Working "ON" the Business

What “Working ON the Business” Looks Like in Real Life

“Work on the business, not in it” is often repeated, but rarely explained in a way that feels realistic for SME founders.

Most founders aren’t avoiding strategic work — they’re simply absorbed by what feels necessary and urgent.

Why This Is So Hard to Do

In a growing business:

• Problems appear daily

• People need answers

• There’s always something that needs attention

  
  

Thinking time gets postponed until things calm down. And they rarely do.

What Working "ON" the Business Actually Involves

Working on the business usually means:

• Improving how work flows

• Developing people, not just tasks

• Addressing recurring problems at their source

• Making decisions that reduce future complexity

  
  

It’s quieter work. Less visible. But it shapes everything else.

How Founders Make Space for It

In practice, this often looks like:

• Blocking small, regular pockets of thinking time

• Stepping back from constant availability

• Asking “why does this keep happening?” instead of fixing it again

  
  

It doesn’t require huge diary overhauls — consistency matters more.

Why It Can Feel Uncomfortable

This type of work doesn’t produce instant results. It can feel slow or indulgent, especially for founders used to action.

But over time, it reduces pressure rather than adding to it.

Takeaway

If all your time is spent responding, the business will always feel demanding.

Working on the business is how founders regain direction — one decision at a time.