subject: How Do You Know If It Is Time To Build A Team? [print this page] Are you a small business owner who is feeling overworked or overwhelmed and wondering if it is time for you to build a team? Not sure if now is the time to add your first - or next - team member? Worried about the additional expense of hiring an employee? Here are some tips that will help you decide if now is the time and some options for hiring.
The problem for many small business owners, entrepreneurs and solo-preneurs is that they quickly max out their personal time and with that their earning potential. There are only so many hours in the day. To continue to grow your income, you need to add capacity that will continue to allow you to add value to more and more people.
Many entrepreneurs I work with have been resistant to adding team members to their business. They are resistant to have additional expenses and the hassle of managing people, as well as fearful about hiring the wrong person. Adding team does not always mean hiring a full-time employee. Team members can be strategic partners that you use on an as-needed bases to help you grow your business, taking things off your plate so you can focus on adding value to your business. It could mean adding an employee on a full-time or part-time basis or it could mean hiring a virtual assistant to help you from time to time.
When you expand you view of 'team' to include strategic partners, virtual assistants and part-time help, it means you can get started adding team no matter what stage of business you are in. So you can free up your valuable time and energy, allowing your business to grow and prosper! When you have your dream team in place, you will have the space and freedom to focus on what you do best and they will do all the rest!
How do you know when it is time to add team?
1. Things are sitting on your 'to-do' list for more than 2 weeks.
If projects that will help you grow your business are sitting on your 'to-do' list for more than two weeks, then it may be time to hire your first or next team member. Take a look at all your projects and see if there is a strategic partner you can hire to take the project off your plate.
2. If you don't have time to share with people what you do.
If you find that you are continually pushing marketing and networking to the bottom of your list, then it is time to give some things away so you have the time to get the word out about what you do. When you use the time for income-producing activities, then the cost of your team will turn into income with the new business you generate.
3. If you feel like you don't have the time to manage the business you have.
If you feel like you barely have the time to manage the business that you have, then consciously - or subconsciously - you will prevent new business from flowing to you. If you regularly feel overwhelmed, then it is time to bring in some people to help you. Start by making a list of all the things you spend time on that not aligned with your strengths. Watch for things that feel like they are draining your energy; more than likely, those are tasks in your business that are not aligned with your strengths and they are the things to focus on giving away first.
When you build a team and surround yourself with talented people, you will have the space and energy to focus on the things that will grow your business and your income. The investment in team will enable you to spend your time on the things that align with your strengths so you can fall in love with your business again and gain back the time to spend on the things that are most important to you in your life!
