Attention Small Biz: Stop Doing Everything Solo & Get Help to Duet Better

By Irene Williams • November 19th, 2009

two mikes It’s nearly impossible to “do everything right” when you’re doing “everything.” Even if you’re ambitious, resourceful, tireless and clever, you are a mortal with limitations, strengths and weaknesses. You simply can’t be best at everything, not to mention you’ll never have enough time to do everything on your own.

Small business people are often big thinkers with plenty of drive and motivation yet not a lot of capital, staffing or support. Their broad vision and intense drive sometimes supersedes the reality of logistics and the fact that there must be some money to spend in order to make more. Inspiration and operations must coalesce for small businesses to establish roots and grow.

How can small business owners balance it all?

Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan
Of course, it’s wise, if not flat out necessary, for businesses to start with a plan. The adage “plan your work and work your plan” keeps getting passed down for a reason. Without a detailed road map, even the most skilled driver can end up circling roadways aimlessly. The business plan assigns nuts and bolts to biz owners’ big picture idea; it brings practical application to visionary inspiration.

Budge the Budget
Budgeting is part of Business 101, yet the topic always merits a reminder and a thorough review. Savvy small business owners will be better prepared to navigate if they’re prepared to financially anticipate what’s ahead. It may seem daunting, but it’s actually liberating to plot out expected expenditures for up to a year. Postage, facilities, marketing/advertising, fees, taxes, entertainment—no stone should be left unturned.

Call in Reinforcements
All the planning and budgeting in the world won’t be much help if business owners are overworked to the point of being lackluster and ineffectual. We often call “delegation” an art, which, for some people, implies that it’s not a requirement. Delegation is actually a core skill that helps even the most fiercely independent, solo act business people find immense success. Whether outsourcing the company bookkeeping, contracting an agency to create marketing materials or hiring a virtual assistant to manage schedules and customer follow-up, small business owners must invest in divesting some tasks to other professionals.

The reality is, no business owner will ever do “everything right.” We all make mistakes and learn lessons along the way. That’s why it’s best to plan, budget and enlist assistance; business owners never have to sink ‘solo’ when there are ways to ‘duet’ better!