Well here's
a few ideas that may make life a lot easier.
Consider for a moment, the business owner who has 10 people working
in the business yet they're the ones doing all the work. What's
the point!
Firstly, let's
get back to basics. Most people in business will understand how
important systems are. Systems are usually responsible for having
a business that runs smoothly (and profitably). With systems in
place, it's simply a matter of employing people to run those systems.
Michael Gerber's fantastic book (The E-Myth), really highlights
how important systems are for businesses to be successful. A real
life example of course is McDonalds. With a food product that at
best, could only be described as average, it is simply a matter
of systems that keep it a hugely successful entity.
The point
is, get the systems built in your business. If you feel like you're
banging your head up against a brick wall, take a look at the systems
in your business. Look at the most basic things from answering the
phone all the way through to how you produce your product. If your
systems aren't clearly defined and easy to understand, how can anyone
understand what you want. Preferably write them down and turn them
into checklists. This is the basic foundation of business and in
turn getting your people to work as a team, something that equals
more than the sum of it's parts.
So, the systems
have been built and are clearly defined, and now it's a matter of
recruiting the right people to run those systems. The DISC working
personality profile can really help in selecting the right people
for the job. With this knowledge, you can then recruit the right
people for the job. However, the real challenge lies ahead. It's
not just a matter of having people who come in, follow the system
and get the job done. What you are looking for now is SYNERGY!
Synergy comes
from having people who are committed to a 'common goal'. If people
are involved in setting the 'common goal', they are generally more
likely to commit. If you, as the business owner are dictating to
your team 'this is the goal', don't expect much commitment. If your
team has ownership, they are much more likely to achieve. Ownership
is also very useful when designing and building your systems, let
alone setting goals. Keep asking the team this question…'I'm looking
for [certain outcome], how do you think we should go about achieving
that?' The successful business owner has team members that say 'I
think we should do like this'. An unsuccessful business owner has
team members that say 'I don't know, you're the boss'.
Finally, be
aware of what you are teaching your team. By this I mean, if a baby
cries and it's mother comes running. What will the baby lean to
do after a while? Exactly, let out a cry and in rushes Mum. All
I ask is to be very aware of what you are teaching your team. If
you're saying to yourself 'no-one can do it like me' and you jump
in and do it, your team is learning from that.
