How do you go from Risky Business to a Business where you don't have to be there every hour of the day?
As a business owner or CEO, you can’t be everywhere at once. You have to trust that your employees will do their jobs and not party like it’s 1999 (or 2022). But how do you make the leap from risky business to hands-off business? Here are four tips to get you started.
1. Hire reliable employees.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s so important. If you want to be able to take a step back from your business, you need to hire people you can trust to get the job done—people who are responsible and reliable. The best way to find these kinds of employees is through referrals from people you know and trust. Ask around for recommendations and check references thoroughly before making any hiring decisions.
2. Set clear expectations.
Once you’ve hired your dream team, it’s important to set clear expectations from the outset. Let your employees know what is expected of them in terms of both their job duties and their conduct while they’re representing your company. If you set the tone early on, it will be easier to hold employees accountable down the line.
3. Create systems and procedures.
Once you have a team in place and everyone knows what their roles are, it’s time to create systems and procedures that will help keep things running smoothly even when you’re not there. This may include anything from detailed instructions for handling customer inquiries to policies for approving expense reports. By creating systems and procedures, you can ensure that your business will continue to run efficiently even when you’re not there to oversee everything yourself.
4. Delegate, delegate, delegate!
One of the most important things you can do as a business owner or CEO is learn how to delegate effectively. This means trusting your employees to handle tasks and make decisions without needing constant supervision from you. It can be tough to let go of the reins, but delegating responsibility is essential if you want to be able to take a step back from your business without it falling apart without you.
Making the transition from hands-on business owner or CEO to absentee owner can be tough, but it’s definitely possible with some careful planning and forethought. By following these four tips—hiring reliable employees, setting clear expectations, creating systems and procedures, and delegating responsibility—you can give yourself the freedom to take a step back without putting your business at risk.