6 Questions Every Smart Small LP Biz Owner Should Ask

(Your success may depend on how honestly you answer these)
 

 
 
When you want to get to know someone better and have a great conversation, what do you do?
 
You ask them questions, of course. Questions get the conversation started and they show you have an interest in the person you’re speaking with.
 
The same is true of your business.
 
Asking and answering questions about the operation of your business can increase your efficiency and knowledge. By taking the time to perform a self-audit, you will get to know your business and process better and that means greater alignment with the needs of your target audience.
 

When Was the Last Time You Audited Your LP Biz? Not financial audit – but a check in audit?   

When you first start your business, you probably stitched it all together on the fly in the least expensive way you could. After all, most of us aren’t backed by angel investors from the start.
 
That’s why at some point in the growth of your company, you need to ask yourself:  In Livingston Parish, many businesses were built the same way — lean, resourceful, and fast-moving.  Owners wear every hat. Systems were built on the fly. You made it work with what you had.
 
That’s how growth starts.
 
But what worked in year one doesn’t always support year five.  At some point, growth requires a pause — and an honest self-audit.  When you want to get to know someone better, you ask questions.  You should be doing the same thing with your business.
 
Here are a few worth asking.
 
 

What Am I Proud Of?

What makes you confident when you talk about your business?  Your answer reveals your real value. It tells you what should be protected, amplified, and built upon.  If you can clearly define what you do well, you can align your marketing and operations around it.  If you can’t articulate it, your customers probably can’t either.
 

Where Are We Falling Short?

Every business has friction points.
What part of your operation feels inconsistent? Slow? Sloppy? What makes you wince a little?  Weaknesses don’t fix themselves.
 
Often, they signal one of three things:

• A systems issue
• A delegation issue
• A skill gap

Identifying the root cause is the first step toward improvement.
 

What Feels Clunky or Delayed?

Look for the bottlenecks.
Where do things slow down?  Where do customers get confused?  Where do tasks pile up?
Small inefficiencies compound over time. What feels minor today may be costing you significant time and revenue over the course of a year.
 
I cannot stress this enough.  If there is any lesson to be learned here, it’s this. 

What’s Still Manual That Shouldn’t Be?

Technology evolves quickly.
 
If you’re operating exactly the way you were five years ago, it may be time to evaluate your tools. Automation won’t replace relationships, but it can protect your time and improve consistency.
 
Review invoicing, scheduling, follow-ups, marketing systems, and reporting. If something feels overly complicated, there may be a simpler solution available today.
 

What Do I Avoid Doing?

Pay attention to the tasks you dread.
 
Do you avoid financial reporting?  Marketing follow-up?  Customer onboarding?
Avoidance often highlights a problem area — either the process isn’t efficient, or the responsibility needs to shift. Growth sometimes requires hiring differently, outsourcing strategically, or upgrading systems.
 

What Are Customers Repeatedly Mentioning?

Patterns matter.
 
If multiple reviews or client comments point to the same issue, that’s operational feedback. Instead of treating each instance separately, look for the common thread.
Address the pattern, not just the individual complaint.
 

Final Thought

Businesses rarely stall because of one dramatic mistake.
 
 
More often, they slow down because small inefficiencies accumulate and go unchecked.
For business owners in Livingston Parish — especially in a climate of rapid growth, technology shifts, and changing customer expectations — staying proactive matters.
 
Before making sweeping changes, start by asking better questions.  A simple operational audit can reveal where to streamline, where to delegate, and where to improve.
 
And if you’re looking for perspective, feedback, or connection with other local business leaders, engaging within the Livingston Parish business community can make the process even more valuable.
 
We talk about them often in our roundtable discussions.  Clarity creates alignment.
Alignment drives sustainable growth.  It sounds easy, but it’s not always.  Being in the room with others facing the same challenges is a game changer. 
 
We’d love to help you connect. 
 
April
 
April Wehrs
 
President
 
Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce