Natural Entrepreneur: Delegate to Improve Productivity

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Delegate to Improve Productivity

It's a necessity that's worth the risk

-- Ask SCORE c/o Dick Kuhl, Bedford, NH

Being an entrepreneur means that you alone must shoulder the responsibility for your business. But this does not mean you have to do everything. As your business grows, you will almost certainly need to take on employees to handle some of the tasks you do not have time to handle.

Delegation is one of the toughest jobs to learn. If you only had one item to do, chances are you could do it better yourself. However, given the breadth of duties that operating a small business entails, some projects are best delegated and supervised to subordinates.

It takes discipline to let go of tasks both simple and complex. Consider delegation as part of your overall plan for the business, taking into consideration contingencies such as a sudden illness or a vacation.

Delegation is not just for a business with one or more employees. A solo entrepreneur can benefit from having a part-time employee, contractor, or intern assist with specific tasks. In delegating duties within or outside your staff, provide time for discussion, orientation and training. If you have a multiple employees, begin cross–training so there are backup systems in place if you or other key employees are absent. For competent, motivated employees, delegation can be an opportunity to learn new skills and take on added responsibility. You communicate to the employee your trust that he or she is up to the task and the attendant responsibilities.

Clearly define responsibilities and the authority that accompanies the task. Plan to recognize and reward the employees who assume additional duties. If employees step up to the plate, you want to be sure to demonstrate appreciation for their extra effort.

Those employees to whom you delegate responsibility must be responsible for their own actions and results as well as for those they may supervise. Request periodic, written reports and use staff meetings to provide a forum for comments on activities, accomplishments and challenges.

Dick Kuhl is a NH SCORE counselor for Chapter 199, Manchester / Nashua area. Local SCORE offices are available for walk-in or telephone questions but the more common methods of securing help from SCORE are E-mail counseling (via www.score.org) and traditional counseling. Six SCORE chapters provide the state of New Hampshire with traditional counseling: Manchester/Nashua, Concord, Lebanon, Keene, Portsmouth/ Seacoast and Lakes Area. Dick can be reached at (603) 666-7561.

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