Are You Letting Emotions Ruin Your Business? My Brutally Honest Storey of

Data-Driven Decisions

Running a business is tough. Making decisions that impact people’s lives? That’s on a whole new level.

But what if I told you that your success—or failure—comes down to numbers, not nerves? Today I’m sharing the raw truth about why I had to make one of the hardest choices as a business owner, and how you can use real data to cut through hesitation, save profit, and maybe even your sanity.

When the Numbers Don’t Lie—But Your Heart Wants To

Welcome back, Runpreneur family! I’m Kevin Brittain, and this is my daily diary as I charge towards Day 4,292 of the Runpreneur Challenge—running 40,075km barefoot around the globe and raising £1,000,000 for children’s causes. Every day counts—not just for the kids whose lives we’re changing, but for every entrepreneur making life-altering decisions.

Today’s Realisation: Difficult Decisions Aren’t Optional

Recently, I faced a gut-wrenching choice: two staff members needed their hours seriously reduced, or I had to let them go. Did I want to do it? Absolutely not. Did the business need it? Undeniably yes.

Why? Because business isn’t just about passion. It’s about survival. And that means using systems and data—not emotions—to steer your ship.

The Only 2 Metrics You Need To Track (That Saved My Business)

After launching my new business, Operations Director, I pushed my reporting systems to the max. Now, here’s what I look at every single month:

1. Labour Cost Ratio – Total labour cost as a percentage of revenue. My rule? Keep it at or below 30%. Absolute maximum? 35%. This is your profit’s life jacket.

2. Salary Cap – Your maximum budget for wages, calculated as:
   Revenue – Non-labour operating expenses – target net profit margin (minimum 10%).
   If your labour pushes you over, your profit margin sinks.

These numbers don’t sugar-coat reality. They force you to ask, “Is my team structure really sustainable?” If you let the ratios slip, you’re bleeding money you’ll never get back.

Why Most Managers Fail: Emotions vs. Evidence

If you’re like me, you want to protect your team. Heck, I’m guilty of being too soft. I’ve procrastinated tough calls for months because “what if things turn around?” But every extra wage paid when the numbers don’t support it is profit thrown away—and sometimes, it’s the ability to make future hires lost forever.

With clear, real-time data, the decision isn’t about who you like best, or who’s easiest to talk to. It’s about whom the business can genuinely afford. Brutal—but fair

How To Make The Right Call (Every Time)

• Run the numbers: Use labour cost ratio and salary cap religiously.

• Remove emotion: Let data drive the decision—not your fear of awkward conversations.

• Communicate with compassion: Data gives you confidence, but people deserve understanding.

• Trust the process: Real-time data reduces procrastination and the guilt of “what if?” If you stay blinded by sentiment, you’re putting your entire mission at risk.

The Bigger Picture: Every Decision Is a Step Towards £1,000,000 for Kids

Everything I do—every run, every vlog, every tough decision—is about pushing further for children who need our help. By being ruthlessly data-driven, I protect not just my own livelihood, but the sustainability of our mission to raise £1,000,000 and change lives across the globe.

So, here’s my challenge for you:
Next time you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place at work, run the numbers. Stand by them. And remember—if I can make the tough calls whilst running barefoot across the world, you can make one tough call for a healthier business (and maybe even a bigger purpose).

Join the Movement

Are you passionate about data-driven success, business growth, or saving children’s lives?
🔔 Subscribe, share, and comment—let’s get this message out there. The more we grow, the closer we get to our £1,000,000 goal. Let’s make every step, every decision, count.

Stay positive. Stay happy. And chase your data—like I chase each mile round the world.

Kevin Brittain
Day 1823 and counting | Runpreneur
Changing the world, one step—and one decision—at a time.