Dont Let Wearing Many Biz Hats Wear You Down

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Don't Let Wearing Many Biz Hats Wear You Down

Jean L. Serio

It's true. Entrepreneurs usually wind up wearing many Biz Hats. Especially starting out. But don't let the thought of it, or the work, wear you down. Here's 5 essential hats you'll wear. And how to handle the wearing of them.

Before we get to them - first it's important for a business owner to be capable of performing all functions it takes to run their business. Not only that, they should understand why it's important to do so. Regardless of how minor a task may be. When they can, and do, they're on the road to effectively running their business and creating profitability.

Here's 5 Biz Hats most business owners and entrepreneurs can expect to wear. And why they're essential:

Facilities Manager - Whether you have a commercial, retail or home business operation, it's essential to keep up appearances. Even if cleaning is on your "I don't do cleaning" list at home, or stresses you out.

It's important the location clients, or customers, visit be cleaned and well-presented at all times. First, it's unprofessional to invite a customer to an office with trash cans over-flowing, stinky food smells permeating the air, and crumbs which must be brushed away before the client can sit down for a meeting. And second, let's get real. What client will believe you'll expertly do the job they're planning to hire and pay you for, when you can't keep your place of business at least reasonably organized. If you can't or unwilling, you'll need money enough to hire others to do the job for you. Can't afford a professional? Look into hiring a friend or family member, to give the place a good cleaning, before clients show up.

Financial Manager - Most entrepreneurs and small biz owners often think handing over responsibility for the financial end of the business is best. Since they often believe themselves incapable. In most cases this isn't so. Since you started the company, you know what assets you have on hand, and what you may need. Likely you'll also know how much you'll need to expand or hire employees. How much you'll need for your next project, product or service, for example. Managing your finances, and financial needs, simply takes some thought and serious consideration of needs versus instant gratification.

Accountant - Most people would rather have a root canal than do their own bookkeeping or accounting. Don't agonize or put it off, since this could create financial problems. Nothing is difficult once you know how to do it. Either take time to learn how, or hand it over to a qualified individual.

Marketing Director - If you're reading this article, you may already be doing what's called "market research". This is one of the first, important tasks, you should complete before starting up a business, applying for a loan, or looking for investors.

Market research helps determine whether there's a viable customer base for your product, who they are, how much they'll pay for your product or service. And how to reach them. While farming out marketing to experienced companies is often what entrepreneurs do, it's important to do at least some of it yourself.

Doing your own research not only helps you understand who and where your market is, but provides you info to better understand your market's needs. In short, this valuable information can give you great ideas for adding future products or services. Or how to redevelop those you have. Something some marketing firms can easily overlook. Don't be overwhelmed by marketing gurus who claim it's best left to them. Once you've done your own market research, it's easier to develop a viable marketing plan.

Sales Manager - Unfortunately many entrepreneurs and business owners think they aren't in sales. So they avoid wearing their Sales hat.

Unless you have money to hire a sales staff and sales manager to organize and oversee them, you are the sales staff - you are the sales manager. Otherwise how will your products be sold? If they're not sold, how will your business survive? How

will you pay yourself, employees and your bills?

Making sales isn't as difficult as people would have you believe. Especially if you have products most potential customers want and need. By selling the what they want, and need, you're doing them a service. And remember, most people expect to be sold. And who better - than you - to do the job. You know how the product or service works because you've researched, developed and/or purchased it. You likely know every benefit each product or service provides. In short, you're the best, most qualified, person.

Bottom Line: Not to worry. While most entrepreneurs may wear many ill-fitting hats, to start, with experience and a little digiligence they eventually successfully grow into them.

Jean L. Serio, Copyright 2008. Are you one of the 1.2 million women tired of working the 9-5 grind, sick of worrying about making ends meet? As you know, starting your own business still remains one of the best strategies for providing you financial freedom. Discover how to start your business today, with your own simple, step-by-step Action Plan. And to ensure you receive all the details FREE, and learn how to harness the power of other successful women plus receive hundreds of resources you need to start, first sign up for your Free "Women Start Up a Business" Ezine. And receive your Bonus Report "5 Mistakes Women Make Starting Up a Business". Go to http://www.womensmarketingandbusinessnetwork.com "We help you make it happen!"