This is definitely an old concept that you will find in all the best business and self-help books.  Nearly every consultant will speak of focus as well and there is reason it has stood the tests of time.  Often, we find ourselves in conflict with our willingness to perform any service or provide any product a potential client can imagine.  Especially in it’s earliest stages, business tends to go “where the money is.”  This typically leads to a lot of additional work with little additional reward, not justifying the investment (time, etc.).  The idea of focus, especially in early development is crucial.

A recent discussion with a business associate and friend reminded me of the importance of focus.  When you find yourself too busy, working late and wanting more, you may have a focus problem.  A coach told my associate to look at the list of products and services he had written up on a board and went through a series of questions.  Anyone should do a similar exercise: Create a list of all your products or services and ask yourself these questions.  Which ONE offering makes the most economic sense? Which ONE of any would you want to do most? Which ONE offers the most potential? Now, take that service and FOCUS! Make that your primary service.  Don’t waste much time on others, maybe a few auxiliary services and products but with little focus on these.  As a new company, identify your bread and butter and make it the best bread and butter you’ve ever tasted.  Now sell that bread and butter to everyone since its the best they’ll taste too.  Later, once systems are developed, processes formed, pipelines automated, then you can look at the fringe, the extras, the additional pursuits.

Think about your endeavor and reassess your focus.