals and see if there are any gaps. If there are no gaps, then start with what you have, where you are, and do what you can. If there are gaps then get your ASK in gear and seek help from your resources.
