Business Education

Want to Grow Your One-Man Show into Big Business? Then Follow George Washington’s Example

In 1775, the Continentals were planning to exit royal crown rule, but needed a leader. They were looking for someone with experience and who commanded great respect. Among the many meetings, one individual stood out among the rest. Towering above his contemporaries at 6 feet 2 inches, weighing 200+ pounds, was an impressive figure who always wore a military uniform to such patriot gatherings. It was a not-so-subtle way to convince the colonial leaders he’d be a perfect fit.

But when named the General of the Continental Army, George Washington quickly realized that almost all of his troops lacked military experience. In fact, very few had any military experience whatsoever. So, he had to train them, starting with the basics: how to march in formation, how to pitch a tent, how to dig holes for latrines, how to load and clean their weapons. In other words, every single skill a soldier needed.

This is a great example of how today’s solopreneurs can grow their businesses by enlisting the help of industry outsiders and training them in detail.

How Solo Business Owners Can Grow by Hiring and Training Inexperienced Talent

As a solo business owner, scaling your company can feel daunting, especially when resources are tight. Hiring experienced professionals might seem ideal, but their salaries and expectations can strain a small business. Instead, hiring and training people with little industry experience can be a cost-effective, sustainable way to grow. This approach not only builds a loyal, tailored workforce but also fosters a culture aligned with your vision. Here’s how to do it in just five steps.

Why Hire Inexperienced Talent?

Inexperienced hires, such as recent graduates or career switchers, often come with lower salary expectations than seasoned professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, entry-level workers earn about 20-30% less than their experienced counterparts, freeing up capital for other growth initiatives.

These candidates are typically eager to learn, adaptable, and less set in industry-specific habits, making them ideal for molding into roles that fit your business’s unique needs. Plus, investing in their growth can foster loyalty, reducing turnover—a costly issue for small businesses, with replacement costs averaging $4,700 per employee, per the Society for Human Resource Management.

Step 1: Identify the Right Candidates

Hiring inexperienced doesn’t mean hiring unqualified. Look for candidates with transferable skills, a strong work ethic, and enthusiasm for your industry. For example, a retail business owner might prioritize candidates with customer service experience, even from unrelated fields like hospitality. Use job platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn, but also tap local resources—community colleges, job fairs, or social media groups. Craft clear job descriptions emphasizing growth potential over prior experience. During interviews, ask behavioral questions like, “Tell me about a time you learned a new skill quickly,” to gauge learning agility.

Step 2: Design a Scalable Training Program

A structured training program is critical to turning novices into assets. Start by documenting your business’s core processes—sales, customer service, inventory management, or whatever drives your operations. Break these into bite-sized modules to avoid overwhelming new hires. For instance, a solo bakery owner might create a week-long onboarding plan: Day 1 for hygiene protocols, Days 2-3 for basic baking techniques, and Days 4-5 for customer interactions.

Leverage free or low-cost tools to streamline training. Platforms like Google Classroom or Trello can organize materials, while YouTube tutorials or industry-specific online courses (e.g., Coursera) can supplement hands-on learning. Pair new hires with yourself or a trusted employee for shadowing, ensuring they learn by doing. Regular check-ins during the first 90 days help address gaps and build confidence.

Step 3: Foster a Growth-Oriented Culture

Inexperienced hires thrive in environments that encourage learning and experimentation. Set clear expectations but allow room for mistakes as part of the growth process. For example, a marketing agency owner might let a new hire draft social media posts, providing constructive feedback rather than demanding perfection. Recognize small wins—public praise or a $50 gift card can go a long way. Data from Gallup shows that employees who feel recognized are 20% more engaged, boosting productivity and retention.

Encourage ongoing learning by offering access to affordable resources, like industry webinars or local workshops. A solo business owner in tech, for instance, could provide a Udemy subscription ($20-$50/month) to help a new hire master coding basics. This investment signals commitment to their development, increasing loyalty.

Step 4: Delegate and Scale

As your team gains competence, delegate tasks to free up your time for strategic growth—marketing, partnerships, or new revenue streams. Start with low-risk responsibilities, like handling customer inquiries, before entrusting bigger roles, such as managing inventory. Use tools like Asana or Slack to track progress and maintain communication. A 2023 study by McKinsey found that effective delegation can increase small business revenue by up to 15% by allowing owners to focus on high-impact activities.

Step 5: Overcome Challenges

Hiring inexperienced talent isn’t without hurdles. Training takes time, and early mistakes can frustrate busy owners. Mitigate this by setting realistic timelines—expect 3-6 months for full proficiency. If a hire struggles, assess whether it’s a training gap or a poor fit. High turnover early on can signal unclear expectations or inadequate support, so refine your process as needed.

Want to Accomplish More?

Do you want your company to grow faster and earn more while spending more time with your family doing everything you started your business to do?

We can make that dream a reality. Give us 30 minutes, and we will show you how to get your life back. Skeptical? Good! Put us to the test.

You can call us for your free appointment at 480-636-1720, or, if you prefer, Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

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Most Effective Ways to Improve Customer Satisfaction

March 27, 2019 No Comments

Improving customer satisfaction is a never-ending pursuit. It’s not like any company can fully reach 100 percent customer satisfaction. Although, that certainly doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile to strive for as high as rate as possible. So, just how do you improve customer satisfaction? Best Methods to Improve Customer Satisfaction Let’s start from a realistic baseline. We’ll blow-up the old adage, “the customer is always right.” Because, we all know, this is a good rule of thumb but isn’t universally true. However, it’s equally as true, happy customers help sustain and create additional business. As business owners, we’d all like to think of ourselves as providers of great customer service. As small business owners in particular, it’s quite possibly your biggest differentiator. After all, how often is it that you walk into a national chain restaurant and are greeted by name, handed your favorite drink and made to feel like part of the family? But great customer service is also about knowing how to handle problems, responding to and resolving issues—something at which agile small businesses can often excel. —U.S. Small Business Administration One of the best ways to improve customer satisfaction is to eliminate repetition. Now, this is a difficult task but it’s not impossible. A full 72 percent of consumer attribute poor customer service to having to explain their problem to multiple people. Meaning, people seriously dislike repeating themselves to multiple employees. Instead, funnel such situations straight to where they must ultimately go. Most Effective Ways to Improve Customer Satisfaction Now, that’s a huge piece of improving customer satisfaction. But, it isn’t the only way you can make your customers happier. Here are a few more helpful suggestions: Monitor social media. An old statistic states if someone is dissatisfied, they’ll tell 7 to 10 people. But if pleased, will only tell between 2 and 3 other individuals. Today, those numbers are much larger due to social media. So, that’s a key place to follow. Lend a helping hand. Somethings require a bit of a learning curve to understand and eventually master. If you are selling something requiring a learning curve, offer a means to explain it. A manual or a video will work nicely. Give customers rewards. No, not every customer should receive a reward. But, your most valuable definitely need such adulation. If possible, make it personal for an added touch. Provide flexibility. Along the same lines of eliminating repetition should be the ability to offer flexibility. Simply put, give more team members the power to make decisions that can resolve issues. Prevent problems. Another great way to improve customer satisfaction is to prevent problems. For instance, if someone purchases two items and they aren’t compatible, offer a heads-up and alert them. What other practices improve customer satisfaction? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

7 Proven Ways Small Businesses Can Increase Their Efficiency

October 5, 2023 No Comments

Efficiency is the lifeblood of small businesses. In a competitive landscape, optimizing operations and resources can mean the difference between thriving and merely surviving. Fortunately, there are proven strategies that small businesses can implement to enhance efficiency. Effective Strategies Small Businesses Can Use to Improve Efficiency As a small business owner, you know that efficiency is key to success. With limited time and resources, you need to be able to get as much done as possible as quickly as possible. That’s where efficiency comes in. By implementing a few simple strategies, you can boost your small business’s efficiency and productivity, freeing up your time and resources to focus on the things that matter most. So, here are seven proven ways to increase efficiency in your small business that you can use: 1. Automate Repetitive Tasks One of the best ways to improve efficiency is to automate repetitive tasks. This could involve using software to automate tasks such as email marketing, social media management, or customer support. You can also use tools to automate simple tasks such as data entry or scheduling. By automating repetitive tasks, you can free up your time and energy to focus on more strategic and important work. 2. Delegate Tasks to Your Team If you have a team, don’t be afraid to delegate tasks. This is a great way to free up your time and expertise so that you can focus on the most important aspects of your business. But, remember, when delegating tasks, it’s important to be clear about your expectations and to provide your team with the resources they need to be successful. You should also check in regularly to monitor their progress and provide feedback. 3. Set Clear Priorities It’s important to set clear priorities for yourself and your team. This will help you to focus your time and energy on the most important tasks. When setting priorities, it’s important to consider the following factors: Importance: How important is the task to your overall goals? Urgency: How soon does the task need to be completed? Effort: How much time and effort will the task require? So, be sure to gauge its importance, prioritize its urgency, and estimate how much time and effort it will realistically take. This way, you’ll have a much better chance at success in such endeavors. 4. Streamline Your Processes Take some time to review your business processes and see where you can make improvements. Are there any unnecessary steps that can be eliminated? Are there any tasks that can be combined? By streamlining your processes, you can reduce wasted time and resources. 5. Invest in the Right Tools and Technology Investing in the right tools and technology can help you to improve efficiency in all aspects of your business. This could include using software to manage your finances, customer relationships, or inventory. You could also invest in hardware such as new computers or scanners. Of course, when choosing tools and technology, it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget. 6. Take Breaks It may seem counterintuitive, but taking breaks can actually help you to be more efficient. When you’re constantly working, you’re more likely to make mistakes and get burned out. Taking regular breaks will help you to stay focused and productive. Get up and move around, take a few deep breaths, or step outside for some fresh air. 7. Create a Positive Work Environment A positive work environment can have a big impact on efficiency and productivity. When employees feel happy and valued, they’re more likely to be engaged and motivated. There are a number of things you can do to create a positive work environment, such as: Provide clear and regular constructive feedback. Offer opportunities for professional development. Recognize and reward employees for their accomplishments. Create a culture of collaboration and teamwork. By implementing these seven strategies, you can boost your small business’s efficiency and productivity, freeing up your time and resources to focus on the things that matter most. Efficiency is the backbone of small business success. By implementing these seven proven strategies small businesses can optimize their operations, reduce costs, and improve overall productivity. Right now, you can get John Waters’ latest book for FREE! (Currently selling for $19.95 on Amazon). This inspiring book titled “Profit by Design: The Blueprint to Successfully Scale Your Business and Regain Your Freedom” is a must-read for business owners who want to do just that! Request your FREE copy in any of the following ways: Visit Waters Business Consulting Group By phone 602-435-5474 or By email: Steve@WatersBusinessConsulting.com

The Landlord is Seriously Raising My Business Space Rent – What are My Options?

July 13, 2022 No Comments

Commercial tenants can expect their rent to go up every year. In fact, it’s a bit unusual for the rate not to increase at the end of a lease. But sometimes, unscrupulous landlords will take advantage of their tenants’ naivete and exercise a somewhat obscure clause that allows them to up the rental rate substantially. So much, that it can increase by a relatively high percentage, thus making it virtually unaffordable. Fortunately, there are some options commercial tenants have in these situations. Business Owners, Know Your Lease Although it may seem completely obvious or self-evident, don’t just skim over any commercial lease. If necessary, pay an attorney to look it over and explain it to you on a very elementary basis. Or, go over it carefully yourself and if you don’t understand something, be sure to research it on your own – do not just take the landlord’s word for what it truly means. There’s no standard agreement for commercial leases. In fact, negotiating the terms of commercial leases is usually expected. Depending on the state of the commercial real estate market, a business may be able to obtain significant concessions from a landlord. A property owner with a largely vacant business park, for example, will most likely make allowances. On the other hand, the business renting the space will have less control over the terms of a lease in a hot rental market or when renting a premium space. —FindLaw Small Business We’re not going to get into commercial lease types, because there are many kinds. But, it is quite common for leases to contain various expenses besides just renting pure square feet, including common area maintenance and repairs, and other expenses. However, it certainly isn’t unheard of that tenants get stuck with even more expenses related to their business rentals. So, again, be sure to understand the lease before you sign on the dotted line in order to avoid any confusion or surprises in the future. What To Do When Your Business Rent goes Up Unexpectedly If the commercial space you’re leasing for your business goes up dramatically, you do have some options available, though they may not always be the best. Here are a few things you can do if the landlord raises the rental rate on your commercial space: Do your research first. Start by getting a firm grasp on your state’s commercial rental laws. This won’t necessarily be a fun task, but a very necessary one. If you understand how these laws work, you may find something in your favor. At the very least, you’ll have more knowledge about how the landlord-tenant laws work in your state and will be wiser to make better decisions in the future. Survey the local market. The next thing you should do is to start looking at other commercial spaces immediately. You just may find some deals out there that would allow you to either lower your current rental rate or be competitive. Because of the pandemic disruption, many commercial landlords are desperate for tenants, since so many businesses have adopted work-from-home and hybrid models. Try to renegotiate your current lease. Another option is to try to renegotiate the lease on the property you are currently occupying. You can use your newfound knowledge of the law and of the local market opportunities to your advantage. This is especially helpful if you really want to avoid the hassles of moving your operation elsewhere, and the landlord is willing to be reasonable. How else would you deal with a sudden commercial rent increase? Please take a few moments to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your input! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.