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Business Strategy with Hirav Shah NOVEMBER 06, 2026 | The Indian Eye 43

If You Can Find Excuses Not to Work,

You Can Also Find Reasons to Work

In many businesses, the biggest enemy is not the competitor.

The biggest enemy is delay, excuses, and the habit of avoiding decisions.

hours.
It need not be big. Make a call to
a lapsed customer, draft a referral of-
fer, or schedule a pricing review with
your team. Then set a date to check
the result.
Momentum is built by small,
quick actions. A solution that is act-
ed on within a day usually gets com-
pleted. One that waits for the “right
time” usually gets forgotten.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can a weak market be a genuine
HIRAV SHAH
challenge?
Yes, a weak market can be a real
n business, the problem is often challenge. However, in every difficult
not the market. The problem market, some businesses continue to
Iis the mindset. When speaking grow. That is why understanding the
with entrepreneurs and business market is important, but blaming it
owners, certain statements are heard Momentum is built by small, quick actions. A solution that is acted on within a day usually gets alone is not enough.
repeatedly. The market is slow. Cus- completed (file photo) What is the biggest risk for a small
tomers are fewer. Competition has business?
increased. The team is not good ing because the budget is limited. 2. Launch at least one new marketing Not a lack of capital, but the de-
enough. Cash flow is tight. The right They avoid hiring because there is initiative every month. lay in making important decisions.
people are hard to find. The timing is risk involved. They avoid adopting 3. Increase the speed of decision Where does growth begin?
not favorable. new technology because there is un- making. Growth does not begin with a list
There may be truth in all of these of excuses. It begins with a list of ac-
statements. But there is one import- certainty. They avoid entering new 4. Build a culture of accountability, tions.
markets because they are afraid of
not a culture of excuses.
ant question worth asking: Are there failure. 5. Ask yourself every week: “What Conclusion
businesses succeeding in the same Over time, these very reasons are we not doing that we should be Business success does not always
environment? If the answer is yes, become the barriers that prevent doing?” come from large investments, a large
then the issue is not the situation. growth. team, or powerful connections. It
The issue is the approach. In busi- The biggest difference between Business Exercise often comes from making the right
ness, there are generally two types growing companies and struggling Take a sheet of paper and create decision at the right time and acting
of people. The first group finds an companies is often not resources. It two columns. on it.
excuse behind every challenge. The is the willingness to make decisions Column 1: The biggest excuses Take a moment today and list all
second group finds an opportunity or and take action quickly. in our business. the reasons you have been giving for
a solution within the same challenge. Every business problem pres- not moving forward. Then write one
One business owner says custom- Column 2: Possible solutions. possible solution beside each reason.
ers are not coming. Another business ents two choices: An excuse. Or a For example: You may discover that the prob-
solution. Excuses provide temporary
owner launches a new marketing ini- comfort. Solutions create long term • Sales are low → Create a customer lem is not as large as you once be-
tiative to reach more customers. results. If you want growth in busi- acquisition plan. lieved.
One entrepreneur says sales are • Customers are not returning → Because there is one simple but
declining. Another reviews the prod- ness, stop asking, “Why can’t this Improve customer experience. powerful truth in business:
be done?” and start asking, “How
uct, pricing strategy, and customer can this be done?” Because business • Marketing is expensive → Explore If you can find excuses not to
experience. One company says the progress often begins when the ques- digital marketing and referral mar- work, you can also find reasons
market is weak. Another company tion changes. keting. to work. And where excuses end,
says perhaps our strategy needs im- Businesses are often damaged This simple exercise often re- growth begins.
provement. This is where the differ- more by excuses than by market con- veals more solutions than problems.
ence begins. ditions. The moment excuses stop, The 24-Hour Action Rule Hirav Shah is the Global Business
In many businesses, the biggest Strategist, Game Changer, and Author
Once your excuse and solution
enemy is not the competitor. The growth begins. columns are ready, do not let the list of 19+ books—trusted worldwide for
biggest enemy is delay, excuses, and 5 Business Tips sit on paper. Choose the one solution validating big decisions of entrepre-
the habit of avoiding decisions. 1. For every problem, write down at that feels easiest and most practi- neurs, sportsmen, and entertainers.
Many businesses avoid market- least three possible solutions. Email : Business@hiravshah.com
cal, and take the first step within 24

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