An April 2012 Oklahoma City television news interview gone viral has now reached tens of millions of people across the  globe who've heard Sweet Brown’s  famous words:

“Ain’t nobody got time for that.”

While Brown was referring to the choking smoke from an apartment fire that aggravated her bronchitis, this catchy phrase is sound advice for businesspeople. Here are seven things successful companies ain’t got time for:

1. Poor planning, ineffective strategies, and inconsistent follow through
   These three issues alone equate to billions of dollars in opportunity cost.
2. Customers who demand value, yet don’t want to pay for it
   This parasitic type of relationship stunts the growth and success of too many companies.
3. Complex processes that drain time, energy, and resources
   Simple is much more sustainable.
4. Supposed best practices that no longer work
   Just because something has always been done a certain way does not make it right for current circumstances.
5. Leaders who delay termination
   When it’s time to let go, it must be done swiftly and compassionately as this benefits everyone involved.
6. Reactive hiring practice
   Once a seat is open, harm is already being done because of increased workloads, lost opportunities, added stress, and damaged morale. Active lines of succession and talent pipelines keep seats filled and work flowing.
7. Work-life imbalance
   Exhausted people make poor decisions and engage in shoddy work. Self -care and time for family should be part of every employees’ job description.

When Brown said, “Oh Lord Jesus, it’s a fire,” she spoke of the blaze that drove her from her home. That’s not the only thing that’s smoldering as companies burn through people, money, and resources when challenges, such as those above, go unaddressed.

So grab yourself a “cold pop” and make time to resolve these issues.