Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/59042
46 • APRIL 2012 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Once having provided you with some assistance in the process of going into business, I will attempt to pass on some thoughts regarding mak- ing the transition from employee to boss. Initially, it is important to discuss strategies to help the transition. With that in mind, we are going to explore some different thoughts that might help. First, you need a business plan which includes a financial plan for your business. Then, don't hire those first employees with the thought that "they'll be gone in a few months." Your first couple of employees must be the rocks upon which you will build your business. You should assume that THE HUMAN LINK by Jim Lucci Management Motivational Associates Moving from employee to boss: The challenges of starting your own business you will have zero revenue for at least the first several months and insuffi- cient income to pay any employee for at least six months, so make certain that your financial plan includes suffi- cient capital reserve which will cover their full salaries. Second, don't be too much of a "Mr. Nice Guy." Remember that em- ployees do not expect to be treated as indentured servants, but they want to see some sensible rules that offer them guidance, such as what will be in- cluded in the employees handbook which must be created to support your business plan. Dynasty Profiles PVC Profiles Pre-Fabricated Fence Panels Post & Picket Caps Aluminum Fences We are Extruders and Manufacturers of PVC and Aluminum ornamental products for the Fence Industry. Buy Direct from the source and save. You can mix any product in a single load. Now offering the full line of Caps and Accessories from our warehouse in Tennessee. PVC Profiles and Pre-Fabricated Panels are manufactured in Mono-Extruded 100% virgin material. All products meet ASTM standards. Ornamental Aluminum Panels Residential, Commercial and Industrial grades. Powder coated with DuPont paint and pre-assembled. Panels available with standard assembly or "Hidden-Screws". For catalogs and prices contact us @: Tel. 877-846-0640 Email: info@dynastyfence.net Your business cannot support the attitude that "as long as the work gets done, you can set your own hours." You are running a business, not a free-for-all! Third, you must develop and fos- ter good habits immediately. Don't have a vision of the kind of boss you'll be when contracts start coming in; be that kind of boss from day one. In a phrase: Be a mentor, not an intimidator. Remember, the authority of the intimidating boss reaches only as far as his or her arm, but the author- ity of a mentor lasts a lifetime. Trans- lation: be a boss, not a bossy person. Fourth, and finally, don't fear de- cision making. Quick (but carefully reasoned) decisions are better than de- ferred decisions. The first time you have to make an important business decision, you might freeze; all of a sudden, you realize that you are re- sponsible for the consequences. Too many new entrepreneurs start deferring decisions, afraid of the re- sults. Believe it or not, you got into business to make decisions; well, now is the time to start making them! The next area of major concern is to explore what kind of business per- sonality you possess. Your business personality type is made up of the traits and characteristics of your own personal personality, blended with the needs of your business. If you better understand your business personality, then you can give your company the best part of you. Find others to help your business in areas which you are not prepared or qualified to fulfill. With that said, let's look to iden- tify your dominant personality type and understand how you might oper- ate in your business. Entrepreneur personality types Number one is the "improver." If you operate your business predomi- nantly in the "improver" mode, you are focused on using your company as a means to "improve the world," so your unspoken motto is, "Morally cor- rect companies will be rewarded in working on a noble cause." Improvers have an unwavering ability to run their business with high integrity and ethics. However, be aware that this personality type has the tendency to be a perfectionist, and therefore over-critical of their employ- ees and sometimes even of their cus- tomers. Number two is the "advisor." This business personality type will provide an extremely high level of assistance and advice to customers, but not nec- essarily to their employees. The motto in this instance is that, "The customer is right, and we must contin ued on pa g e 48