So what exactly is a "Small Business Lone Ranger?" A "Small Business Lone Ranger" is a business owner who does all
work themselves.No matter how big or small
project,
Lone Ranger handles 100% of it. Either because they're afraid to let go of control or because they feel they can't afford to hire help. Can you relate? I know I can!
So what's wrong with doing everything yourself? Well it's tough to grow your business if you're busy managing every single detail. I know it's a bit scary to let go of control or to consider actually hiring help, but I also know it's necessary if you want to grow your business to its fullest potential.
Take my 10-question quiz to determine if YOU are a Lone Ranger. And don't worry if you are, I've got some suggestions to help you rid yourself of this business-stifling affliction!
1. Do you work alone?
2. Do you feel no one can do your work quite as well as you?
3. Do you often feel there aren't enough hours in
day to get everything done?
4. Do you maintain your own website?
5. Do you do your own accounting and billing?
6. Do you write your own sales and marketing copy?
7. Do you get your own mail?
8. Do you buy your own office supplies?
9. Do you create or deliver all your products and services by yourself?
10. Do you fulfill and ship all your sales yourself?
I think you can see this list could go on and on and on, but you get
idea. So if you answered "Yes" to most or all of these questions, guess what, YOU ARE A LONE RANGER! That's okay, I've been one, too.
When your business is small you have to wear many hats because you can't afford to hire help. But at what point do you make a decision to start delegating tasks to someone else? ANSWER: When
time you're spending on administrative tasks involved in keeping your business running prevents you from spending time growing your business.
As a business owner, you should aim to spend at least 60% of your time marketing. You are
BEST person to market your product or service. And marketing is
only way your business will grow and flourish. So if you're too busy paying bills, getting
mail, responding to email and running out to pick up office supplies, then guess what? You don't have time to market. And your business cannot grow.