How to Know When You’re Ready to Become Your Own Boss

There are two people in your life that can immediately tell you if a job candidate is a good hire. When both (or either one) doesn’t get a good vibe, it’s an important warning sign to heed. While some candidates fit the bill precisely on paper, but it’s what’s not on the resume that’s most telling. Trouble is, you might miss these cues. And, that’s where two key people in your life and business come into the picture. Resume versus Reality Paper credentials are indeed important. But, if his or her personality doesn’t gel, he or she just won’t work out. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because it means there are other qualities that you need to have in that position. Put another way, intangibles can’t be ignored. Even when there’s an impressive track record, that doesn’t seamlessly translate into the perfect fit. Hiring someone who doesn’t fit your company’s personality can be a very costly mistake. To avoid making that mistake, make sure to interview job candidates for cultural fit, as well as job qualifications. —Inc.com We’ve all heard the stories of Steve Jobs. A marketing genius. A man who could somehow see into the future. However, a very difficult person to work for and with. Although he built a huge company, he did so stepping on a lot of toes and hurting many people’s feelings. Of course, this is just an example. Yet, it does help to illustrate a point — someone can have a spectacular resume but isn’t a true team player. Best Ways to Size-Up a Potential New Hire So, how do you know if someone is a good fit for the position? Sure, read his or her resume. Ask some questions before and during an interview. Then, rely on two key people to read the tea leaves. Just who are these individuals? The answer is: your spouse and your right hand man. While the latter makes perfect sense, the former just might surprise you. (That is, unless your spouse works in the business with you.) But, for business owners who don’t work with their spouses, this could be a bit out of left field. However, it’s a great way to get a real feel for someone. After all, your spouse knows you just about as well as anyone could. She or he can glean things from another person you could easily miss on your own. And, that’s where your right hand person is also valuable. He or she will also be able to judge a potential hire in more ways than just on paper. So, get together for lunch and over dinner. And, do so separately (your spouse on one occasion and your right hand on another). Then, ask their impressions about the job candidate and listen carefully. You’ll probably learn a lot. Plus, you’ll get valuable feedback that can help you to make the right decision. What other suggestions do you have for sizing up a potential new hire? Please take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

As an entrepreneur, you’re constantly juggling priorities. There are always a million things to do, and it can be tough to know where to start. But if you don’t learn how to prioritize your tasks, you’ll quickly find yourself overwhelmed and stressed out. Effective Tips for Juggling Priorities as an Entrepreneur If those two emotional states of mind aren’t attractive, it’s because they are inherently counterproductive. Entrepreneurs would much rather be in control and calm. To achieve this, it’s important to know how to juggle priorities and that can be quite difficult because everything that’s important deserves due attention. So, here are some effective strategies for juggling priorities: Set clear goals and objectives. The first step to effective prioritization is to have a clear understanding of your goals and objectives. What do you want to achieve with your business? Once you know your goals, you can start to identify the tasks that are most important to achieving them. Create a to-do list. Once you know your priorities, it’s time to create a to-do list. This will help you keep track of what needs to be done and when it needs to be done. When creating your list, be sure to estimate how long each task will take. This will help you create a realistic timeline for completing your work. Prioritize your tasks. Not all tasks are created equal. Some tasks are more important than others, and some tasks are more urgent than others. When prioritizing your tasks, it’s important to consider both the importance and urgency of each task. Delegate tasks. If you’re trying to juggle too many priorities, it’s important to delegate tasks to others. This will free up your time so you can focus on the most important tasks. When delegating tasks, be sure to choose people who are capable of completing the tasks to your satisfaction. Additionally, take breaks. It’s important to take breaks when you’re juggling multiple priorities. If you try to work non-stop, you’ll quickly become overwhelmed and feel stressed out. When you take breaks, give yourself a chance to relax and recharge. This will help you come back to your work refreshed and focused. Between catering to the needs of customers, ensuring employees are engaged, remaining true to the values of the organization, and staying compliant with changing laws, running a business naturally requires entrepreneurs to balance several different priorities all at once. No matter how experienced a leader is or how top-notch their juggling skills are, any person would struggle with these responsibilities. —Newsweek Juggling priorities is a challenge for any entrepreneur, but it’s essential to the success of your business. By following these tips, you can learn to manage your time effectively and achieve your goals. Even More Ways to Organize Your Business Priorities In case you’re already accustomed to using these methods, there are more that you can also adopt. In addition to the above, here are a few more tips for deciding which priorities are most important: Consider the impact of each task. What impact will completing or not completing each task have on your business? Some tasks may have a more immediate impact, while others may have a more long-term impact. Think about your resources. Do you have the time, money, and people power to complete each task? If not, you may need to prioritize tasks that are more feasible. Factor in your goals. What are your short-term and long-term goals for your business? Prioritize tasks that will help you achieve your goals. Be flexible. Things change, and your priorities may need to change as well. Be prepared to adjust your priorities as needed. Juggling priorities is an ongoing challenge for entrepreneurs, but it’s a necessary part of running a successful business. By following these tips, you can learn to manage your time effectively and achieve your goals. What other advice would you give to business owners about how to effectively juggle priorities and put pressing matters in the proper order? Please take a few moments to share your experiences and anecdotes so others can benefit from your input! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.