The Wheel of Indecision: 10 Real Costs

Skills for decision-making are essential at every level of business. However, many companies are stuck in the cycle of uncertainty. The assumption is that CXOs and other vital decision-makers have excellent decision-making abilities. However, often team-oriented decision-making and action-taking are often confused with the capability to call the shots and play from a position that is less active. Delegating or deflecting a plan without assigning actual tasks and then following up are disguised ways of delaying. The consequences of not making a decision are numerous and high and include additional paperwork and workflow issues when things are lost in the chaos and slip through the cracks. Beware of the endless stream of indecision, and regain control by identifying the type of decision-maker you (and your key executives from your company) are.

Which one are you?

Innovative, successful businesses have everything worked out. They know when to take action and follow a logical decision-making procedure. Rarely are important projects delayed for months without any follow-up because someone didn’t make an appointment or finish the task as they stated they will.

The way it’s supposed perform:

An idea or a problem is presented or proposed
The appropriate group of individuals meets to discuss
If a plan or solution of action is proposed and action items are identified to be completed, deadlines are established as well as progress reports or follow-ups are made promptly.
If the development of a plan or of action requires more discussions, a follow-up session is set, and everyone in the group knows what’s needed and how they can contribute.
All of this is documented and communicated to all people who are involved. It’s possible to say, “yeah, in a perfect world,” but isn’t that what we should strive to achieve at a minimum all the time? In business, apathy is not good, and the unfortunate fact is that a trip to 9/10 of smaller-sized to mid-sized businesses would find kinks or gaps within the above process and where the failure to define actions items, indecision or inaction, failure to implement accountability measures and delays that are even more frequent.

There are many reasons why this can cause production loss that can be identified, with some obvious and others less obvious. In organizations that have a carousel or see-saw, practice is common One of the most subtle consequences is that people do not take their work or the work of others seriously. This can lower morale, hamper advancement, and slows down productivity. In the hamster wheel, indifference grows like bacteria. What’s the motivation of anyone to do anything when ineffective follow-up and the lack of accountability are accepted as usual?

Ten Real Costs

The consequences of indecision, lack of prompt follow-up, and inaction at the heart of company issues are many, yet the price isn’t necessarily high. Let’s look at the ten highest costs of continuing widespread indecision.

Essential steps to reach business objectives are delayed across all areas
Workflow, paperwork, and process problems can become overwhelming when things are lost of being constantly reset, rescheduled, and revised
The teams break up as coworkers start to point fingers and then adopt an approach that is more relaxed
People’s morale decreases when they begin to feel depleted, exhausted, and not necessary.
The time is spent looking for, repeating, and holding meetings over previously discussed issues that were not taken action on.
Opportunities are not taken advantage of
The communication lines become blocked, and expectations are unclear
Communication becomes a thing of the past when workers begin to feel that their efforts are not being acknowledged or are not appreciated.
People stop the attempt to be innovative or take on more significant projects.
Customer service, as well as the company ideals, are affected as employees lose motivation and are less motivated by their jobs.
There’s an 11th possibility of cost when the problem becomes extensive that it reaches beyond the four walls of business: you might be branded as an unfriendly company to deal with, and vendors, companies that are partners, or clients may begin to stay clear of doing business with your company.

In essence, patterns of indecision can cause companies to decline in the inner ring. Indifference and discontent can permeate the structure of a company that affects each employee. Some people might try to influence change, but if management is driven by indecisiveness, no significant change can take place until the company takes action from the top.

What are you able to do?

There are software solutions that will allow transparency, follow-up, and better workflows; however, they only address just a portion of the issue. Technology can’t fix interpersonal relationships or bring back a positive attitude. Don’t allow your business to stagnate, and avoid the reputation of being difficult to manage. All it takes is embracing and enforcing an environment that, at its foundation and throughout the entire organization, is responsive, active, and supportive, as well as nurturing and accountable. It is fast-acting from the top.

I’m Jessica Champion, and I’m an expert consultant for small businesses that specializes in the field of content marketing. I’m frequently sought out by managers and owners of businesses what I have to say about increased efficiency and moving things along the pipeline. It’s my experience that I find the essential and frequent issue is the reluctance of decision-makers. If you’re adamant that this is the case, I’d love to get in touch with you. Visit my website here and feel at ease to investigate the various ways marketing and consulting can help improve your business.