Every company has individuals who specialize in individualized departments. As an employee, your purpose is to just - do your job. You are not required to do social media marketing, business, human resources, AND finance. Your position is just that - individualized.
If the government requires nonprofit organizations to create a diverse board of individuals of various skill sets and/or business backgrounds, who are mandated by law to oversee the operations of the company, why is it that entrepreneurs have not adopted this same concept within their own business model? Why is it that we try to do it all by ourselves rather than using our resources to build our company?
The answer to this question is simple. We have not identified strategic partners in the same way that the government mandates nonprofits. The follow-up question to this is - Why Not? Perhaps, we have never thought of this concept before, or perhaps we simply just do not know how.
This 2-Step Guide will provide you with the tools to solidify your base as a business owner, and to take away the stress associated with "trying to do it alone." You have people who believe in your idea, so use them.
Step 1: Identify the Need.
We all have strategic partners around us whether it is our friends, mentors, or neighbors, who we have developed relationships with. But before we identify people, we must understand our business needs. As an entrepreneur, ask yourself the following questions:
- What are my target areas for development or improvement?
- Are my current operations aligned with the company's mission and vision?
- As a company, what goals are not being met based on my strategic plan?
When you truly understand your need as a company, you can identify the "who" - who is needed to fulfill this role?
Step 2: Secure the Need.
Be careful with this one - just because you have (1) a need and (2) a friend or mentor who specializes in this area, it does not mean that this particular person is the perfect match. In order to secure the need, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- What skill sets does this person offer?
- Are their skill sets aligned with the vision of the company?
- What and/or how can they add to the growth of the company?
- What level of commitment can I expect from this individual on a business level?
Granted, you want people who will invest in the vision of your company, whether it is their time, capital, network, or resources, but you also want workers - willing workers.
You have the plan, the vision, and the resources,
but it will only stretch as far as you are willing to go.