Times columnist Ryan Windsor: Who is running your business?
Columnist Ryan Windsor. Picture: Sonya Duncan - Credit: Eastern Daily Press © 2015
Many people who have set up and own their own business often feel that they are running the show, but this may not always be the case.
Those who have taken the plunge to leave their job and go out on the path of entrepreneurship may call themselves the manager of the company, but often still work as an employee in practice.
Most people starting out take on the role that Michael Gerber calls the ‘technician’ in his best seller The E-Myth Revisited.
The technician is someone who is passionate and skilled, someone who would rather just ‘do’, such as speaking to clients.
Although this task might be core to the business, running a business has more moving parts than just doing the functional chores.
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A business owner who only takes the role of employee will typically work crazy hours, will often earn less than in a job, and very rarely will obtain more freedom over time.
This goes against the very reasons why people usually set up their own business.
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A common reason to start a business rather than find a job in the area of interest is to gain more money, freedom and time, while the business grows.
To achieve the latter goal, every business founder will have to manage their business, even while there is still a need to do the core tasks.
As a business strategist and mentor, I am all too familiar with the challenge this poses and if it is recognizable to you, it is important to get into the right mind-set to overcome this.
The entrepreneurial mind-set focuses on building a business that is larger than its founder, a business that is systemized.
Systemization of ones business, when done properly, should eventually lead to a regime where it can operate and run without constant presence of the manager.
Managing your own business is the best way to ensure that the same standards and quality is offered to each and every customer.
Ultimately, to become a manager rather than an employee in your own business, it is essential to start thinking more like an entrepreneur and to build a business that is based on systems rather than on your physical presence.
If you would like to ask Ryan a business-related question email him at ryanwindsor89@gmail.com
