Well, I am in the process of outlining the structure of my business and in doing so I am outlining some of the ideas I have. At first I thought, why would I need an org chart for a one or two person business? So I convinced myself that it wasn’t needed. Then after working through some of the organization information, I realized that it is very beneficial. BTW… I don’t mean an org chart that has two squares and represents the two people that are in your business currently.
Start at the end
To be successful, you have to have a vision. Your vision should include the end result. It should include the exit strategy. It should include the organization. That is where the org chart comes in. Outline what your organization will look like when it has 100, 1000, or 100,000 people. What will the executive management structure look like? What will the base management structure look like?
Okay I have it… Now What?
Once you have that structure of your organization, you need to define the roles. Seriously. Outline each of the roles on the Org Chart. What responsibilities does that person have? What will be there primary area of focus? Will they have employees? What will there organization look like?
After you have defined those responsibilities, you need to realize who in your current organization will serve that need. It can be someone currently in the organization, someone you need to hire, or left open. Only leave it open if you can live without it for a while.
What does this do for me?
This does two things for you. It outlines the responsibilities of the organization and doesn’t allow you to float all over. Second, it gives you a goal. You know all the responsibilities that have to be met. Now all you have to do if you want to build a business that can run without you is replace all the squares with capable people. Now it can be a game or a challenge.
Give the org chart game a try! It might just help you focus on your needs.
Be daring…be creative!
Jeremy
Jeremy Lattimore is a creative problem solving guru in the business technology field. He has been involved in startups and has his MBA. Currently, he’s obsessed with business automation/efficiency and social networks. His current start up venture is Borea Systems and he’s diligently building his Refocusing Technology blog.
Organization Charts
Well, I am in the process of outlining the structure of my business and in doing so I am outlining some of the ideas I have. At first I thought, why would I need an org chart for a one or two person business? So I convinced myself that it wasn’t needed. Then after working through some of the organization information, I realized that it is very beneficial. BTW… I don’t mean an org chart that has two squares and represents the two people that are in your business currently.
Start at the end
To be successful, you have to have a vision. Your vision should include the end result. It should include the exit strategy. It should include the organization. That is where the org chart comes in. Outline what your organization will look like when it has 100, 1000, or 100,000 people. What will the executive management structure look like? What will the base management structure look like?
Okay I have it… Now What?
Once you have that structure of your organization, you need to define the roles. Seriously. Outline each of the roles on the Org Chart. What responsibilities does that person have? What will be there primary area of focus? Will they have employees? What will there organization look like?
After you have defined those responsibilities, you need to realize who in your current organization will serve that need. It can be someone currently in the organization, someone you need to hire, or left open. Only leave it open if you can live without it for a while.
What does this do for me?
This does two things for you. It outlines the responsibilities of the organization and doesn’t allow you to float all over. Second, it gives you a goal. You know all the responsibilities that have to be met. Now all you have to do if you want to build a business that can run without you is replace all the squares with capable people. Now it can be a game or a challenge.
Give the org chart game a try! It might just help you focus on your needs.
Be daring…be creative!
Jeremy
Jeremy Lattimore is a creative problem solving guru in the business technology field. He has been involved in startups and has his MBA. Currently, he’s obsessed with business automation/efficiency and social networks. His current start up venture is Borea Systems and he’s diligently building his Refocusing Technology blog.