by Eldari Visser founder of Picketfence Life
Running a business is like constantly getting ready for a holiday trip, a hiking trip, a physical retreat or a tough walk in the bush. You need to be fit! Being part of a fit team is a full-time job! This goes for any size business. So, whether you are starting up or have been doing this for a long time - your team and you need to be fit - all the time.
You start with a planned workout regime. Then most of us look for a training buddy. Well, I prefer a buddy. A partner that supports you when you are just starting out, then again mid-way when you want to give up, they stay with you like a tight nut and are part of your home run to take your hallelujah pictures!
Who to choose then?
Usually a best friend, or your business partner, spouse, or maybe a close family member, whoever you feel comfortable with. Many times, we would rather join groups or even start a group. Success seems to be inevitable. Right?
Who is going to be at my side?
Ask the question and think about it. This is important in your business “workouts “. We need to do the selection of team members
Warm body selection-what is this about?
At this stage you get the importance of the correct team selection - yet “warm body” selection in the workplace still seems to create problems for the entrepreneur. It is when we choose people to work for us just to make the workforce full. Filling the teams. Getting the pipelines filled so that the business can run on full pistons.
You focus on building your business, creating teams, growing your output, getting the product in the market and as we grow, we start appointing “warm bodies” without realizing the financial costs. You did not choose the correct “buddy”. Most entrepreneurs don’t even know this concept and the cost to this.
As long as the job gets done. “We have worked hard to get here, to get stuff done and therefore will need teams to produce. People who join the business called growth. Yeah!”
This is when the wheels will eventually come off.
Not because of you… believe me but not all people are a perfect fit for your team. Think back on the gym team. How many left after a while? The pace was tough, they did not keep up or lost interest or jumped to a new gym. It seemed more inviting. Just like job hopping. What is worse is the person who seems to keep up.
Let’s go back to nature.
We are busy with a hike. Walking at a pace to arrive on time at the destination is crucial. There will be food, shelter, water and the all-important rest for the next section. Then, dear Sandy* is just not keeping up or she seems to be keeping up, but the selfies absorb her, chats on the phone and she is always busy with something and so forth. Bottom line, the guide has to check on her all the time and get her to pick up the pace. The irritation levels rise. Oh my gosh, can someone just get this girl to bring her part here????
As businesswomen we get so absorbed with our own outputs and timelines that we do not realize we have appointed a couple of “warm bodies”. In HR this is a well-known term. Lining up people to get the payroll full is important.
The bigger your business gets, the higher the possibility of employing the “wrong” fit for your team. We end up with a payroll list that is very costly. It happens.
Make sure you stipulate the exact characteristics of the people you want. Money is tight these days. Don’t waste it.
As they say in nature - we don’t leave anyone behind, but heck it takes time to fetch them! Best advice? Smaller, fitter teams run faster anyway if they are all focused on the end goal! Then when you are BIG - get the bigger teams. This is still a journey ladies!
*Sandy... obviously this is not her name!
Till next time.
Eldari #alias Junglewealth author.
Eldari Visser and her unique company, Picketfence Life, is providing access to information, advice and a powerful network of experts to help consumers find solutions to various serious issues. The company focuses mostly on easy blogs written by financial coaches, lawyers, accountants and tax practitioners, life and business coaches, and even psychologists. It gives practical tips and help and is the expert on your side of the fence. --- You can contact or follow Eldari at www.picketfence.life | Facebook | Twitter | #Junglewealth series
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