Perhaps you think your principal role is to have imaginative ideas and make the big decisions, but if you have a great team, they will also have the ability to innovate and guide the business on your behalf. However, that’s only if you trust them with the freedom to use their initiative.
Your biggest job is to create and develop the company culture. Learn to be the conductor of your orchestra. The musicians may play all the notes, but you make sure they’re playing the same tune.
What else? Aim to make your job as easy as possible. A workforce of 25 doesn’t require an elaborate management structure, but don’t be tempted to do so many jobs yourself there’s no time left to sit and think, or have a day off with your family. If you’re responsible for sales, production, HR and finance, who runs the business when you are on holiday or ill? Develop your team by involving them in day-to-day management.
Aim to create a great enterprise and, most of all, enjoy your job; people seldom run a business just to make money. Life in business is more about understanding life than knowing about business.
Sir John Timpson is chairman of the high-street services provider, Timpson.
Send him a question at [email protected]
