Build your Team

Surround yourself with winners

Rome wasn’t built in one day. And it certainly wasn’t built by one person.

If you’re steering yourself towards success, you’ve got to understand just how important it is to have a reliable team. Great things in business are never done by just one person – and even if there aren’t frequent mentions of a CEO’s advisers and coaches, they are inevitably existent and are absolutely necessary.

You might have a great vision for your future, but getting there will take plenty of input, advice, and help.

With a technological landscape that is continually changing, entrepreneurs can get caught up with consuming vast amounts of information. You’ll be persuaded that you need to pay for extras and invest in this or that. But when you’re starting out, the best investment you can make is in people.

Coaches. Mentors. Advisers.

Professionals that know what they’re doing. They know how to fix your problems. They know the right people to call. They’re your backup when things don’t go your way. And if you fall, they’re the people to catch you. When you’re starting out, or growing your business, having someone you can call for advice, information, perhaps just some support and encouragement, is one of your most important assets. Like any asset, you need to invest and cultivate relationships that will benefit you in a host of ways.

It doesn’t matter whether you want to climb up the career ladder, build your own empire, or just achieve financial freedom; you need people to help you. Of course, it takes time to surround yourself with a team of people who will support your dreams. This isn’t something you can achieve in a day. It’s a long-term investment that, in the end, will offer the most rewards because these people will help you grow, learn, and develop.

So, who do you need on your team?

A business needs all sorts of people to make it successful. You’ll need a business coach, tax consultant, lawyer, accountment, perhaps a marketing professional, and a market research adviser. You don’t have to know everything; you just need to know a range of people who do. Ask them for advice and feedback, ask about anything and everything! If you don’t ask – you’re never going to know.

It can be overwhelming to think about how many people you’ll need helping you to succeed. If you don’t know where to begin, ask a business coach. Business coaches are all about taking your business from where it is now to where you want it to be. They’ll clarify your vision, build actionable plans for your business, and ensure you stay on track by bringing expertise to the table. They can also advise you on who else you need in your team. They won’t do the work for you – but they’ll sure as hell keep you on track and motivated to reach those goals that you set.

People often tend to confuse coaches and mentors. Both bring their expertise to the table, but while a coach will assist you in the goal planning and keeping you accountable for it, a mentor will serve as an advisor and a role model through sharing their knowledge and experience. A business adviser can take on both these roles by providing practical solutions and steps like cash flow plans and new revenue streams while keeping you motivated and offering advice from their own experience.

Gain clarity

If there are any gaps in your business knowledge, a lack of clarity, or even an uneven work and life imbalance, a business coach is the best place to invest. A business coach will also be able to help you bring others onto your team. They know when you need a tax advisor or when to network with others.

Instead of wasting your time and energy trying to learn everything yourself, and become an expert in all aspects of business, invest in surrounding yourself with people who are already experts in their own field. Focus on building your team. I promise it’s the best investment you’ll ever make.