STAN J TONOSKI, 

Entrepreneurial Coach

Making Business Better

The Challenges Of The Entrepreneur – Part 1.

Part 2

Entrepreneurs can face many stressful and frustrating challenges in building a profitable business. They make it hard rather than fun. I believe that this is because most individuals start as technicians and have to learn to be entrepreneurs.

New business owners usually have a skill that they want to put to work. They tend to focus only on that skill, to the detriment of the business. There are four key roles in ensuring the success of the business. They are CEO, VP Marketing, Manager, and Employee. A new entrepreneur usually starts doing all four. All roles are essential and important. At times, these roles may feel overwhelming, you may want to pull your hair out or just run away from it all, I understand; yet all your jobs are vital to the success of your business.

The role of the CEO is to work on the business, not in the business -- planning, creating, visioning, and monitoring progress. The CEO leads holding the vision, steers where the business is going, and corrects the course as conditions change. The far-thinking CEO ensures the organization is systemized, and structured, so each of the jobs is done in a consistent and duplicatable manner. Many entrepreneurs want to control everything and do it all themselves. As painful as it might be, learn to trust, let go, mentor and be mentored. Hire good people and let them show you what they can do. Bite your lip if you have to! Get other people to do what you are not good at.

The VP of Sales and Marketing’s role has the responsibility of creating, implementing, and monitoring an effective marketing plan and sales force. Any negative mental pictures you have about selling and marketing will quickly fly up into your face. Any fears you have will grab you by the throat and leave you in a cold sweat. This can be overcome.

The Manager’s role is that of a coach and the problem solver for the employees and the customers. The Manager implements the systems and the vision and motivates the staff. The manager takes care of the day-to-day problems and challenges. You get to pull out your hair as employees do not show up, machines break, the work does not get done on time, and so forth.

The employee’s role is that of janitor, machine operator, mechanic, counter person, sales staff, whoever does the day-to-day nitty-gritty. Their focus is to do their job in accordance with the systems and procedures developed. They have the most direct influence on customer satisfaction based on the quality of their work and their attitude. This includes outside services such as a bookkeeper, accountant and virtual assistant.

Many headaches will be relieved if a position description for each role and job is created before the business ever starts. A clear definition for each role ensures the critical and necessary components are covered. The chain of command and responsibilities are set so the organization does not become bogged down in misunderstanding and confusion. With business partners, each partner takes on specific role(s) commensurate with their abilities and interest.  It is not too late to define roles if you have not done it. The reward will be worth the price. Take time to laugh, learn, and have fun along the way. Never take yourself too seriously. Having a plan will help you enjoy the journey.

May your journey be one of great success.

Best regards,

STAN J. TONOSKI

"I wanted to be an editor or a journalist, I wasn't really interested in being an entrepreneur, but I soon found I had to become an entrepreneur in order to keep my magazine going." Richard Branson

"My son is now an "entrepreneur." That's what you're called when you don't have a job." Ted Turner