You started you business with an idea, added your ideal client profile; obtained some hardware / software / tools, suppliers / muses, sorted out your logistical & legal matters ... and you launched! Wait, wait, wait - what have you missed? Part 1 = where do you spend your time? |
Whether you work 100% solo, or you have business partners, or you out-source - you'll wear many hats & play many roles.
Your business probably has about 8 roles - don't get hung-up on the exact number. Change it to suit your circumstances.
Bear in mind that each role = a cluster of similar / related functions bundled together..
All right - so maybe you're working an 18-hour day (for now), because you choose to. How about choosing a different way, possibly a better way / more efficient way?
In this series, we'll explore your business roles, what's working & not working for you. We'll look at some alternatives - see where we end up.
Part 1: Where do you spend most of your time?
Admirable, but high-risk. The Interwebs have changed the way we do business, how we buy, & how we sell. How do you know whether everything that is critical, is being done? Where are you spending the bulk of your time?
While we work through the Business Roles series, evaluate what you can change to make your business run smoother. If you conclude that the traditional roles model, or your current model, is the best for your business, then you'll have that certainty plus insights for improvement.
Once you've defined your business roles, you'll be able to:
- plan & execute the work more efficiently
- implement growth / sales strategies more quickly
- manage your business risks better
Traditional business roles
For example, the Marketing Expert is completely separate from the Website Designer, although websites have become an integral part of marketing strategies.
The Bookkeeper role is separate from the Core Business - so the impact of financial performance might not be correlated with operational details.
These 2 examples alone offer huge opportunity for improvement, if you're prepared to invest time in analysing your business, then revising the roles.
Alternate business roles
You & your core business = what you do. Muse = sources of inspiration, vision, research, training, education. Business coach = clarify & refine ideas, planning, goals, commitment. Architect = business plan, business model, strategy. Techie = infrastructure, systems, processes. Operative(s) = operations, accounting, taxation. Publicist = marketing, networking, social media, promotions, sales. Mastermind = partnerships, mastermind group(s), joint ventures, think-tanks. |
- What are you current roles
- How are they working for you
- What are your gaps
- What changes do you need to make?
Now that you know where you spend most of your time, go to Part 2 to maximise your time & effort.
Part 2: Where should you spend your time? (what to keep in-house, & what to out-source?)
Part 3: The Muse in your business (inspiration, vision, training, education)
Part 4: The Architect in your business (business plan, business model, strategy)
Part 5: The Techie in your business (infrastructure, systems, processes)
Part 6: Smooth Operatives in your business (operations)
Part 7: Publicist Role (marketing, networking, sales, social media)
Part 8: You, the Mastermind (JVs, partnerships, think-tanks, groups).