Turning Business Challenges into Solvable Priorities: The PROFIT Framework

Let’s be real for a moment. As a founder or MD, it often feels like you’re just putting out fires every single day. One minute, you’re dealing with plummeting sales; the next, you’re wrestling with operational chaos. It can feel like you’re on a never-ending treadmill of stress, chasing one problem after another, and it’s exhausting.

I’ve been there. I remember one particularly chaotic week when it felt like every single thing that could go wrong, did. I was bouncing from one issue to another, hoping I could at least keep the ship afloat. But the truth is, that kind of firefighting isn’t sustainable. It leads to burnout and, honestly, a lot of missed opportunities.

What I learned the hard way is that every business has problems. As the founder, you’re the one allocating resources to solve them. But here’s the kicker: not all problems are created equal. You need to identify what’s truly important and focus your efforts on the single biggest priority. Yep, just one. Trying to tackle multiple issues at once is a recipe for disaster.

That’s why I created the PROFIT Framework. It’s a no-nonsense approach to turn your business problems into actionable priorities. Let’s break it down.

The PROFIT Framework: A Roadmap to Clarity

P - Pinpoint the Problem

First things first: you need to define what the heck the problem is. No vague descriptions here. Be specific.

Example: If your fulfilment times have spiked, investigate whether it’s due to supply chain issues, staffing, or something else entirely.

R - Reflect on the Impact

Once you’ve nailed down the problem, it’s time to assess its impact. Understanding how urgent the issue is can help you prioritise effectively.

Example: If slow fulfilment leads to lost customers, that’s a high priority because it can hurt your revenue long-term.

O - Observe Root Causes

Now, let’s dig deeper. You want to get to the heart of the problem—not just the surface-level symptoms.

Example: If your churn rate is high, it could be due to a lack of onboarding support. Fixing that could significantly improve retention.

F - Focus on Simple Solutions

Now that you’ve identified the root cause, it’s time to focus on straightforward solutions.

Example: If you’re seeing training gaps, implement weekly sessions with clear follow-up checklists.

I - Iterate and Improve

Remember, you don’t have to nail it on the first try. Improvement is a process.

Example: If you roll out a new onboarding process, gather feedback from each cohort and make improvements based on what you learn.

T - Turn into SOPs

Finally, it’s time to document your successful solutions. This keeps everyone aligned and on track.

Example: For your fulfilment process, document each step from order receipt to shipment, and include benchmarks to maintain quality.

Implementing PROFIT: Your Path to Focus and Growth

Next time you’re buried in problems, remember: every business has issues, but it’s how you prioritise that sets you apart.

The PROFIT framework helps you focus on what drives results, ensuring that you only tackle one priority at a time. By defining your priorities clearly and directing resources toward resolving them, you can prevent burnout and maintain consistent growth.

In one of my businesses, we experienced rapid growth, but we were facing numerous challenges. At one point, we had a significant fulfilment issue—production teams needed scaling, cultural fit had to be ensured, and training processes implemented. By applying the PROFIT framework, we identified our primary constraint, resolved it, and maintained our momentum.

Remember, it’s not about putting out fires; it’s about transforming those fires into manageable projects that drive your business forward. Embrace the PROFIT framework, and watch your business thrive!

You’ve got this.