Business Operations And Grocery Shopping

I usually never go grocery shopping, but I had to go for some last minute things the other day, which led me to think it was a lot like being an entrepreneur and running a business. There were a few things I needed, but I ended up spending more time than I thought at the grocery store and bought more than I was originally going to get.

Here are my thoughts on the experience:

The list is just a list- When you are an entrepreneur, you write down your thoughts, but lets be honest, nothing usually plays out just like it is mapped. When you go shopping for groceries, the list is probably just 1/10 of what you end up getting in the end. Whether it is different sized products, different brands than you thought you would buy, or just additional products in general, the list isn't set in stone.

• The lesson: Learn to go with the flow and think on your feet, it plays out to be the most benefit to any entrepreneur.

The staff has to be knowledgeable- As an entrepreneur, you try to find the best people to work for you, sometimes that means going through a handful of people before you find the right team. In the grocery store, I asked one stock boy if he knew where something was, but he didn't. I asked another guy if he knew where that product was, he did.

• The lesson: Some staff members have more knowledge than others, but everyone should have a certain "par level" of knowledge. If they don't, should they really be representing your company?

Somethings just aren't available- Inventory is sometimes a big factor and sometimes not in a business, depending on what the business provides, but all businesses have to buy things, eventually. If an entrepreneur is running a shoe warehouse, chances are if a shoe isn't available, a customer might go elsewhere. If "Bob" is running a web-business and the server he ordered two days ago is delayed in shipment, can he do without? In the grocery store, I went to get something that wasn't available at that time, so I had to buy something else.

• The lesson: Plan ahead, if you are going to need to order something that is a vital part of your business. If there's no capital to order ahead, then just take your chances, I guess...

The checkout line- How often do you go to the grocery store and find that you are the only one in the checkout line? Luckily, I was the only one in the checkout line so my time wasn't wasted, but it's usually not the case. When an entrepreneur is running a business, dealing with outside companies to get things done, sometimes things don't get done as fast as they are supposed to.

• The lesson: Allot a fair amount of time to get things done, but have a backup plan if more time is needed and other work has to get done.

You never know who you'll meet- It has happened to me a few times; I am out and randomly I'll see someone I know- or know of. When I was grocery shopping I actually ended up seeing an old friend that I haven't talked to in awhile. Entrepreneurs are always looking to grow their network, but sometimes you have to compromise and grow your network in the least expected places. Now, in my case, I just saw a friend I knew, but other times, people actually make worthwhile business connections in the most ironic places.

• The lesson: Always be prepared to discuss what you are doing and your latest ventures. This doesn't mean that you have to give someone a pitch, so they invest. But sometimes you might score some business partnership from a simple handshake.