The Cost of a ''Wonky Tuesday''

The Cost of a Wonky Tuesday

Most business owners prepare for the big storm. But many lose time, revenue, and trust on an ordinary Tuesday when the internet glitches, a key person is out, access is missing, a customer is waiting, or the owner gets pulled into another routine decision.

That is what I call a “wonky Tuesday.” It is not an imaginary problem. It is the kind of real business friction owners already feel: repeated cleanup, unclear handoffs, missing passwords or files, software that did not fix the workflow, and customers or patients noticing delays.

One number: The U.S. Chamber Foundation has reported a major readiness gap among small and medium-sized businesses. Many believe they would recover from a disaster, but far fewer actually have a disaster plan in place. That gap matters during hurricanes and outages, but it also shows up in everyday operations when coverage, response, access, and priorities are unclear.

Why it matters: A small gap can become expensive fast. In a professional office, it may look like missed updates, rework, or a client waiting too long. In a field service business, it may be a wrong address, missing part, callback, or missed window. In healthcare, it may show up as patient flow delays, documentation gaps, billing handoff issues, or staff repeatedly chasing the same problem.

One action: Pick one role or process that would make the day difficult if the wrong person were out. Then ask: Who covers it? What happens first? Does the backup have access and authority? What priorities keep revenue, service, communication, or customer/patient flow moving?

I call that first move the C.R.A.P. Card: Coverage, Response, Access, and Priority. It is a simple way to spot real friction before it keeps costing time, revenue, or trust.

If the card reveals a bigger pattern, my broader Small Business Readiness System, or SBRS, helps identify what is actually slowing the business down and what should be fixed first.

If your business keeps paying for the same recurring issue, start with a short Stability Check-In. The goal is not to jump into a large project. The goal is to clarify what is actually slowing the business down and whether it is worth a closer look.

Before you buy the next fix, clarify the real problem.

Next up: What should you fix first after you spot the problem?

Thank you,
Warren Porter