Have you met Business Owners who have an “employee” mindset? What does that mean, I hear you cry out!
For some, it’s because they were employees before starting their own businesses and never grew out of it, for others, they feel that no-one else can do the work better than them. They’re then stuck and can’t seem to break the cycle of “behaving like an employee” in spite of being a business owner.
If you’re a Business Owner, under the same dilemma, let me ask you. So, WHY did you start the business in the first place?
Was it Your DREAM to get: More freedom, Choice, Work-life Balance; Financial security; Could do it better than your old boss or maybe because you wanted more than just a JOB!
Sadly, the REALITY often is that You’re the Lowest paid in the business; You feel guilty when You’re not there; You work the longest hours in the business; have no freedom and are doing the work that doesn’t add value, or don’t enjoy.
Too many business owners undervalue their worth and do what they have employees for. Give this exercise a go, and find out for yourself. Write out all the things you do, but put them in boxes of “Skill Level” low to high and “Value to the Business” low to high.
Does it reveal where You’re “spending” Your time, and where You should be “investing” it?
When Business Owners first come to me for Coaching, I increasingly find that they can potentially earn the business thousands an hour when they are out meeting customers or strategically working ON the business, but aren’t currently getting that result. That’s because they choose to spend way too much time doing low value tasks that they could potentially outsource or delegate for a lower wage.
If You don’t value Your time, how do You expect others to?
Take a step back and look where You add “real” value to the business. It’s time to reflect on what You need to do more of, and what You need to stop altogether. For e.g. STOP feeling guilty about leaving your team to it while you grow the business, after all that’s why you built a team around you, isn’t it? Or is the team not capable of or trained enough to handle the tasks?
The key to getting the results from Your Business is to first start behaving like a Business Owner! Are You?
Vikram Kumeria is a Top Business Improvement and Growth Specialist, helping Owners of SME Businesses. You can reach him on: vikramkumeria@actioncoach.com
