Are you a believer in the power of teamwork?
I’ve been an entrepreneur for many years now. I wish that I could say that every success I had was mine and mine alone… but that would be a lie. I have a team of people surrounding me who I trust and who trust me. Together, we push these businesses forward. If you want your business to be a success, you’re going to need a fantastic team as well!
There are countless reasons to build a talented team around you, but here are some of the ones that I’ve found in my experience as an entrepreneur.
Being an entrepreneur is one of the most high-pressure jobs I can think of. That’s especially true when you are just starting on your journey to build a business from scratch.
Countless million-dollar businesses have been founded in a home office, with a single person sitting at a single desk: you. It can be lonely and stressful but is sometimes the only way you can get your business off the ground. Once you gain some traction and build a client base, however, things are going to get infinitely more complicated. There comes the point where you will need some help, and assembling a top-notch team becomes a necessity.
Once your business gets going, you merely aren’t going to be able to take care of everything by yourself. That is way, way too much pressure. If you were to try, things would start slipping through the cracks. But by hiring a few team members, even if they are virtual team members online, you can offload some of the busy work and take care of the critical jobs that only you can do.
For example, at CBD Hemp Experts, we’ve recently opened our new 97,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t possibly run every aspect of that facility by myself! It took a talented team of individuals working together to get our business to this exciting point, and I can’t wait to see where we take it in the future!
Entrepreneurs are some of the most creative people I know. They are continually looking at the world, trying to find unmet needs that they can meet for customers. They come up with incredible ideas and innovative strategies that may eventually become successful businesses.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t value in other people’s ideas. No two people think alike, and having someone by your side who has a different point of view could inspire thoughts that you would never have come up with on your own. Never underestimate the value of your team members. Even someone who is only working as an inexperienced intern could come up with an idea that could take you from a five-figure business to a six-figure success!
Bringing a team into your business will also allow you to fill out the gaps in your knowledge. For example, if you hate handling your finances and find that you spend way too much time dealing with the numbers, hiring a bookkeeper might be one of the smartest decisions you can make.
As the founder of a company, you are a leader. It doesn’t matter if you are the only employee or not. It’s your responsibility to set the direction and priorities of your company. And as the owner, your customers are going to view you as a leader. That perception can be valuable.
But if you want to build your skills as a leader, then you are going to need a team to lead! If you’ve never managed people before, you might find this to be a frustrating and headache-inducing experience at first. In my first business, I know that it took me months and months until I built my leadership skills to the point where I could be an effective manager of my employees. Today, those skills are second nature!
While some people have a natural talent for leadership, it is also a skill that can be taught. Once you start building up your team, read some books on leadership and management strategies. Maybe take a course on the subject. By becoming a better leader, you’re going to strengthen your ability to work with your team, your vendors, and your customers.
Resumes can only contain so much information. You can get a potential employees’ education, work experience, and skills from it, but there is a ton that you can only find out by asking. The person you’re interviewing in front of you could have tremendous value that you don’t even know about.
For example, consider their potential connections. Their social and business circles could be much different than yours, giving them access to people who might be able to help you in your quest to grow your business. This potential is one of the reasons why you want to get to know a potential employer through the interview process. Ask questions to figure out what skills, abilities, attributes, and relationships are not on their resume. You never know! Their connections could quickly become your connections, expanding your influence and giving you additional resources to grow your company.
If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you are going to need to embrace the power of teamwork sooner or later! I know how the thrill of being a lone wolf in charge of everything can feel, but to reach the next level of your business, you’re going to need a team. I’ve started many companies and, believe me, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the fantastic people who have my back! Be sure to build a team that does the same for you!