10 Steps When You Need Help in Your Business

If you think ahead and plan, many nightmare panic and chaos situations can be overcome. By ensuring that you have a great group of people around you, there will be more to fall back on when the going gets tough - because that, as they say, when the tough really do get going. Big challenges can be very difficult to face - and they can be fascinating and exhilarating. So here's some thoughts on how to make the best of these times, by getting ready in advance and making it work.

  • Plan Ahead
    Look out for what you might need in the future and plan to make business life far, far easier for yourself. Decide what your business will be when it's the best it can be and focus on getting to there. think then about whether the resources are within or outside your business, which will depend on the size of it.
  • Size Doesn't Matter
    Even if you are small, tiny even, don't think you can't afford a specialist - it will often make sense, both in relieving stress and financially. I mean you didn't get into your business to always do your books did you? (And if you did, maybe you want to try bookkeeping as a business!). Chris Barrow aka The Million Dollar Coach always reckons the first thing any self-respecting entrepreneur should do, is get a PA. In these days of VA's (virtual assistants) it's becoming a do-able option for all.
  • Look For Talent
    With your mind set on what you want, look out everywhere for people who can help. If you are small business owner, that might not be for a little while, but keep your eyes open, both within your own business, your family and your acquaintances. Anyone, anywhere - be alert!
  • Build Networks
    Get out there and make sure that you listen to people who might use some of the experts you need. This means that if you have to choose, you have already got testimonials up front. This makes it a lot easier. Recommendations work! Many local specialists, when they are worth their salt, get more than enough clients through recommendations rather than need to advertise.
  • Seek Recommendations
    Again, it's about keeping your eyes and ears open. You need a whiz with computer experience. By talking about it and listening hard, you may well find the help you need. Didn't you know that your cousin Myrtle's step-brother is learning all about HTML at college - shame on you!
  • Set Quality Standards
    By being very clear about what you want from the help you get, you are much more likely to get it. You will save yourself a lot of time and probably money by getting really specific (so, dot 'i's and 't's very carefully). It's very interesting how what comes out of our mouths is interpreted in so many different ways than we might expect (hint - it's always your fault, not theirs - so get over it).
  • Measure Performance
    In with the standards you agree with your help, be they a member of your own team, or an external contractor, it is vital that you have a way of measuring performance on a regular basis. Keeping your requirements SMART (Specific, Measurable, Agreed, Realistic and Timescaled) will make this much easier. And don't be afraid to require penalties from external contractors if the fail to deliver.
  • Take Some Risks
    Sometimes you have to wing it. So, if you take as much care as is practical, you can take a few risks with those who you have to help you. So don't be afraid to give more responsibility to one of your team, especially if they show promise - give them the opportunity, support and your confidence and often they will deliver way beyond what you expect.
  • New Blood
    If you are missing an ingredient with your internal or external help, don't be afraid to get someone new in. It helps everyone if the right person is in the team, and there are a lot of folks out there who can do a great job. Anyone doing a poor job knows it and is not helping you at all. For outside help, if you have even a hint in your gut that it isn't working, be tough and get it fixed - or get out - dragging bad deals on is a very bad deal for you.
  • Give Accountability
    And finally, make it very, very clear who you are holding accountable for the help you hire, whether it is in your business of from outside. You have a name to an accountability and that's that. They are where the buck stops. Internally, it can be through one-to-one meetings and milestones, externally, well, much the same although maybe a little more formally. Set them up with agreed 'T' - timescales and make them stick.

    Being aware of the help you need well in advance, will make a big difference for you - you can focus on the aspects of business you bring value to and, while we're on the subject of value, have fun and get a life for yourself as well.

    Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com. (Note to editors. Feel free to use this article, wherever you think it might be of value - it would be good if you could include a live link)

    ...helping you, to help your people, to help your business grow...

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Its All In The Systems

    Have you ever noticed french fries taste the same at... Read More

    Management Coaching to Improve Relationships with Work Associates

    As a recent employee to your job, you are becoming... Read More

    The Survey Feedback Process for Organizational Development and Change

    THE PURPOSE OF SURVEY FEEDBACK:In globally competitive environments, organizations are... Read More

    Seven Cs to Avoid Procedure Writing Errors

    You do your best to make sure your organization is... Read More

    The Top Six Reasons to Buy Rather Than Build an Inventory Management Solution

    Is building your own inventory management solution really your best... Read More

    Making a Decision to Outsource: Driving Factors

    Most executives view offshore outsourcing most of all as a... Read More

    How to Make a Difference Every Day

    Every day, everyone can make the world a better place.... Read More

    The Few & the Many: Free Trade, Outsourcing, & Communication

    Have you noticed that some sound ideas get bad publicity?... Read More

    ISO 9001 Okay Now You Have It How Do You Market It?

    Marketing ISO 9001 2000.Lately we've been seeing a lot of... Read More

    What is Knowledge Management Anyway?

    When you think of all the things companies have, you... Read More

    Money, Motivation, Success and Who?

    It was 7:30 on a Saturday morning, and I was... Read More

    Oasis in a Cash Flow Desert - Four Resources That Increase Small Business Capital Streams

    For small business owners, an enthusiastic vision for smooth, steady... Read More

    The 10 Realities of Change

    I've seen several articles that begin with lines like "the... Read More

    Recruitment - Do You Know What Youre Looking For?

    The time will come when you'll need to interview someone... Read More

    Quick Tip - Effective Meetings Have a Complete Agenda

    Most agendas for a meeting look like this.* Budget* Payroll*... Read More

    Importance of Just-In-Time Inventory System

    In today's competitive world shorter product life cycles, customers rapid... Read More

    Outsourced Learning: Are You Ready for Learning BPO?

    As the business world enters a period of hyper-competitiveness, every... Read More

    Personnel Access Poses a Continued Risk

    The Security Consultant's Perspective...Implementing Personnel Security Initiatives should be the... Read More

    Holding Effective Meetings Can Be Easier than You Think!

    I'm sure you've experienced those typical "headache" meetings! You know... Read More

    More Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips (Part 2 of 2)

    Does your company need to retain the services of a... Read More

    Business Fit

    I have been an entrepreneur for over twenty years and... Read More

    Innovation Management ? forced into it!

    Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

    Group Meeting Disrupters

    MEETING DISRUPTERS: If two participants are carrying on a personal... Read More

    Five Steps to Successful Business Succession

    The great majority of family businesses in North America are... Read More

    Outsourcing NOT Just for Big Business

    Outsourcing has become a controversial issue and a hot topic... Read More

    Dissenion Down On The Cubicle Farm

    How content and satisfied are American employees? Not very!According to... Read More

    Appraisal Interviews: What To Say & How To Say It

    STEPS TOWARDS A GOOD APPRAISAL INTERVIEW:Don't say: "You just don't... Read More

    Inspiring Loyalty and Contentment in Your Workforce

    One of the first things I look at when I... Read More

    Is It Worth To Outsource? How One Can Outsource Wisely

    Recent trends in software development market show that it is... Read More

    What Makes a Crisis a Crisis?

    If you're old enough and were living in America about... Read More

    Performance Management Made Easy

    Performance Management is a process that both employer and employee... Read More

    Bye-Bye Boring Meetings! Make Yours Remarkable!

    It's the middle of the night. You've woken up with... Read More

    Agendas Make Meetings Productive

    Having an agenda template that works well for you, week... Read More