When you’re in the thick of things, it can feel like the problems that your business faces are unique. It can seem like you’re on your own, and others don’t quite understand the challenges you are encountering.
But here’s the thing…after 30 years as a business mentor and as a business owner myself, I’ve encountered some common themes when it comes to problems in business. Some are subtle, others scream out loud, but all of them can be addressed once you know what to look for. From poor communication to lacking clarity, there are a number of pitfalls that business owners don’t even know they are sliding into. Often, business owners are so deep in the day-to-day that they don’t even realise they’re falling into one of these traps. But when you step back and get strategic, the solutions become simple – and powerful.
Here’s my shortlist of the seven biggest issues likely to affect your business… and what you can do about them.
Too few clients
Whether it’s too few clients overall, or not enough of the right clients, this is one of the most common and most crippling issues I see.
Too often, business owners focus their time and energy in the wrong places – posting on the wrong platforms, using vague messaging, or chasing anyone with a heartbeat instead of honing in on those ideal clients who truly need and value what they offer.
The fix?
Start by gaining real clarity regarding who you serve, how you serve them, and why they would choose your business over anyone else.
Then make sure your marketing and messaging align with that clarity. It’s not just about visibility – it’s about being visible to the right people.
Poor communication
Communication is more than just sending out an email or posting on social media. It’s about connection. It’s about building trust.
When communication breaks down – internally or externally – it leads to confusion, missed opportunities, and unhappy clients. On the flip side, effective communication leads to better relationships, smoother workflows, and more sales.
Ask yourself:
- Are you speaking the language of your ideal client?
- Are your offers clear and compelling?
- Are you engaging with people at the right time, in the right way, and on the right platforms?
Improving communication is one of the quickest ways to increase both customer satisfaction and business performance.
Too long at work
Spending too much time in your business – without seeing results – isn’t just exhausting, it’s counterproductive.
Many business owners wear ‘busy’ like a badge of honour.
But ‘busyness’ doesn’t equal effectiveness. When you lack clarity on what really moves the needle, you end up doing everything… and achieving very little.
The key is working on your business, not just in it.
When you’re clear on your goals, your strengths, and what truly matters, you can delegate more, streamline operations, and create a business that supports your life – not one that drains it.
People management
Even solo business owners need to manage people – whether it’s contractors, collaborators, or eventually, team members. And how you manage those people has a direct impact on your growth.
Poor people management leads to high turnover, low morale, and operational chaos. But when you get it right – when the right people are doing the right tasks with the right systems in place – your business becomes more efficient, effective, and enjoyable to run.
It’s not just about delegation – it’s about leadership, clarity, and having the right structures to support your team’s success.
Lack of clarity
If I could choose just one factor that separates thriving businesses from those that struggle, it’s clarity.
When you’re clear on what you’re building, who you serve, what success looks like, and how you’re going to get there, everything becomes easier. Decisions become faster. Marketing becomes sharper. Results become measurable.
Without clarity, it’s easy to get stuck in busy work—doing a lot, but achieving little. Clarity creates momentum, and momentum drives results.
Not enough sales
This one might sound obvious – if you’re not making enough sales, your business won’t last long. But the real question is why aren’t you making enough sales?
It could be:
- You’re targeting the wrong market
- Your message isn’t cutting through
- Your sales process is unclear, inconsistent, or incomplete
- You’re not generating enough quality leads
- Your offer isn’t aligned with what your audience actually wants
Start by reviewing your sales pipeline from end to end. Where are enquiries coming from? Are they converting? What’s the customer journey like? Identify the leaks—and fix them.
With the right strategy, your sales can become a natural, comfortable, and consistent part of your business.
Not enough money
Not enough money is usually a symptom, not the root cause.
If the sales aren’t flowing, if costs are too high, or if operations are inefficient, the financials will feel tight. But rather than chasing quick fixes, the solution is usually found in strategic clarity.
When you:
- Sell to the right people
- Price correctly
- Streamline operations
- Manage your team well
- Focus your time on what matters most
You create a business that not only survives, but thrives. The money follows value and strategy ensures you deliver that value profitably.
Final thoughts
Every single one of these issues is solvable. Often, just a few small strategic shifts can create big results.
And when you’ve got clarity around your direction, your structure, and your value, you’ll start to feel more confident, more in control, and more excited about what’s possible.
If you’re facing one – or several – of these issues, you’re not alone. But you can change it. Let’s simplify the complex, clear the fog, and get you back in the driver’s seat – because business success starts with clarity.
