"Create Your
Entrepreneur Dream Team"
By Helaine Iris
I hear it all the time.
“What should I do about . . .?" As a business owner you're
faced with the daunting task of making all the decisions
that affect your business. Should I remain a sole
proprietor, become an LLC or is an S Corp better? Should I
start using an electronic PDA or stick with my trusty, but
out-dated, Day Runner? In what direction should I take my
marketing? Is the color right on this logo? PC or Mac? Paper
or plastic? Aargh! Big decisions. Little decisions. It can
be overwhelming, especially when you consider how each
decision has a bearing on the success of your business.
It can be difficult to make
decisions for a number of reasons. Sometimes it’s a matter
of not having enough information. Other times, it’s simply a
lack of confidence. If you're a very small business or
solopreneur, chances are you work alone most of the time.
The upside to your solitary confinement is two fold. First,
you hold all the power and control to make the business your
own. Second, the success or failure of your dream is
squarely in your hands. Paradoxically, the fact that it's
just you calling the shots is also the dreaded downside of
the micropreneur lifestyle.
Agonizing over decisions or
constantly second-guessing yourself is a tremendous waste of
energy. Energy you probably can't afford to spare. How do
you know when you've spent too long on a decision? It's hard
to say exactly, but if you catch yourself ruminating over
you options longer than a couple of days, be suspicious. Or,
if it's 2:00 a.m., and you're wide awake questioning a
course of action, there's a good chance you may be
temporarily - if not permanently - decision-impaired.
When I occasionally find
myself in just such a non-productive loop, I’m grateful when
I finally remember to ask for help. After a diligent, but
debilitating drag through decision darkness, getting someone
else's input is the radiant ray of sunlight that nurtures my
soul. My world brightens. My heart lightens. And I realize
the light at the end of the self-employment tunnel is not a
freight train about to make mince-meat of my professional
future, but instead, is a friendly, familiar, fellow
professional wielding a torch to help guide me home.
It's also in those moments
that I congratulate myself for having had the wherewithal
and initiative to create an entrepreneur dream team for
myself. This is my personal and professional circle of
friends, colleagues, cohorts and fellow entrepreneurs who's
advice, support and opinions are just a mere phone call,
email message or short drive away.
Take my advice here. Create
your own entrepreneur dream team. Would you rather have a
well-known and trusted advisor at your fingertips or thumb
through the yellow pages and pick someone you've never met
and know nothing about.
Building your dream team is
easy. It's simply a collection of people you know and trust.
To get started, make a list of the professional services
you’ve needed in the past or anticipate needing in the
course of doing business. For example, a lawyer and
accountant are staple members of your team.
Next, think about all the
possible people you’d trust to help you solve a problem. Not
only do you want these people to care about you and your
success, but you also want people who can be objective and
act as a sounding board when you request it. Think about
different people for different categories of problems. For
example, someone who’s good with personal issues might be
different than someone who's good at helping you process
systems questions.
Once you’ve made a list of
your potential dream team members, contact each individual,
and ask them to be a member of your team. For the
professional candidates, such as lawyers or accountants,
make an appointment for an initial consultation. Introduce
yourself, and establish the relationship so when you need to
access their services you’ll both be up to speed and ready
to engage.
For the non-professional
people on your list, invite them to participate on your team
as an advisor. Let them know what type of support you may be
needing from them, and if they're willing to participate,
find out the best way to access them when needed. Should you
just phone them, email them, drop by their home or meet at
the local coffee shop? Bring intention to the relationship,
and set boundaries to support the success of the alliance.
In my experience, people like to be asked for support,
guidance and opinions. It feels good to know someone trusts
and respects you enough to ask for help.
Finally, when you’ve chosen
your team members and they’ve agreed to participate, compile
a list with everyone's contact information, and post it
where it's easily accessible. Make it easy to use your team.
Let it pull you forward out of solopreneur solitude and into
the bright, beautiful world of human connection and
synergistic success. It sure beats losing sleep.
It’s YOUR life…live it
completely!
About The Author
Helaine is a professional coach and writer, who has been
featured in numerous publications, including “O” The Oprah
Magazine. She helps entrepreneurs and professional women
accelerate their professional success, while achieving a
more complete and fulfilling personal life. She combines a
broad range of professional experience in her work,
including management positions in the education, training,
retail and international non-profit sectors. For a free
consultation, contact her at 603-357-8546 to discuss how she
can help you accelerate your own success. You may also visit
her website,
http://www.pathofpurpose.com, for additional
information, or email your questions to
helaine@pathofpurpose.com.
