Good help offers seeds for growth
LAST year I came to the conclusion that, in order to continue providing my clients with a top notch and personalised service, I needed to employ staff.
I had been running my business for about four years and it was getting busy.
I have clients throughout Australia and I found I was stretching myself a little too thin.
As a solo parent, and as a business owner, something had to give.
I, therefore, came to the conclusion that I needed help.
The thought of employing staff and having responsibility for another family’s income frightened the bejesus out of me.
However, I’m not one to shy away from a challenge, so I set the wheels in motion and within a few months I had my first full-time staff member.
It was a huge step for me and for the business but together we set the groundwork in place for expansion.
In January this year, we moved into beautiful new offices on Scott St, employed another two staff and continue to grow with plans to grow our Brisbane office also. Why did I tell you this? It’s because I understand. I am a small-business owner, I know how hard it is to take that first step and expand, how when you’re growing your business, how tight finances are and how hard it is to balance marketing, budgets and the operational side of the business as well as stick to your values and provide a professional service.
One thing I have learnt in the six years I have been a business owner is that I cannot be everything.
I had to surround myself with people who were experts in their field, whether that be an employee, a contractor or a specialised consultant.
From day one I have had a coach, they have changed over the years as my goals have shifted and the business has grown but I firmly believe in having someone who, cannot only guide you, but also push you to be the best you can be.
I align myself with business leaders that I admire (both locally, nationally and internationally) and I learn from them.
I have a bookkeeper and an accountant who patiently guide me through the myriad of numbers, taxes and financial planning for the business and I work with a marketing expert who is a specialist in her field.
The importance of realising this and asking for help is essential to any business not matter how small or large.
Each of us are good at what we do, that is why we are in business. But the most important and crucial investment in any business is your people.
Don’t ever forget how much it will cost you if you recruit the wrong person.
In a recent blog I wrote about the cost of hiring the wrong people can be for a business. It’s tremendous.
But once you recruit the right people, you need to keep them, right?
That is a whole other story.
ONE THING I HAVE LEARNT IN THE SIX YEARS I HAVE BEEN A BUSINESS OWNER IS THAT I CANNOT BE EVERYTHING. I HAD TO SURROUND MYSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE EXPERTS