How to Spot the Hidden Bottleneck That’s Slowing Down Your Business
What Amazon, Apple, and your local coffee shop all have in common (and how to steal their secret).
Answer these 4 questions and watch your business transform in the next 30 days.
In the next 5 minutes, you'll discover the exact bottleneck that's been strangling your business growth. This works whether you're cutting hair downtown or teaching entrepreneurs online.
Step 1: Are You Getting Enough Leads?
If the answer is YES, move to Step 2.
If the answer is NO, the problem is visibility.
You can’t grow a business that no one knows about. Whether you rely on foot traffic, social media, or website visitors, consistent lead generation is non-negotiable.
Action Step:
Start a simple but strategic paid ad campaign that targets your ideal customer. Don’t just “boost” posts or run random ads—have a clear offer, landing page, and tracking in place. This applies whether you’re selling plumbing services or a $97 course.
Step 2: Are Those Leads Taking the Next Step?
Getting a lead is one thing. Getting them to take action—like booking an appointment, scheduling a call, or signing up for a webinar—is what matters.
If people are ghosting your funnel, it’s a follow-up issue.
Action Step:
Set up an automated email and text follow-up sequence. Remind people who showed interest. Nudge them with value. Make the next step feel easy. Most businesses don’t lose leads—they just don’t follow up properly.
Step 3: Are You Converting Those Conversations into Customers?
Maybe people are booking, but they’re not buying. This is a sales problem.
Action Step:
Refine your sales process. Whether you’re doing in-person consultations or online discovery calls, make sure you’re clearly communicating the value of what you offer. Use testimonials, highlight outcomes, and create urgency around your offer. A simple sales script or presentation can make a big difference.
Step 4: Are Customers Sticking Around?
Retention is where real profits are made. If people sign up but don’t stay—whether it’s canceling a subscription, not finishing a course, or never returning for a second service—you’re stuck in a constant churn cycle.
Action Step:
Create a customer success and retention system. This might include check-in emails, progress tracking, small milestone rewards, or personal outreach. People don’t leave when they feel seen, supported, and successful.
Where’s the Weakest Link?
Now that you’ve worked through this checklist, ask yourself:
Which of these four areas is holding your business back the most right now?
Fixing even one of these bottlenecks can dramatically change your momentum.
Remember: The difference between struggling businesses and thriving ones isn’t always the product or service—it’s the systems running your business.