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 Unfortunately, rather than becoming a master of their own business,
many of these entrepreneurs work twice as much as they did in their
safe corporate job, unwittingly committing themselves to becoming
the lowest rung on the ladder, says Zenovia Andrews, founder and CEO
of The MaxOut Group, a company devoted to empowering and teaching
entrepreneurs development strategies to increase profits.
“People believe that starting a new business is supposed to mean
they’ll have to work much longer hours, and that’s why most new
businesses fail early,” says Andrews, author of the new book “All
Systems Go – A Solid Blueprint to Build Business and Maximize Cash
Flow,” (www.zenoviaandrews.com).
“Entrepreneurs need to be the brains and oversight of the operation.
It’s not wise to work for your own business. Sixteen-hour days get
entrepreneurs lost in the minutiae. The lose perspective and burn
out.”
Business owners need distance for perspective, and the best way to
create that is by knowing how to delegate duties to employees, she
says.
“Owners need to be the strategic visionary who hires, trains and
develops the best talent available, and then delegates work,” says
Andrews, who discusses the five keys of delegation.
Understand that your team is made up of human beings. No one
can work nonstop, so get your timing right. Know what each employee
can handle, and never overwork them. Most people perform at their
best when they are consistently busy but not rushed or pressured.
Focus on the strengths of your team. Delegation is not a
dump-and-run tactic. Know your employees and how they fit into your
business puzzle. Allow them to do what they do well, and give them
responsibilities and authority. They’ll be happier and so will you.
Focus on your own strengths, then plug the holes. Few of us
are great at everything! If bookkeeping’s not your thing, hire an
accountant. If you don’t have marketing experience, find someone
with proven skills. Trying to perform jobs that you don’t do well
will require twice as much effort with less-than-satisfactory
results.
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Be the resource king or queen. Your employees are only as
good as the resources they have. Make sure that they are equipped to
always do the best work for you on a daily basis. Running out of
stock, not having new software and not shelling out for that
desperately need printer is NOT good delegation.
Become the fire, ice and motivation behind your team. When
they need guidance, give it to them; when they need appreciation,
offer it to them. Inspire, motivate and lead by supporting your
delegated decisions and following up on them often.
“Business owners need to be the big thinkers: to identify patterns
both good and bad; to become an idea machine and testing fanatic; to
fill out details from outlined strategy; to be aware of market
trends; to always have one eye on the competition; and to develop an
instinct for the people with whom you like to work,” Andrews says
[Text received; GINNY GRIMSLEY, NEWS
AND EXPERTS] About
Zenovia Andrews
Zenovia Andrews,
www.zenoviaandrews.com , is a business development strategist
with extensive experience in corporate training, performance
management, leadership development and sales consulting with
international clients, including Pfizer, Inc. and Novartis
Pharmaceuticals. A sought-after speaker and radio/TV personality,
she is the author of “All Systems Go” and “MAXOut: I Want It All.”
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