The BSGA Column
Reaching out can be difficult for small business owners, but in this column, David Allen, president of the BSGA, highlight how relying on those trusted individuals is the key to relieving some of that pressure.
For when the superhuman small business owner can’t be
W
e all assume that we’ll go on forever. It’s almost built into our DNA. After
all, we steer our ships through turbulent waters daily: keeping cashflow healthy, paying taxes, managing staff, dealing with buildings, machines, materials, clients, and the constant flow of legislation and red tape. The list never ends. So, yes, the small business owner is
superhuman. But what if, one day, you can’t be? Have you got a plan for when life
throws that curveball? They say it’s never too late, even at the last minute, there are things you can do. In most cases, I’m pretty sure your
team will rally round you. There’s usually someone in your team who quietly steps up and proves themselves a natural leader. Still, it’s far better to plan for that moment before it’s needed. This planning isn’t just about you though it’s about your team too. You might know how to operate every
piece of kit in your workshop, but you couldn’t possibly do it all yourself. Training multiple team members to run machinery or handle key customers always pays off in morale, in productivity, and in peace of mind. But of course, no one could truly do your job – or could they?
Trusting your team When you first set up shop, you probably did everything: sales, design, fabrication, fitting, invoicing. But as your business grew, you brought in people you trusted saw potential in. Over time, they became your core crew, capable of tackling whatever challenge the business threw at them. At that stage, it’s easy for one
person to cover another, but as you grow but that can be when roles and responsibilities blur. That’s when it’s time to formalise a proper backup plan. Now, I’m not arguing against those business coaches who say owners
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should make themselves dispensable. That’s all well and good, but most of us love what we do even on the tough days. I’m suggesting something a little
different; that hidden within your own team, right under your nose, could be your natural successor. Someone willing to shoulder a bit of more of the load. When you find that person, nurture them. Start by being open, then begin
sharing authority, even if it feels uncomfortable. The first time will feel a bit like jumping out of a plane without knowing if the parachute works, but trust me, it gets easier. Before long, you’ll realise those 3am ‘what-if’ sessions start disappearing because the burden isn’t all on your shoulders anymore. Once you’ve taken that leap, let your
trusted person fly. Encourage them to take ownership of projects, make decisions, and lead from the front. This doesn’t mean hiring more people – it means strengthening from within. None of this is easy. In small sign businesses, people wear multiple
hats – and that’s the true superpower of our trade. If the worst were ever to happen, that versatility could be what saves your business. In that moment, something incredible
happens – your business, starts to become an independent, thriving entity in its own right no longer relying on one man.
Next comes ownership I’m no accountant, but there’s a world of difference between sharing authority and sharing ownership. True buy-in whether financial or emotional is the ultimate investment in your company’s future. That’s a complex stage, and emotional one giving away or up equity in your business to discuss here, but is the next stage in your businesses evolution but here’s my plea to you out don’t leave it too late. Having a plan doesn’t make you less
invincible I’d argue the opposite. It makes your business more resilient; and that’s your real superpower.
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