In every business, there are several details and factors that either contribute to the overall success of the enterprise or its demise. We are all created different but what is inevitably evident is that none of us as human beings has a talent that applies to everything under the sun. We have our strengths and weaknesses and in order to succeed at whatever task we undertake, it is best to know what these are. In this particular instance, it helps to know strengths and weaknesses so that you can get someone to work for you in an area where you have a weakness, while you cover the business needs that are better suited to your strengths.

One of the mistakes I made with my first business was that I employed my friends. I figured that since they were my friends, there was less of a chance of being cheated out of my earnings and they would understand if the business failed or did not pick up. In actual truth, it complicated many, many things. It strained our friendship, it cost the business because of managerial issues like time keeping and it served as a good lesson on what not to do. I am not saying that it is impossible to work with family or friends, I just know that the terms need to be clearly outlined and working agreements made for things to work out in everyone’s favour.

There is unparalleled importance in finding someone who fits your vision and mission. The truth is, people work a whole lot better when they own their work. It is smart to find people whose goals fit into your vision and mission. They may not fit exactly but as long as they are good at what they do, they are worth your while. Sometimes, they may not even be relevant to the whole duration of your growth but for the time that they are, they make their mark. When employing or working with people, it is important to be informed for they may have different goals and it is best to know what they are.

Have you ever been to a restaurant and had someone forget or mix up your order? Have you also come across a sour faced receptionist or sales person? These are simple but important factors that affect a business’s growth capacity. It is important to get professionals, not necessarily qualified individuals but people who are suited to the task at hand. It saves one from a lot of unnecessary discomfort and increases efficiency. Some people are pleasant and make excellent receptionists while others may not be so nice but may be better suited to tasks like accounting. Working with such knowledge makes a difference.

Many businesses do not take their time to accord proper appreciation to their employees. This becomes a great weakness over time because they fail to develop loyalty to the business and lose motivation to work. It is fundamental for anyone who would like to run a successful business to find smarter ways of taking care of their employee’s needs. A simple example would be paying their phone bills. This may not cost too much but will go a long way in showing the employee that they are appreciated and taken care of. That is why things like medical cover and retirement packages exist.

Businesses exist in order to cater to people’s needs and are also run by a different set of people, managing different temperaments and attitudes is a factor that makes a difference to the overall success of the business. Manage well, be successful.